L'Arte dell'Amore (Not Edited)

XXVI

Vincent watched as Lavender doodled with the pen he had gave her. Entranced by her beauty, he had paused a second longer before continuing.

It was a few days after the party, and the meeting for the trip was being held with the students.

"The trip that is coming up is after our final exam, to which I hope everyone passes. We will be heading outside of the country, to Florence. Most of the trip is covered by many sponsors, but there will be a small price window you must meet. If you have any questions, email me or see me after this meeting." Vincent had finished.

Lots of his students had questions, he had watched the way Lavender ushered Victoria to leave and stood there by herself.

Answering question after question, he began to become tired of the same ones. Vincent told everyone they could email the rest of the inquiries they may have to him.

Lavender turned quickly, not wanting to annoy Vincent.

"Not you, Lavender." His warm voice caused Lavender's head to turn quickly. And once the remaining students had left, it was just them.

"Did you have questions?" Vincent continued as Lavender pulled her sweater closer around her arms.

"Yes-" Lavender's voice wavered a little. Her heart pounded in her meek body. Vincent watched as she rubbed at her eyes, perhaps she didn't sleep good, the meeting started at five, and now it was past six in the evening.

"Come here, sweet girl. Let's go to my office, it's quiet and it it's almost time for dinner." Vincent's voice acted as a guide for her tired feet.

Lavender was tired, precisely because she had stayed up reading, and forgotten to eat lunch that day. When she had made it to Vincent's side, he watched the way she held her eyes closed for only a second longer than normal.

"Let's go. You can ask me the question in my office. How does that sound?" Vincent continued as Lavender nodded.

Though he was throughly confused with how Lavender stood frozen in her spot.

"What's wrong-" Vincent started.

"Can I hold your hand? Please? Wait! That was a stupid-" Lavender was the one cut off now. She couldn't believe she said that out loud.

A warm hand surrounded her small, cold one. His thumb drawing comforting circles on the pale flesh of her hand.

"It's not stupid. You don't have to ask to hold hands, I'm here for you. Now come on, you have questions, don't you?" Vincent cut her off and reminded her of how much he cared.

Like he always did.

"So what is your question, baby?" Vincent said as he sat down in his office chair.

Lavender gulped, this was embarrassing. His gaze did not waver from her form. A small croak escaped from her open mouth.

"It's okay, it's just a question. You got it sweetheart, I'm so proud of you." Vincent continued until Lavender had taken a deep breath before starting again.

"How do you opt out for the trip?" She whispered softly, embarrassment found it's way onto her pretty face. Alighting an inferno of color to her cheeks. Vincent was slightly taken back by Lavender's question, had she not want to come?

"You don't want to come?" Vincent's question ranged straight to Lavender's heart.

"No! I do, I-" She tried to explain, but Vincent cut her off. His smooth voice was laced with confirmation.

"Then you'll go." Vincent finished.

Lavender could only nod.

A rumbling seemed to echo through the silent room. The hunger was present now, and Lavender writhed in embarrassment.