The new week felt completely different from the last. Everything had changed so fast the past few days.
As I walked into class, I spotted Drey smiling, already waving me over with that easy confidence that somehow made my chest flutter and my brain go crazy
I wasn't sure if I was ready for the attention or the inevitable drama that would follow… but I did want to be near him.
I crossed the room and took the empty seat beside him. Without hesitation, he leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek. The moment his lips brushed my skin, the entire class lost it, his friends especially.
"Oooooohhh!" they chorused, laughing and clapping like we were starring in a live rom-com. I could feel my face heating up.
To them, we were probably a couple now. But were we?
That's when Dr. Lucian walked in. I caught him glancing our way before he shifted his gaze and headed to the podium. He looked pale, as if he hadn't slept in days.
His usual commanding presence seemed muted but still radiated hotness, he was born with it.
His voice unusually quiet. I found myself worrying, my attention drifting from the lecture.
Was he okay?
As soon as the class ended, he left immediately, without a word. No eye contact. No instructions. Just gone.
Was it part of my duty as course rep to check in on a lecturer? Probably not.
But the other part of me, the irrational, too-curious part, wanted to see him.
Still, what was I supposed to say?
"Hey, you looked pale while teaching. That's not very lecturer-like of you."
Yeah, no thanks.
At the cafeteria, I went alone. To my left, I noticed Lily with her new group of friends, all giggling together. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away. I don't care, and I don't miss her, I told myself that over and over as I carried my tray to our usual spot.
Austin showed up almost immediately, jumping into the seat beside me with his own tray.
"Heyyyy," he beamed.
"What do you want?"
"Huh?" He clutched his chest dramatically, as if wounded. "That's not nice."
"I'm not nice," I muttered, biting into my sandwich.
"You're the nicest person I know."
I nearly choked on my food and shot him a disgusted look. Really?
"For real, Elene," he said, focusing on his pasta as he twirled it around his fork. He sure does like Pasta.
I ignored him for a moment before saying, "You don't have to sit with me, you know."
"You and Lily still haven't made up? Why is it taking so long?"
"Ask her."
"She told me to ask you."
"Oh. So you have talked to her."
"No… I mean…" He paused, struggling. "She's still my friend. Your friend too."
"Pick a side."
"I can't do that."
"Do it now."
"You're being childish, Elene." He raised his hands and leaned back from me.
Before I could snap at him, a voice interrupted us.
"Hey."
I turned, and there was Drey, just as devastatingly cute as ever, sliding smoothly into the seat beside me. He looked really good in blue shirt. He flashed that charming smile as I looked at him.
"Drey," I smiled back, my exaggerated anger melting away.
"Hi Austin," he added, reaching across the table to shake his hand.
Austin blinked, surprised, but shook it anyway. "Hey, Drey."
"Can I sit with you guys?" Drey asked.
"Yes, please," Austin said quickly. "Before she kills me."
I gave Austin a mean look, which made Drey laugh. His laugh was so nice. Okay, enough Selene!
"I got something for you," he said, pulling a book from his bag.
The same one he'd been reading in class, the one I'd pretended to be interested in, "A NEW DAWN".
Oh God.
I wasn't even a reader like that. I'd just been trying to make small talk. I cringed inwardly but forced a bright smile as I took it.
"Thank you so much," I said honestly.
When I looked at the book more closely, something clicked in my brain. I'd seen this book before. It was the same book Dr Lucian had been reading when I was in his office last week.
Why are they both reading the same book? I wondered. Is it that interesting?
"You mentioned your friend who…" I trailed off, unsure how to say "died" without making it weird.
"Yeah." Drey nodded slowly. "Him."
"He wrote this?" I asked, flipping the cover open again.
"He was special," Drey said. "He could see things that other people couldn't."
"Things?" I echoed.
"Things?" Austin said with his mouth full of food.
"Like what questions will be on tests?" Austin joked.
Drey laughed a little. "Something like that. But more like… supernatural stuff. He could see the future sometimes. Or the past. The book is like a puzzle of what he experienced."
Drey's face looked so sad now. I could see how much he missed his friend.
"I remember him every time I read this book," Drey said quietly.
"I'm sorry, Drey."
"It's fine," he said and gave me a small smile.
"I'll treasure it," I promised,
But really, I thought, I'm interested in this book because Dr Lucian was reading it too. What's so special about it that they both have it? Should be a really interesting book.
The rest of the week went by so fast. I barely saw Dr. Lucian except during class. Even then, he seemed different. Distant. Like he was trying to avoid looking at me.
Is he avoiding me? I wondered. Or is something wrong with him?
I spent my lab time with Alfred. He turned out to be pretty cool. Not as geeky as I thought he would be, but still a geek. He made chemistry practical seem easy. Maybe studying with him wouldn't be so bad after all.
Some days I ate lunch with Drey and his friends. They were nice enough, but I always felt like an outsider. They had inside jokes I didn't understand. Guys!
Other days it was still just me and Austin. He never brought up Lily again, which I was grateful for. But I could see him looking over at her table sometimes. I knew he missed the way things used to be when we were all friends.
One day I even sat with Maya. I guess we were becoming friends now. She was fun to be around. Her wild energy made me feel more alive. She mentioned going on a "crazy ride" this weekend. Tomorrow, in fact. Apparently, she has a really nice sport car.
"It's going to be amazing, Selene!" she said with her eyes all bright.
I guess my goal of having ridiculous fun this year might actually come true. That, and, well… having a hot boyfriend maybe. Or maybe even something crazier… like being pampered by a dangerously attractive lecturer. And by pampered, I don't mean in the academic sense.
Yeah. That kind of pampered. I could only dream.
The whole week, people kept staring at me and Drey. Word had gotten around that we were together, even though we'd never actually talked about what we were. Girls would whisper when I walked by. Some of his friends would wink at him when they saw us together.
But I didn't care. I low key enjoyed it. Always did. Call it a coping mechanism.
Sometimes I found myself wondering if Lily was okay. But I quickly reminded myself that it didn't matter.
By Friday afternoon, I couldn't ignore the growing tension anymore.
I packed up my books and headed toward Dr. Lucian's office.
I'm his course rep, I told myself. It's weird that he hasn't given me any work to do. Maybe I should ask him if he needs help with anything. Right?
But that wasn't the real reason I wanted to see him. I guess I was worried about him. He looked tired all week. Something was definitely wrong.
I knocked.
No answer.
I tried the handle—locked. That was a first.
But I knew he was inside. I'd seen him go in just minutes ago.
I knocked again, harder this time, annoyance bubbling up beneath my skin. Was he seriously ignoring me?
I tried the handle again, and this time it turned. The door opened suddenly, and I wasn't ready for it. I stumbled forward, losing my balance.
I crashed right into Dr. Lucian's chest.
His hands caught me around the waist to keep me from falling. But the moment he touched me, I gasped.
His hands were ice cold. Not just cool, but actually cold, like he'd been holding ice cubes. The chill seeped through my clothes and made my skin prickle.
I looked up, startled.
He was already staring down at me, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A slow grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.