Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 2

Soften The Blow

When | walked into my father and brother's funeral, all eyes were on me.

They stared, and whispered, swith pity in their eyes, but most of them with judgement.

| remember that feeling. The twist of my stomach, the taste of bile in my throat and the pounding of my heart.

As | walk into that first classroom, with Aiden besideand his arm still around my shoulder, | feel exactly like |

did then.

Everyone takes their eyes from the board where Mr. Admas is teaching and they stare right atlike | have

elephant ears on the sides of my head. | hear a loud whistle, as if someone is shocked at the sight of us at the

door.

| swallow and turn to Mr. Admas, who raises an eyebrow.

He looks us up and down, "Aiden. You're late."

Aiden clicks his tongue and winks, "I have a pass from the office."

Mr. Admas takes the slip from his fingers, reading it quickly and places it on his desk. "Take your seat."

Aiden lowers his arm from my shoulder, letting his fingertips drag down my skin and he squeezes my waist. "I'll

save a seat for you."

"Where's your pass?"

| feel my cheeks heat. "I-| don't have one."

He crosses his arms on his chest. "You're late."

"I know, but-" | swallow, ignoring the whispers that echo around the room. "I'm new?"

Mr. Admas narrows his eyes. "I know. That doesn't excuse your tardiness."

| wrap my arms around my waist, grimacing as sof the kids laugh from their

seats.

"I'll write you down for detention."

My cheeks heat and my stomach twists.

"Take a seat so you do not delay our class anymore than you already have."

| look down, avoiding his dark gaze and stare at my feet as | walk down to the back of the class. I try to look for

an empty seat, but before | can scan the whole classroom, a strong arm bands around my waist and pulls me

down.

Aiden looks down at me, smiling wide. "I told you I'd save you a seat."

He pulls my chair until it smacks against his and he wraps his arm around my shoulder. It's enough to make

everyone turn around and focus back on Mr. Admas.

| exhale. "Thank you."

Aiden pulls back, lowering his hand to my thigh and squeezes it just like how he did with my waist. It's becomes

clear it's his way of comforting me.

He smirks down at me. "They can eat you alive here, but if you stick with me, | can soften the blow."

| smile at that, falling into myself as | hunker down and pay attention to Mr. Admas and his teaching.

Aiden doesn't move his hand from my thigh once, and | school my expression when his fingers clench. | ignore

the heat that travels from the pit of my stomach to the tips of my toes, not wanting him to move his hand either.

| pretend to not notice the way his thumb rubs circles on my thigh. The way the veins in his hands strain against

his skin.

He wears a silver ring on his thumb, and a chain around his wrist. Callouses on his fingers give truth to his claim

on athlete, on apparently being the basketball star of Melview High School.

"Where you from?"

Aiden ignores the work on his desk, leaning his head on his arm as he places his elbow down on top of the paper.

I look up from my work, looking up to Mrs. Reece, who is chewing on gummy worms at her desk. We have

Science after English, and, again, Aiden finds a way to park his behind right next to mine.

Mrs. Reece was less intimidating than Mr. Admas, she smiled atand passed out sheets for us to work on in

partners.

"Florida."

He whistles, "That's a long move to Arizona."

| nod, slightly smiling.

"Why'd you leave?"

| lose focus. Remembering the smell of gasoline, and chemicals, the smell of blood as | take in the crushed metal

and the burn on my hands.

| rub my thumb over my scar and blink back to the present. "Just, things."

His eyes study me, they narrow. He doesn't believe me, and he looks to the scar on my wrist. | hide it beneath

the desk and I'm thankful when he doesn't pry.

"Alright everyone, please take those sheets hand finish them for homework," Mrs. Reece stands from her

desk, looking up at the clock hanging from the wall behind her. “I have a sign up sheet here for you all. Please

sign you and your partner's nfor the science fair at the end of the semester."

I blow out a breath. Science fair.

"It will be your final grade."

"I'll sign us up," Aiden huffs as he stands.

My heart slams in my chest. "Us?"

He winks, smirking as he places his hands in his pockets, "Partner."

| ignore the twist in my stomach, watching him as he walks toward the desk,

laughing and joking with sof the other students. His laugh is infectious, warm and loud. | push away the

thoughts that creep in my head.

He seems like someone that | could easily fall for.

I shiver. | just met him, what am I thinking?

"Hey, new girl."

The whiny voice from besidejumblesfrom my ogling and I lift my eyes.

She has her arms crossed over her chest, her blonde hair short and curly over her shoulders. Her hazel eyes are

stunning, but cold and calculating. She raises her eyebrow when | don't answer.

"Don't fall for his charm, he won't actually follow through."

| look to Aiden, who is distracted in a conversation with a group of guys.

"I won't," | lie right through my teeth.

The girl sneers, flipping her hair as she turns and walks away just as the bell

rings, signaling the end of class.

Aiden catches up toas | grab my bag and walk to the door. "Hey, | won't see you until tomorrow."

| say nothing, and nod.

"You okay?"

"Perfect."

He frowns, but | ignore him, separating from him as we head in opposite directions.