25

Azira

"You are finally back!" I say, wrapping Nat in a hug as she walks up to me in the corridor.

She's been gone for almost two weeks, way longer than we expected as she told us she'd be gone for a few days. Texts from her have been rather cryptic and unspecific about why she wasn't back and that she'd break the news to us when she was back at SA.

"Yeah, I'm back." She doesn't sound too thrilled about it, which surprises me.

I break the hug and glance at her. "So what's this news you've got to break to us?"

Adrianna squeezes my shoulder. "Give her a second. She's only just walked into the academy, for fuck's sake."

Nat gives her a thankful glance.

"You're right. Sorry." I shrug. "You know how impatient I can be."

They both laugh at that.

"Where is Eva?" Nat asks.

"She wasn't at breakfast, so I assume she's otherwise detained by her husband."

Adrianna wrinkles her nose. "They're so inseparable, it's sickening."

I wouldn't call is sickening, I'd call it adorable. Eva is lucky to have found a man who is so crazy over her he risked everything. Word is a lot of the SA students' parents are up in arms about what happened, suggesting it's difficult to trust an academy where the Principal thinks it's acceptable to marry and fuck his student. And yet, Oak doesn't seem to care.

Apparently he answers any complaint telling them to find another academy if it's such a big problem for them. Obviously, SA is one of a kind. There is no other academy like it in North America.

"Nat!" Eva comes rushing down the corridor, smiling widely. "Where the hell have you been?" She wraps her in a hug. "Even Oak doesn't know why you've been gone so long."

"Makes a refreshing change," I say.

Eva rolls her eyes. "Are you going to tell us what's going on?"

Nat nods. "Yes, but not in the corridor."

"Where, then?" I ask.

"We've all got a free period, right?" Nat asks.

We all nod in response.

"Then let's head back to the dorms for this."

Eva and I exchange concerned glances, as Nat seems oddly serious.

"You can't tell us in the common room?" I ask.

Nat shakes her head. "Too many people about." She links her arm with mine. "Come on. You want to find out? Stop stalling."

I let Nat drag me back toward the dorms and in through the carded entrance, Adrianna and Eva following close behind. Once we're in Nat's room, she turns to us and lets out a long sigh.

"What is it?" I ask, eager to find out.

She nods to the sofa in the corner. "You might want to sit down for this."

I clench my jaw and take a seat, Eva and Adrianna following and sitting down next to me.

"Spill it, Nat," Adrianna says.

"I'm engaged."

My mouth practically drops to the floor. At least, it feels like it does. "What the fuck?"

Nat's brow furrows. "I think the normal reaction is congratulations."

"To who?" Adrianna asks, shaking her head.

"Alexander, of course," Eva says, as if we're both being dim.

I shake my head. "No way, she may have slept with him, but marrying him..." I trail off when I see the look on Nat's face.

"Eva is right. I'm engaged to Alexander."

"Are you insane?" I ask.

"Yeah, the guy has been a total asshole to you the entire time he's attended SA," Adrianna says.

She sits down on the edge of her bed and shakes her head. "A lot has happened that you don't know, but he promises to make it up to me."

"Right," Adrianna says, unable to keep the sarcasm from her tone.

"I mean, he gave up his crown to Finn for me and my family. To protect us from something I can't explain to you without putting them in danger."

My brow furrows. "I wondered what the fuck that was all about." I shake my head. "Although no one is listening to Finn, though. They don't respect that asshole."

"I think it is wonderful news, Nat. Congratulations," Eva says.

I have to remind myself that until this year, Eva wasn't here. She hasn't witnessed the shit we've witnessed over the years. "I don't know you'd say that if you'd attended the academy as long as we have."

Adrianna nods. "I don't think the things he's done and the way he's treated Nat are forgivable."

Nat clears her throat. "It doesn't really matter what you think, does it?" She crosses her arms over her chest. "I love Alexander, and we're getting married after graduation. It's simple."

Love.

I never expected to hear that word from my friend's lips regarding Alexander freaking Morales, but it's clear from the look in her eyes she's deadly serious. So, I hold my hands up in surrender. "Fair enough, congratulations."

Adrianna swallows. "Yeah, congratulations, but don't think I'm not worried about this. That boy has treated you so damn badly over the years."

Nat nods. "I get it. You're skeptical. But we both love each other."

Adrianna narrows her eyes. "Fine, but if I witness him treating you badly just once, I will not hesitate to beat his ass."

We all laugh then, but Adrianna just crosses her arms over her chest. "It's not a joke. You know I can best him at combat."

It's true, Adrianna is a true hard ass. The only person she can't beat is Coach Daniels.

"I agree, I'm happy for you, but cautiously. I hope he makes some serious changes for the rest of the year," I say.

Nat nods confidently. "Believe me, he already has."

"Fair enough. So how did this come about, anyway?"

Nat sits up straighter and tells us the story about how Alexander showed up and the crazy shit that ensued, including her brother, threatening to kill him. And then an agreement drawn up between his uncle and her brother for them to marry. It took two weeks for them to hash out the specifics and it's why they've both been gone that long. If I'm honest, I hadn't even noticed Alexander was gone. Or if I had, I didn't really give it any thought.

"That's crazy," Eva says, sighing as she finishes the story. "When is the wedding?"

"It won't be until after graduation. It was one stipulation made by both my brother and his uncle." She smiles widely. "All three of you have to be my bridesmaids. And hopefully Giorgia, if she can make it over from Sicily."

Both Adrianna and Eva jump up excitedly. "Of course."

I smile. "You know me, always up for a reason to buy a new dress." Although I'm happy for Nat, I can't help but feel skeptical about Alexander Morales' intentions.

Not to mention, right now it feels impossible to think of anything other than the insane situation I've got going on with Professor Luigi. I've been distracted ever since he pulled out his cock and climaxed over me, hardly able to think of anything else.

Ever since last night, I've been so damn horny it feels like I'll never be the same. I returned to my room and had a very long and what seemed like a satisfying session with my vibrator. Even after the most intense climax I've ever had in my life, it wasn't enough to stave off this hungry sensation, because it wasn't Blaine Luigi giving it to me.

"Are you alright?" Nat asks, brow furrowed as she stares at me.

I shake my head. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You just looked spaced out for a moment there, like you weren't really with us."

"Sorry, I'm tired from last night."

"What happened last night?" Nat asks.

Eva clears her throat. "The three of us went out with Oak, Archer, and Blaine."

Nat's mouth falls open. "You went out with our professors?"

Eva shrugs. "One of them is my husband, remember? Oak wouldn't agree to go out with Archer if I didn't come and I wouldn't go out without my friends, so that's what happened."

Adrianna is oddly silent as she stares at the ground, kicking her foot across the carpet.

"I bet that was fun, especially since Archer won't leave Adrianna alone," Nat says.

Adrianna meets her gaze. "It wasn't as bad as I expected." She glances at Eva. "But I think I have Eva to thank for that. She put him in his place before the night started, didn't you?"

Eva blushes. "I may have had a word with Oak before and he spoke to him."

"I thought as much, but that just means he'll be as persistent as ever today." She rests her head back on the sofa and sighs heavily. "Someone kill me now."

I place a hand on her shoulder and squeeze. "At least we're over halfway to spring break when you get two whole weeks away from him."

She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Thank God for that. It can't come quickly enough."

I have the opposite feeling, as I want to stick around here longer and find out what Blaine Luigi has in store for me. After last night, I want so much more from him. I want him to be the one to take my virginity, even if he believes I'm too innocent to handle him.