CHAPTER 4

Astraea's POV

I woke up feeling distressed. Sweat ran through the curved of my skin. The dark trunks of the forest were long gone replaced by the soft-colored walls of my room.

A dream, again?

I stumbled over to the window, still feeling overwhelmed by all those incidents. It was still dawn. The sky was still dark.

My skin had reminiscent of the cold.

It wasn't a dream. It couldn't be.

The feeling was too true to be a dream.

My eyes gazed over the forest's horizon as if waiting for anything which could possibly prove that it wasn't just the young adult mind knitting stories in my subconscious mind.

I didn't know how long I sat near the window, but my mom's voice definitely broke the stance. I dragged myself to get ready for the ready.

Descending the stairs, the scene was the same as every day. My parents were being the cutest couple ever, except I couldn't cherish it today. My mind was too blank for anything to grasp.

Somehow, eating breakfast and trying my best to give hearty bye's to my parents, I walked down the streets towards the college. It was too early, the streets were foggy and empty. The silence was the only thing I needed right now.

Soon the white building came into my view. As expected, the parking lot was completely empty. Few staffs and janitors were present near the building minding their own job.

I went through the silent corridors towards the lecture room and secured a seat beside the window covering the view of the green canopy.

A long, long silence was suddenly broken by a clink sudden. I turned back, the guy, who I don't know for how long has been there, picked up the coin and my breath literally stopped.

It was none other than Zeus Valente.

The one-sided combined black and white combined shirt enhanced his muscles in such a contrast that it really made me feel something, I couldn't put a finger on. His cottony soft hairs were rustled, clearly the bed head hairstyle. It made him look so wild and fierce.

His eyes were veiled under those long, slender eyelashes. Despite his never-ending beauty, my trance was cleared out as I watched one of his sharp eyebrows raised at me.

Probably asking why was I being a creepy bitch.

I awkwardly cleared my throat and gave, well tried to give him my not-so-creepy smile.

"Sorry, I didn't know anyone was here."

I waited, patiently waited. For an 'Oh sorry for scaring you.' or perhaps a 'Yeah, been here for a while ' or maybe just a nod. However, nothing came from the other side. He quietly went back to staring at the wall in front.

How considerate of you....(note my critical criticism.)

Biting my lips, I watched the wall, pretending to be interested in it. Surprisingly, it stood still. I looked back at him, he was still the same. What was so compelling about the damn wall that he was bound to avoid a breathing species inside the same room as him?

I huffed out a harsh breath and turned towards him who was seated at the end of the room. 

"My name is Astraea." I gave him a small smile.

'Nice to meet you, I am Zeus.' was the expected response, but all I got was ignorance.

Accept it Astraea, this is what a second-hand embarrassment feels like.

"Nice to meet you too." I called back at him. This time he looked at me, his gaze definitely screamed 'You wish' but ironically his lips were sealed.

Zeus: 2, Astraea: -1

I know it is so mortifying for me. Yet, I wanted to try to make him speak to me. To stop wondering if his voice was really cold, rough, and stern or it was welcoming and homely as always.

How do I know ?... I don't, it was just an instinct, a familiarity. As if I have woken up listening to him and fallen into deep soothing sleep listening to his loving words, cocooned in the warmth of his arms.

You're being so delusional, Rae. Stop it. Stalker alert extreme !!!!!

I felt burning all over my body. The misery of his ignorance was fiercely hot, that it scraped everything in me.

I don't know him, never seen him. Yet, It felt like he was the only one I have lived for.

I have never seen him smile, but I knew his right cheek carved a beautiful dimple. His soft lips stretched unrestrainedly, his nose scrunched a little as eyes gleamed while looking at ...me?

I am in deep, deep shit, aren't I?

Stalker alert, absurdly extreme!!!!

In a jiffy, he vanished from my view, rather blocked as the students hurled inside the room. Chatters, gossips, laughs in the air, those unrequited thoughts long forgotten.

A hit on my head made me hiss. Turning back Emily stood looking at me with raging eyes.

"Shit!!!.... Sorry, I forgot to inform you."

"Yeah, should have realized a little earlier, bitch. But why did you come here so early ?" She asked.

"Nothing the weather was nice, so thought I'll just take a walk. You don't attend this class though."

She rolled her eyes at me and then tried to drag her chair towards me with the help of her ass, bouncing like a baby kangaroo.

"Just wanna check up on you." My heart swelled. No matter how playful or weird Emily can be, she made sure to always take care of everyone else around her. 

Growing together, I had seen her pull my little ponytail to annoy me but then turn into a ballistic bull when someone else tried to. She was always protective and caring but at the same time, we both made sure to let the other one do mistakes, slap them for it, and get beaten together for being partners in crime.

"I'll get going, see you at lunch." Saying she ran out of the door.

Soon, Mrs. Brendon with her tight bun and small proportions entered the class.

"So class, hope you are excited about the class. I am glad to inform you that it's time for your first assignment. Each one of you will be given a particular book to read, and then you will be required to put your opinion on the various myths and mysteries mentioned. I'll give your respective projects at the end of the class."

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The class was combined with our seniors, so I might say it was interesting to see Ms. Brendon trying not to burst into red flames while trying to digest the stupid jokes made by the old jocks. Yet, the little woman successfully restrained herself to the end of the class.

I laughed as I saw her give a smug smile to those idiots while handing over the books with the weirdest titles. For example, 'What stupid part of the stupid mistake made the God of stupidity stupid?'

Yup, dear seniors were really going to enjoy their projects.

I patiently waited for my turn as I saw Zeus taking his book from Ms. Brendon. He had a boring expression on his face.

Nodding at whatever she was saying he turned to leave, but then those gleaming caramel eyes looked at me. He kept his stare for a few minutes, and I swear I saw his lips move a little, wanting to say something but stopped himself and left.

Pretty soon, it was my turn. Ms. Brendon handed me a hardcover book. It was beautiful. The title was calligraphed in white in contrast to the magical blue forest background.

Myth of The Broken Throne....sounds nice.

I turned to leave but Ms, Brendon held one of my arms. Her gaze was so intense that it made me want to shrink under the table. 

She then smiled at me and held both my hands, the book sandwiched between our hold.

"It's my favorite book. So, I really hope you'll like it."

Her wrinkly hands gave mine a little squeeze and suddenly I felt that those words had a whole lot other meaning than they seemed to.

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