Page 25 of Jain

I made sure I was the last to arrive at his classes but the first to leave. I answered him when he spoke to me in lessons, and to my surprise, I could hold my own reasonably well. I began to imagine I had over-analysed that evening at his house, but I knew that I hadn’t.

One afternoon, I was waiting for the bell to ring when he asked me to stay behind.

He couldn’t be serious. Did he not think I was mortified enough?

I slumped into my seat, wondering how quickly I could make tracks. He waited until everyone had left before he closed the door.

“Why are you avoiding me?” Mr Silver asked bluntly, folding his arms over his chest as he studied me with those piercing green eyes.

“I’m not.” I lied.

My eyes tried to drift away, skirting down his jawline before coming to a stop at the opening to his shirt.

“Come on, Jain. Can we not speak honestly as adults?”

“Sorry, Sir, I’ve got no idea what you are talking about. I’ve got to go.”

“Jain,please,” he murmured, his hand catching mine as I walked past him.

He dropped it instantly as I exhaled slowly, turning around to face him.

“I’m aware I was unprofessional the other night, and I want to apologise. I hope I didn’t make you feel at all uncomfortable or under pressure to behave a certain way.”

His eyes burned into mine when I forced myself to look away.

“Not at all, Sir. Is that all?” I hoped I sounded confident and disinterested, but he seemed to buy it.

He smiled faintly before running a hand through his hair.

“Yes. I’m glad we cleared the air.”

“Yes, Sir, me too.”

I went to walk away when he spoke, my senses whirring with lust and animalistic desire.

“I said call me Evan,” he muttered, and I turned to flash him a bright smile.

“No, Sir, because surely that would be unprofessional, like closing this door, for example. If I were any other girl, I’d think you had a soft spot for me.”

He laughed then, even though he paled slightly.

“I doubt it—I don’t have favourites.”

“Are you sure?” I whispered before he turned and walked around to his desk, not answering me.

I walked out of the door, feeling irritated. What was the point of him asking me to stay behind? To apologise for what exactly?

I’d arranged to go out with Sarah for some drinks intown finally, and for once, I was grateful Kate wouldn’t be there.

I felt like we barely had many conversations, as Kate usually dominated the whole evening.

I rounded the corner before remembering my timetable had changed, and I now had a free period. I doubled back on myself, walking out of the exit doors and towards the library block. I walked past the groups of students that were busy chatting and gossiping, noticing the eyes on me as I walked through. The gossip fell silent, and I felt the familiar pull of anxiety in my stomach.

What was going on?

I heard the odd snicker, and I frowned as I continued to walk forward. I turned the corner, relieved to be away from the inane chatter when I saw them.

Arden was kissing her, his hands lost in her blonde hair. Her light pink nails dragged through his hair as she kissed him back, one leg hitched around his waist as he held it there with his hand.