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.

write you down

cheeks heat and

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

as I walk down to the back of the class. I try to look for an empty seat, but before I can scan the whole classroom, a strong arm bands around my

down at me, smiling wide. "I told you I'd save

until it smacks against his and he wraps his arm around my shoulder. It's enough to

I exhale. "Thank you."

pulls back, lowering his hand to my thigh and squeezes it just like how he did with my waist. It's becomes clear it's his way of comforting

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

smile at that, falling into myself as I hunker down and pay attention to Mr. Admas and

doesn't move his hand from my thigh once, and I school my expression when his fingers clench. I ignore the heat that travels from the pit of my stomach to the

pretend to not notice the way his thumb rubs circles on my thigh. The way

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

"Where you from?"

the work on his desk, leaning his head on his arm as he places his elbow down

from my work, looking up to Mrs. Reece, who is chewing on gummy worms at her desk. We have Science after English, and, again, Aiden finds a way to park his behind right next

Reece was less intimidating than Mr. Admas, she smiled at me and passed out sheets for

"Florida."

"That's a long

I nod, slightly smiling.

"Why'd you leave?"

lose focus. Remembering the smell of gasoline, and chemicals, the smell of blood as I take in the crushed metal and

rub my thumb over my scar and

he looks to the scar on

up at the clock hanging from the wall behind her. “I have a sign up sheet here for you all. Please sign you and your partner's name for the science

a

will be your

us up," Aiden

slams in my