Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 4

It Was Too Late

Mother wasn't even home when went to bed last night.

I had stopped asking myself where she was, stopped asking her to explain herself. Now, I'm used to living my life as if I'm on my own. It's why I asked her to make sure my school is within walking distance.

I can't depend on her for anything.

I leave home early this morning, not wanting to run into her coming home from a drunken night. Yesterday wasn't the best of first days of school, but I somehow convinced myself today would be better.

The walk is short and when I step inside the gated campus, my heart slams in my chest in excitement. I'm going to see Aiden again. I know it's silly to hyper fixate on someone so quickly, but he was nice to me.

Jace's comments yesterday did have me up last night wondering what he meant, but I wouldn't put it past him to try and make Aiden seem worse than he is.

I step into first period, and Aiden is sitting in our seats from yesterday, waving his hands to catch my attention.

"What's up, Florida?" He winks, shooting me a disarming smile and my insides turn into puddles.

"You do remember my name, right?"

He laughs. "Yes, Alina. How was detention yesterday?"

I don't get to tell him how it was, Mr. Admas begins his lesson quickly, avoiding me the entire time as he teaches. Not once does he look in our direction, even when we talk loud enough to interrupt the class.

Everything goes normally until lunch, where I find myself alone. I purse my lips, looking down at my tray of school pizza, applesauce and chocolate milk. I throw it away, taking an apple from a bowl and making my way to the tables they have outside.

I find an empty table, sitting at it as I rub my scar. The apple crunches loudly, and its juices runs down my chin. It's sweet, right at the perfect ripeness.

I hear a loud commotion and my attention is drawn to a large group of people that are crowded around a table. My eyes widen, my heart rate spiking when I spot Aiden sitting on the table with a girl on his lap.

She straddles him, her back to me. She has curves, her shirt riding up to show most of her back. Aiden is laughing, throwing his head back as she wraps her arms around his neck and laughs with him.

He... he has a girlfriend?

I take a bite from the apple, still watching.

doesn't stop her, his hands gripping the skin

in

Aiden. Muscular, big hands,

me. Those amber eyes gleam in the sunlight and they glare at me, watching me as

dig into her ass, and he moves her,

intense, teasing

looking around to make sure no one is watching me. I toss the apple in the trash, my appetite gone and I walk away, looking over my shoulder once before entering the

He's still watching me.

Still kissing her.

into the building, searching for refuge

mostly empty, so it doesn't take long for me to find a table. I take out my notebook, opening it to fresh page so I can

"Alina."

voice. All I wanted today

taking the seat beside him and their other lackey

to run

luck," I whisper under my breath, still not

He chuckles. "Ouch."

not tremble beneath his dark gaze. "What are you

snickers, but he says nothing as Zaid frowns, pretending to

leaning back in my chair as I cross my arms over my chest.

curls his lips. "Well, I think it's time I show just how studious I can

heart rate picks

fishes out

sit back and

"Alina Hanson. From Florida."

fingers into my arms to stop the tears that prick

this interesting article

my teeth,

Hanson, sole survivor of fiery crash that kills both her her

around me spins. I have to close my eyes to center myself and I grip the table, feeling bile

beneath me. Burning flesh. My dad's screams,

I screamed. I told them to let me go, to not save me