Labyrinth

Chapter 5

"When was the last time you ate?"

I avoid eye contact, "Don't know. Maybe an hour or so ago." I pause, "Anyway, I need to get back. Thank you for all your-" I start getting up when I'm pulled back into my seat.

"Stay." He commands. He gets up and leaves to go downstairs.

He won't notice if I just slip out now, will he? I could always try it but, something about his voice made me want to stay exactly where I was.

I anxiously stayed put, fidgeting with my fingers.

"Here." I look up and he placed a tray in front of me with a ham and cheese toastie on one plate with crisps on the side, a berry smoothie and a chocolate cupcake.

"You didn't need to do that." Now I feel bad. "How much was it?"

I reach into my bag about to take my purse out when he takes my arm. "You can repay me by eating it."

"At least have the food. I'm not even hu-"

"Don't finish that sentence, Chloe. We both know it's a lie. Now eat."

I sigh and look up, he's staring straight at me. I can't eat whilst he's watching me - or whilst he's near me for that matter. "Thank you." I mutter.

I move the tray in front of the chair that's the furthest away from him. I can see from the corner of my eye as he raises an eyebrow but I keep moving. I get up to sit in the seat. "Where are you going?"

"Just over here." I mumble.

"Why?"

I don't answer his question and instead just give him a shrug.

Before I can get to the seat he's already moved the tray back. "It's getting cold."

I look at him and whine, "Why do I have to be sat there?"

"Why don't you want to sit here?" He counters.

I can't tell him why, it's so embarrassing. Why won't he just let me sit here?

"Chloe, I asked you a question. I expect an answer."

"Because," I uttered.

"That's not an answer."

"Technically..."

"Chloe." His voice is hard, "I swear to God, sit your ass down here right now." I scurry to the seat and he removes the tray before placing the smoothie and sandwich in front of me. "You can have the cupcake once you've finished."

"Or you can have it..." I muttered.

He didn't seem too impressed so I just picked up the sandwich and took small bites so I wouldn't be too loud.

I can still see him watching me, "Don't you want to read or mark something?"

He just took his anthology out and started reading.

Once I had finished what was on my plate I grabbed my smoothie and drank that. This is probably the best meal I've had in ages.

Just then, the cupcake was placed in front of me. "I'm full. But thank you." I smiled and pushed it back in front of professor Caine.

"You have a problem with listening."

"I'm being serious, I'm full. I don't think I can physically eat anymore."

He looked at me for a second then just told me, "Take it home then."

"You paid for it, though."

"Chloe." He muttered something under his breath but I didn't catch it.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

What is it with people doing this? Specifically hot men.

"Do you mind if I do some more questions?" I ask him. I want to make sure I've got the topic covered and won't forget it easily.

"Are you sure? we've done a lot tonight." He looks me over.

"Yes. I want to make sure I've got it. If you don't mind not giving me primary school questions." I tease. Why not? Banter is everything.

"Oh, you think they were easy, do you? Remember, you asked for this." He chuckles lowly.

Whilst he's drawing up some questions, I pick up his anthology and open it to the contents. I start reading from the beginning as none particularly stick out to me.

"Enjoying it?" I look up and find Professor Caine watching me.

"You've got a good taste." I compliment.

"I know." He has a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I've finished these for you."

"Thanks." I take the sheet off of him and begin working on them. The first few are easy but after that... He certainly didn't hold back.

"Fucks sake." I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?" Professor Caine raises a knowing brow.

"Hmm? Oh nothing." I rush out, knowing his disapproval of swearing.

"Oh really? You wouldn't happen to be lying to me, would you, Chloe?" Damn him.

"Just complaining about these questions."

"No need to swear, is there?" He inquires

I just want to scream 'There obviously is. Have you seen these? ' "I apologise, professor." I sarcastically answer.

"Chloe..." He warns.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Someone's inquisitive." He muses.

"You know mine." I shoot back.

"It's Nathaniel."

"Nathaniel Caine." I try it out, "Suits you." I turn back to my work.

"Hey I foun-" A new voice speaks up.

"Ah, Thomas!" Nathaniel stands up.

I turn around before I quickly shove my head down again. It can't be. What's he doing here? I try to think about what I should do. Should I try and sneak off?

"Who have we got here?" Thomas questions, referring to me.

"Oh, this is Chloe." Nathaniel touches my shoulder, indicating that I should turn around. "Chloe?" I shake his arm off and slowly turn around, keeping my head down. "Hi." I mutter indistinctly.

"Why are you-"Nathaniel starts.

"I said I'd see you again but I didn't think it would be this soon." I look up to see Thomas smirking, his mossy eyes boring into me.

"You two know each other?" Nathaniel asks.

"We met in the library earlier." I clarify, "I think I should go."

"Have a safe journey, Chloe." Thomas says.

"Have a good night's sleep, Chloe." Nathaniel adds.

Once I got back to my place, I started thinking about earlier. How come the two hottest men both know each other. I can't with all of this. I just need to sleep. I wish I could sleep. Instead, I lay there for what must have been over an hour, wrapped in my duvet defending my mind from my hauntings. Is it bad that I just want both of them here right now? Comforting me, holding me. Something to distract me from everything that I want to forget. Everything that I tried to leave behind.

"Be quiet. Jeez, you're literally shouting."

"I said... Shut the fuck up"

"Come on, I didn't even do anything."

"You're just playing the victim again."

All these pieces coming back in fragments, bombarding my mind over and, over and, over. Sometimes I think it may be worse than seeing the whole thing.

I try and focus on tomorrow, my first psychology lecture and another law lecture.

At least I can look forward to some things, unlike before.