DESIRE

CHAPTER SEVEN

WINTER BRAY

Nadora finally let me go from her little questioning which delighted me. Now, I only had to find Altin and start on our writing project. We didn't do much work last time since we were getting to know each other more, and to be honest, maybe it was a stupid choice. Nevertheless, I didn't regret it, but now we had to work hard to get a good grade. I wouldn't call myself ambitious about my grades, but I felt like I had to do a good job since I was new here (and because of my parents).

As I and Nadora walked into the classroom, Theo and Altin stood with a serious look on their faces, or at least Altin looked serious. Theo had his back facing Nadora and I, so of course, we couldn't see his expression but his posture gave it all away. His broad shoulders looked tense as well as the rest of him.

"So, we switch?" I heard Altin ask with a look of confusion. I glanced at Nadora who shared the same look as I did. I felt somewhat uneasy at the thought of switching. Now I had gotten used Altin as being my partner and with Theo being so intimidating, I got nervous about what would happen.

"Yes, Mr Hendrix made it very clear," Theo answered shortly but yet securely. Somehow Theo sensed both me and Nadora's presence because he jerked around, hiding half of his expression behind his sunglasses. Nadora was the first one to recover from whatever kept us frozen, by speaking with her usual manner.

"What's going on?" She spoke as she placed a hand strongly on her hip.

Theo didn't answer, but I felt as if he stared at me through his sunglasses. Altin however, answered with the same mocking manner that Nadora shoved in his face "Mr Hendrix made a mistake with the pairings. We have to switch partners for the assignment." This clearly annoyed Altin, the tone of his voice was a great example.

"What does that even mean?" Nadora asked again. To be honest, the message was pretty clear. Altin sighed, throwing his head back in frustration "Like are Winter and I partners then?" She cast a glance at me, before looking forward again.

"It means that you and Altin are a pair, and I and Winter are one." Theo cut in. Nadora's eyes widened and glanced at me again, now with a worried look. I gave her a smile trying not to let my uneasiness show.

"What? No!" Nadora protested "You're not working with her!"

"Don't worry, Nadora. It's just an assignment, and I'm sure Theo and I will get to know each other more which only can be a good thing." I spoke, looking from Nadora to Theo, who appeared somewhat satisfied. I looked away awkwardly.

"Well, we're wasting important time here, so come on, Nadora. Let's go!" Altin said sternly as he walked over to Nadora and grabbed her wrist.

"I'm not done here!" Nadora protested yet again. She stormed over to Theo, who didn't even seem to react. She got very close to his face, only by a few inches. She looked him straight in the eye. The funny part about this was that Nadora was so small compared to him.

"You better not try to do anything. We both know the things going around, and it wouldn't surprise me if half of it was true." Nadora hissed, pointing an accusing finger as her expression turned sourer as the seconds passed.

"Okay, Tiger. Come on." Altin chuckled awkwardly. He grabbed her gently and started to walk out of the classroom. Now, Theo and I were the only ones left inside, and I glanced at my fingers.

"Should we get started?" I asked cautiously. Theo nodded and walked away, over to a table. I just followed suit, taking a deep breath as I did.

We both sat down, and the silence took over. What was I supposed to say? I peeked down at my lap, playing with my fingers. I could feel the lingering stare from across me and the more I ignored, the more powerful it got.

After what seemed like forever, I finally had the courage to break the thick silence "I think we should do an outline for the story. Come up with ideas and work our way from there." I glanced at Theo, but once again met by his sunglasses. He nodded in response, and I found my things so we could write down suggestions. I felt self-conscious and I felt my hands shook slightly, once again I took a deep breath.

"Our feeling is loss." My head shot up, as I heard Theo's voice. Sure, I had heard it before, but it still surprised me how deep and husky it was.

"Good, uhm, okay," I said as I wrote the word loss as I headline. I didn't make eye contact. I had never been good at it anyway. I wrote it down, and I began to feel slightly sorry for Theo. Thinking back to Nadora's words, it reminded me of my own bullying. If that was bullying, I couldn't tell. I mean, there was a difference between dislike and hate. A difference between teasing and bullying.

"I'm sorry." I burst out while looking up at Theo, suddenly having the courage to do so. He tilted his head to the side as if he didn't know, what I talked about. "About before. Nadora had no right to assume those things, whatever they were. No one has." A silence came right after my outburst, and I blushed from embarrassment. I shook my head while letting my hair cover my face.

"You don't believe her." Theo's low voice cut the silence "Why?" He continued. I put down my pencil and gave Theo a slight glance.

"Why do you always wear sunglasses?" I fired back.

Theo smirked at me, and suddenly I found myself peeking down at his lips "You didn't reply to my question." Theo stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You didn't reply to mine either." I didn't know what came over me. I had never been this disrespectful to anyone in my life. I had always been told to act respectfully towards everyone I met on my way. Right now, I didn't even know what I was doing.

"It's none of your concern," Theo replied, his voice was smooth as it always was. It surprised me that he didn't get annoyed by me.

I sighed in defeat, not wanting to risk him getting annoyed "I don't criticise someone, I don't know anything about" I stated while I took the pencil and wrote some more "I don't want to sink that low. Everyone should have a chance and not being judged by how they look or act. There's always a bigger meaning behind everything." Theo nodded at my long, probably boring statement.

"You're a smart girl, Winter Bray." I knew he watched me closely, studying my every move. I felt my cheeks getting warm, and I tried to hide behind my short hair and keep the smile off my face. However, I failed.

"I wish, I could claim the same thing, Theo Cohen, but unfortunately I know nothing about you." I didn't dare to look up at him at that moment like always.

"You will soon. So be patient, Winter Bray." I knew my cheeks were crimson at this point. I loved the way he would announce my name. As if I could really start over and forget about the past. And I secretly hoped to forget everything. Even Rowan.

"I will be," I replied finally looking up at him. His lips tugged up in that slight smile, which he showed me earlier. Even though I couldn't see his eyes. Theo Cohen looked extremely handsome with a slight smile on his face.