But there’s something behind his eyes, something that makes my skin crawl, like a swarm of invisible ants creeping beneath the surface. No matter how much I try to shake it off, the sensation lingers until he finally looks away.
That same feeling prickles across my skin as his gaze lifts from the screen and lands on me.
“Miss Griffith,” he says, smiling. The expression softens his face enough to let me breathe again. “I understand you’re new and trying to make friends... but that needs to happenoutsideof my Lecture Hall,”
I nod. “I know. I am sorry for the interruption. It won’t happen again,” I didn’t realise getting told off for another’s actions would make me feel so insignificant again. It brought back all those times I was the one blamed for Marlowe’s mistakes and I haven’t been able to shake it off yet.
“I don’t see much about you academically on the records. Where were you before this?” he asks, leaning back into his leather chair with the ease of someone too used to being in control. His fingers rake through his slicked-back dark hair before he folds his arms across his chest, focus fixed on me.
“I didn’t,” I reply casually. “Took online classes for the first few years,”
“Oh?” He tilts his head. “Why was that?”
“Just... some family stuff,” I lie smoothly, forcing a small smile.
The truth is, Ididtake some online classes, but nothing like this. Everything in my file is part of a carefully constructed narrative. One that people with enough money can summon into existence with the click of a finger.
“I see,” he says, nodding slowly. “Well, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. Student portal or my office, whichever is easiest. I understand how overwhelming a place like this can be, and I’d like to see you do well here,”
His tone softens, and for a moment, he sounds genuine. It’s enough to make the knot in my chest loosen a little.
“Thank you. I appreciate that, Sir,”
I move toward the door, eager to escape. I need to find Deena. There’s something about her, something that pulled me across the room from the moment I saw her.
“Miss Griffith,” he calls again, his voice dipping, rougher, lower.
I turn.
His eyes are on my legs, and I watch as they lazily trace their way up my body. A slow, deliberate smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, and his gaze slides back to mine with a heat that makes my skin crawl.
“As delightful as that outfit is,” he says, voice silk over steel, “it’s not proper uniform. You wouldn’t want Mr. Carmichael catching you like that,”
Then, with a flick of his tongue over his bottom lip, he turns back to his laptop, dismissing me without another word.
Taking my leave as quickly as I can I almost run into Corden, his hands catch my shoulders before I smack into his chest. “Wew,” He chuckles. “You ready? I hear they have a sushi bar here and I am craving a California roll,” Corden pulls my arm to link through his elbow, not realising I am creeped out by the encounter with our teacher.
Before we make our way down the corridor I feel a hot fire on my back, one that sends a completely different shiver up my spine. One that feels delicious.
I glance over my shoulder and blink in confusion.
Asher is half hidden in a darkened alcove just passed the doorway into the Lecture Hall, he has a concerned look on his face as he scans me. The fist at the side of his body is clenched along with his jaw.
His emotion throws me, not in a bad way, but one I can’t understand.
I shake it off. Then give him the finger over my shoulder.
I watch as his brows raise towards his hairline and his cheeks lift with a smile. Then I round the corner with Deena and Corden with the deep sound of Asher’s chuckle vibrating down behindme.
SIX
RUELLA
“So, where are you from?” Corden manages to get out between bites of sushi. I have never seen anyone shovel in as much in one go, in my life.
I pick at my salad, buying time as I weigh how much to share, enough to get by, but not enough to give myself away. Corden and Deena are surprisingly easy to talk to, which only makes it harder to keep my tone light and friendly. What Ireallywant is to start shaking people down for answers.
But I know better. I can’t charge in, all guns blazing. Still, if this is the pace things are going to move, I’ll be stuck here far longer than I planned, and patience has never been my strong suit.
