Even though Elara was surrounded by people,she still couldn't shake off that feeling of loneliness and uneasiness in her.
Her skin felt clammy the whole ride to school as though invisible eyes danced over her with every second that went by. Every time she raised her head from her phone she always noticed someone looking at her. An older woman who sat on the fourth row stared at her for almost two minutes, immediately looking away when Elara met her gaze. She heard the excited chatter of two preteen boys near the back as they talked excitedly about a movie they had watched last night. It was obvious that they were up to no good but she decided that it wasn't her business.
She had chosen a seat close to the window as sitting anywhere else would make her feel cornered. She clenched her fingers around the already fraying strap of her bag,her heart still uneasy from the dream… nightmare she had last night. She could still hear his unchilly laugh in her head. Damien terrified her.
The road to the school from her bus stop wasn't particularly safe with plenty of potholes covering the road. The man sitting beside her brushed his hand against her legs when the driver hit a pothole which made her almost yelp. At her reaction, he whispered obscenities under his breath before creating a distance between them. Elara wanted to scream at herself. "Relax… you're only going to look stupid in front of them."
By the time the bus had finally gotten to the school,she was almost sweating through her blouse. She almost flew out of the bus,her flats hitting against the pavement too hard, sending a sharp shock through her.
A smile curved on her lips as she stared at the looming buildings of the school in front of her. Though she hated coming to teach uninterested rich kids,she couldn't deny that she felt safe beyond these walls. She knew that Damien wouldn't do anything to her as long as she was within the school premises. That was just way too much risk.
Her shoulders loosened a bit. Releasing the breath she hadn't realised she was holding,she slung the strap of her bag on her shoulder, muttering to herself. "You're a strong woman. You can do this. You do not have to be scared. You do not have to worry about any other thing today"
But it seemed as though the universe had other plans for her.
She had barely made it halfway through the parking lot when a tall shadow swallowed her path. A broad chest filled her vision which forced her to halt in her track so quickly that she almost stumbled back a step. Slowly,she let her eyes climb upward.
And there he was.
The student she had kissed that day at the bar.
He stood in front of her,a boyish smile playing on his lips,his dark hair styled neatly on his head. His earring caught the sun causing it to gleam under its light. His shirt fit him perfectly as though he had been the inspiration they had before creating it.
Her pulse skipped. She was worried that she would die from a heart attack from how often she seemed to have a scare.
"You better have a good reason as to why you're preventing me from getting to class" she said in a clipped tone.
A slow but yet charming smile curved on his lips. "I figured that it was extremely rude of me to forget to introduce myself" he responded,his voice low, velvet with amusement. "Don't you think so too?"
She narrowed her eyes. She didn't need to know who he was but she didn't say that out loud. "So… go on. Introduce yourself"
Placing his hand over his chest,he bowed with mock politeness. "I'm Lucian. Lucian Blackwood."
It was as if a large stone had been forced down her throat. Elara felt the colour drain from her face. Of course. Of all people to be entangled with,it just had to be… a Blackwood.
Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to glare. "What can I do for you? If it's concerning school… issues then you should have waited to ask me in class."
Lucian tilted his head, as though he found her interesting even though he could feel the wage of anger rolling off of her. Then in the same charming tone,he said, "I want you to attend the school dance with me this weekend."
For a brief moment, Elara did nothing but stare. Then a dry and sharp laugh bursted out through her lips. "You're really hilarious."
But his expression didn't change. His eyes told her that he wasn't joking.
Her laughter faltered. "You're really being serious."
Lucian nodded once.
"You're completely insane. Crazy. Delusional." She scoffed,her hold tightening around the already dying phone in her hand. "For one this is supposed to be an event for students. Students." She stressed, waving her hand between them. "And in case you forgot, I'm your teacher. Your professor."
He took a step closer, almost pressing against her chest. He was too close that she caught the faintest whiff of his cologne. She was thankful that there was no one around them. "How'd they know that you're not actually a student?" his voice dropped, smooth as silk. "We'll wear masks… that way no one will recognise you."
Her lips parted but no sound came out. Warmth rushed up her face. This boy really was… daring.
"This is the craziest thing I've heard all week and trust me I had a very crazy week." she said pushing past him. "This is an unnecessary waste of time. I have to be in class in ten minutes."
"That's more reason you should decide quickly. But I'll not accept no as an answer" he responded, following behind her with hurried steps. "I want to hear you agree. Use your words."
Elara spun on her heel, exasperation flaring. "I'm tired of this. I can't come… I'm a very busy woman, okay? And even if I wanted to come, I don't even have an appropriate attire. I've grown past all of this drama"
But Lucian only smirked wider. "you do not have to worry about that"
She blinked. "I do not have to worry about what?"
"I'll make sure a nice dress gets to you before the lunch break."
Her jaw dropped. He really was crazy. "You honestly can't be serious. No… you…"
But he was already walking away, not bothering to hear what she had to say, sliding his hands into his pocket, already deciding that their conversation was over.
"Lucian Blackwood," she muttered under her breath, fury sparking with something else she refused to name. "You really are one arrogant piece of…"
"Elara!"