Maia

20

Word Count: 1095

-

MAIA'S POV

Today marks my first day back at school, although, in reality, it's my second day overall. As I entered the building, I noticed Emma stepping in right behind me. She was dressed in the same uniform, making it easier for her to blend in with the other students. The familiarity of having her by my side provided me with a sense of security, especially considering the unsettling dream I had last night that lingered in my mind. I found myself back in the car with Al, the engine humming hard beneath us and my heart was racing. The same group of men was lurking nearby, their presence sending a chill down my spine. I couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something was about to happen soon.

However, there was a sense of relief in knowing that Emma was by my side. Her unwavering confidence and watchful demeanour offered a shield against the uncertainty surrounding us. I glanced at her, noting the calm intensity in her eyes, and felt a little more secure, knowing she was ready to react to whatever might come our way.

As we made our way to my first class, I felt a wave of relief knowing that Alessandro had signed Emma up for all the same classes. It was comforting to have her by my side, even if our conversations were few and far between. Arriving a bit earlier than usual, we found seats at the back of the classroom. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and nervous chatter as classmates reunited and shared the latest news. Just as the classroom began to fill up, the bell rang sharply, signalling the start of class. Moments later, the teacher entered.

The seat to my left is empty, which I'm thankful for.  With a satisfied sigh, I pull out my pen and get ready to take notes. The teacher, Ms Thompson, opens her laptop and connects it to the overhead projector, her movements practised and efficient. Today, we're diving into biology, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me when I realise we won't be spending the class conducting any labs; instead, it's going to be a straightforward lesson.

"Okay, class, today we are starting a new topic: the diversity of life," she announces with enthusiasm. As the PowerPoint presentation loads swiftly, the title "Animal Diversity" flashes onto the screen in bold letters, capturing my attention. A sense of excitement brushes over me, and I can't help but smile to myself. I have a feeling that biology just might become one of my favourite subjects this year.

As she starts reading from the PowerPoint presentation about invertebrates and vertebrates, the classroom door suddenly swings open with a creak. A hush falls over the room as everyone's heads pivot to see who has entered. I catch a glimpse of Emma, who shifts slightly in her seat, her posture tense as she assesses the unexpected interruption. My gaze follows her line of sight, and I see Nikolia saunter in, a confident smirk playing on his lips as if he knows he's the centre of attention. The atmosphere shifts, a mix of curiosity and irritation as students whisper among themselves, wondering what he'll do next.

His gaze sweeps across the bustling classroom, scanning the faces of my classmates before finally locking onto me. A broad smile spreads across his face as he saunters over, exuding an effortless charm. He slips into the seat beside me, leaning in slightly as he says, "Haven't seen you in a while, sweetheart," the words rolling off his tongue with a casual confidence that makes my heart race.

As he talks, I notice his eyes flick over to my side, where Emma is sitting with her arms crossed and a fierce glare fixed on him. The tension between them is palpable, and I can sense her disapproval hanging in the air like a thick fog. Meanwhile, the teacher drones on with her lecture, the sound fading into the background, overshadowed by the uncomfortable dynamic unfolding beside me. With Emma's icy stare and Nikolia's easy demeanour, I find it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything other than the conflict brewing in this small corner of the classroom.

"I've been... sick" I mumble to Nikolia, my voice barely above a whisper. It's only half the truth - an unsettling tension hangs in the atmosphere.  He nods slowly, raising an eyebrow as he considers my words. With a hint of mischief in his eyes, he turns his gaze toward Emma. "Your little pet seems jealous," he remarks, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I can't say I blame her, though." His demeanour carries a cocky confidence as if he relishes the idea that my bodyguard is protective of me. The tension in the air thickens as I realise how closely they both watch each other.

"I suggest you pay attention to the teacher, boy," Emma remarks, her tone sharp and distant as she glances at Nikolia. A hint of annoyance flickers in her eyes as she tries to pull him back to reality. Nikolia, however, merely flashes a broader smile in response, clearly unfazed by her words.

"Or what? What are you going to do if I don't?" he taunts playfully, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalant swagger. "Glare at me? Oh no, how terrifying!" He adds with a dramatic flourish, his sarcasm evident as he mimics an exaggerated, fearsome expression. Emma, unfazed, rolls her eyes at his antics.

She completely ignores him, her attention drifting around the room, before finally settling back on me. "Switch seats with me, Maia," she commands with a stern expression that brooks no argument. I nod, a little surprised by her intensity, and begin to gather my books, carefully stacking them into a neat pile on my desk.

Nikolia raises an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance flickering across his face, but he chooses to remain silent as Emma and I swap seats. I take a moment to glance at both of them, noticing the way they are intently watching each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of glares.

Feeling the tension in the air, I let out a soft sigh and turned my focus back to the teacher, who is now a few slides into the presentation. She is passionately discussing the intricacies of the phylogenetic tree, illustrating the relationships between various species. As I try to absorb the information, I realise that I'll need to dedicate some extra time to studying tonight to fully grasp the concepts.