Liv's POV
Next morning, I had to go to the ESC office.
I was sooo tired. I stayed up all night finishing those files.
I was walking to the office when someone suddenly scared me from behind.
Ugh. It's Mr. Theo.
"What do you want?"
I asked lazily.
He smirked. I looked at him, confused.
"You look tired. I'll carry your bag."
Before I could react, he yanked the bag out of my hand and slung it over his shoulder.
I blinked at him.
"…What?"
Did he just… offer help?
I narrowed my eyes. "Give it back."
"No," he said casually, already walking ahead.
"Excuse me?!"
"If you keep walking at that speed, you'll be late," he added without even turning back.
I stood there for a second, completely confused.
Since when did he care?
I quickly caught up to him.
"You hit your head or something?" I asked, suspicious.
He let out a quiet chuckle. "You always this dramatic in the morning?"
"Yes. Especially when people act weird."
"I'm just helping," he shrugged.
"Yeah, and that's exactly what's weird."
He stopped walking.
I almost bumped into him.
He turned slightly, looking down at me.
"Do you always question everything?"
"Yes."
"Good," he said, smirking. "Then keep wondering."
Ugh.
I hated that answer.
We finally reached the ESC office. As we walked in, a few students and even some teachers glanced at us.
More specifically…
At him carrying my bag.
Great.
Now people are going to start assuming things.
I rolled my eyes and walked ahead, taking my bag back from him.
"Thanks," I muttered, even though I didn't mean it.
He leaned against the desk, watching me.
"You stayed up finishing the reports, didn't you?"
I froze for a second.
"How do you-"
"Your eyes," he interrupted. "You look exhausted."
I clicked my tongue. "Don't act like you care."
"Who said I do?" he replied calmly.
That shut me up.
Before I could say anything else, I noticed something.
His friends.
Standing at the corner.
Watching.
Smirking.
Whispering.
My eyes narrowed.
Yeah.
Something was definitely fishy.
I started typing the reports, but I caught him staring.
"What?" I asked, annoyed.
"You look pretty today."
I froze.
What-
The bell rang.
Everyone started leaving the room. Soon, it was just us.
I kept typing, trying to ignore him.
He sat beside me.
"Aren't you leaving?" I asked, not looking at him.
"Not until you do."
I turned to face him.
"Seriously, did you hit your head?"
He chuckled.
"Why? Can I only talk to you if I hit my head?"
Before I could respond, he leaned closer.
I froze.
Our faces were inches apart.
My heart literally stopped.
He reached out, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.
Then
He wiped away something from my lips.
"There," he said softly. "You had caramel."
I couldn't move.
He pulled away like nothing happened.
I sat there, still processing everything.
That's when I noticed them again.
His friends.
Near the window.
Watching.
Laughing.
My eyes narrowed.
Something's not right.
Out of nowhere, someone walked in.
The air shifted instantly.
I turned.
Adrian.
His gaze landed on us.
Cold, Scary
"Aren't you two going to class?" he asked.
We both nodded quickly and started packing.
I could see Theo's friends rushing away from the corner.
Before I left, Adrian's eyes met mine again.
That same cold stare.
It felt… different this time.
I looked away first.
As soon as we stepped out, Theo spoke.
"I'll take you to class."
"Tha-"
Before I could even refuse, he slung my bag over his shoulder again and casually placed his hand around my shoulder.
I stiffened.
What is wrong with this guy?
Something was definitely not right....