SEVENTEEN: COLD SHOULDER

I made it to class and I’m late for the first time. Taking in a deep breath I push the door open and enter the class.

“And that’s the reason why….” Mr Alistair stops as he notices my presence, he gives me a once over and returns to face the class. For some reason I felt hurt, there’s no usual longing in his eyes and he looked barely bothered.

I kept my head low and began to walk to my seat, apparently Raphael had chosen the seat behind me as his new seat. His eyes met mine and I immediately looked away, I was scared of all of them. Just as I am about to sit down…

“Miss Martins, you are late,” Mr Alistair commented.

I looked up to meet his amber eyes that stared at me with an unbothered look. I swallowed the lump in my throat, was it because of our last interaction, the way I reacted and acted?

“I am sorry sir, I overslept and…”

“I do not wish to hear your excuses, it mustn’t repeat itself” He said to me and I simply nodded.

I finally sit in my chair and breathe out.

“And so the hold has loosened, what have you done Martins” Raphael commented and I realised this is the first time he has ever referred to me with my name, well surname but still.

I said nothing and visibly heard him scoff. “What is wrong with you,” I asked him without turning around.

“You” He suddenly said and I froze in my seat.

I turned around to meet his grey eyes and they were staring down into my soul.

I believe a minute passes where we just stare at each other.

“Focus” He suddenly said. I narrow my eyes at him suddenly remembering the pool incident.

“You need help” I scoffed at him and turned to face my front.

“Miss Martins repeat what I just said,” Mr Alistair said, adjusting his glasses with his arms folded across his chest. There’s no smile on his face and it makes me realise how stern he actually looks.

“I wasn’t paying attention sir,” I replied.

“I thought as much, you’re going to detention” He declared and I froze. They had detention?

“Sir I…” I was speaking but Mr Alistair simply held his hands up stopping me from speaking.

I sighed and slowly sank back to my seat.

Raphael didn’t bother talking to me again and I went through the rest of the classes in silence.

“Class dismissed” Mr Alistair said. I picked up my bag and turned almost bumping into Raphael, he evaded me very quickly, ensuring our bodies didn’t touch and then took two feet backwards. I glared at him and began to walk away.

“Miss Martins, a word” Mr Alistair said to me and I paused and turned to face him as the rest of my classmates exited the class.

“Are you okay?” He suddenly asked and I only stared at him, he had been one of the few nice people to me and I wondered why his behaviour had changed.

“I am,” I replied.

“Did something happen, you were quite shaken up yesterday” He stated and I looked at my weird professor, was he bipolar?

“I’m fine sir” I replied and he nodded.

“Our sessions are ending.” he said and I suddenly felt sad, but I only nodded instead of asking why.

He chuckled and looked straight at me, “You’re not wondering why?” He asked.

“I am actually but you must have your reasons, after all it's been two weeks, I think I’ve caught up” I shrugged and Mr Alistair stood up from the bench which he was leaning on and made his way over to me. I could hear his boots clicking on the floor much more loudly due to the empty room. I thought of stepping back but I knew nothing would happen.

When he was only a foot away, he chuckled and grabbed my chin with two of his fingers and I noticed the longing back in his eyes, however I could not shake off the feeling of knowing he could kill me right now.

“Someone reported us, said I’m favouring a particular student” He pulled my chin downwards a little causing my lips to part.

“Sir I…” He made a shushing sound and I closed my mouth.

“It simply isn’t yet time, Celeste” He said and sighed as if remembering himself.

“Miss Martins” He corrected himself but I stared at him with eyes as wide as saucers. I was called Celeste in my dream as well. But there was no sign of Mr Alistair. It was a totally different person.

“It was a pleasure tutoring you miss Martins, too bad it was cut short” Mr Alistair took another step forward and the scent of his cologne filled my nose, such that I found myself breathing it in,

“My textbook was being used by my teacher” A voice suddenly said and I moved back immediately but Mr Alistair stood and only turned around to see the person.

“Lucian,” he acknowledged and stepped away from me.

I looked to find the dragon prince standing by the doorway, he didn’t even spare me a glance, Mr Alistair walked over to him with the textbook which he collected and walked away. “Have a nice day Miss Martins” Mr Alistair said with a friendly smile on his face, I simply nodded and walked away.

After I left the class, I walked through the hallway going outside. I stared at the olden themed building and suddenly remembered the forbidden one behind. I sincerely hoped Daphne was alright in the said solitary confinement.

I stared at the clouds and took a deep breath, bracing myself for a 3 hour session of detention with different forms of monsters,