Ella
I didn’t linger after Nikolai’s hand brushed mine. My heart was pounding too fast, and I knew my face must have been giving away every single thought racing through my mind.
“Thank you,” I said hastily, pulling my hand free and stepping back. “I’d like to leave now.”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable, but didn’t stop me. “As you wish.”
I turned and practically bolted, each step carrying me further away from the creek and the weight of his presence. The cold, wet clothes clinging to my skin didn’t matter. All I could think about was getting away before I gave too much of myself away.
By the time I reached the school grounds, I had calmed enough to school my features into something neutral. No one batted an eye at my disheveled state. For them, it was just ano
