CHAPTER NINE

NICK WALKER©

“I was just messing with you.” I repeated his words and scoffed.

Seriously?

My jaw tightened. That man was really getting on my nerves.

I turned to Avery, expecting her to be annoyed too, instead, she burst into laughter.

Not just a small laugh. She laughed hard, bending a little as she tried to catch her breath. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes, and she wiped them quickly, still laughing.

“What’s funny?” I asked, confused.

“I don’t know,” she said between her laughs. “I just… wow.”

She straightened and looked at me like she had just figured something out.

“I just… I love the chemistry between you and Grayson.”

I blinked.

“What?”

She nodded, still smiling.

Then she turned and started to walk away like she had not just said something insane.

“Chemistry?” I repeated, quickly following her.

“What do you mean by chemistry?” I asked again.

She stopped suddenly and turned to face me.

“You don’t see it?” she asked.

“I don't see what?” I replied, already annoyed.

She crossed her arms and chuckled.

“He has that calm face,” she said. “Always serious. Always in control.”

“And?”

“But when it comes to you,” she continued, leaning closer, “he plays with you.”

I frowned at her words.

“Play with me?”

She nodded once and I gave her a long, tired look.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

She shrugged and then walked away again.

I stood there for a second before running to meet up with her.

We walked into class and took our seats just before the lecturer arrived.

“Good day,” she said. “Attendance, please.“ She stated and started roll call. After a few minutes, I leaned toward Avery.

“Hey… thanks,” I said quietly and she glanced at me.

“For what?”

“For helping with Mira’s school trip.”

She paused, then sighed.

“You didn’t have to remind me how today will be so boring without her.” she said.

“You can always call her teacher to put her on the line,” I said.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah… but she might hang up on me.”

“I ate her snacks yesterday and she's still mad,” she said and I laughed softly.

That sounded like them. Mira and Avery argued like kids every single day. They argue over small things.

“But she deserves to have fun,” Avery added with a softer voice. “I don’t want her childhood to be like mine.”

I looked at her as she faked a smile.

I knew Avery’s story. She didn't grow up like other rich children. Her parents were always busy with work and always away. She grew up alone and had to learn everything by herself. And now… she's trying to give Mira what she never had.

An hour later, the lecture ended and the lecturer left.

Avery pulled out her phone right away.

“Let’s check who’s trending,” she said and I shook my head.

I never had the time for all of what Avery was doing. Besides, it was always gossip and noise.

“Let me guess,” I said. “Grayson again?”

She smirked. “Of course. He’s the talk of the school.“

“Yeah. He's the definition of this college,” I said, my tone dry.

She laughed as she stood. “Well, we have his class soon,” she said. “You’re not going to miss it again, are you?”

I raised a brow. “And where are you going?”

“To get food,” she simply said, already walking away. I watched her leave, then returned back to reading for the next class.

I thought I could get some quiet time until a shadow fell over me.

“It’s the nerd.”

I froze.

I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

One of the troublemakers of my department and of course, his crew was with him.

I sighed and started to pack my books.

“Where are you going?” he asked. “Going to meet Professor Grayson?”

The others laughed. I ignored them and shoved my books inside my bag.

“You seem close to him. Why not introduce him to me?” he asked.

I closed my bag slowly and stood up.

“Guys, I’m tired,” I said calmly. “I still have a long day. Please excuse me.”

But before I could leave, a girl stepped in front of me and I turned to look at all of them.

“I don’t know Grayson and I don’t… ”

“Wait,” one of them cut in. “He even calls him Grayson?”

They all looked at me and my heart dropped.

Shit!

“I mean… Professor Grayson,” I corrected quickly. “I don’t know him. I have nothing to do with him. He’s just my lecturer. Our lecturer.”

They exchanged looks and I didn't like the look until…

“What’s going on here?” I heard Avery’s voice and I turned.

She stood there with a look that clearly said she was ready to fight.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go.”

“We’re not done talking,” one of them called after us.

People were already staring as we left the hall. Just great.

“What was that about?” Avery asked once we were out.

I let go of her hand and rubbed my temple.

“Professor Enzo Grayson,” I said, stressing each word.

“I want nothing to do with him,” I added. “I mean nothing. But somehow, he keeps showing up everywhere.”

Avery frowned.

“They asked about him?” she said and I nodded.

She tightened her grip on the snack in her hand. “I should have shoved this chocolate down their throats,” she muttered.

I checked the time and sighed again.

I have been doing that a lot lately.

“Let’s just rest for a bit,” she said. “Before the next class.”

I nodded.

We returned to the lecture hall earlier than expected and he was already there.

“This early?” Avery whispered as we quickly found seats.

I could feel his gaze following me. I sat down and looked up for a second.

Our eyes met and I looked away immediately.

I didn’t want any trouble today. Not ever.

He started with attendance, then he looked up.

“Today,” he said, his voice low and steady, “we will converse randomly in Italian.”

The class went quiet.

“I want to see where you all stand,” he continued. “Hai capito {Do you understand}?”

Some students nodded while others whispered.

He adjusted his glasses.

“Who wants to go first?”

Hands went up and he picked a girl. She stood up and cleared her throat.

“Voglio scopare con te, ci sei {I want to get laid by you,are you in}?“ She said boldly.

Some students gasped while the others laughed.

I blinked. Did she really just ask that?

Grayson didn’t react. He walked toward her slowly.

“What is your name?” he asked calmly. She answered.

“That’s a zero,” he simply said and walked away.

The class erupted in whispers. He's truly marking her zero.

Avery leaned closer. “This is interesting,” she whispered.

I didn’t respond. I just kept watching him.

He picked another student. Then another.

Each conversation lasted a few minutes.

Some were good and some were not.

Then, I heard my name.

“Mr. Walker.” My stomach dropped.

“Why don’t we have a conversation?” he said.

He wasn't asking me a question but I still shook my head.

“No,” I said sharply before I could stop myself. “And I didn’t even raise my hand.”

“È un rancore quello che sento nel tuo tono {Is that a grudge I hear}?” he asked and I frowned.

“What? No.”

He stepped closer. Too close to my face.

“Ti parlo in italiano e tu rispondi in italiano, è chiaro? {I speak to you in Italian, You respond in Italian, do I make myself clear?}” he said quietly.

I nodded slowly. My mind is racing.

Then I spoke.

“Perché mi dai sui nervi ogni volta {Why do you get on my nerve everytime?}” The words came out before I could stop them.

He frowned at my question. Then, a small smirk touched his lips.

“Perché il destino continua a unirci e non posso evitare di prenderti in giro {Because fate keeps bringing us together and I can't avoid teasing you},” he replied.

His voice was low. Only a few people heard.

I clenched my jaw. “Quindi ti diverti a prendermi in giro? {So you enjoy teasing me?}.“ I said and he let out a soft breath.

“Questo perché non puoi perderti la vista, sei sempre lì in ogni singolo sguardo {Or maybe you are always in my sight at every glance.”

I froze.

What did that even mean?

Before I could respond, he stepped back.

“Just to remind you,” he said, his voice normal again, “that wasn’t random.”

“That was personal.”

I watched him walk away and I turned to Avery. And for the first time, Avery had no words, still shocked at whatever had happened.