Between The Lines and YOU

Twenty Nine

“Ouch! What the he—” Damn it! I almost tripped when Ivy suddenly yanked me so hard. I had no idea why we were acting like fools, hiding here behind the stadium. It was already late, yet we still hadn’t gone home because of tonight’s event. Since I had things in my locker, I had already changed clothes.

She only told me she was going to the restroom and asked me to wait outside. I got thirsty, so I bought a bottle of water, and when I came back she startled me by grabbing me without warning and dragging me here. She glanced back at me, laughing as if she hadn’t nearly dislocated my arm.

“You look ugly when you pout. Knock it off,” I snapped, rolling my eyes. Her laughter faded, and she gave me a disappointed look.

“Ugh, you’re too noisy. I couldn’t follow them anymore. Let’s just go back.” She started walking away while I stood there, still confused. I stayed rooted in place and refused to follow. Let her do whatever she wanted. I’d rather look for Lyra and Asher, they seemed much saner to be around. When she realized I wasn’t behind her, she came back. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I smacked her on the head. She rubbed the spot furiously, groaning.

“I overheard Shaine—you know, one of the guests who looks just like you. They’re looking for a student here at V.C.U., some heir. But I lost them, so I ran outside. Then I saw you.” I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to hit her again. Damn it, what did any of that have to do with us? It was none of our business.

“And what’s it got to do with you? You had to drag me into this mess too?”

“The truth shall prevail!” she declared dramatically, placing her hand over her chest like she was making a solemn oath. Lunatic.

“Did a spirit possess you? What nonsense is this, Rafaela? You’re losing your mind again.” She shot me a look that screamed how dare you call me that.

I just grabbed her arm to drag her back. Honestly, I wanted to whack her repeatedly. Why should we care about whatever it was she thought she overheard? And we didn’t even know who those people were looking for anyway. I just wanted to see Knox, but he was one of the judges tonight. We passed by rows of food stalls. I thought about finding Lyra and Asher first, but hunger gnawed at me. The lines were ridiculously long, and I frowned. When I turned around, Ivy had disappeared again. That i***t. Where had she gone this time?

I sighed and searched for an empty bench instead. Finally, I spotted one near the gate where it wasn’t too crowded. At least I felt safe there. Slowly, I massaged my aching feet, wincing as pain shot through them.

“Pria?” I looked up to see Clade walking toward me.

“It’s you,” he said, his voice confirming what his smile already told me. I returned his smile shyly.

“Hi.” Why did it feel like V.C.U. was getting smaller every day? We kept running into each other. He asked if he could sit beside me, and I nodded. He was wearing a varsity jacket they suited him well. His tall frame made him look effortlessly athletic.

“Why are you here? Where are your friends?” he asked. I let the cool night air brush against my skin before answering.

“They ditched me. I’ll smack each of them later,” I said seriously. He only smiled. I lowered my head, biting my lip, but it was too late. I knew he had heard the rumble of my stomach.

“You’re hungry.” I shook my head quickly, embarrassed, pretending it was nothing.

“N-no, it’s just…” My words trailed off when he suddenly stood in front of me, that warm smile still on his lips.

“I’ll buy food. I’m hungry too. Can you wait for me?” I wanted to say no, but since he admitted he was hungry as well, I nodded and pulled out some money to hand him. Instead of taking it, he leaned closer and pinched my cheeks with playful force. I let out a quiet groan, rubbing both sides of my face. Did I look like a steamed bun already?

“You’re cute. Stay right here, okay? If I don’t find you when I come back, I’ll announce to the whole of V.C.U. that you’ve gone missing.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

“Idiot.” His brows furrowed.

“I’m serious. I’ll really do it.”

“Fine.” I let out a sigh, watching him walk away. I slipped the money back into my wallet, deciding that next time I’d be the one to treat him instead. My phone buzzed, signaling a new message. A smile immediately spread across my face when I saw who it was, my grumpy, cold professor. I hadn’t seen him all day, and I already missed him terribly.

Knoxbaby🍃

Where are you?

Me: Why? You miss me, don’t you?

6:35 p.m.

Him: Come to my office.

Me: Nope.

6:36 p.m.

I pouted when he ignored my question. Another reply followed.

Him: Pria

Me: Say you miss me first ;)

6:38 p.m.

I smiled again, picturing the way he must have arched his brow or heaved one of those impatient sighs at me. Another message popped up, and if my lips could tear from smiling too wide, they surely would have.

Him: I want to kiss you.

That alone was enough proof that he missed me too. I tucked my phone back into my little shoulder bag, just as Clade arrived. I had almost forgotten about him, and about the fact that I was starving.

“I thought you wouldn’t wait for me,” he said, handing me a burrito and a can of Coke. I didn’t really want to accept, but they say it’s bad luck to turn down blessings.

“I don’t want tomorrow’s gossip to be about me,” I teased, making him laugh. He sat beside me, and we ate together. He felt so easy to be around, so genuine. I hurried through my food, eager to get to Knox’s office. If I didn’t, I might just collapse before I even reached his door.

“Wait, are you that hungry? I think I didn’t buy enough.” I shook my head quickly, embarrassed, unable to answer with my mouth full. I finished eating in no time and washed it down with Coke. Standing, I faced him, laughing at the sight of him trying to keep up with my pace, even though it was obvious he couldn’t finish his food.

“I’ll go ahead. I’ll make it up to you next time we meet.”

“Wait, your—”

“Thank you!” I was so delighted that I hugged him before hurrying off, skipping like an excited child.

Knoxbaby was waiting for me, and if I took any longer, he might just hang me alive. It didn’t take long before I reached his office, but I froze the moment I saw him standing right outside the door. From his expression, it looked like he had been waiting forever. When his eyes finally landed on me, I grinned and even waved like a fool. He walked inside without a word. I was doomed.

Nervous, I followed him in and carefully shut the door behind me. His gaze burned into me like a laser, sharp and unwavering. I didn’t look away from his furious stare. Instead, I smiled even wider. If his brows could arch any higher, they would probably be as long as a shoelace, though of course, that was an exaggeration.

“Why are you only here now?” If I weren’t used to his voice, I might have bolted in fear, thinking he was about to scold me harshly. I walked closer, pretending not to notice the bouquet of tulips on the sofa, right beside two large paper bags.

“I got hungry, so I ate first.” I expected his expression to soften, but it didn’t. He was still angry.

“With whom? I saw your friends at the stadium, and you weren’t with them.” I finally reached his desk and placed my hands on top of it, resisting the urge to just wrap my arms around him.

“Ah, Clade. Honestly, I felt a little bad because he trea—” He stood abruptly, cutting me off. My words faltered. Had I said something wrong?

“Clade Velasquez? You were with him?” His tone made it sound as if being with Clade was the worst possible choice.

“Wait, why? We only ate together.” I wanted to take back my words the moment my eyes caught the plates of food neatly arranged on the small glass table. How had I not noticed them earlier? Had he not eaten yet?

“You should have told me. I wouldn’t have cooked.” His voice carried disappointment as he turned away. How was I supposed to know he had prepared food and wanted us to eat together if he never said anything? Before he could move farther, I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him back toward me. My mind raced. Why was I so slow to realize it? Was he… jealous? The thought made me smile.

“Are you jealous of Clade?” I teased, catching the way his cheeks flushed. I knew it—I was right. His brow arched again, but the redness on his face betrayed him.

“Should I be?” His eyes met mine, but his expression had softened now. I cupped his cheek, caressing it gently. He was breathtaking. Leaning forward, I brushed a kiss against the corner of his lips. His eyes fluttered shut at the contact.

“I’m yours, Knox,” I whispered in his ear before gazing at him with all the tenderness I could muster. The world felt perfect when it was just us. Moments like this, simple yet full, were enough for me. I didn’t resist when his arm slid around my waist and he claimed my lips. At first the kiss was passionate, then it grew hungrier, more desperate. My back met the cold wall as our mouths moved together in fervor.

We were both vying for control, but I knew I could never win against him. Not when his tongue teased mine and I moaned softly as his teeth tugged at my lower lip.

“Mmm…” I breathed as his lips trailed down to my neck. Every kiss burned like fire against my skin, every playful bite igniting sparks inside me. He returned to my lips, and I welcomed him wholeheartedly.

“Do you miss me?” he murmured between kisses, his lips already descending again.

“I… ahh… miss you.” My words broke with a gasp when he sucked at the sensitive spot on my neck, making it impossible to speak clearly. Even though I was completely carried away, I forced myself to open my eyes and hold his hand firmly before it wandered too far to places I wasn’t ready for. We pulled apart, gasping for air, gazes locked. I could read in his eyes exactly what he wanted. Deep inside, I wanted it too, but…

“I’m still hungry. Can we eat first?” His lips curved into a smile. He kissed my forehead, then my lips again, before nodding.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Here.” He handed me the bouquet of tulips. For some reason, he could never look me directly in the eye whenever he gave me flowers. Was he embarrassed? I wanted to tease him, but his patience was as thin as a needle’s eye. Better not.

“What are these for?”

“Maybe those are for your friend,” he said in a teasing tone, rolling his eyes for emphasis. I leaned closer and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“Thank you,” I whispered sweetly. He only hummed and smiled, his dimples showing in full again.

“Any particular place you want to visit?” he asked between bites of food. My heart fluttered at how carefully he peeled the shrimp and then fed it to me. He was being extra sweet tonight. I swallowed before answering. I didn’t want him to throw a fork at me for talking with my mouth full.

“Palace Del Rio. That resort feels so enchanted, it’s beautiful. What about you?” I happily ate the shrimp he had just placed in my mouth. Yum.

“I’ve been traveling to different countries, visiting places multiple times. I’m still thinking about which ones I haven’t been to yet.” That was the kind of thing money could do. For the wealthy, traveling abroad seemed as simple as stepping into their own backyard. I used to dream about that as a child, back when I thought scribbling one million on a piece of paper could magically buy me a title, a house, and land.

“Do you go with Scarlett?” I asked, curious if Celine ever joined them too.

“Sometimes. Other times, I go alone.” Relief washed over me.

“If by any chance, who would you want to go with to Palace Del Rio?”

“You. You’re the one I want to go there with.” My answer came out as naturally as breathing.

Maybe he thought he was the only one who could be straightforward. I could be too, I just needed a little boldness. He didn’t ask any more questions, only nodded as we continued eating. After dinner, we settled on the sofa. I rested my head against his shoulder, savoring the comfort of being this close. It always felt so right, yet I knew that beyond these walls, judgmental eyes existed. The kind that acted like they were life’s ultimate authority, dictating what should and shouldn’t be. But from the moment I realized what I felt for him, I already knew I was ready for whatever people would say.

“Pria.” His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“What is it?”

“You’re spacing out.”

“Just thinking.” I closed my eyes as his hand gently stroked my hair.

“Care to tell?”

“I was just thinking about how crazy you are about me.” I grinned, certain that even without looking, he had just rolled his eyes again.

“When will you give me your answer?”

“Why, are you in a hurry?” In my heart, it felt like we had been together for a long time already. Even before he asked, I had already chosen him. I finally lifted my gaze to meet his.

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then wait.” My hair felt impossibly long at that moment, long enough to make Rapunzel envious.

“How much longer?”

“When I turn twenty three.”

“Pria, that’s still far off.”

“It’s just two months from now,” I said, burrowing deeper into his arms. He was so warm, so soft. I wanted to stay there longer, but my friends were probably already looking for me. And since he was also one of the judges, we couldn’t linger in his office for too long.