Chapter 184 Anatomy
"Taking notes builds character," I tease him. I don't know why I feel so brave around Trent. Maybe because I feel like he would never hurt me. I'm sure he wouldn't. He's never been a bad guy. Just popular with the ladies.
"I'm full of character. I don't need to build it anymore. Besides, your handwriting is much nicer than mine," he winks as he follows me into the classroom.
Why does that little compliment make me feel all giddy inside? He's just trying to steal my notes! And the by the way it's going, I'll melt into a puddle of goo, and he'd have his way with my notes!
We take our seats in the middle of the classroom and wait for our professor. Once again, he takes the seat right next to mine. I can see envy in every pair of female eyes in the room. I can't blame them for that.
"So, how was your bath?" Trent asks with a smirk.
I flush and bury my face in my hands. When I think I've got my color back to normal, I clear my throat and look him in the eyes. "Very relaxing. Jos suggested I have some time to myself," I shrug my shoulders.
Before he could respond our professor comes in and steps in front of the class.
"Welcome to Anatomy 101. I'm Professor Bruno. Today we are going to be discussing why we need to learn about the human body," he says as he writes the question on the white board. "And why is anatomy essential to those who practice medicine?" He continues to write the questions.
"We will be going over all the major systems in the human body, including but not limited to the skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system, and the reproductive system..."
At the mention of the last one I squirm in my seat. There is nothing wrong with the reproductive system. It's part of the human body and if it didn't exist, neither would we! It's just...
"Are you okay?" Trent leans over and asks quietly.
I don't know why I feel so dizzy all of a sudden. My breath is coming out in short pants. I can feel the prickle of sweat dripping down my neck, but I give him a strained smile and nod.
He doesn't look convinced, but he doesn't push it. How the hell am I supposed to tell him that the mention of that particular system still gives me nightmares?
All I can see are those dark eyes and that fucking smirk. All I can hear are those words telling me how I'm a dirty little girl and I'm getting what's coming to me...
I try to calm my nerves as I listen to the lecture on the basics of the human body. I take notes on everything just to keep my hands busy and my mind from spiraling.
I leg starts shaking near the end of the class and I can feel my heart pounding double time in my chest. I need to get out of here before I have a full-blown panic attack.
But then Trent reaches out and grabs my hand, squeezing it gently. The touch is gentle and grounding. It's not demanding or punishing. It's just there, letting me know he's here. Letting me come back from my dark place.
I look up into his sparkling blue eyes and I see worry. He wasn't being flippant when he asked me if I was okay earlier, he really wanted to know. At the moment, he looks like he's ready to pull me out of class just to get me to calm down.
"Breathe Charlie," he whispers. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
I have no idea if he actually knows what he just promised, and I don't know what will happen if he ever finds out the truth; will he still want to keep me safe? Will he think I'm being ridiculous and I just need to get over it?
Somehow, I doubt it. But right now, in this moment, I'm going to trust him. I'm going to let him keep me safe.
I breathe.
"Good girl, Angel. You are safe here. No one can get to you," he whispers, rubbing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.
I feel my heart start to slow down, and my leg stops jumping. The room stops spinning and I'm finally able to focus on what is actually around me. I'm not at Uncle Jay's house in my old room...
The touch eases the tension from my shoulders and I'm finally able to relax and actually focus on the lesson.
"Thank you," I whisper back, squeezing his hand one last time before I let go.
"Any time."