The Prince's Beloved

~Chapter Four~

---Show Me Around?---

(Gemma's Point of View)

The bell for fourth period finally rang, and I let out a sigh of relief. It was increasingly difficult to actually pay attention with Seamus sitting behind me. It was as if my body was hyper-aware of him and every move he made. It was crazy how physically attracted my body was to his and more then a little frightening.

I collected my things and stood up just in time to hear Candy’s shrill, high-pitched voice directed at someone somewhere behind me. “Hey Seamus, I was thinking, since you’re new and all, that maybe you’d like for me to show you around.” So she can think after all? I had to stop myself from laughing out loud at my thoughts. I shook my head at myself, slung my bag over my shoulder, and headed away from my seat at the back of the room.

“No, thank you.” Seamus answered in a cool and polite tone. His refusal took me by slight surprise, and I felt my steps falter slightly. Guys didn’t often turn Candy away seeing as she was had model worthy beauty.

“You sure? I know a lot of places where we could talk and get to each other a little more privately…” She trailed off lowly, and I could just imagine Candy pouting her lips out in what she thought was a seductive manner. I turned my head just enough to face the two and found that I was, in fact, correct.

Seamus simply gave her a blank look. “No thanks.” He replied just as coolly and not quite as polite as before. He started to turn away from her, obviously done with the conversation, when Candy latched onto his arm and pulled him back to face her.

“But, why?” She practically screeched. Has she always been this annoying? I asked myself, in my head, as I watched her cling to him. I felt my eyes roll.

“Well first off, you never even gave me your name, and you know what they say about strangers. Secondly, I really don’t want you to.” He said it in such an easy manner it was as if he was speaking about the weather outside. I forced myself to stifle my giggle and just head to my next class.

“Oh, well I’m Can-“

“Hey Gemma, wait up!” My feet stopped moving on their own accord at the smooth sound of his voice, and I turned to see him coming towards me with a very annoyed Candy standing behind him. I ignored the daggers she was glaring at me and looked up to meet his eyes.

“Your pen.” His long fingers held out my cheap black pen towards me.

“Oh yeah, thanks.” I responded slightly unsure as I took the pen back and placed it in my bag. Something about him set me on edge. It was as if my body was telling me to step closer and my mind was telling me to take caution. It made no sense to react the way I was considering I didn’t even know him.

“Mind showing the new guy around his new school?” He flashed me a beautifully perfect smile that made my insides melt. I knew then that I would do it even if my brain was screaming that he was dangerous.

“What! Why would you want her to show you around rather than me? You could definitely have a lot more fun with me then you would with her.” Candy scowled at me with a look of pure disgust and bewilderment. I mean, I know I’m not all that popular or all that pretty, but damn… I felt myself blush in embarrassment as I looked down at the not so sparkly white tiles beneath my feet.

I noticed Seamus stiffen slightly at her words before he slowly turned to Candy and focused a cold glare on her. Gone was the polite look he’d given her earlier. A glare that sent a small shiver of fright up my spine and set off alarm bells in the very back of my mind took over his features. It was dark, disgusted, and angry. “I think the question should be: why on God’s earth would I ever, in my right mind, pick you over her? I've known the both of you the same length of time, and I can already tell that I would have to be clinically insane to choose something fake over something genuine. Fortunately, I am in my right mind, and I would never do that. Ever. I would much rather have her over you any day.”

With that said, he grabbed my hand and pulled me from the classroom, leaving a very pissed off girl behind us. He kept a steady gait until he suddenly stopped midstride. Nearly slamming into his muscular back, I scuffed to a abrupt stop and looked up at him questioningly.

“Does that happen often?” Seamus looked me in the eyes seriously.

“No, not too often, occasionally it does, she’s just your cliché teenage pretty girl with her looks, attitude, and popularity.” I shrugged as if it was nothing, and to me it was. “But, um thanks for standing up for me back there. You definitely didn’t need to. You’ll probably be on her radar now, and not in a good way.” I looked down at the white tiled floor.

A finger lifted my chin until my eyes met with deep, alluring, dark ones. “You are so much prettier…” I blushed at Seamus’s whispered words. It was as if they were more for him. “As for her radar, I could care less. I’m not here for popularity. I’m here for something else entirely, and right now that’s making sure you’re alright.”

His eyes were serious as they darted over my face. Like he was checking to see if I really was okay. I found it strange that he seemed to really care, but it meant that he was a good guy and my brain was irrational. I appreciated that he was trying to be nice.

“Th-thanks.” I backed away from him when I realized just how close we had gotten during our conversation. I cleared my throat and change the subject. “So, where’s your next class at?”

Seamus dropped his hand as an unknown emotion flickered in his eyes before he masked it with an easy smile. “Physics with Mrs. Belle.”

“Oh, well so do I, so I guess you can just follow me over there then…”

“That sounds great actually, lead the way milady.” He smiled brightly, fell in step beside me, and offered me his arm. I chuckled and wrapped my hand in his arm as we walked to class together.