His Mini Bear

CHAPTER- 54

Iris POV:

Sighing deeply, I found it impossible to focus on anything the teacher was saying. My mind was consumed by thoughts of the previous night.

I hadn't seen Ace since he stormed out of the house, leaving me with a sense of unease that lingered like a shadow.

When I told Hudson about Ace's departure, he offered reassurances that he would return soon.

But Ace's demeanor seemed oddly tense. Had I said something to upset him?

I was jolted from my reverie by a sharp pinch on my forearm, causing me to yelp in surprise.

"Iris!" the teacher's voice boomed, drawing the attention of the entire class.

I shot up from my seat, my heart pounding in my chest.

Freak! I am dead.

"Where is your attention?" the teacher barked, her frustration evident in her tone.

With my head hung low, I murmured an apology, feeling the weight of embarrassment settle over me like a heavy cloak.

"Sit," she commanded, her anger palpable.

Defeated, I sank into my chair, unable to shake the feeling of embarrassment as I pouted in silence.

The sound of stifled laughter from some of my classmates only served to deepen my embarrassment.

"What happened?" Edrick's voice broke through the tense atmosphere.

I shook my head in response, unable to articulate the turmoil swirling inside me.

Instead, I fixed my gaze forward, desperately trying to regain my composure and focus on the lesson at hand.

No messages, no calls from Ace. What if something had happened to him?

But Hudson's assurances echoed in my thoughts, offering a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty.

Surely, he wouldn't lie to me. Would he?

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Packing up my books, I made my way to the cafeteria with Ali.

Rubbing my frigid hands together in an attempt to warm them, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that lingered within me.

"Did you see the news today?" Ali spoke, settling herself beside me on the long benches of the cafeteria.

"What?" I asked, eager to hear the latest gossip.

"Five people were found dead in an alley," she said, her eyes widening with a mixture of shock and horror. "But the main part was their body parts were cut into tiny pieces and dogs were eating it," she added, her voice tinged with disgust.

"Ew..." I couldn't help but gag at the gruesome description, my appetite momentarily vanishing.

"Why would anyone do that?" I wondered aloud, trying to push the disturbing image out of my mind as I took a large spoonful of spaghetti.

Ali nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring my own repulsion.

As we ate, I couldn't help but notice Ali's elegant dining etiquette.

Not a single crumb marred the table, and there was no trace of sauce lingering beside her lips. I am jealous.

"Hey, Nick," Ali greeted, flashing him a warm smile.

Oh, yeah. Nick was in my class. Shoot! That's why he was talking to me yesterday.

"Hey," I said, offering a formal smile of my own.