Chapter 49: Chapter forty nine

Arielle

I fucking hate school.

I dragged my gaze across our counselor's office and pretended my entire focus wasn't on her. She hasn't said more than two words since Drayton and I walked into her office during lunch break.

She hasn't even looked up from the file she was going through. If this was an intimidation technique to get us unnerved, it was definitely working on me.

I couldn't get a read on Drayton's mood though. Either he was really good at masking his apprehension or he truly wasn't fazed by Ms Brown’s silence.

“I've summoned the both of you here to discuss the tutoring arrangements made at the beginning of the semester.” Ms Brown said, interrupting the palpable silence in the room.

My head immediately swerved in Drayton's direction but he was already staring at me. We've been studying together but not at the library like she asked us to. Ever since I started working at Chuck's, we've moved our session over there permanently.

I didn't bother about the librarian because Drayton said he had it handled. Well, apparently not. The only reason Ms Brown could have summoned us like this was probably because she thought I had been blowing off sessions.

Drayton's eyes narrowed before he tore his gaze away from me, the corner of his mouth hooked up in an almost smile.

Of course, he found it amusing. He wasn't exactly on the ‘hot seat’ here. If Ms Brown decided to change tutor, I might end up stuck with some douchebag for the rest of the semester.

“Given your history, I realized it wasn't fair to force the two of you together like that. It would be great for the school environment if you two worked things out. There won't be a constant division of students in your fanclubs. But helping Arielle catch up with school work is definitely more important. But everything will work out now because someone volunteered to be your tutor.” Ms Brown said, confirming my fears.

Neither of us uttered a single word. We were both clearly still reeling from what she said. A few weeks ago, I would have gladly accepted Ms Brown's offer. But now, I found myself hesitating.

A lot has changed between Drayton and I since the school year started, we've even managed to become friends. I didn't want to throw all that away.

“I appreciate the thought, Ms Brown, but there's no need for that. I've gotten quite used to Drayton's methods. We've developed a rhythm. It's not necessary to replace him when midterms are only in two weeks.”

I found myself holding my breath while waiting for her reply. I could feel Drayton's eyes on me but I didn't look away from our counselor.

“Is that so, Mr King?” She asked.

When Drayton's silence dragged on more than necessary, I was forced to look at him. I wasn't prepared for the emotion in his eyes. I made a point not to read much into it and immediately looked away.

“Yes, Ms Brown. It's true.” He replied, finally averting his gaze from me.

Ms Brown's eyes darted between us and narrowed.

“Then why, pray, haven't I seen you two at the library?”

Drayton and I exchanged surprised glances. How the hell did she know about that?

“I stopped by the library two days ago and found out you two haven't been there for quite some time now. Imagine my surprise when the librarian claimed I had given you passes to not use the library anymore. I don't remember doing something like that. Anything you want to explain to me?”

When Drayton said he would handle things with the librarian, I should have asked him how he planned on doing that. I'm hundred percent sure I would have came up with a better excuse than this.

“We decided to move our session to a more relaxing setting off-campus . But I can assure you the sessions did take place. I have pictorial evidence of it. I could show you if you want.” Drayton said.

Pictorial evidence? We never took any pictures during our tutoring sessions. He'd just royally fucked us over. I silently prayed that Ms Brown wouldn't ask to see his ‘evidence’, but my prayers went unanswered.

“Let's see your evidence.”

Drayton nodded and pulled out his phone. He handed it to her in a few seconds. I sat frozen in my seat and waited for our lie to blow up in our faces.

I knew there were no pictures. I was sure he showed her an edited picture which she would figure out and land both our asses in trouble.

Even if that were to happen, I had made it through half the semester without getting in trouble. That was definitely a record.

But to my surprise, Ms Brown handed Drayton's phone back to him with a simple nod.

“Alright. But I still have to penalize you for moving a school arrangement off-campus without permission.”

“Again, we are very sorry for not running this by you first. We would take whatever punishment you give.” Drayton said, his expression melting into that golden boy look that has definitely gotten him a lot of favors in his lifetime.

However, Ms Brown didn't seem to buy it. Her stern expression didn't change one bit.

“The both of you would be cleaning the gym after school today in place of your tutoring session. You'll have a teacher to monitor you so don't think of skipping. However, if you do decide to skip, that would be ten percent off your midterms score.”

“What?” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I'd always prided myself on getting perfect score everytime.

With everything that has happened the past few months, I didn't know if I'd even make top twenty in my class. I could not afford to let ten percent off my grades when I hadn't even taken my midterms.

“You don't need to worry, Ms Brown. Neither of us plan to skip.” Drayton said instead.

“Good to know. Now get back to class.” She waved her hand dismissively.

Drayton grabbed my hand and half dragged me out of the office.

“Why did you cave so easily?” I shot at him immediately we stepped into the hallway.

“She gave us a light punishment. We should have run it by her before deciding on Chuck's.”

“And why didn't you? You told me you would handle it.”

“Because she would have likely refused. Chuck's is all the way across town. And it's not close to either of our parents houses which everyone still think we live in.”

I nodded, agreeing with his logic. Besides, studying at Chuck's had made things easier than it had been when we were at the library.

“What pictures did you show her? We never took any pictures.”

“We didn't. I did. I thought a day like this might come.”

“That was surprisingly smart of you.” I chuckled.

“I am smart.” he narrowed his gaze on me, looking genuinely offended.

I let out a small laugh and said,

“Yeah yeah, Albert Einstein. Let me see the pictures you took.”

He seem hesitant at first, but when I hardened my gaze, he released a sigh and handed the phone to me.

The first picture was of me writing something down. I remembered that day clearly. I was trying to solve a math problem and was so frustrated when I couldn't do it. I didn't want to ask Drayton for help but I ended up asking him.

I continued scrolling through the pictures. All of them were taken unawares. They were mostly of me studying. But the pictures went on. Some were taken when I was laughing with either Brett or Suzie. I looked happy in those pictures. I look like me.

“That's enough.” Drayton said and snatched the phone from me.

I wanted to snatch it back from him and stare at that picture of me laughing for a while longer, but I refrained.

“You are a surprisingly good photographer. A little creepy but good.” I said and laughed awkwardly.

His expression grew taut as he replied,

“Thanks.”

“I'm just a little offended that you took those great pictures while thinking of Ms Brown. It's a little odd but it did save us so I guess I can forgive you.” I added.

I didn't notice I was standing so close to the wall until Drayton took a step closer to me. My feet involuntarily moved back and my back hit the wall. I tilted my head up a bit until I was staring into his deep gray eyes. They had darkened into a shade of gray that I've never seen before.

My body grew hot and I found myself holding my breath for his next words.

“Do you really think I can think of anyone when I'm around you?” my body tingled all over at the sound of his throaty voice.

His intense gaze landed on my lips and I found myself leaning closer to him. My lips parted slightly as he inched closer. His forehead dropped until they were almost touching mine.

I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much as I wanted him to close the distance between us in that moment. I wanted to feel his lips on mine. I wanted him to devour me until I was nothing but a complete mess.

The thoughts slammed into me at once but I didn't block them out. I had wanted this for a while now and this is the first time I had the courage to admit it.

I could feel his breath on my lips now. His hands caging me between him and the wall.

The sound of heels approaching cut through the silence between us. Drayton pulled away immediately, and just like that the spell was broken.

“I need to go ask Ms

Brown something. See you in class.” He said quickly and walked back into the counselor's office before I could utter a single word.