Unbound Affection

Chapter 6

Viola leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, and removed the rind of the citrus fruit. It had only been five minutes since the bell rang for the lunch break, and the canteen was already too crowded. She stared at the wall. She was at a corner table, now separating the inner layers of the fruit.

Tangerines, mandarins, and oranges were her favourite. Eating them always made her feel better and more relaxed.

“Hey.”

Her gaze shifted to the person standing by the table. She smiled at him as his lips curved into a huge grin, his deep dimple visible.

“Is that seat taken?” He pointed at the empty chair opposite her.

“No.” Viola looked at the empty chair beside her and the two empty chairs in front of her. She had no one to chat and kill time with.

“Can I sit there?”

“Of course.” She motioned with her eyes.

“Great.” He dragged the chair behind him and took his seat.

Viola ate the last piece of the tangerine and stared at him. She heard everything around her, from the sound of the silver trays to the girls’ whispers at the café corner and the mention of her name. She ignored them all and smiled at him.

He licked his lips and leaned forward. “I’m Carl from your next class,” he said. “You are . . .” He pointed at her, his brows raised.

“Viola,” she replied instantly. She felt strange and somewhat happy, as no one had ever bothered to smile and ask for her name. She had never had a friend and never knew how to make one.

“Oh, that’s a nice name.”

She nodded and picked the last tangerine on her tray.

“Viola.”

The mention of her name made her look at him immediately, and mixed emotions came out of nowhere when she realised someone around her had taken their time to approach her, that someone had noticed her.

“Yeah.” Her voice came out a little louder in enthusiasm.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

She moved back and stared at him for a while with furrowed brows.

“Why?” she asked.

Carl adjusted his glasses. “You got into trouble because of me.”

“How did you know?”

“I heard about it.”

“Oh.” She continued to eat.

After a long moment of silence, she looked up, and her lips parted when she noticed that he had been watching her.

“That’s totally fine.” She shrugged.

“Allen has got a bad temper.”

She nodded.

He picked the tangerine from his tray and placed it on hers. “Here, it seems like you like them.”

Viola gave him a tight smile. “Your dimple is cute.”

Carl’s eyes widened, and he remained silent for a moment, looking everywhere except at her.

“Thank you,” he said as he ran his fingers through his thick chocolate curls. He lowered his gaze to his tray and began eating.

They talked about their hobbies and beliefs, and Viola was ecstatic. It was her first time having a long conversation with a stranger or, more precisely, a friend. She had feared to move on and mingle with people. The thought of them knowing about her had tormented her mind.

“You know, you’re my first friend,” she said, her voice finally sounding normal as she felt comfortable with him.

“Really?” Carl raised his brows at her and quickly changed his tone as if he didn’t want her to feel embarrassed.

Like, having no friends when you travel up to high school, that’s surely strange.

“I’m blessed then.” He leaned forward and smiled.

“I . . .” Her words got stuck in her throat, and the familiar cold voice hit her ears.

“Hi.”

She knew it was him without even looking. She chewed on her inner cheek and blinked multiple times, the footsteps getting closer to her.

Allen pressed his hands on the table and leaned over his arms.

Viola stared at his arms. His grey shirt sleeves were rolled up, and the brown strap of his expensive watch fit well around his wrist.

Hi? Was that a greeting for me? she thought.

“Viola!” Carl called out.

Her gaze shifted to him in slow motion.

“The book you mentioned earlier, have you read the second edition of it?” he asked as if nothing had happened between them.

She nodded, understanding the “ignoring game.”

She leaned forward. “Can I call you Curly?” she asked Carl with a cheeky smile playing on her lips.

“Ye—”

“Curly?” Allen cut him off before he could finish his response.

Carl rolled his eyes and looked up.

Allen averted his gaze from Viola to Carl, his brows arching.

“That name sounds good on you!” he sneered.

They stared down at each other while Viola kept her gaze on Carl.

“I’m joining as well.” Allen shrugged and looked away. He walked behind her chair and dragged the chair next to her. He sent Carl a challenging look as he sat. His lips twitched, and he amusingly arched his brow.

Carl stayed still, an angry expression on his face, as his eyes were fixed on Allen. Allen cleared his throat and dragged his chair closer to Viola’s. She stiffened at his presence beside her, and chills ran down her spine when his chair settled close to hers.

“I said hi,” he murmured, disappointed.

She blinked several times and pursed her lips, pretending she was fine—as if his presence didn’t bother her. She grabbed the tangerine Carl offered and quickly began peeling it.

“Hi,” she said in a low voice.

“How are you?”

She stopped at his question, and the fruit fell back on the tray.

“You’re not welcome!” Carl snarled.

Allen let out an irritated sigh and ignored him.

“Am I making you feel awkward?” he asked, his voice low and soft.

“Yes,” Carl snapped.

Allen leaned on the table, his head between her and the tray—tilted towards Viola. “Am I?” he asked in a low voice, his brows raised.

Her eyes widened. His were not darkened but were as soft as the night before. She leaned back immediately and let out a silent shriek when her back hit the top rail of the chair, creating a loud noise. She stayed still and averted her gaze to see Carl’s eyes on her.

Her eyelids closed halfway as voices reached her ears.

“Is that the newbie?”

“The unfashionable transfer?”

“Why is Allen with her?”

“Why is Carl with her?”

“What are they doing?”

“Did she sell herself to them?”

“Why are they with that b***h?”

Viola internally laughed at them, annoyed by the thought of these students judging her when they didn’t even know her name.

“Viola!” Carl called.

Allen moved back, and he watched her in amusement.

“Are you okay with him being here?” Carl asked.

“How’s your hand?” Allen interrupted before she could even utter a word.

Her lips parted and her eyes widened when he held her hand and volunteered to roll up her sleeve. She pulled her hand away and lowered her gaze to his side.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“The scratch you got last night,” he said. His voice sounded like he tried to keep it low but actually intended to be loud.

“Last night?” Carl repeated.

Her eyes popped out of their sockets.