Thorns of White Rose

Chapter 13 - Eyes Don't Lie

The midterm is fast-approaching. So many things happening and I'm glad that I can keep the pace and discipline. Being in a new environment is challenging and nerve-wracking but I have to admit that this is fun. I feel like I am growing here.

I have known Aubrey since we're 12. I met her at the dance academy during summer and we immediately became friends. Our personality is very alike, we're both soft yet independent. She's kind, genuine, and very generous. Auntie Royce was not rich, but she tried to give me a decent life by working hard. Aubrey always tends to share what she has with me without making me feel inferior. She knows about my whole life and I know about hers too. She is my soul sister that I hold very dear in my heart. We are the perfect example of "you jump, I jump" because we trust each other's decision so much.

So having a crush for the first time in my life and not being able to share it with her really frustrates me. She's dating someone else but she's still into Kale a lot like a lot!

No amount of academic pressure can erase my unwelcomed feeling for Kale. As much as I want to ignore him, I cannot do because he's everywhere. It turns out I do not have control anymore for my feelings towards him. What I'm tryong to control now is my behavior when he's around. I gave that cold treatment exclusively to him. But he's just enjoying it as time goes.

I rolled my eyes when I saw him again in the library. It's already 6 in the afternoon but he's still here. I heard from Brynne that he's the vice chairman in their company but weirdly I see him all the time in the campus. I pretended to not notice Kale. In front of him is a laptop and some pieces of paper.

I went to the other side so we won't have to say hi to each other. I texted Auntie Royce to inform her that I will be here until late today to finish some papers and other requirements.

Even the library here looks like a lavish department store. The interior design is giving a fresh vibe. There are plants inside. The lights are not too bright and not too dim, there's a justifiable distance between tables. There are also tables made for big groups, small groups and for those alone. The chairs and machines are ergonomics. They have the latest version of tablets and computers for student use. Overall, the place high-end.

It hasn't been long since I sat when I heard a weord sound coming from the staircase. I am in the ground floor now and I'm not feeling good with the image I'm drawing from the sound. I turned sideways a little bit to check if there are really students kissing.

I almost cursed when I saw 2 boys kissing and their hands are getting lost in the body of each other. I almost jumped when suddenly Sir Kale appeared from behind me.

"Excuse me." He used a calm voice when he approached the students who were getting intimate. They are wearing a junior high uniform.

Kale's voice was really low so I cannot hear the next things he told them, and I am really not interested too. I turned to face my laptop again and went back to what I was doing. But I can no longer concentrate. I can still hear Kale's voice but it's just murmur.

My cheeks flushed when I heard his footstep getting close to me. For Pete's sake, I want to throw away my own heart for reacting this way everytime he's near.

He pulled the chair next to me and sit there. He put his laptop on the table and leaned on the table while staring at me. Can he do this as my professor? And why am I melting over this?

"Not a single text message from you after I gave my business card huh." His scent is casting a spell on me. I need help right at that moment.

"Because I have nothing to say perhaps." I answered without looking at him. He chuckled and tried to get closer. I didn't flinch so I can fake my calmness, but to be honest I want to run away.

"I was really worried when you collapsed. I'm sorry if I reacted that way in the clinic." He's using a calm sweet tone right now far different from his normal tone when conducting the class.

I looked at him, but my eyes accidentally went down to his lips. I closed my eyes and shook my head. Calm yourself down, Laurian.

"It's fine." I answered.

"Is it really fine? You're being cold to me after what happened. It's been going about a month now." So he noticed. Of course, he would.

"I'm busy right now, Sir Kale. If we're not going to talk about academic-related stuffs, I believe it can wait until midterm exam is done." My brow raised but I'm sure as hell too that I'm blushing from being this close to him.

"Okay. You can go on with your thing." He casually said while still watching me close. I can't help but rolled my eyes for the second time that day because of him.

"You can leave if you have nothing else to say."

His eyes went down to my lips and I just had to look away. I felt so weak now. If he won't leave then I have to be the one to walk away.

He didn't move an inch after I looked away so I checked his reaction again.

"I will never do anything to you without your consent, Laurian."

"Are you like this to all your students? I'm not surprised they are all fantasizing about you." The side of his lips curled up for a smirk.

"I'll be very honest with you and say that I don't date my students." Why are my eyes can't stop looking away from his lips. I'm about to pass out from the sensation.

"I'm your student so why are you acting like this to me? I can report you to the Student Council or to the Discipline Board..." He cut me off.

"You know exactly why." I heard footsteps coming from the staircase again and Kale instantly moved away from keeping his gaze on her. There is nothing happening between us but it feels like I'm violating something.

I tried to get back to what I was doing instead of replying to him. After 3 minutes of silence, I can still feel his gaze.

"Please leave or should I leave?" Instead of choosing, he placed his arm at the backrest of my chair.

"Stop being cold to me."

I gathered my things because I can't last another minute under his gaze. I'm almost done putting my things back inside my bag when he stood.

"Next time you give me your cold treatment, I'm asking you in front of the class why you're acting that way. You said to keep it professional, okay, we're keeping it professional then. See you around, Ms. Savedra." She can sense the irritation from his voice. He has always been short-tempered. He should know that we can't happen.

The following day was really busy for their class. Aubrey and I spent the lunch break at the Student's Park to complete the paper for Literature that's due at 6 PM that day. We have classes in the afternoon so we must finish it during lunch.

"I miss being highschool so bad. I can go traveling for a weel and come back with everything still manageable. Why is college like this. I can't live like this." Aubrey jokingly smashed the printer in front of them.

"We're almost done."

"It's just a midterm requirement. Can you imagine how tired we'll be on the finals?! Oh nooo, I'm not sure if I'm made for this, Laurian." She did well under pressure.

The first class in the afternoon that day is with Kale.

"I was informed by Nate that you have a paper due this afternoon and some of you haven't taken lunch. I'm cancelling the class today so you can have your meal. Make sure to prioritize your health during these busy days. There's nothing impressive about self-destruction in exchange of output." He sounds powerful saying that.

It's the eye contact again between us that's making me lose my mind.

"Don't skip your meal, alright? Class dismissed." I'm sure as hell I'm going to have a heartattack one of these days if Kale keeps doing that to me.