The Book Club

Chapter 2

It was the first day of the term, and the new freshman students were buzzing about with excitement. That's what woke me up this morning. And Mariane's annoying alarm.

"Ugh.. morning Mari," I groaned, rubbing away the sleep in my eyes.

"Morning, Y/N! How is your hair so perfect? You just woke up! Anyways, I dibs the bathroom first, my makeup takes a bit."

"This is why I don't wear it," I whispered under my breath. "Don't take too long, don't wanna get breakfast too late and have to stand in a line for an hour."

I pick up my phone and quickly respond to my friends from back home before putting it down and stretching. I made my way over to the wardrobe, picking up a hanger with the uniform on it. I change into it before standing in front of the full-body mirror to check. The white collar popped up from beneath the blue sweater vest, which hugged my 5'2" figure nicely. The black pleated skirt stopped midway on my thighs, a little short for my liking. Why can't the girls wear pants? I wore my black Converse with blue beads on the laces to match my uniform. I smiled, pleased with my appearance. I swiftly grabbed my hair brush and hair ties from the edge of my bed and quickly put my brown locks into a messy bun. Perfect. As if on cue, Mariane emerges from the bathroom, her face shiny and glammed from the makeup products. Her hair was tied into a ponytail with a white bow and she wore the school sweater instead of the vest.

"Shall we go? I'm starving" she asked.

"To the breakfast hall!"

...

As we arrive at the cafeteria, I see a familiar handsome face in front of us in the line. Who is that? I swear I've seen him before...

"O. M. G! Lil Huddy? Is that really you? I'm a huge fan! Can I have a picture?" Mariane squealed beside me, pulling me out of my thoughts. Lil Huddy! I knew that sounded so familiar.

"Anything for my fans. Wait, Rosie, is that you?" He gestured towards me. "Jeez, you look even prettier in that uniform. What a surprise to see you here. I guess fate is telling us something,"

"YOU KNOW HIM?" Mariane shook my arm violently. "I AM HIS BIGGEST FAN!"

"No, I don't," I glared at him. "And stop calling me Rosie, that's not my name."

"It suits you and those gorgeous pink cheeks of yours," He bent down and whispered the last part in my ear, sending shudders down my spine. What is this idiot of a man doing to me?

"Move up," I mumble, my cheeks flushed red. He leans back and smirks before walking to fill up the empty space in line. It was then I actually took in his appearance. He was a tall, slim figure, standing almost a foot taller than me. He had messy brown hair that suited his sharp jawline. His piercing blue eyes met mine every so often and complimented the school's blazer he was wearing nicely.

"He is so into you!" Mariane squealed, grabbing her tray and almost spilling the contents on me.

"There's no way he likes me, he seems way too popular for me," I give a sad smile before picking up my tray. I stare down at the contents. A small serving of scrambled eggs, toast, a latte and a small bowl of fruit. I gulp at the sight, fear creeping into me. We sat down at a table with another girl listening to music. She had pale skin and black, curly hair, with a few pink strands throughout. She had long lashes and dark, plump lips, accessorised by her many silver piercings. Her wired earphones were connected to a phone, which she seemed to have an interest in.

"Hi! I'm Mariane and this is Y/N, hope you don't mind us sitting here," Mariane said cheerfully. She was very optimistic and extroverted and didn't have a trace of shyness, the complete opposite of me. The girl looked up from her screen and took out her earphones.

"Yeah, I don't mind. I'm Nevaeh," She said in a British accent. She started to talk to us about our classes, but I wasn't paying attention. I kept staring at the food in front of me, too paralysed and fear-stricken to touch it. I closed my eyes and sighed. I'll just have the coffee...

I took a sip of the latte and emerged back to reality, focusing on our new friend Neveah.

...

After our first period, modern history, the three of us walked out of the lecture hall and said our goodbyes as we made our way to our next class. It turns out Neveah also had the next class with Mariane, so they walked off towards their class. I turned the opposite way, making my way to classic literature. As I enter through the massive wooden doors, I head towards an empty row of seats near the front so I can get a good view of the teachings. I place my books down and start to set up for note taking, when all of a sudden, I hear a thud of someone sitting next to me. I turn my head up to see- him?!

"Again? Are you stalking me or something?" I stare daggers at him, hoping he'll get the hint to find another seat.

"Hey, the seat was free. You should say hi to all my fans, I'm live for my first day of classes," He said in a singsong voice, gesturing towards his phone that he had been holding up the entire time.

"Meet Y/N everybody," and he hastily shoves the phone in front of my face. All I can do is stare in shock, my heart pounding and racing. My breathing starts to quicken and I go to grab my water bottle.

"Y/N? Hey, are you okay?" He asks concerningly, pulling the phone away. "I'll be right back guys," and then he pauses the stream. I try and fail to open my bottle, my breath quickening with each second. My head starts to pound and the world becomes blurry. That's when I feel a warm embrace surround me.

"Shh... it'll be okay.. Take deep breaths with me, okay? One... Two, that's it, Three.."

I breathe in sync with his voice, my heart still pounding but for a different reason. The warmth fades as he pulls back and looks into my green orbs. My face blushes furiously as I realise he still has his hands gripping my arms and I clear my throat.

"Uh-uhm, class..." Is all I can manage, chugging down the water in my hand. He smiles and picks up his phone before starting the live stream again.

"Phone down, class is starting," says a calm, deep voice from the front. As I look to see where it's coming from, I make eye contact with the source. A tall, handsome man, with soft brown eyes and facial hair that makes him appear even more attractive. His hands are in his cream-coloured coat's pockets, extending down to his ankles.

"Sorry Sir," He apologises, giving me a slight smirk before ending the stream. "Are you alright now?" He mouths to me. I nod my head and put my attention back to the professor.

"My name is Professor Pascal, and I will be your classic literature teacher for the year. I hope to get to know each one of you and push you to the best of your abilities," He says, writing his name on the board. More like professor sexy. I shake the lustful thought away, trying to refocus on the board.

"You sure you're alright, Rosie?"

"I'm fine. Leave me alone, it was a one-time thing," I spat back, shuffling away from him. For the rest of the lesson, I can feel his gaze on me but I'm trying my best to focus on the lesson - or more specifically, the one teaching it.

...

The bell rings signalling the end of class and time for next period.

"I would like to remind you all that everyone needs to join a club or extracurricular activity for the school year. I'm starting a book club that everyone is welcome to join," Professor Pascal announces, holding up a piece of paper. "Please come up before you leave if you're interested. The first meeting is on Thursday, at 4:30pm. Dismissed." I pack up my things and make my way to the front to put my name down for the club. As I finish my signature, I look up and make eye contact with the professor. His brown orbs search my green ones, the undeniable tension between us made my cheeks flush bright red.

"Ahem," a voice goes behind us, breaking eye contact. "I'd like to sign up too," I turn to face Lil Huddy. I step aside and he puts down his name - wait, what? He writes down "Chase Hudson" on the paper.

"Your name is Chase? Hudson??"

"Yeah... don't tell anyone, it's kind of weird," He whispers, but the professor obviously heard.

"Secret is safe with us," He winks towards him.