Chapter 5: A Warning In Disguise
927 Words
The final bell rang, and the classroom erupted into conversation.
Andrea slipped her notebook into her bag, relieved that the morning was finally over. She had survived her first classes, learned that Blackwood Academy's professors took their work far too seriously, and discovered that at least one student had a talent for being irritating.
A very handsome talent, unfortunately.
She shook her head at the thought.
Killian was not her problem.
She stepped into the corridor, adjusting the strap of her bag as students hurried past her in both directions.
“Andrea!”
She turned.
Stefan was walking towards her, one hand tucked into his pocket, looking as effortlessly composed as he had the previous day.
“Hey,” she greeted him. “Are you following me now?”
He placed a hand over his chest. “That's a terrible accusation to make against someone who was about to offer you his excellent company.”
“Excellent company? That's a bold claim.”
“Give me a chance to prove it.”
Andrea laughed.
“So, what do you want?”
“Lunch.”
She glanced towards the windows, where sunlight spilled across the corridor floor.
“You're asking me to lunch?”
“I'm inviting you to lunch. There's a difference.”
“And what makes you think I haven't already made plans?”
Stefan raised an eyebrow.
“Have you?”
Andrea paused.
“No.”
“Wonderful. My confidence remains intact.”
She laughed again, and Stefan smiled.
“There's a spot outside where I usually spend my lunch break,” he continued. “An old oak tree at the far end of the courtyard. It's quieter than the refectory, and the view is better.”
“An old oak tree?” Andrea repeated. “That sounds suspiciously like the beginning of a ghost story.”
“Would you prefer the refectory?”
“Absolutely not. I like my ghost stories with a little atmosphere.”
“Then it's settled. Meet me there when lunch begins.”
Andrea pretended to consider it.
“Fine. But if a ghost appears, I'm blaming you.”
“I'll accept full responsibility.”
She started walking backwards, smiling at him.
“See you at lunch, Stefan.”
“I'll be waiting, Miss Andrea.”
She rolled her eyes playfully before turning towards her next classroom.
Stefan watched her disappear into the crowd.
His smile lingered for a moment, but then his gaze dropped to the necklace resting against his own memory like an unanswered question.
He needed to know why she was wearing it.
And he needed to know soon.
The refectory was crowded by the time Stefan arrived.
Long tables filled the enormous hall, and the noise of conversation bounced off the high ceiling. Students gathered in familiar groups, exchanging gossip and laughing over lunch.
Stefan collected his food and began looking for an empty seat.
He found one.
Unfortunately, it was directly opposite Killian.
“Well, if it isn't Mr. Coldskin himself.”
Stefan looked up.
Killian sat across from him, leaning back in his chair with a grin that suggested he had been waiting for an opportunity to be annoying.
Stefan placed his tray on the table.
“Careful, puppy. Don't come too close. I'm about to eat, and I don't want fleas all over my food.”
One of Killian's friends burst out laughing.
Killian slowly turned his head towards him.
The laughter stopped.
Then he looked back at Stefan.
“You think you've got jokes?”
“I know I do.”
Killian leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
“So, who's the new toy?”
Stefan continued arranging his cutlery.
“I'm sorry?”
“The redhead. Andrea.” Killian's grin widened. “She's beautiful. Where did you find her? And, more importantly, can I have her?”
Stefan finally looked at him.
“Not everyone is attracted to a lost dog like you.”
Killian chuckled, but his eyes sharpened.
“That didn't answer my question.”
“Then perhaps you should learn to recognise an answer you don't like.”
For a moment, the two boys stared at each other.
They had known each other long enough to understand that every joke carried a little truth, and every smile could conceal a threat.
Killian's expression turned almost pleasant.
“You don't get to tell me what I can and cannot have.”
Stefan's smile disappeared.
“Try your luck with her, and you'll find out exactly why you should have listened to me.”
The words were quiet.
That made them worse.
Killian studied him, searching his face for an explanation. Instead, Stefan picked up his fork and returned to his meal as though the conversation had bored him.
Killian straightened his jacket.
“We'll see about that, Frostbite.”
He paused, his smile returning.
“She's in my class, by the way.”
Stefan's hand stopped.
It was a tiny movement, barely noticeable, but Killian saw it.
His grin widened.
“Oh. You didn't know?”
Stefan said nothing.
“Looks like we're going to have some fun.”
Killian rose from his seat, gave Stefan a mocking little salute, and walked away with his friends.
His laughter followed him across the refectory low, amused, and just a little menacing.
Stefan watched him go.
Of all the people Andrea could have encountered at Blackwood Academy, it had to be Killian.
He exhaled slowly and glanced at the clock.
Lunch had begun.
And he had made a promise.
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