Bound by Whispers

twelve

August's POV

As I walked through the college corridor, lost in my thoughts about the unsettling phone call, someone suddenly bumped into me, causing all my things to scatter around. The added stress of the situation made me snap, and I shouted at the person who had bumped into me, cursing them in frustration.

My friends, seeing the commotion, rushed over to my side. The girls tried to calm me down, their comforting words and soothing gestures helping to ease my tension. Meanwhile, the boys in the group were ready to take matters into their own hands, wanting to confront the person who had upset me.

Before things could escalate further, I took a deep breath and held out my hand, signalling for them to stop. "It's okay," I said, my voice still laced with frustration. "I'm fine. Let's just forget about it."

The boys reluctantly backed off, knowing that I didn't want any more trouble. They helped me gather my things, and the situation quickly diffused with their support. As we continued down the corridor, my friends asked if everything was alright, concerned about my reaction.

"I've just been a bit on edge lately." I replied short before we all quickly changed the topic.

As I mentioned that, my friends exchanged concerned glances before quickly changing the topic to lighten the mood. But just then, the atmosphere shifted as Ethan, looking dashing in his outfit, approached our group.

The other girls in the group tried to catch his attention, adjusting their appearances to look appealing, but he paid them no mind. His focus was solely on me. My heart skipped a beat as he held out his hand, and without a second thought, I placed mine in his. With a gentle yet firm grasp, he led me away from the commotion, creating a bubble of privacy around us.

"August," he said, his voice warm and reassuring, "I noticed you seemed a bit off earlier. Is everything alright?"

His concern melted away some of my worries, and I appreciated his thoughtfulness. As Ethan expressed his concern, I couldn't help but feel touched by his thoughtfulness. However, I wasn't quite ready to share the unsettling phone call with him just yet. I managed a small smile and shook my head, wanting to keep that part of my life separate for now.

Changing the topic, he asked about my plans for the holidays, and I realized I hadn't given it much thought. "What holidays?" I replied, genuinely surprised.

He looked shocked at my response. "Study leave for one week," he said, almost incredulously. "It's called study leave for a reason, you know." I chuckled, appreciating his teasing tone. "I guess I got too caught up in everything else," I admitted sheepishly. "I haven't really thought about what to do during the break."

But then he surprised me with a suggestion that caught me off guard. "How about we go outing? I have this personal cabin in the woods," he said with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

A mix of emotions washed over me. On one hand, I was intrigued by the idea of spending time with him in a secluded cabin, away from the hustle and bustle of college life. But on the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of hesitation, a fear of getting too close, especially after the unsettling phone call.

"Is it safe?" I found myself asking, the worry seeping into my voice.

Ethan's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "It's my personal cabin," he said gently. "It's in a remote and secluded area, and I've been there many times. I promise you, it's safe."

His touch and words calmed my nerves, and a part of me wanted to accept his invitation. It sounded like a wonderful escape, a chance to relax and unwind in the tranquility of nature. And I trusted Ethan, felt safe around him.