Destined to be with you (MXM)

Chapter 2

I entered the school cautiously, my nerves already on edge.

It had been two days since the DNA test confirmed what my mother's letter had claimed all along. The results showed a 99.99% match.

Edward and I had never doubted the truth, but the test seemed necessary for everyone else. Elizabeth and Justin finally had the proof they wanted.

Unfortunately, proof hadn't changed anything.

No one in the Harrington household had made any real effort to talk to me. Not even Edward.

Since arriving, I had spent most of my time locked away in the guest room. Meals were delivered by the housemaids, and my only company was the silence that filled the enormous mansion.

Sometimes, while sitting alone, I could hear arguments drifting from the living room downstairs.

Arguments about me.

Elizabeth and Justin were unhappy with my presence, and they made little effort to hide it.

I wasn't sure what to do.

Part of me wanted to leave.

But where would I go?

In less than a year, I would be eighteen. I could find a part-time job, finish school, and support myself.

I didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

The previous night, Edward had visited my room. He'd handed me my enrollment papers and informed me that I would be attending Kincaid Academy.

I was grateful for that.

At least school would give me something else to focus on.

The school also happened to be where Justin and Nathan studied. From what I understood, they were both juniors while I was a senior.

As I wandered through the busy hallways searching for my first class, English Literature, I tried to ignore the anxious knot in my stomach.

Suddenly, someone collided with me from the side.

I stumbled backward.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry!" a girl's voice exclaimed.

I looked up.

She was petite, with bright red hair and freckles scattered across her cheeks. She wore ripped jeans, a crop top, and a denim jacket.

"It's okay," I said quickly. "I'm Ethan. I'm new here. Do you know where Senior English Literature class is?"

Her face brightened.

"I'm Theresa, but everyone calls me Thea. I'm heading that way too."

A small smile appeared on my face.

"Thanks."

She returned my smile, looking slightly embarrassed.

"You'll get lost in this school if you try finding anything by yourself."

As we walked side by side, I felt some of my anxiety ease.

Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all.

Then I saw him.

Nathan.

He was standing with a group of students, laughing at something one of them had said.

The moment his green eyes landed on me, my heart did something strange.

I immediately lowered my gaze.

Please don't come over here.

Of course, he did.

"Hey, Ethan."

I froze.

Nathan appeared beside me a moment later.

"First day of classes?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I figured you'd show up sooner or later. You definitely have that top-student look."

The teasing in his voice was light-hearted, but I still didn't know how to respond.

I stared at the floor.

Nathan stepped closer.

His cologne was subtle but intoxicating, carrying a clean, refreshing scent that strangely calmed me.

The ache in my chest returned.

For some reason, whenever he was near, I felt both comforted and terrified.

Thea glanced between us awkwardly.

"Uh..."

"Hi, Nathan," I managed to say. "Yeah, today's my first day. I should probably get to class."

The words stumbled out faster than I intended.

I moved past him, but before I could leave, gentle fingers wrapped around my wrist.

My breath caught.

Nathan looked toward Thea.

"I'll take him to class," he said. "You should go before you're late."

"Oh. Okay."

Thea shot me a curious look before hurrying away.

The moment she disappeared, Nathan turned back to me.

"Why do you stutter whenever you talk to me?" he asked.

I nearly choked.

"What?"

"Do I make you nervous?"

Slowly, I lifted my head.

His green eyes locked onto mine.

I should have looked away.

Instead, I stared.

There was something mesmerizing about them.

I couldn't understand why I reacted this way around him.

I'd never felt attracted to another guy before.

Back in Wimberly, most people barely noticed me. I spent my time studying, keeping my grades high, and hanging out with John, my only real friend.

Relationships had never been something I thought about.

Yet here I was.

Completely distracted by a pair of green eyes.

"Are you in my class?" I asked suddenly.

Nathan blinked.

"No."

Disappointment settled inside me.

He laughed.

"I'm a junior, remember? Justin and I are both juniors."

"Oh."

The disappointment must have shown on my face because his grin widened.

"Wow. You actually look upset."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Nathan was ridiculously attractive when he smiled.

Tall, athletic, confident.

He had to be at least six-foot-two.

Standing beside him made me feel smaller than I already was.

Every girl in this school was probably obsessed with him.

I couldn't imagine why someone like him would ever pay attention to someone like me.

Sometimes loneliness felt unbearable.

I had lost my mother.

Justin clearly hated me.

Elizabeth barely tolerated me.

Edward was trying, but there was still distance between us.

And somehow, despite being surrounded by hundreds of people, I had never felt more alone.

Nathan suddenly smirked.

"Careful."

"What?"

"Keep staring at me like that and people might think you're admiring me."

My eyes widened.

He laughed.

"Relax. I know I'm handsome."

Mortified, I crossed my arms.

"You're not my type."

His eyebrow lifted in amusement.

"No?"

"No."

"Good."

I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're safe from my overwhelming charm."

I rolled my eyes despite myself.

Nathan chuckled.

Something warm fluttered in my chest.

For the first time in days, I almost felt normal.

Then he released my wrist.

The sudden loss of contact felt strangely disappointing.

I hated that.

"Seriously though," he said, his expression softening. "Be careful."

"Why?"

"You're new."

I shrugged.

"I can take care of myself."

"I know."

His green eyes studied me for a moment.

"I'm just saying that not everyone here is nice."

I thought about Justin.

"I've already figured that out."

Nathan's lips twitched.

"Fair enough."

An awkward silence settled between us.

Then he nodded toward the hallway ahead.

"Come on. I'll show you where your class is."

"Thanks."

We walked through the crowded corridors together.

For the first time since arriving at the Harrington mansion, the loneliness didn't feel quite as overwhelming.

Maybe things wouldn't always be this difficult.

Maybe, eventually, I would find my place here.

As we reached the classroom door, Nathan stopped and offered me a small smile.

"Good luck, Ethan."

I returned the smile before stepping inside.

And just like that, my first day at Kincaid Academy began.