CHAPTER SEVEN

NICK WALKER ©

I let out a long sigh as my mind drifted back to what had happened a while ago.

Everything about it was embarrassing.

“Shit! That scared me.“ The word slipped so fast that I barely had time to react. I quickly covered my mouth, my eyes widening in panic.

Coffee. All over Professor Grayson’s shirt.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry!” I rushed out, stepping closer without thinking. My hands moved on their own as I tried to clean the mess I had made. Turns out to be a bad idea.

I froze when I realized we were too close. I felt my face heating up as I became aware of his hand still on me, holding me steady from when I had almost fallen.

“I… I didn’t mean to…” I stammered, avoiding his eyes while still trying to wipe his shirt, even though it only made things worse.

He didn’t say anything. He just… kept looking at me. I felt eyes on us at that moment.

Seriously? Not even a “don’t worry”

I cleared my throat and forced myself to stand straight, trying to act normal, after what had just happened between us.

“Why… why don’t I help you with your bag, sir?” I asked.

Why did I say that? I mentally facepalmed myself.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he started to walk away.

“Finally, he's leaving.” I muttered under my breath.

But then, like he heard my voice, he stopped. He slowly turned his head and gave me a small nod, like he was telling me to follow him.

My stomach dropped as I slowly followed his trail. I walked with him in silence, trying not to overthink every step I took

.

“Why were you hiding?” he asked suddenly, his voice low and rough.

“I wasn’t hiding,” I said quickly. The second the words left my mouth, I knew how stupid they sounded.

Of course he saw me hiding. I slowly covered my face in embarrassment.

“If you say so,” he replied simply.

“You barely miss class,” He stated. “I wonder what happened today.“

We stopped in front of his office and he opened the door, then paused. I looked past him and saw Professor Douglas sitting inside with her legs crossed, looking like she had been waiting for a while.

That’s new.

Professor Grayson stood there for a few seconds, before walking in without saying anything. He closed the door behind him, and just like that, I was left outside.

“So you’re telling me Professor Douglas was already in his office before you got there?“ Avery asked.

I stared at Avery. Out of everything I had just told her… that was her focus?

“Really? That’s what you care about?”

“I mean…” She sat up straight, brushing her hair back like she was about to give an important speech.

“I am concerned about you spilling coffee on him. And the fact that you cleaned his shirt in that very weird position…” she added, raising her brows at me.

My face heated.

“It’s all over the college bulletin and the gossip chat, Nick. Didn't you see it?“ She asked and I groaned.

Of course I did.

“But,” She continued, leaning closer. “we didn’t know Douglas was there,” She stressed the last part like it was the most important thing in the world.

“Weird position?” I repeated, confused.

“I feel Douglas has a thing for Grayson,” Avery went on like I didn’t even speak. “Did you see how she looks at him? Please. She’s not hiding it.”

I sighed, already tired of hearing about Grayson and Douglas.

“Well, you can keep thinking about that but I'm going to class.” I made sure to stress the “I”, picking up my bag,

I ignored her as she kept talking and walking to meet my pace. We got to class before the lecturer arrived.

“Do you hear that?” Avery whispered, leaning closer. “I’m not the only one talking about…”

“Avery,” I cut in, closing my eyes for a second.

“Can we please talk about something else?”

She studied me for a moment before nodding.

“Fine. Why didn’t I see you this morning?”

Finally, a normal question.

“Mira’s teacher wanted to see me. The conversation took longer than I expected.” I said.

Her expression changed immediately.

“Is everything okay? Is Mira fine?“

“It’s nothing serious. She just… doesn't pass messages to me.” I said quickly.

Avery frowned.

“She didn't tell me the school is planning a trip,” I added.

“Oh.” Avery leaned back, then her face brightened.

“Why don’t I help Mira this time… “

“No,” I cut in. “It’s fine. I can handle it.”

She flipped her hair dramatically to hit my face.

“I wasn’t trying to help you,” she said. “I meant helping Mira. My sister.”

I stayed quiet, then she hit my face with her hair again.

“Avery.”

“That’s what you get. Next time, I'll put it in your mouth.“ She said, smirking.

I laughed, then I saw her expression.

She wasn’t joking.

“Okay, ma’am,” I said quickly, dissolving my smile.

A few minutes later, the lecturer walked in.

“Good day, class. Let’s begin. Attendance first.”

I glanced outside the class, just to see Grayson talking on the phone, his back turned towards me.

I couldn’t look away. I just… watched as he stood calm and confident like nothing ever shook him.

He adjusted his glasses slightly and then he turned.

Our eyes met. My heart jumped and I looked away so fast.

“Fuck,” I whispered under my breath, trying to steady my breathing.

∆∆

~ NICK'S HOME ~

“Mira!” I called as soon as Avery and I arrived home.

“Ugh,” she groaned from inside. “You've disrupted my peace.“

I smiled and walked over to ruffle her hair.

“Are you hungry?” Avery asked, already heading to the kitchen to grab a snack. “Because I am.”

Mira followed her, face dropping as Avery munch on the snack.

“I wasn’t hungry before,” Mira said, eyeing her. “But Avery is already munching on what I had planned to eat.”

Avery scoffed. “This is a snack not food. Nick, please start cooking.”

The way they looked at each other like they were ready to fight.

I moved around the kitchen, checking what we had left.

I was used to them acting this way and already tired of it.

“Mira,” I called, trying to distract her. “Your school trip is this week. Let Avery help you pack.”

That got her attention.

“How did you make that possible? Besides, I said I don't want to go” she retorted.

I turned to face her. “No arguments. Just do it.”

She frowned but didn’t reply.

I knew why.

If she found out Avery helped pay for the trip, she wouldn’t accept it. That was just how Mira was.

She depended on herself. And me. No one else.

And somehow… I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not