Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 2

Soften The Blow

When I walked into my father and brother's funeral, all eyes were on me.

They stared, and whispered, some with pity in their eyes, but most of them with judgement.

I remember that feeling. The twist of my stomach, the taste of bile in my throat and the pounding of my heart.

As I walk into that first classroom, with Aiden beside me and his arm still around my shoulder, I feel exactly like I did then.

Everyone takes their eyes from the board where Mr. Admas is teaching and they stare right at me like I have elephant ears on the sides of my head. I hear a loud whistle, as if someone is shocked at the sight of us at the door.

I swallow and turn to Mr. Admas, who raises an eyebrow.

He looks us up and down, "Aiden. You're late."

Aiden clicks his tongue and winks, "I have a pass from the office."

Mr. Admas takes the slip from his fingers, reading it quickly and places it on his desk. "Take your seat."

Aiden lowers his arm from my shoulder, letting his fingertips drag down my skin and he squeezes my waist. "I'll save a seat for you."

"Where's your pass?"

I feel my cheeks heat. "I-I don't have one."

He crosses his arms on his chest. "You're late."

"I know, but-" I swallow, ignoring the whispers that echo around the room. "I'm new?"

Mr. Admas narrows his eyes. "I know. That doesn't excuse your tardiness."

I wrap my arms around my waist, grimacing as some of the kids laugh from their

seats.

you down for

and my

seat so you do not delay our class anymore than you already

I try to look for an empty seat, but before I can scan the whole classroom,

wide. "I

his arm around my shoulder. It's enough to make everyone turn around and focus back on

I exhale. "Thank you."

it just like how he did with my waist. It's becomes

smirks down at me. "They can eat you alive here,

at that, falling into myself as I hunker down

my expression when his fingers clench. I ignore the heat that travels from the pit of my stomach to the tips

way his thumb rubs circles on my thigh. The way

on his thumb, and a chain around his wrist. Callouses on his fingers give

"Where you from?"

on his arm

is chewing on gummy worms at her desk. We have Science after English, and, again, Aiden finds

Admas, she smiled at me and passed out sheets for us

"Florida."

whistles, "That's a long move to

I nod, slightly smiling.

"Why'd you leave?"

smell of blood as I take in the crushed metal and the burn

rub my thumb over my scar and blink back to the

they narrow. He doesn't believe me, and he looks to the scar on my wrist. I hide it beneath

wall behind her. “I have a sign up

blow out a breath.

be your final

us up," Aiden huffs as he

in