It's Different

Chapter Seventeen

After a well needed semester break, I was now ready to go out there and carry out the advice that was given to me by Levi. It was time to start taking my life into my own hands, stop feeling sorry for myself and stop thinking only about myself. I knew that now, I was ready to turn this semester around from the previously rough start. The only thing left on my agenda was to have a conversation with Alaric, he was the only one who was not aware that I was back. I was a bit afraid to approach him, the last time I saw or spoke to Alaric was the night that I told him that I was leaving, it was also the night that he kissed me. I was afraid to approach him after that,  I even felt a little guilty about the week with Levi, however that was a guilt that I would have to take with me to the grave. Besides, what Alaric didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Right? The advice that Asha previously gave me rang in my head. She told me that I should be totally transparent with Alaric about my past in order for us to work. Would she have even given me that advice if she had known what Levi and I had been up too? She would have been disappointed, I think.

Most of the times I didn't know what I wanted. I was obviously never over Levi, and if he had told me right then and there that he wanted to get back together, I wouldn't have thought twice about it. I wouldn't have thought of how Alaric would have felt. Levi rejected me. Was that why I wanted to get closer with Alaric so suddenly. I was so confused, Alaric was the last person that I wanted to ever hurt, he was so pure, so nice to me.

My thoughts were cut short as I entered the classroom. All the refreshed, familiar faces, all conversing about how they spent their semester breaks. I smiled slightly as I entered in. Even though I didn't want to admit it out loud, I would have missed this place. I was happy to be back. As I ventured to my seat at the back of the class, my heart beat faster as I saw Alaric sitting there. As if he sensed that I was there, he put up his head, as we made eye contact. The warmth of staring into his eyes calmed me down, it was good to see him. I waved at him and he smiled back as I took my seat. I was relieved to see that he was not upset with me. A part of me was afraid that he didn't want to talk to me anymore. 

After class was over, I waited by the door for Alaric. As he stepped out of the class, his eyes fell straight into mine. On impulse he pulled me into him, and wrapped his arms around me tightly, affectionately as I did the same. The hug was warm, I didn't realize that I had missed him that much till our bodies touched. I embraced him tighter, tucking my head under his chin while he kissed the top of my head.

"I thought that I had lost you forever Leah," he said softly, still holding me in his arms.

"But I'm here," I answered.

"How? When? What changed your mind?" he finally let me go from his hold.

"It's a long story," I started. "But I have time, if you're willing to hear my sad story."

"I would never miss out on an opportunity to clown you." He laughed.

"Oh, sure," I said sarcastically. He laughed louder in amusement, then kissed my forehead.

We walked down the hallway, hand in hand. Many eyes were on us, and I could imagine why. As Hazel had told me, since Alaric set foot on campus, he was eye candy, who had never given any girl attention. I could imagine that they were thinking why her? And honestly I didn't know why me, but I could get used to a moment like this.

"Hey Sophia," Hazel walked up to us out of nowhere, "Hi Alaric," she smirked.

"Hey," Alaric smiled. "it's been awhile."

"Right, I haven't seen you since..." she stopped.

"Yeahhh," they both chuckled in unison. Since when were those two buddies?