Under My Skin

Chapter Thirty Seven

"I can breathe."

Ember woke up two hours before Athalia and Delilah on the first Monday after the party. She could breathe again. Ember had spent months worrying about Kieran and his problems. Now she was free to relax.

She had already showered, brushed her teeth, and got dressed by the time Athalia and Delilah woke up. They both gave eachother odd looks when they saw Ember sitting on her bed studying.

"I'm leaving for breakfast early." Ember informed them with a bright smile. "When did you become a morning person?" Lia wondered out loud. "Yeah this is the third morning in a row." Delilah piped in as she turned on the shower head in the bathroom. "It's nothing." Ember reassured them while collecting her wand and books.

"I'll see you guys in DATDA." The girls always abbreviated Defense Against The Dark Arts. With one last smile Ember closed the door to their dorm. Just as she turned to walk down the steps she was met with the sight of Kieran shirtless while having a goodbye make out with a Slytherin girl named Cecilia Wales.

A bitchy blonde girl with no personality traits except for her detailed description on how to fondle a guys testicles. When Kieran finally detached from the girl he grinned as he turned away from her towards Embers direction. He froze when he saw her. His body craved so badly to see her cry and run off. To show any sign of disapproval or an outburst of jealousy to put him in his place.

But her muscles relaxed and she gave him a slight smile. Waving him toodles as she turned and jogged down the steps. She was heading to breakfast, she wanted to see him. Which him was the question she was asking herself too.

Maddox, the irresponsible Ravenclaw boy who managed to hold a conversation with her. She thought he was a douchebag when he first confronted her but a couple seconds later he realized his actions as well and immediately called himself out on it. Not many boys do that.

And of course she couldn't forget Coven. The new Slytherin with a feared name, so many mysteries she needed to find out.

Ember entered the the cafeteria, her eyes darting around the nearly empty room. She felt disappointment dwell in her stomach when she didn't see either of them. But his hair had a slight glow to it as the sun shined in through the window right on him.

Blonde contained yet messy hair that hung down between his etched together eyebrows. A potions book spread out in front of him. With a determination to get to know him more she made her way over and sat down beside him.

"So let me in on your secret." Maddox's head whipped up from his book and laid his blue eyes on the girl beside him. Ember straddled the bench seat as she faced him.

"How does one go from a shitfaced irresponsible drunk to a nerdy Ravenclaw studying a potions book at seven o'clock in the morning?" Before his face was shocked from actually seeing the flawless girl from the party talking to him again, to a wide toothy grin. His dimples etched into the lower parts of his slightly rosy cheeks.

"It's in our blood, didn't you know?" Maddox played along to her taunts. "Would you like some company?" She leaned forward slightly. "How could I deny such a gracious offer?" He declared, closing the book and now facing her.

"I wanna know everything about you Maddox Lane." She admitted confidently. "Well unlike the infamous pureblood Slytherin royal before me, I'm a unpopular muggleborn Ravenclaw." Ember gave him a displeasing huff.

"Who cares about all the superior pureblood bullshit. I wanna know you." The girl clarified, squeezing his bicep. It was hard to ignore, his robes resting on the seat beside him. The white fabric of his button up was tight around his arms. Lining of his muscles clear as day.

"My parents are still married and they live in London. I grew up with my younger sister Millie and older brother Gabriel. We're all extremely close. I love learning new things, especially about flowers." It surprised her when she heard it. A man who loves studying flowers.

"It may seem not very testosterone filled hormonal man of me but I love it." Ember heard the pitch of admiration spill from his voice. "I think it's unbelievably beautiful." Maddox's eyes flashed with appreciation. Butterflies tingling in his gut. "And your family sounds lovely." She reminisced on the good family times her and her parents had in the past.

It also brought a familiar feeling of loneliness crawl up her spine. "Hey have you heard about to new ghost around the castle?" He noticed the change in her eyes. Distant from reality. Of course he knew why, everyone knew about her and her parents. The tragedy of her life.

"I haven't." She muttered out still trying to shake off the pained feeling. "People say he died in the war. He's always pulling pranks on Slytherins so watch out." He chuckled with a playful nudge. "He sounds familiar." Ember thought out loud.

Before she could connect the dots she was interrupted by the familiar voice of a girl she knew very well. "Ember?" It rung in her ears. Maddox looked past the girl in front of him to look up at the voice speaking. She turned slowly in her seat. Jaw slightly clenched her muscles tensing. Her heart aching.

"Bella?" She gasped in pure uncertainty.

There Arabella Malfoy stood, her Slytherin robes draped over her lean shoulder. A hesitant smile gracing her plump lips. "I'm so sorry." She choked out with her eyes glassing over. Fingers picking at eachother in front of her. "Oh Bella." Ember cooed standing from the bench. Wrapping her friend in a comforting hug.

"Your not mad?" She muttered out into Embers shoulder. "No I'm super pissed but I still love you." The girls chuckled and pulled away. "So how are you and Kieran?" Arabella questioned innocently. Ember froze unsure of what to tell her.

"Uhm Ember I should go." Maddox cleared his throat standing behind the girl with his things. "Oh, okay, I'll see you around." She replied as he walked away. "Have you seen my brother?" Bella moved on to a lighter topic. "He's probably still sleeping." Ember couldn't help but look behind the girls shoulder to watch Maddox leave.

And Coven enter.

"I'm going to go surprise him!" She excitedly announced giving the girl one last embrace before turning around and leaving the great hall. Which left a few early birds and Coven.

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. Eyes gleaming with interest as he looked at the girl. Her breaths turning desperate and shallow as her eyes trailed down his throat. Adams apple bulging from his throat as he swallows.

Like a trance Ember couldn't look away and her feet began to move before her mind could catch up. She stood in front of Coven with her fists clenched at her sides. "Tell me how many hours you stayed up this weekend thinking of me." He insisted with his voice lowered in secrecy.

The other students giving curious glances at the two. "Someone's confident." Ember tried to laugh but her eyes stayed focused. "How can I not be when your looking at me like your starving." Coven stated with a hungry growl hiding in the back of his throat.

"Seems like I'm not the only one." Ember noticed the way his eyes focused in on her. It made a wetness pull between her thighs. Then Coven leaned in lowering his voice as he spoke. The tips of his fingers just barely above her thighs. Teasing her, making her crave his touch.

"I won't do anything your not comfortable with Diamond. I won't touch you unless you show me where you want to be touched. And I won't put my pleasure before yours." She wanted to grab his hands and and throw them around her. To jump into his arms as he squeezes her toned and tight body. She wanted him to prove how much pleasure he could grant her.

But not here. When she stopped fantasizing about him her mouth was agape and she was so close to letting out a desperate whimper. "Sit beside me in Defense Against The Dark Arts." Coven insisted and she agreed nodding her head.

He brought his hand up to hover over her cheek. Ember leaned into his touch. He was now touching her cheek with his warm palm and stroking it with her thumb. Then his touch was gone and so was he. She was left discombobulated and an absolute mess.

But she couldn't wait for class.