Dangerous Attraction

1. New Principal

Hazel Whitlock

~•~

I didn't get embarrassed easily. One could say I was shameless even, but there was no way I could ignore the judging stares that people gave me as I walked down the hallway.

High schoolers had never been known to mind their business, so I wasn't surprised, but I still couldn't ignore them. I was going to be learning with students who used to be my juniors.

Yes, I failed my senior year of high school.

It wasn't every day you saw someone repeating a grade and I never believed it would happen to me, but then again, it wouldn't have happened if I had taken my grades seriously.

Well, all that didn't matter. It had happened already. There was no way to change the past. I just had to make sure I would graduate this year and doing so meant not listening to what people had to say about me.

I made my way to the hallway. We were having a back-to-school assembly. I wasn't happy to be here, but I had no choice. My mom wanted me to get my diploma. That was why she slaved herself away as a maid because there were no job opportunities anywhere.

At the end of the day, I didn't want her efforts to go in vain.

Along with the rest of the student body, I sat on the bleachers, waiting for whoever to start the assembly and get it over with.

Our vice principal was the first to walk in, along with a batch of teachers I didn't pay attention to.

She stood behind the podium. "Good morning, students. Welcome back to school."

There were murmurs. Some people clapped. I didn't know what they were so excited about but maybe that was because they weren't spending five years in high school like me.

Okay, maybe, I've hated myself a little too much today.

The vice principal continued to yap while I focused on cleaning my fingernails. Her voice was quite distant to me and I didn't mind that I was lost on what was happening.

"...new Principal... a round of..."

The students started clapping and murmuring to themselves, oohing and aahing, bringing my attention back to the assembly. I raised my gaze, only for it to land on the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

I wasn't even exaggerating.

The females were going wide for a reason and after asking around me, I found out that the man currently standing on the podium was our new principal. What was a fine man like that doing at a school? He deserved something way better than a teacher!

His face was blank and his eyes were cold and unimpressed. He stared at us until the murmurs slowly died down, leaving us silent and waiting for him to speak.

He was dressed in a white shirt, black slacks, and a black tie. He looked very formal, making me wonder how he was going to look in regular clothes if he already turned heads in this get-up.

"Good morning, students. I'm Mr. Laurier, your new principal, and before the session officially starts, there are a few rules I must enforce."

I let out a low sigh, unable to believe that this man was going to be our principal. Suddenly, I was pumped to be coming back to school. I was happy I failed and had the opportunity to see this man.

His gray eyes were sharp and piercing, daring anyone to complain as he listed out his rules. Last year, there had been a lot of misconduct in school (I may or may not have been involved in some) which was probably why we had to change our principal, hence the new rules.

I barely listened to them though. My gaze was stuck on him. He was a fine man and he knew that. I wondered how old he was. Why didn't he come as a student? I would have gone after him.

His jawline was sharp, basically calling out for me to trace a hand around it.

"For the seniors, I know it is your last year in school but it does not give you the right to do as you please. You are still a student, so follow the rules and do not distract your juniors. For those who are here for a second time–" I felt my face heat up as many people turned to look at me. It felt like he was talking directly to me, but wasn't looking at me. "There is a reason you stayed back. Reflect on your actions and do not repeat your mistakes."

I lowered my gaze, hating that people were staring at me. I was not the only one repeating my senior year. Why were they looking at me?

The door to the gym suddenly opened and everyone's attention was drawn to it. My eyes narrowed as I stared at the spawn of the devil that just walked in.

Mr. Laurier paused and turned to look at James. "And why are you late?"

"I–"

He didn't let him speak. "Detention after school. Go take a seat." My eyes widened. Detention on the first day of school? James was stubborn and usually got in trouble, making me wonder if he was going to give in easily.

"Yes, sir." Even the infamous James acknowledged his authority.

I snorted, catching everyone's attention. Fuck.

"Is something funny, miss..."

"Whitlock," I murmured. He stared at me blankly. "Hazel Whitlock." I made sure I was louder this time.

"Is something funny, Miss Whitlock?" Now, everyone was looking at me, including all the teachers. I saw a few of them shake their heads as if to express their disappointment. They never liked me anyway and hated that I was back again.

"No, sir." Before he could speak again, I added. "I'm sorry, sir."

He nodded and went back to his rules. They were a lot and I wouldn't be able to store all of them in my head anyway, so I didn't bother to listen.

This was going to be a much longer session than I thought and we hadn't even properly started.

After seeing how stern he was, I didn't know if Mr. Laurier was a good addition to our school or not anymore. Well, I guess I'd have to find out.

I'd also have to find out if my attraction to him would fade after time because his strictness only made him seem hotter.

First chapter is up! What do you think about Hazel?

What direction do you think this book is going to take?

I haven't decided on the title of the book yet and I'm lacking on a cover. Can anyone make one for me?

Plus what would be a good title?

I know I'm asking a lot but... help😭