When Fates Entangle (The Alderidges Book 1)

Five: Extra Class?

VERENA

I have always considered myself a lucky person, I mean after surviving a massive fire when I was seven made me think in that way.

But all that luck seems to disappear when it comes to Asael Alderidge.

I know it's my fault too when I deliberately disobey him but I can't seem to stop, the thrill that comes with it is too exciting.

Most of the time, I enjoy troubling him but sometimes when he picks on me for no reason at all, it annoys me especially that day when I fell asleep in the class.

He had no right to ask me what I was doing at night. And yes, I lied to him. I wasn't partying on a Monday night, I am not that stupid.

When I was seven, I was stuck in that huge fire and even though I was saved in time, it kind of traumatized me. Only a little. I used to have nightmares about it for quite some time and then with some professional help, it all stopped.

Until now. Those nightmares are back. I am not a kid anymore yet they kind of scare me, I know it's stupid but I can't help it.

Once I wake up sweating and scared, I can't go back to sleep. My mind refuses to shut down so I spend the rest of the night pacing in my room or going through my phone.

Hence, I felt sleepy in class and fell asleep. Now I couldn't really tell Mr. Alderidge that I was having nightmares about something that happened fifteen years ago.

He would have officially labelled me as insane. So I lied, and--like I said--he has no right to pry into my private life.

Today, it's the same. I hardly slept and I am only running on caffeine and it's visible.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Zahria asked as she walked beside me.

"It's not a big deal." I shrugged it off.

"Verena", she scolded, "you are unable to sleep and you think it's not a big deal? You should have told me, I would have tried to help you."

I chuckled. "Help me in what way? Sing me to sleep?"

"If that helps then yes. If tonight you have another nightmare and you are unable to go back to sleep, you are waking me up, okay? Or better yet, you are sleeping with me tonight."

"If you are really that interested in me, just say so." I joked.

She slapped my shoulder and shoved me away with a roll of her eyes. "Shut up. I would rather throw you off the roof."

I dramatically placed my palm over my heart. "Ouch. That's mean."

She shook her head in exasperation even though a small smile teased her lips and she continued walking to the class. "Jokes aside, you are doing as I say tonight."

"Okay, Mom", I mumbled hooking my arm through hers. "Would you like to save me from Mr Alderidge too?"

"That you brought upon yourself. You do it deliberately."

"Yes but sometimes he just picks on me randomly," I complained with a pout.

"Well, maybe you could stop being a rebel and listen to him, hmm? But if I am being honest, I do enjoy seeing you both interact. It's fun and the whole class enjoys it. Am I a bad friend for enjoying that?"

"No. I am glad I could be everyone's entertainment." I chuckled softly.

We then walked in silence to our class and outside it, I noticed another professor of mine, Mr Juan passing by so I lingered back and let Zahria go inside and went to greet him.