The drive back to campus was quiet but not awkward quiet. That charged kind of quiet where everything you want to say hangs just behind your teeth.
Drey didn't speak much, and I didn't either. I kept replaying that moment, his fingers brushing my cheek, his voice, the look in his eyes right before they dipped toward my lips.
And the way the wind shifted after. Strange, that feeling recently.
I shook it off. I had lab class. I had grades to fix, I guess. Just maybe Lucian was right. Maybe I do need to stop floating through this place and actually try. If I graduate with a strong GPA, I'd have something else to brag about. But ugh… how boring.
When we got back, the campus had shifted. The parking lot was crowded now, buzzing with students who'd just wrapped up their day. Drey pulled into a spot near the science block and cut the engine, but he didn't move right away.
"You okay?" he asked again, softly. "You got quiet on the way back."
"I was thinking," I said, fiddling with my bag strap. "About how I'm about to walk into a class full of people."
Drey blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, seriously?"
I laughed. "I mean, I do get nervous… sometimes." That was a lie. I couldn't care less.
He let out a breath of a laugh and leaned forward, resting his forearms on the steering wheel. "No one cares as much as you think, Selene. You're not some scandal."
I gave a small smile. "Yet."
He laughed, eyes flicking to the building ahead. "Still… if anyone gives you trouble, let me know."
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, smiling.
He nodded.
"So, I can go looking for trouble and you'll still come save me?" I teased.
"I'd do anything." He shot me a cute grin as he pushed the door open.
I laughed, climbing out after him. We walked side by side toward the hallway. Heads turned. Some people stared. Others whispered. I saw a few of Drey's friends waving him over, and he shot them a quick signal that he'd join them later.
For a second, I felt like we were that couple. A power couple. Drey—arguably one of the hottest guys on campus—and me?
"So, I'll see you Friday, yeah?" he called, stopping just before the stairwell. Hands in pockets. Head tilted. Eyes soft.
I turned back and nodded with a smile. "Yeah." I said softly
He laughed and headed off.
And just as I turned to leave too with the smile still on my face, I froze. Because standing just a few paces away was Dr. Lucian Drax. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled just enough to show the veined strength of his forearms. His gaze wasn't on me. It was fixed in the direction Drey had gone.
"Running late, Miss Blackwood?" he asked, not sparing me a glance.
"Needed air." I didn't stop walking, but of course, he fell into step beside me.
He smelled like leather and some spice I couldn't name—sharp, addictive, unsettling. Being near him made my skin prickle and my thoughts blur in the most inconvenient ways. I looked up at him. His height. His stillness. That aura like he could melt you with a look. Honestly, men in cooperate outfits should come with a warning. Dangerous, and yeah, distractingly hot.
"I suppose I should clarify the expectations," he said, stepping a little closer, barely an inch. Just enough for his shoulder to brush mine. A whisper of a touch. I still forgot how to breathe.
He leaned in, his voice dropping low, right by my ear.
"A course rep doesn't get to disappear. Especially when you have duties, I'm still yet to get my list"
I swallowed hard. "I am not your class governor?"
His eyes turned on me, darkening, gold flickering just behind the hazel. For a second, I thought I imagined it.
Then his gaze dropped, just briefly to the V of my wrap top. And just as quickly, he stepped back.
"You're already late," he said, voice cooler now. "Go on."
I stared at him, surprised. Was that restraint I just saw? That was… cute. I almost smiled, for someone so intimidating, he'd just looked like a lost boy trying not to look too long. I walked past him with a grin on my face. I had no idea what was going through his mind, but damn, I wanted to.
Maybe this class rep role wasn't so bad after all. The intimidating hot lecturer might just have a soft side.
"Be careful in there," I heard him call.
I turned, but he was gone.
Heart still thudding, I paused at the lab entrance putting on my lab coat. Took a deep breath. Shook off the feelings, Drey's soft hands, Lucian's heat, everything, and pushed open the door.
Everyone turned to look at me when I came in. Some smiled while some just focused on their work, then one person caught my eye.
Alfred.
The tutor Lucian had mentioned earlier. He looked like every nerd stereotype, down to the oversized glasses and awkward wave. Hair gelled too stiffly. Shirt buttoned all the way up. He nodded at me from across the room, and I returned it before slipping into my seat beside Lily.
"Dr. Lucian was looking for you," she whispered.
"Yeahhhh" I nodded "Saw your text"
Professor Mary didn't even flinch as I came in late. Just kept talking calmly about today's procedure. Her brown-and-grey hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and I quickly reached for a band to tie mine too.
I stared out the window deep in thoughts.
"Where were you?" Lucy leaned in, whispering.
I tried to hold everything in but the excitement wouldn't let me. "Stepped out with Drey," I said with a little smile.
"Out of campus? And we had lab class?"
I gave her a confused look. "Uhm—so?"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I guess that's nothing to you."
"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes. Was she calling me unserious?
She just shrugged and turned her focus to the beaker in front of us, pretending to listen to Mary. They were mixing copper sulfate and sodium hydroxide to observe the precipitate reaction, a light blue cloudy solution forming slowly as she stirred.
She was acting weird. I wanted to ask what was wrong. But I felt like I already knew.
I reached out to help, grabbing one of the glass droppers, when Lily bumped the edge of the table and a splash of the solution spilled directly onto my arm.
"Shit!" I yanked back, feeling the sting as the base hit my skin. Everyone turned to look
"Oh my God!" Lily gasped, grabbing a tissue. "I'm so sorr..."
"Wash it off. Now." Professor Mary's voice cut through the air.
I stood quickly, my heart pounding. The chemical stung as it splashed my arm, and I rushed to the sink, shoving up my sleeve. The water helped a little, but the burning sensation was still there.
The class fell silent.
Mrs. Mary hurried over, eyes narrowing as she checked my arm. "It's reacting more than it should—come on." She took my hand and led me briskly toward the medical center.
And all I could think was, this day was far from over.