You Are My Weakness

Chapter 2

His fiery eyes meet mine immediately and I can't catch my breath for a few seconds. I feel a lump in my throat and I am surely convinced that I am in a dream. It can't really be him, standing in front of me.

I feel like I'm about to faint and the earth seems to collapse beneath my feet. Amelie, who's sitting next to me, has also turned pale and seems paralysed.

Meanwhile Dylan, after a further reminder from the teacher who asks him to sit down once again, sits down casually in the row behind me.

''Mrs.Malcolm, may I go to the bathroom? I don't feel very well.'' I ask Mrs. Malcolm with the last traces of voice I have left.

I absolutely have to get out of this room as soon as possible. I feel the walls around me starting to suffocate me and I can't understand anything anymore.

''Isabelle, the lesson has just begun a few minutes ago. You should have gone earlier.'' She replies acidly, not understanding my sudden mood change. But I can't stay in here, with him, and I decide to insist.

''Please. I seriously don't feel well.'' I continue, trying to convince her. I can't breathe and I can feel his penetrating gaze behind me, but I don't dare turn around.

''All right. But come back quickly because now I'm just about to start the lesson.'' She replies, obviously bothered. I really hope she understood that it's a necessity for me to get out of this nightmare, at least temporarily.

I run away from class and as soon as I can get some fresh air I try to understand what has just happened, but I still can't manage to comprehend. Is the man a few meters away from me really Dylan? Dylan Rivera?

My best friend, the other half of my heart and the best part of me. All of this until a few years ago, before he left without even leaving an explanation, only the memories I had of him that I decided to close in a secret part of my heart which had remained quiet until now.

''Mrs.Malcolm, excuse me, but I need to go and see how Isabelle is doing. I don't know if you noticed, but she was visibly not okay. So, if you'll allow me, I'll go to the bathroom too.'' I overhear Amelie's voice, worried and determined to leave the classroom too. She will certainly be shaken too, but not as shaken as I am. The relationship between Dylan and I was too strong.

''Amelie, stop. Where are you going? Two people can't leave at the same time -'' Mrs. Malcolm tries to reply hysterically before being rudely interrupted by the sound of the door slamming.

Damn, this bitch is crazy. But that's exactly why she's my best friend.

''Amelie, you're actually out of your fucking mind. Get back into the classroom before she gives you detention.'' I try to tell her, hastily wiping away the tears that run down my face.

''You already know that I don't give a fuck. Now let's be clear: Dylan is back.'' She continues, and the words that come out of her mouth are the only ones that fill up my mind.

''I don't even know how that's possible. Did he say something to you when I left the classroom?'' I try to say with a small hope that he asked something about me.

''No nothing. I haven't even dared to look at him, and you must do so too: cold and detached. We have to beat him at his same game, Isabelle.'' She replies firmly. It will certainly be easier for her than it will be for me, as she's always been able to hide her feelings perfectly, ever since we were little.

She engulfs me in a hug, immediately realising how much I am suffering right now. I almost made it. I was able to forget him. Of course, no days ever went by where I didn't think about him, about where he was, and why he abandoned me without even telling me why or giving me some hope to hold on to, at least until he came back. To be honest, I never really thought he would. But here we are.

He was the only one who knew everything about me and the only one who had helped me in my life. The only one who could make me smile and the only shoulder for me to cry on. When he left, I went back to living the dark and gloomy moments, but alone.

''Where did those two go? It's only our first day and they're already making it hard for me.'' Mrs. Malcolm complains to the class.

''They'll be just outside, feeling sorry for themselves. We know them well by now.'' Jessica chuckles along with her annoying and bitchy group of friends.

''What a wonderful first impression you're giving to Dylan. You could at least try to give him a warm welcome.'' Our teacher readily replies to the group, exposing how much she dislikes them too.

''I'm just hoping I'll get to know him better.'' Jessica flirts. I can already imagine the winks and smiles that they're be exchanging, even though I can't see them.

''Shall we go back? If you feel like it, otherwise we can stay a little longer. You decide.'' Amelie whispers, still hugging me.

I nod my head. At least I'll try.

We move towards the door and I avoid Dylan's eyes, even though I feel them gaze all over my body. I ignore the strong desire to look at him, to see his expression and to decipher what he's thinking about, hopefully finding an answer to my endless doubts.