Tharntype fic- Compounding factors

Chapter 21: Breathless (Thorn's PoV)

January 15th

This class is as interesting as any of my other business classes, which is to say, it's so boring that I can barely keep my eyes open. San is sitting next to me, taking notes for both of us and asking questions that no one apart from him would ever ask. But I can't focus on the teacher's explanation. I'm still thinking about everything that is happening with Aer and I still can't believe that it is real. A smile comes to my lips just remembering our secret (not romantic) date, which was probably one of the best days of my life. I look at San and I want to tell him about Aer, but I'm not sure if he would understand.

San tells me something about the paper that I should be reading and I nod, not knowing what he is talking about, when, suddenly the door to the classroom opens with a bang. The whole class turns to see what's going on.

"Oh finally!" I recognize the voice before I see who is talking "I've searched the whole college looking for you! (And the things I've walked in on!)"

The intruder approaches my table and everyone starts murmuring. I can feel San's eyes on me, wondering what the hell is going on. Silently asking who this girl is.

"Anyway, are you coming?" She says.

This girl...

Aer is wearing a leather jacket, high heel boots and a t-shirt from some band that I don't recognize. I assume that Tharn would know this band, but I don't. For some reason this makes me feel oddly jealous of my brother.

Aer, apparently oblivious of my inner thoughts, puts her hands on her waist and gives me a warning look. I can feel my face burning, I'm sure that I'm bright red by now. I don't know how, but finally I find my voice, and I feel proud of myself when it doesn't come out weak.

"Are you serious?" I say, probably louder than necessary

Everyone in class turns to look at me, shocked. I'm not the kind of guy who talks with this kind of girl, or any girl, to be honest. When you look at Aer, she looks so self confident... She is one of these people who has a special aura. She is the kind of girl that everyone wants to be with, and I'm just the nerd of the class seated near the smart, popular guy.

"Yes I'm serious" she says

"Aer..." I try to sound calm. "I'm in the middle of the class, so you can't interrupt! And... I can't leave"

"Why not? What's so important about this class anyway?" She pauses, then she looks around as if she had just realized that she is in the middle of a class. Aer turns to face my teacher, who is still in shock with the scene "sorry teach, nothing against you or your class, I swear" And I could have sworn that her voice trembled a little.

"Thorn, do you know this girl?" San whispers to my ear, and I ignore him.

Then my professor looks at us and repeats the question that San has just made.

"Ter, do you know this girl? What is she doing here?"

"That's a good question" I mumble.

Aer taps her finger on the table, impatiently. "Well? Are you coming or not?" She asks again.

"Well I'm in class right now and..." The look in her eyes is indescribable. I can't tell what's going on in there or why she is acting the way she is but I have the feeling that something is not going well. That she really needs me to go with her. "Yeah, sure , I'm coming" I say, taking her hand and she gives me the brightest and most relieved smile ever.

I look at my teacher while I clean my desk and take my stuff "Sorry sir" I improvise "it's a family emergency"

"Right!" Aer backs me up "it's a big family emergency. So, please, don't penalize Thorn for this. He will do extra work or whatever is needed, but he needs to go now"