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

and my stomach

seat so you do not delay

the back of the class. I try to look for an empty seat, but before I

wide. "I told you I'd save

until it smacks against his and he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

I exhale. "Thank you."

lowering his hand to my thigh and squeezes it just like how he did with my waist. It's

alive here, but if you stick with me, I can soften the

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

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 tips of my toes, not wanting

pretend to not notice the way his thumb rubs circles on my thigh. The way the veins in his hands strain against his

fingers give truth

"Where you from?"

his

up from my work, looking up to Mrs. Reece, who is chewing on gummy worms at her desk. We have

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

"Florida."

whistles, "That's a long move to

I nod, slightly smiling.

"Why'd you leave?"

chemicals, the smell of blood as I take in the crushed metal and the

and blink back to the present. "Just,

he looks to the scar on my wrist. I hide it beneath the desk and I'm thankful when he doesn't

them for homework," Mrs. Reece stands from her desk, looking 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 breath.

be your final

Aiden

slams in my chest.