Her Very Own Flame

Chapter 2 Someone New

Slowly, I placed my things into my satchel. Waiting for the majority of the students to be out of the classroom before I got up. I hate getting mixed up even in a small crowd. It caused my anxiety to trigger my flight mode response. Honestly, the thought of that alone caused me to feel like s**t. I hate how messed up I am internally. All because of a man several years back, including my family on top of that. Shaking my head, I try my best to force those thoughts away. Getting up, I made my way out towards the courtyard. I had about a twenty minute interval between my two classes today. So, I'll have to brave the area for a little while. Stepping through the double doors, my gaze lands on the coffee stall set up.

A little relief came to me at the thought of having a decaf vanilla caramel latte. Especially on a fall day like today, it’d be the perfect way to relax a little. Making my way there, I noticed my sister was sitting under a tree nearby. Of course, she isn’t alone. I can’t say I’m surprised Christian’s in Xander’s lap. Despite how disgusting their relationship is to me. My parents support her in that choice. Granted, they did throw in the disclaimer that she was going through a player phase. Which didn’t make it better. For me, that made it worse in my eyes. Watching her giggle at something he said, I rolled my eyes. Redirecting my focus to the stall that is soon in front of me. Quickly, I gave the barista my order and stepped off to the side. Scanning the courtyard briefly to make sure Nikolai hadn’t arrived. I knew I had a short time to be here before he’d come through. Usually he’d have his two close friends out there. Which, in turn, they’d spot me and come over to talk. Another method he started using was to keep me from running off. Sighing at the thought, I picked up my drink.

Then I began my way towards the science building. Waiting in the hallway down from my classroom seemed like a safe idea. Not many people would be inside the building until five minutes before their classes started. The thought of a quiet and calm space for the remaining fifteen minutes sounded marvelous. As I made my way, I intentionally went the long way to avoid capturing my sister's attention. Christian also tended to help Nikolai out by making sure I stayed long enough for him to get there. It still bothered me that she’d take his side in everything. I had hoped us being family would’ve meant something. But for her, status and materialistic things had more meaning than her being there for her sister.

If I kept these thoughts up, I’d be sad for the rest of the day. So, I force myself to focus on things that bring me some ease. Such as, the relief I felt at finally reaching the double doors to the science building. Pushing the wooden door open, it suddenly hit something.

“Hey”! I heard this rich deep voice shout.

Startled at first, I rushed around the door. Worried I may have hurt someone. “I am so sorry! I didn’t know someone-”, I stopped mid-sentence when I saw the guy.

My gaze soon took in a man with snow-white skin and onyx curls that framed his face beautifully. As my eyes met his silver ones, I briefly noticed his faint fuchsia-colored lips. Making me realize for a moment that my mouth had been hanging open. Clearing my throat, I shook my head before snapping myself out of the trance I’d been in. “Sorry, I–I didn’t intend for the door to hit you”, I sort of mumbled, nervously.

This gorgeous grin flashed across his lips. His laugh was warm and comforting before he finally replied, “It’s okay. Not like you would’ve been able to tell since they’re not see through”.

“Ha, yeah”, I retorted while starting to tap my foot.

My nerves were beginning to get the best of me. Looking away from him, I glanced towards the hallway I needed to go down. If I knew what was good for me, I’d walk away now. Talking with this guy would only make things worse for us both. My brows furrowed as a debate about that went off in my mind. Suddenly, he waved his hand in front of my eyes. Blinking while jumping back from the unexpected gesture. I looked at him.

“Do you often drift off to another place”? He asks, amused.

Biting my lip, I shrugged for a moment. “It’s not uncommon…but I should really get going”. Silence followed after that. Causing me to become unsure of what to do next. I make myself take a slow, steady breath to try and calm my nerves. Then meeting his gaze, I said, “Again, I am sorry about hitting you with a door. Hopefully I didn’t, um, cause any harm”.

He chuckles before shaking his head in response. I took that as my cue to leave. As I began to walk away, I felt him gently grab my hand. Gasping from the contact, I looked at him. “Hey, before you wander off. At least tell me your name”.

Nibbling my lip, I wasn’t sure whether it’d be wise to do that. This guy is clearly new to our town. Everyone knew. Well, the guys specifically understood they couldn’t speak with me. Some found that out the hard way. Swallowing from those memories, I looked at where his hand gently held mine. Something about his touch did have a comforting feeling to it. Now that I focused on it more than the worry going on in my head.

Sighing, I replied in an exasperated breath, “Okay, fine. It’s Alexa”.

He gave this half-lazy smile that made my heart palpitate at the sight. Who is this man, I thought to myself. This whole thing started stirring up thoughts and emotions I knew I didn’t want. Though I’m taken by this, when he says, “Well, Alexa, I’m Arius. It’s lovely to meet you”.

I snorted out of amusement, as embarrassing as that is. I couldn’t help it. “Right…well, I should get going, Arius”.

Quickly, I tugged my hand free and walked away. Walking probably wouldn’t appropriately describe it. I had started a slight jog more than anything. My body went into flight mode at this point. I could only hope at that time I had been lost in our interaction. Nobody had walked by or seen us. The last thing I needed was for that to get back to Nikolai. As I rounded the corner, I heard someone's quick footsteps behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I found Arius. Oh, this isn’t good. Looking back ahead, I knew I only had a short timeframe to decide what to do.

“Hey! Wait a moment”, I heard him shout after me.

Some people passing by noticed. My eyes widened out of concern. I knew at this point there wouldn’t be any possibility of Nikolai being kept in the dark about my interaction. Groaning, I stopped and came close to running into him. “Woah”, he says, a little surprised.

“What is it, Arius”, I asked, my voice strained.

As I took in his expression, I wondered why he seemed concerned. I’d be dealing with the brunt of the consequences of this interaction. Though before I could fall down that rabbit hole. I heard him say, “I–”. He starts but pauses for a moment. Watching as his rough textured hands ran through those onyx-colored curls, I knew at that moment. He wasn’t going to make anything easy. “I don’t understand why you took off so quickly”.

Arching my brow questioningly, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Look, I can’t be seen talking with you, Arius. This is for the best interest of us, trust me”.

He seemed to contemplate what I said for a minute. But shaking his head, he took a step closer to me. Right then, I should’ve walked away. Yet those enticing silver eyes and half-lazy smile paralyzed me to the spot. “I doubt that, Alexa. How could you know when we only just met”, he asks playfully.

Shaking my head, I didn’t intend to say out loud, “You’ve lost it…you’re gonna get us both murdered”.

He looked at me like I had two heads before replying, “No one is going to harm either of us. You can trust me on that”.

I scoffed before turning to walk further down the hallway to my classroom. “Arius, you’re clearly new here and haven’t met Nikolai”.

Before I could further explain, the man had the audacity to roll his eyes. As if he didn’t have to worry. Honestly, I admired it. Even if that lack of concern would only last briefly. “I think you shouldn’t assume things, Alexa”.

“Oh you have no idea, but it’s clearly no use. You’ve made up your mind”, I said, hopeless and annoyed.

He chuckles before suddenly taking me by surprise. When gently tugging my shirt, I stumbled backwards, landing against his body. The warmth radiating off this guy is unbelievable, yet soothing. For a moment, I sighed in contentment at the feeling. Then I was brought out of it, when his breath fanned against my ear, “Why not give us a chance to become more than acquaintances”, he whispered softly.

A shiver erupted along my spine. Turning around and facing him, I met his gaze. Not paying any mind to the fact, he had his hands gently gripping my hips. Nor how close our faces were. Something about him seemed to draw me in. I couldn’t deny that. This was the first in a really long time. As I was about to answer him, I heard Nikolai’s voice from down the hall. s**t, I thought. Peering around Arius, I spotted him rounding the corner. As soon as our eyes met, I knew I should run. His expression turned from calm to furious.

“Um, as much as I’d like to answer, Arius. I need to…um go”, I finished and instantly took off running in the other direction.