My Mafia classmate

chapter 10 after class

The cousin was gone. Security took him out while the whole class watched in silence.

The dean apologized to Elara. "We are deeply sorry, Miss Elara. Your presentation grade will be an A. You handled that with incredible courage."

Elara just nodded. She couldn't stop looking at the door where Kael had left.

He wasn't in the classroom anymore.

"Where is he?" she asked her friend.

"Rooftop. He always goes there."

She ran.

The rooftop door was heavy, but she pushed it open. The wind was strong.

Kael was there, sitting on the ledge, his school blazer off, sleeves rolled up. He looked tired. Not scary. Just tired.

"You didn't have to confront him like that," he said without turning around. He knew it was her. "He's dangerous, Elara. More dangerous than me."

"You told me not to come today," Elara said, sitting next to him, not too close. "I came anyway."

"I know."

"And you mouthed 'I got you'."

"I meant it."

She took a deep breath. "So now I want to ask you. What happens after class? After this semester ends? After we graduate? Do you go back to... your family business?"

Kael finally turned to look at her. His eyes were soft.

"My father gave me a choice this morning. He said, 'You can be the next me, or you can be the first you.'"

"What did you say?"

"I said I want to be the guy who sits next to Elara in class."

Elara's eyes filled with tears. "That's a stupid career plan, Kael Black."

"I know. But it's the only one I want."

He reached out, slowly, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers were shaking a little.

"Can I?" he asked.

Elara didn't need to ask what. She leaned in.

Their first kiss wasn't like in the movies. It was clumsy. Her nose bumped his. He laughed against her lips. She laughed too.

The second kiss was better. Slow, soft, warm. Like finally coming home after a long day.

When they broke apart, the school bell rang loudly below them.

_Ding ding ding —_

Class dismissed.

Kael smiled against her forehead. "You hear that?"

"What?"

"After class finally ended. Now the real story starts."

Elara hugged him tight. "Stay with me after class then?"

"Always," he whispered. "Always."