During the assembly, Amy let her eyes roam the grand hall, observing the students, trying to get an impression of the overall opinion on this entire ordeal. Leo had spent a lot of time in his office this past week, sorting everything out, which meant they hadnât seen each other as much as she would have like, since spending several hours in your bossâ office at a time might call on some unwanted attention. She was quite aware that some already had their suspicions, which made the matter of publicity even more urgent. Better to tell people themselves, than to have rumours spreading, and considering the students they had just let in, it was probably going to happen sooner rather than later. With that thought, Amyâs gaze went from Amber, to Drake, to Theo⊠people from Noctrem she could imagine finding out about her and Leo. Sure, she didnât think Theo was a bad kid, but she dreamt about Leo a lot of the time, although she supposed the most he could grasp from that, would be her infatuation with the gorgeous headmaster. Then again, who said Theo even had an interest in watching her or anyoneâs dreams?
She instantly stored away those thoughts and her gaze moved on, now resting on the house captains being announced in turn. Her heart ached for poor Ashleigh, who was going to have a very tough time being captain in her house. She could almost
see the poor girl turning paler by the second. She obviously hadnât missed the fact that she had several of the most troublesome kids to deal with; Corentine Quellen, Erin Hawthorne, and Addison Lawler. Sure, they werenât all bad people, but they were definitely more⊠wild, than average. To her knowledge, Sky and Scott werenât the quietest of guys either, but she couldnât recall them causing any severe troubles. However, that much could change. Then came Ben as captain of Causton , and well, Amy couldnât really see that lasting long. He wasnât exactly the most school-invested kind. Then came Bethany, and Amy felt a soft, unnoticeable sigh emit from her lips. That girl had to figure out herself and feel comfortable with that, able to take responsibility for her own life before she could start taking charge of anything else.
When Leo drew out Drakeâs name for captain of Tyms, Amyâs eyes widened slightly, her gaze landing on said male. He looked more or less completely indifferent. Thinking about it, maybe Leo should have just decided on captains to make sure no disasters were chosen. The way it looked to her now, none of the captains were ideal. Her eyes hopped back to Leo, noticing his rigidity, the way his shoulders were shrugged back tensely, his usual smile abandoned in favour of an edgy line, his features drawn tight. Watching him, she felt glad theyâd somewhat resolved their argument from earlier, because she couldnât even imagine how heâd be feeling if heâd had problems with her to top off the day. What had she been thinking, even starting the argument this morning? She knew, yes,
the dream, but she still felt like mentally kicking herself. She wondered what he was s nervous about, though. Her Leo was usually such a confident man, although she suspected a situation like this one would bring anyone to the edge.
Later, occupied by watching the throng of students and teachers leave the assembly, and especially seeing Lulu rush from the hall, Amy didnât even notice the fact that Leo had turned towards her, or even sat beside her, so when he spoke, she almost jumped, her head snapping around, eyes wide in surprise before she registered the voice, followed by her eyes finding the most beautiful man sheâd ever laid eyes on. Her lips curved into a smile filled with warmth at his question, and especially in reply to the vibrant smile he was casting her way. âWell, you definitely need to unwind some,â she said teasingly, a glint in her eye telling her precisely how sheâd like to do that, before continuing, âbut yes, you di-â Before she could finish the sentence, Leo was cursing, the abrupt speed of his movements almost making her head spin. She blinked a couple of times, finally closing her mouth when he began explaining. Ah, yes, the new teacher. She remembered Leo talking a bit about a new teacher. He hadnât told her much, and she hadnât really asked. More pressing, Noctrem-related matters had been more important at the time.
âAh,â she merely said in understanding before he was talking again. Leo hated being late, especially when others were depending on him, she knew that, so this wasnât exactly helping him unwind, which she greatly disliked. Why hadnât he told her he planned on getting Chris before the assembly? She wouldâve reminded him, or at least gone to get the new teacher herself. When Leo extended a hand, inviting her to come with him, Amy bit her lip delicately, peering up at him through her dark lashes. âYeah, sure,â she said, before eyeing his hand thoughtfully. Would it hurt her more to take it only to let it go moments later, or to not take it at all? Why did he have to do that? Itâs not like she couldnât get out of a chair herself. She sighed softly, taking his hand, feeling that same, familiar electricity, however, the sensation was brief due to the fact that Leo let go the second she was on her feet and she clenched her hand, savouring the brief contact, trying to quench the longing surging through her; the urge to hold him, kiss him, to run her hands through his hair. To see love and lust for her mixing in the gray pools that were his eyes, like last night.
When he began speed walking, Amy had to half run to keep up, but sensing his urgency, she didnât complain like she most likely wouldâve at another time. After all, itâs not like he didnât know she had much shorter legs than he. And she did fall slightly behind, only catching up with him to hear the words,
â-Iâm late,â and those following. She took a deep breath to steady herself, curiously moving to the side so that she was no longer hidden behind Leo, and thereby able to see the new teacher. She took in all his features, her head cocking to the side slightly in thought. He looked familiar. Only when Leo finished speaking, did her eyes widen with realization. â
Chris?â she breathed in disbelief, gaping at him. â
That Chris?!â She blinked several times, then shooting an accusatory look Leoâs way, she almost squealed, âwhy didnât you tell me?!â With that, a massive smile took over her features and she turned her gaze on her old friend again, the impulse to hug him causing her to rush forward and wrap her arms around him, somehow feeling like that alone would make him real.
She hadnât seen Chris since leaving Arcana all those years ago, although theyâd been pretty good friends. They just hadnât kept in touch, truthfully, maybe because sheâd, you know, gone to war and all, so she had only kept contact to her closest family. Thinking about it, their current lack of communication was probably her fault, but damn, was it good to see him again. âYou look old,â she murmured playfully. She remembered teasing him about how much older than her he looked, despite the fact that she was actually the oldest of the two.
Drake almost chuckled at the blush coming onto Luluâs cheeks, wondering in which direction her mind was taking her. Something told him it probably wasnât entirely child-friendly, and the urge to tease her about it became nearly overwhelming. She was just so⊠susceptible, not that most women werenât, but Lulu in particular could be very fun to play with, he realized. Why hadnât he ever thought about that before? Well, if was definitely changing now. He wanted to see that red in her cheeks a lot more and he was going to strive to get it, because what Drake wanted, he procured for himself, and if there was one thing he could do, it was charm a woman out of her panties. But did he want to do that to Lulu? He mused it over.
Why the hell did he ever give a shit? Normally he wouldnât have given it a second thought, because it would be entertaining, but now he found himself wondering if she would be hurt when he left her after sleeping with her, considering if maybe he would be going too far. After all, she was a friend, one the few he actually had. Inwardly, Drakeâs mind battled itself, but outwardly he maintained is usual, easy stance. It was something heâd taught himself to do quite well.
Soon, Lulu was rubbing her eyes as if trying to clear them, commenting on his slightly reprimanding words. A wry smile pulled at his lips, â yes, that much it obvious,â he said teasingly. Yep, he was back. He wasnât really worried anymore. Sheâd be fine, but⊠he still didnât understand this odd need to help and take care of her. Shrugging it off, he guided the blonde on his arm out of the menâs toilets. When he noticed the three guys giving Lulu looks, he merely raised an eyebrow in their direction, as if saying, âgot a problem? Take it up with
me.â Drake might not be the violent type, or the kind of guy to go headfirst into trouble as such, but he wasnât one you wanted to mess with, and his entire demeanor screamed as much when he wanted it to, which he did in this case. He relaxed a little once the guys scurried off; obviously deciding whatever they thought of Lulu wasnât worth any actual trouble over. When Lulu spoke, Drakeâs eyes found her once more and another sly smile came onto his face. âShowers, eh?â He teased, his eyes glinting with wicked thoughts. Then he just chuckled, shaking his head. âIn your bathroom,â he then finally told her.
They both grew quiet then, Drake taking care to be entirely sure she wasnât going to stumble and hit the floor with her nose while he could do anything to stop it. After all, the floors didnât deserve that kind of violence, right?
Oh, who am I kidding? He asked himself, inwardly sighing,
I donât actually want her to stumble. But again, that made him wonder why, because there was always at least slight entertainment in people falling over their own feet. And sure, he realized Lulu means something to him, but did that mean he had to go all protective super hero? Damn it, that really usually wasnât his style. Heâd begun growing irritated with himself when Lulu spoke again, and he completely disregarded earlier thought, a devious smirk curving his lips. âHelp?â He murmured, his voice deep and seductive in itself as he looked down at her. âCould be arranged.â He deliberately let his eyes roam her body. How was he supposed to try and have morals when she kept tempting him like this? Women.
Her next words made him chuckle, wicked, dark brown eyes once more giving her body their undivided attention. He easily held on to her as she half stumbled, not even stopping in his track. He had a good hold on her, and she wouldnât be hitting the floor. All she had to do was regain her balance, and as she did, her next words following, he grinned sinfully at her, his eyes intense, his entire demeanor completely in flirt-mode. Drake pulled them both to a stop only to skillfully turn them around and gently press her slight body up against the wall, both his arms winding around her waist now, so that his heat was completely enveloping her, even as his body trapped hers between it and the wall. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he murmured seductively, ânow, whatâs the fun in keeping our clothes on?â Of course, it wasnât like Drake was actually going to have sex with her. Obviously, she wasnât in a state capable of satisfying him properly anyways, but playing with her right now was extremely entertaining for some reason.
If he was going to fuck Lulu, it was going to be done right, and not in some stupid situation like this when she could barely walk by herself. Not that he was going to fuck her at all⊠right? Yep. Friend. Heâd sort of told himself not to fuck the few people he considered friends, but in that case, he really needed to stop befriending hot girls who wanted him, because it was making his life damned complicated. Again, it wasnât like Drake couldnât resist and keep his dick in his pants, but he was starting to think heâd really rather not. Hell, maybe that was just because he hadnât had sex in a while. What had it been? Two? Three? Weeks. Keeping your sex-life alive when he were rooming with Cor in some motel, proved to be harder than youâd think. Thinking about it, he felt pretty sure last time had been with Erin, because Cor actually left when it was her. He suspected it had something to do with the fact that Cor knew what kind of role Drake played in her best friendâs life.
Maybe he should exert some kind of revenge on his sister. Manipulation was a gift of his, and he could definitely use Jay in some way, but then⊠would using Jay be a bit too cruel? He and Cor didnât really try to make each other miserable. Sure, they bickered like cat and dog, and they most definitely had a
lot of differences, but they were still family and in some incredibly fucked up way, they did care about each other. Despite the fact that living with her had been hell. Good luck to Lauryn, was all he could say.