Chapter 2 - The Secret

Nova

"You requested that same room, so why do you want to change now?" the dorm master asked, his voice pulling me back from the thoughts I had been trying to organise since last night.

He was a middle-aged man in a black shirt, sitting behind a desk covered with files.

My suitcase stood beside me, packed and ready, while I remained in front of his desk.

"Yes, sir, I did," I stammered, lowering my eyes. "But I don't think I can stay there."

He leaned back in his chair and studied me. "Is there a reason you want to change?"

How was I supposed to tell him that I had spent half the night listening to my crush have sex with his girlfriend?

"I..." My voice disappeared.

The dorm master's expression softened slightly. "Drop your contact and just go for now. If there's an available room, I'll let you know."

I nodded quickly, thanked him, and left before he could ask anything else. The moment I stepped into the corridor, I stopped beside my suitcase and stared at it. What was I supposed to do now? I had already decided to leave, but I had nowhere else to go, and the thought of returning to that room made my stomach tighten.

"Nova!"

Jaxon's voice reached me from behind, and I turned to find him walking toward me in a fitted top and grey sweatpants, his hair falling untidily over his forehead, and my heart immediately betrayed me by racing. When he reached me, his hand settled on my arm, making it beat even faster.

"Why did you suddenly leave?" he asked, his eyes moving over my face before dropping to the suitcase beside me. His expression changed. "Wait. Don't tell me you're leaving the room."

I tightened my grip on the handle.

"Why?" he demanded, glancing toward the dorm master's office. "Is it because of yesterday? I already said I was sorry."

"I know," I replied quietly.

"Then why are you carrying your bags?" He stepped closer, his brows drawn together. "Tell me, Nova."

I looked away, trying to think of an answer that wouldn't expose me. "I just..."

"Is it because of what Angel said?" His voice became gentler, but there was still confusion in his eyes. "Come on, I know you're not gay."

I said nothing, and he tilted his head. "Or are you?"

My heart seemed to stop. "How could I possibly be gay? That's stupid."

He stared directly at me for a second before bursting into laughter. "I was just joking. I know you're not gay or whatever bullshit.”

I forced a laugh, though my chest felt painfully tight.

Announcements suddenly rang through the corridor. "New students are to report to the hall immediately for their assessments. Your jerseys are in your lockers. Change immediately and head there.”

"Come on, let's go and change immediately." He reached for my suitcase before I could stop him. "I'm taking this back to our room."

"Jaxon—"

"You're not leaving me," he said, already turning toward the lockers. "We're stuck together!"

He said it so easily, with that familiar smile on his face, that I almost let myself believe it meant something more. Then he glanced back at me and added, "Besides, Angel says she's coming again tonight."

The words struck harder than they should have.

I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and say he was only teasing again, but he simply continued walking with my suitcase in his hand. That was when I knew I couldn't stay for another night listening to him choose her while I pretended it didn't hurt.

I followed him reluctantly, my thoughts still tangled around everything he had said, but the moment we entered the changing area, panic replaced everything else. Several boys were already there, opening lockers and changing into their jerseys, and I felt my body stiffen beneath my clothes.

Jaxon stopped beside his locker and looked at me. "Why aren't you changing?"

"I... I will," I muttered, keeping my hands close to my sides.

He frowned, then gave me a curious look. "Come to think of it, we've been friends for years, and I've never actually seen you change." He took a step closer. "What are you hiding?"

I moved backward, my shoulders pressing against the lockers. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" His eyes narrowed playfully as he moved closer. "Then why are you acting so nervous?"

I swallowed hard, desperately searching for a way out.

"Students who have changed should report to the hall immediately." The announcement sounded again.

Jaxon glanced toward the exit. "I need to go. I'll keep a seat for you." He looked at me one last time, still suspicious, before leaving the changing area.

I waited until the door closed behind him, then released the breath I had been holding. That had been far too close. I stayed still until the last boy had changed and left, and only when the room was finally empty did I quickly pull off my clothes and change into the jersey.

I was just about to leave when I noticed someone standing near the lockers.

A man wearing only a towel, a mask covering the left side of his face. I froze immediately, my fingers still gripping the edge of my jersey. I hadn't heard him enter, and the thought of him seeing me made my blood run cold. Had he been there the entire time? Had he seen anything?

He turned toward me, and I instinctively stepped back, but there was nowhere to go. He began walking closer, his gaze fixed on me, and my heartbeat grew louder with every step. When he reached me, he placed one hand against the wall beside my head, trapping me between him and the lockers. I stared at him, too shocked to move, while he lowered his head and inhaled near my neck.

His voice was deep when he spoke, his breath brushing against my ear. "What the hell are you?”