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

heat and my

a seat so you do not delay our

gaze and stare at my feet as I walk down to the back of the class. I try to look for an empty seat, but before

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

around my shoulder.

I exhale. "Thank you."

how he did with

alive here, but if

myself as I hunker down and

his hand from my thigh once, and I school my expression when his fingers clench. I ignore the heat that travels from

thumb rubs circles on my

wrist. Callouses on his fingers give truth

"Where you from?"

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

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

at me and passed out sheets for us to

"Florida."

whistles, "That's a long

I nod, slightly smiling.

"Why'd you leave?"

blood as I take in the crushed metal

and blink back to the present.

believe me, and he looks to the scar on my wrist. I hide it beneath the

those sheets home and finish them for homework," Mrs. Reece stands from her desk, looking up at the clock hanging from the wall behind her. “I

out a breath. Science

will be

up," Aiden huffs as he

in my chest.