Chapter 12

Cadella's POV

“That’s all for today. Be sure to get your reading done, we’ll be moving quickly in this class, and it’ll be easy to get behind. See you all next week. Reach out if you have any questions.” My teacher reminded us as we packed up our things.

I glanced at my phone. We had gotten out fifteen minutes early, which I was grateful for. This was my second to last class of the day and it was on the opposite side of campus from my last class, Lost History. One of the few history classes I was able to take this year, and it was focused on the local history of Celtradian.

A small tug in my chest pulled at the thought of the class. It would have been a good one to discuss with Vasile, but I couldn’t. He had gone radio silent since Saturday.

How had his first day teaching gone this year?

Another question to add to the other unanswered ones that had passed through my mind all day. I hadn’t been surprised to not hear from him last night after we awkwardly parted. But then Sunday had come and gone without any texts or calls. We’d talked almost every day, even if it was just to check in since we met.

His silence was weighing heavier than it should for such a new relationship.

I grabbed my bag and phone, pulling up the image of the campus map that I’d taken this morning for easier use. My next class was beside the auditorium. I paused just outside the door to study the map. It appeared to be a straight shot across campus, but I had quickly learned that the school grounds were larger than they appeared.

“Hey, Cadella!” I turned to see Mara jogging towards me.

“Hi!” I waved excitedly.

“What class do you have next?” She asked as she stopped beside me.

Mara’s room was across the hall from me and we’d spent most of Sunday together while we settled into our dorms and learned the campus layout. She was also from the United States, and I learned quickly how much having her around made me a little less homesick.

“Lost History, it’s across campus.” I pointed in the direction I needed to go.

“Oh, my next class is in the same building! We can walk together.” She beamed as she looped her arm around mine.

“How was your classes so far today?” I asked as we walked.

“Boring. They all just went over the syllabus, then assigned homework. There was hardly any time to actually cover any material.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I feel like if we can be trusted to read a textbook, we can be trust to do the same with the syllabus. It’s a waste of time.

“Most of the rules are universal. So why do we have to hear them five times in one day. I don’t know about you but I still have two days with new classes. I’m so not looking forward to just hearing about the same information for three days.” She rambled.

“I agree, but I suppose if they don’t say it a student could say no one told them if they get caught cheating. It’s probably a precaution they have to take so they can enforce the rules.” I shrugged.

She stopped and gasped at me.

“If you are going to cheat on your education, you don’t deserve to be at one of the best schools in world.” She hissed as pulled me back along our path.

I smiled. Mara could be a little over the top, but we felt the same way about a lot of topics which made it easy to like her. Besides she was entertaining to watch and listen to with her exaggerated expressions and movements.

 “Speaking of homework, do you have much today?” She asked.

“Not really. Just some reading and notes.” I shrugged.

“I was thinking maybe we could go off campus for dinner tonight. Celebrate the first successful college day.” She looked at me with big eyes.

Her lower lip was sticking out slightly past her upper lip. She looked like a lost puppy. How could I say no to that expression?

“Sounds good.” I smile as I looked down at my feet.

A deep chuckle sounded from in front of me and made my head snap up. It sounded so familiar, so much like Vasile’s. But that would be impossible. He was teaching at a different college in a different town.

Did he want to tell me about his day as much as I wanted to him about mine?

I shook my head. My mind was grasping at straws because he’d withdrawn so quickly. Not that he’d promised anything. We’d never discussed being anything more than friends. I was being naive and childish. Letting a handsome man who was polite, and kind have more power over me than I should.

Walking faster to get away from the crowd, I didn’t pay enough attention and my next step landed on the edge of the sidewalk. My ankle wobbled before it rolled completely. A burning pain radiated across my palms as they slid across the coarsely paved sidewalk.

“Oh my gosh, Cadella, are you alright?” Mara asked as she helped me to my feet.

I examined my newly scratched palms. Rubbing them together gently, I dusted the larger dirt from them.

“Yeah, I’m fine. More embarrassed than anything.” I said, my cheeks heating as they turned red.

“It’s okay only half of the school was looking.” Mara shrugged.

My gaze snapped up and looked around the almost empty courtyard, before glaring at Mara. I could only hold the angry expression for a moment before I broke and laughed. It seemed we were close enough to the start of class that everyone had moved inside. At least that meant that very few people had witnessed my fall.

“Come on, there has to be a bathroom in building. You can get cleaned up in there before your class starts.” She smiled as pulled me back up onto the sidewalk.

We hustled to the building were our classes were. I opened the door to the building and made a mental note that the classroom was one of the first doors. My eyes found the plaque for the restroom.

“I’m just going to wash my hands and then I’m going to class. You should probably head to yours so you aren’t late. Does your class end in ninety minutes?” I stopped outside the bathroom door.

“No, it’s a two hour lecture.” She pouted.

“Then we can meet back at the dorms.” I smiled.

“Hey, Cadella? Are you sure okay? You seem a little distracted the last few days.” Her tone was softer than usual, and her expression was serious for once.

“I’m fine. Just anxious for this first week to be done.” I smiled, hoping it was enough.

She nodded, but gave me one last look over her shoulder as she moved down the hall. I smiled at her as I opened the door and entered the bathroom. Standing in front of the sink, I couldn’t stop my wince as the cool water flowed over the torn skin, I watched as the water went from dirty, to lightly tinged with blood to clear. Bringing my palm closer to my face so I could see better, I made sure they were clean before drying them and using the paper towel to turn the water off. A quick glance at my reflection told me that my hands were the only signs of my fall-something I should be grateful for.

 Hurrying back out of the restroom, I walked back to the classroom. My heart sunk though when I found it already mostly full. I quickly unpacked my notebook and textbook for the class. Glancing over my pre-printed syllabus that the professor had sent out yesterday trying to find what the reading would be for today and flipped to the first chapter listed.

Knowing I still had a bit of time before class started, I began reading and familiarizing myself with the material. I heard the teacher come in and start getting settled while the last of the students wandered in. The clock at the center of the campus chimed three times.

It was officially the start of the class.

“Welcome, to Lost History. Clearly there has been some changes, as I’m very much not Professor Vanessa Black.” My head snapped to the front of the room as my heart skipped a beat in my chest.

Vasile.

I blinked a few times, convinced that my mind was still trying to play tricks on me.

“I’m Vasile Ardelean. I’ve lived here for my entire life, and I’m not ashamed to admit that local history and lost civilizations are two of my favorite topics.” His gaze moved over the students until it met mine.

His posture became more rigid, and he swallowed so heavily that I could see his Adam’s apple bob up and down his throat from halfway across the room. My heart sunk. He wasn’t pleased that I was here.

My fears and worries from this weekend were correct. Something had changed between us, and it wasn’t in a good way. I tried to replay Saturday in my mind.

Had he been different when he picked me up from the hotel? I don’t think so. He seemed happy to see me and go to the exhibit. There had been a noticeable change while we were talking though-especially when I brought up betrayals leading us to where we are today.

Maybe that had triggered something.

“We won’t be following the syllabus that Professor Black had emailed you. In fact, I don’t really believe in something that structured. I rather enjoy a more group effort in learning. While we will still be utilizing the textbook and covering the required material, a typical class will be more of a review of what was previously read formed as a discussion, and if we’re lucky maybe a debate.” Vasile gave one his gorgeous smiles that made butterflies come to life in my stomach.

This was going to be a long semester.

Unless I found a way to make things better between us. Maybe if I could talk to him after class, I could feel the waters out between us. The weight I’d been feeling started to fade. Perhaps we could still be friends.

I did my best to focus on what Vasile was saying throughout the class, but I couldn’t help but keep checking my phone for the time. I was going to talk with him after class. He couldn’t ignore me if I was standing right in front of him.

After what felt like forever the class ended and students began filing out. I slowly put my things in my bag while making sure that Vasile didn’t leave before I could reach him. For students that were here earlier than expected, they didn’t take their time leaving-a good thing for me. I walked down to stairs to the podium at the front.

Only Vasile and I were left in the room.

“Can I help you, Cadella?” Vasile asked without looking up from his laptop while he leaned on his fists on either side of it.

“Did I do something wrong?” I blurted.

Great, Cadella. So much for using any type of tact.

Vasile lifted his head without standing up. His amber eyes softened as he took me in. Sighing, he stood and fully faced me.

“No. You did nothing wrong. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” His body was stiff, not matching the words he was saying.

“Why are you here?” Another blunt and blurted question.

“Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. I guess the stars aligned or maybe it was a higher power’s hand trying to bring me back to where I started.” He grinned and looked at his feet. “It was a last-minute change, clearly as you all had already gotten emails from Professor Black.” He raised his gaze back to mine.

I nodded.

“Is this a problem?” He asked.

“No, it’s not a problem for me. Is it for you?” I asked.

“Yes, but not because I don’t want to see you.” He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Then how?” I asked.

“Because being your professor means that we need to stricter rules between us, rules I don’t want.” He smiled.

My heart skipped a beat again-except it wasn’t a bad thing this time. He didn’t want rules between us. He wanted to see me. My heart grew in my chest as my mind attempted to filter through the thoughts that were bombarding me.