Attending a Vampire School

Chapter 13.5: Running From Fear

❝We do not fear the unknown. We fear what we think we know about the unknown.❞ | Teal Swan

Saige's point of view while everything was going with Nolan.

♕ SAIGE ♕

"I think I'm finally getting it now." I lied through my teeth as I stared at the many scribbles and drawings on the paper.

"You don't have to lie," Harley said nonchalantly and I felt guilt wash over me instantly.

I rotated my head to meet his crystal blue eyes that were filled with amusement. "It's not your teaching. I'm just really bad at math."

Harley laughed and it made my heart skip a beat. My cheeks felt hot and I knew the skin had turned a bright red color. I huffed and turned away, feeling like a child. The library was void of any life-form if vampires were technically still alive. Sitting here next to Harley in a quiet space made me feel better.

I blinked, glancing over at the bookshelf where Nolan had pinned me. Some novels were missing, leaving various open spaces and some had fallen to the floor. I frowned and suddenly found myself standing up. With shaky legs, I slowly walked toward the untidy shelf.

I could feel Harley's intense gaze on my back as I came to a halt. Getting down on my knees, I reached for the closest novel that rested oddly on the carpeted floor. My fingers grasped the worn down cover and I had not noticed how badly my hands were shaking.

Cool hands sent electric shocks down my arm as they suddenly made contact with my own. "Are you okay?"

"I can't stop the shaking," I whispered and I felt his grip tighten slightly.

Turning my head, I saw that Harley was sitting on his knees beside me. Since he was so close to me, I noticed that his brown curls were a bit disheveled but it didn't make him any less attractive. The library lights were dimmer in between the bookshelves and yet his blue eyes still glistened.

"I don't know what happened, but you don't have to be afraid." Harley's soothing voice attempted to comfort me.

Glancing down at our hands, I mumbled. "I wish that were true."

I heard a soft sigh escape his lips and I knew that he was beginning to become frustrated with me. I couldn't tell him what Nolan did to me. He wouldn't understand. I'm a human surrounded by vampires in this literal hellhole of a school. The guilt was burning through my soul, I really wanted to trust him.

Harley removed his hands and instantly my own felt even more colder than when his were touching mine. I interlocked my own fingers, trying to get the shaking to stop. Large hands rested on my shoulders and I felt my body rotate to the right. Looking up, I saw that Harley had turned me to face him.

"Whether you're fearful of spiders or demons, the only way to survive in this world is to face it head-on," Harley said with a slight seriousness on his features.

"What if it can kill me?" I whispered, my arms unconsciously wrapped around my torso.

"It can only kill you if you let it." The way the words left his lips made me think he had the first-hand experience.

His eyes held a sort of sadness and understanding in them. Almost as if he didn't pity me, but had sympathy. I really didn't want his sympathy or pity, I just wish there was some way I could escape this school. My mother wouldn't believe my reasons for wanting to leave this town.

"Thanks, Harley," I said and leaned forward to rest my head on his shoulder.

The moment my forehead made contact with his blazer his body tensed for a moment, but it relaxed after a few seconds. His aroma on his jacket was nice, the smell reminding me of citrus. I hadn't meant to take a large inhale, but I couldn't help myself. The faint sound of a chuckle rang in my ears.