Page 36 of Satan's Spawn

“Uhm, maybe?” I squeak, all sorts of flustered with his amorous behavior.

You’re being ridiculous.I scold myself, not used to getting a guy's attention, let alone liking it.

My awkwardness makes Felix snicker this time. “I’ll take amaybeover anoany day.”

“Mr. Crimson.” The teacher beckons, and I’m assuming it’s Felix because he turns in his seat in front of me to face him. “There’ll be plenty of time to get to know the new students.” An accusatory eye darts to me before he pops open a marker and turns to the dry erase board, writing his name across it.

Felix uses this as an opportunity to look back at me over his shoulder once again, and winks.

Oh, this guy totally knows how hot he is.

I smile again at him, then glance over at Hendrix, who’s grinning like the Cheshire cat. Archer is busy typing something on his phone to offer any insight about this Felix guy. So, to avoid saying or doing anything stupid, I gaze around the room to distract myself.

This classroom setup is exactly like the rest of them: tall windows with not so much as a smudge on them, courtesy of the never ending cleaning staff roaming this freaking castle. There are closets aligning the back facing a smartboard and dry erase board which takes up the entire front wall. Cherry wood desks for the teachers, and traditional wood tops with metal chairs attached for the students.

“For those who don’t know me, my name is Mr. Beckett,”Mr. Beckettannounces, “I will be your English teacher for the foreseeable future. Unless, of course, one of you earns an expulsion from my class.” He turns around to us, clearing his throat just as loud footsteps sound at the door. “Case in point with my friend right here.” A look of frustration, but not an ounce of surprise appears on his face as a body appears in the classroom.

The same body I was following the other night through the streets.

You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.

In strolls Crayton Shaw, completely disregarding Mr. Beckett as he crosses his arms over his chest.

My entire body stiffens at the sight of his piercing eyes and muscular frame, which is still obvious by the way, despite the buttoned oxford and stupid blazer.

Crayton is a vision in black khaki and cruelty, making both of them, plus the creepy neck tattoo, look oddly appealing. Suddenly I find myself wanting to be the one to fall off the face of the earth.

Or have it swallow me whole.

Whichever is faster and less painful.

Trailing behind him—shocker—is Alexis popping gum, brushing her long brown waves over her shoulder, wearing her uniformappropriatelythis time.

Save for the shortened skirt.

I notice how not a single guy or girl in the room dares to make eye contact with Crayton, or Alexis for that matter, as the both of them make their way toward the rows of seats like royalty.

“Miss Ivanov, you know I don’t tolerate tardiness.” Mr. Beckett warns her, even though they’re equally late to class.

“Sorry, Mr. B.” She grins stupidly over her shoulder as they parade down the aisle I’m in, where the only two seats left are behind me and to my left.

Fucking awesome.

At this moment a woman appears at the door asking Mr. Beckett to step into the hallway, and I busy myself by pulling some more supplies out of my bag, hoping like hell nobody can see the sweat I’m sure is glistening on my forehead.

If Crayton recognizes me, he doesn’t make it obvious as he drops into the desk next to mine, but Alexis makes it a point to clear her voice obnoxiously loud as she stops at my side.

The entire room goes silent, and I can feel the anticipation rolling off everyone around me. They’re waiting with bated breath to see what’s about to happen.

“You’re in my seat.” Alexis snips, hand on her hip.

There was no mention of arranged seating so I know she’s wrong. Plus it’s the first day, it’s not like she could’ve been here before me to stake some stupid claim on it or whatever.

“I don’t think that I am.” I do my best to ignore the gasps as the rest of the class hears my rebuttal. I reach for a pen in my bag pocket and place it on top of my notebook, not looking to engage in all this pettiness.

“I just fucking said you are.” Alexis sneers, popping the other hip this time. “Everybody in this school knows I always sit next to Cray.”

Given her preciousCraylooks more interested in what’s on the back of the guy’s head sitting in front of him, I doubt it’ll sting too much for her to be four feet away instead of two.