Chapter 93 Chapter 3: Anna

Chapter 93 Chapter 3: Anna
Anna:

In the movies, whenever the ex-girlfriend of the current boy-friend you are dating wants to tell you to leave him, there’s usually tons of money slapped at your face, I have always wished of experiencing that, well at least not like this.

Gina looks like a fire breathing dragon right now as she corners me in the dining hall. Nixie, Elva and I were eating peacefully, talking about some difficult courses when she appeared, her heels clinking on the floor like the total mean girl that she is.

“Who do you think you are?” she yells on top of her voice, drawing attention from other tables. I sigh, focusing on my food, maybe if I ignore her, she’ll probably leave. “You’ve done something to Adrian! I am sure of that, you are just a worthless freshman!” Oh great, now everyone’s attention is solely focused on us.

“That’s my best-friend you are calling a worthless freshman.” Nixie is already standing up, frowning.

Shit, this is bad.

“Nixie, calm down.” I say, squeezing her hands. Nixie’s siren powers can get out of hand whenever she feels a burst of emotions, example anger, and it can go as bad as this whole academy crumbling down.

Elva is practically fuming and I understand that while my friends are sharing the same rage with me right now. This is something I can handle on my own.

I stand up from the chair, facing Gina. Her face brightens, this is what she likes, she wants me to face her. Load of crap, if you ask me.

“What were you saying?” I ask calmly.

“You are nothing but a freshman brain washing Adrian. Seriously? Maybe you threatened him to even date you, I know what people like you are after. You want to crawl into his bed by all means possible, even if it means tampering with your dignity.” She screams, making everyone inch closer.

I guess this is the type of gossip that everyone wants.

At first I didn’t want to step in and talk back, because it will lead to a web of unnecessary drama but now, Gina seems to have crossed the line.

“Oh, darling.” I tilt my head, laughing. “If I want to sleep with him, I don’t even have to beg or tamper with my dignity.” I say out loud for everyone to hear, Nixie and Elva look at me in surprise, both mouthing ‘Damn.’

Gina is taken aback, of course, she didn’t expected my come-back. See, that’s the thing with people like Gina, they think they can tear you apart with their words, but when you bite back, they have no idea what to do anymore.

“What is going on here?” Adrian’s voice makes the whole room still, he’s walking in with some guys by this side, I am guessing those are his teammates.

“Adrian!” Gina cries out, sauntering over to his side. “She’s verbally abusing me.” she sniffs out while pointing at me. Adrian’s gaze meets mine and I simply shrug, it’s up to him to choose whomever he believes, but a tiny part of him hopes he believe me.

“Are you okay?” His gaze is directed at me. I blink in surprise as he walks over to me, scanning my whole body. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need to visit the nurse’s office?” he asks and I nod my head, still surprised.

Gina is shocked, yet it seems like she isn’t giving up any time soon. “Did you not hear what I said, Adrian? She is verbally abusing me.”

Adrian looks at her blankly, turning towards me. “Let’s get out of here.”

Everyone gasps and my face flushes deep red. I wave to Nixie and Elva and they wave back, with Nixie whispering ‘You better sleep with him’

Adrian and I leave the dining hall, much to the eyes of others. The hallway is quiet as we walk. 

“Why did you do that?” I ask when the silence is overwhelming. Adrian takes a glance at me, those sharp eyes gawking at me. Unlike anybody looking at me like that, I don’t feel uncomfortable by his stare.

“Do what?” Adrian crosses his hands together, “I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t even hear her out. What if she was right and I was verbally abusing her?” I ask, I am not used to people just taking my side just like that, yes, Gina is those type of people who snitch and ravel in the misery of others, but what Adrian did today touched me.

“I have known Gina for a very long time.” Adrian sighs, as we climb down the stairs, honestly I have no idea where we are going but I trust that Adrian knows what he is doing. “Also, I’ll trust you over her any day.”

To him, it means just means some words but to me, but those words punches me straight into the guts. Someone trusts me to the extent that they will take my word for it.

I know I shouldn’t be doing this, probably if I do this, it means I am crossing some sort of line. But as Enrique used to tell me when we are little, it’s better to go after something than regret it later on.

“There’s a romance festival in the courtyard today, it usually takes place days before the mating ball. Half of the school are going. Apparently, it’s meant to be a romance festival.” The words tumble out of me and I stare at him, hope flashing in my eyes.

“So I’ve heard.” He tilts his head, staring intently at me.

“Yeah?” I say, Adrian is messing with me, he knows exactly what I want to ask but he is playing dumb.

“What?” There’s a hint of playfulness in his tone. “What are you hinting at, Anna De Luca?”

He is definitely messing with me.

“I was thinking we could go together.” I say and he raises his brows. 

“Are you asking me out on a date, Anna?” The playfulness is replaced with seriousness; I have never seen him so serious before. 

“I guess so....well...um...I thought that since half of the school is going to be present, perhaps we could show up as a couple, you know, just for show.” My face is flushed as I blab on. Adrian doesn’t seem to mind, he is paying rapt attention.

“Alright...show off.” His jaw is locked tightly, “Sure. Tonight, right?”

“If you don’t want to go, it’s totally okay. I can go with my girls.” I say.

He takes a step closer, locking eye with me. “I want to go with you.” We have a moment, our eyes linger. My eyes searches it, dips towards his full lips. Shit. Is this the moment where we kiss? I will admit that these days I have been fantasising about being wrapped in his arms, maybe my brain is starting to blur between what is fake and what is real.

But, if we kiss now, is that considered real or fake? Is the kiss going to be for show off?

Adrian is leaning in, and as cliché as this sounds, I get on my tiptoes, expecting something. I even close my eyes waiting for the perfect moment our lips will touch.

Adrian coughs, stepping back.

Everything in me shatters. 

I peel my eyes open, shame cowering over me. The tip of his ears goes bright pink, I don’t understand, did he not wanted that kiss?

“I have to get to class.” He hurriedly says, not even sparing me a glance as he jogs down the hallway leaving me confused.

What just happened right now?

\--

Adrian:

Hours fly by so fast, after the ending of my class for the day. I stayed locked up in my dorm, studying and flipping through books yet my mind can’t seem to forget the kiss that almost stole my senses.

I was this close to kissing her, but I just jerked back as if that kiss was going to ruin everything we were doing. What are we even doing? We are supposed to be fake dating, but I felt like if we had kissed that moment, then I don’t think it won’t be fake dating anymore.

There’s no fucking way I can fake kiss Anna De Luca.

If there’s one thing I can’t unsee, it was the look in her eyes when I pulled away, that hurt punched me straight in the guts and even as I walked back to class, my wolf pounded hardly inside me, scratching at my insides demanding I go back to her and kiss her senseless.

I just hope I don’t fuck things off at the festival tonight. I pick a comfortable white shirt and pair it with my leather jacket. My roommate isn’t around; probably he’s off at the romance festival too.

I take a deep breath as I walk through the quiet hallway, does everyone in campus believe in love? I think so. When I reach Anna’s dorm, I inhale deeply.

‘You better not do anything stupid tonight.’ My wolf screams inside me, he can be aggressive sometimes. I don’t blame him.

I rap my knuckles against the door, holding my breath. It creaks gently and the door opens.

There she is.

I forget to breathe. Anna is dressed in a red gown that hugs her waist. Her collarbones peek just above the neckline and her hair-Goddess- her copper brown hair is loosely curled, flowing down in waves.

“Hi.” She says, almost nervously. She just knocked the breath out of my lungs.

I stare too long without answering. “You look....” I shake my head, trying to gather my thoughts. “So freaking stunning.”

She laughs softly, her face flushing. “Thank you.”

That smile, it makes my heart suddenly starts to pound. What in the hell is she doing to me?

“Shall we?” Is the only reasonable sentence that leaves my mouth. I outstretch my palm and her warm palm fills mine. We stare at each other again for the longest times, and I feel that moment. Goddess, I am going to end up kissing her again.

I look away immediately.

The moment we step into the courtyard, Anna gasps softly beside me. 

Strings of fairy lights weave through the trees, casting a golden glow in the atmosphere. The path beneath us is lined with rose petals. Couples walks around, hands wrapped around each other, holding plastic cups. There’s dozens of kissing booths specially reserved for couples only.

A soft band is playing live music from the gazebo, those warm songs that make you believe in love again.

“They really went all big on the festival.” Anna whispers beside me, completely breathless. “It’s romantic.”

“It’s not.” I say and now she is staring at me with those confused soft eyes. “Look at the couples all smiling and kissing, then it’s mating ball and they discover they aren’t mated to each other. Imagine the heartbreak that could cause.”

She keeps quiet. “Have you been here before?”

It launches me into memory lane, being here with Gina; I was young then, still a freshman. We laughed, tried out some food. Everyone kept hinting that we would be the loveliest mates ever until we just weren’t. I stayed in my dorm, sophomore year, while the fireworks sparked in the courtyard.

I was reading history textbooks.

“Once,” I respond, trying to push away the memory. “With Gina.”

She squeezes my hand, closing her eyes. “I am sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” I say.

“I dragged you here,” She whispers and I chuckle.

“I am happy to be here.” I mean it.

Neither of us says a word and I break the silence by pulling her gently towards the dance floor- an open circle beneath a canopy of low-hanging lanterns that flickers like floating stars. “Come, let’s dance.”

The music changes into a slow melody. I place my hand on the small of my back, her fingers lock into mine. We move awkwardly at first, her nose wrinkling when she stares up at me. I can’t stop grinning. There’s this sort of warmth that fills me, I can’t explain this because I have never felt like this with someone ever before.

Even with Gina.

We dance slowly, ignoring everyone present. It is magnificent to just to be in her arms. Her head rests against my shoulders- just long enough for me to memorize the feeling, breathing her in. She smells like roses and something sweeter.

Slowly, I peel open my eyes, staring softly at her. We have that moment again and that is when I realize that I can’t keep fighting this.

“Fuck it.” I growl lowly, pulling her towards the kissing booth. The booth is quiet, tucked away from the rest of the crowd. Velvet cushions line the bench, and the warm red light overhead casts a red glow on her face- her flushed cheeks, parted lips, and searching eyes.

We sit down slowly, as if we both know what is going to happen.

“I am so confused, Adrian.” She whispers.

“So am I.” I chuckle, shaking my head.

“You look at me like you want to kiss, then when you are about to, you just pull away.” She shuts her eyes. “I don’t understand. Don’t you want to kiss me?”

Hell, is that what she thinks?

My thumb finds the tip of her chin and I tilt it so that we are staring into each other eyes. “I have never been so desperate about anything in my life.”

“Then, why don’t you do it?” She searches into my eyes.

“I don’t want this to it fake.” I say honestly. “I don’t think I understand what is going on between us. This fake-reality thing, it’s blurring through my head and when I saw you in that dress tonight, all was that going through my head was ‘I want her to be mine.’”

She stares at me in shock.

I shift closer, feeling her body heat. “I don’t want any fake thing between us anymore.”

“What about payback for Gina?” She asks.

“Forget Gina.” I say, my forehead touching hers. “I want you, I want to kiss you, I want to hold you, I want to make you smile. I like you very much, Anna De Luca.”

Her chest is heaving. “I like you too.”

I push a strand of her hair behind her back, cupping her face, “Can I?” I stare at her lips.

She leans in.

Our lips meet in the middle- soft at first, but it faded very fast. Her hand slide up the side of my neck, her fingers waving through my hair, my own hands find her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepens, it’s not rushed or clumsy, it is intense, my heart pounds so loudly against my ribcage. This is the best kiss I have had.

Every single part of me is alive.

Every nerve.

She pulls back slightly, just an inch. “Damn.” She inhales.

“Would you like to pick this up back at my room?” I ask, standing up to help her up.

“Of course, we shall.” Her eyes twinkle with delight and at that moment, I know.

She is the woman for me.