When Brilliant Turns Bloody | The Secrets of The Academy

VI

Nolan's POV

Nolan felt like he was suffocating. Alessya had almost been hit by a car, and now Douglas was missing. How could everything have escalated so quickly?

When they had realized their friend wasn't coming back with their drinks, the group had frantically searched through the store and around the area. It seemed like Douglas had just vanished into thin air. Everything felt like it was from a twisted movie. Kids like them did not get involved in bad things like this. Kids like them did not receive texts from an unknown person threatening their lives over a secret. Kids like them did not get kidnapped or almost killed by someone. 

"Hey."

A small voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned towards the voice.

"Did you-?" Alessya hesitated, "Were you the one who-?"

"Yeah. I was the one who pulled you out of the way," Nolan finished for her.

It had all happened so fast. One second Alessya was stepping off the curb, the next second a car was almost running her over. Nolan had spotted it before anyone else. The car had made a sharp turn into the lane and shot down the road. It was obvious what the driver's intention was. Even a drunk man would be able to see a girl crossing an empty road. Nolan had instinctively reached out for Alessya as soon as he saw the car heading her way.

"Thank you," Alessya said solemnly. "I just, just had a feeling it was you."

It was weird seeing Alessya this meek and quiet. She was always the life of the party, making vulgar jokes and laughing infectiously, but her silence was understandable. Before today, the closest they'd ever come to hurting themselves was from play-fighting over a lame ship or falling down the stairs from not paying attention.

"I would never let you die if I could prevent it," Nolan honestly assured her. He couldn't imagine how different their little family would be without Alessya's loud laughs and awkward puns. Not thinking, Nolan tenderly swept a loose strand of Alessya's thick, dark hair out of her eyes.

He felt a blush rise on his cheeks, but she smiled, the first expression she had that wasn't fear or worry since what happened. It was quite a sweet smile, Nolan observed.

Then, she looked down, biting her lip gently, "W-would you walk me home, Nolan? I had planned on walking home, but after the car thing, I'm afraid they're going to try again."

"Of course," he replied without missing a beat.

Alessya turned away, and Nolan cringed. Did that seem too eager? Gosh, he only wanted to be nice, to be there for her, not sound like some douche who was taking advantage of her distress. He ran his hand through his hair anxiously. She probably didn't even care. 

Together, they walked back to the table where everyone had already come back from their search. Cat was pacing and Siddhart was sitting with his head in his hands. Allison looked like she was going to pull her hair out. For once, Anders wasn't making innuendos. Alister sat in a chair with an impassive look on his face. Nervous tension filled the air like a thick fog.

"Are you seriously still going to keep lying?" Siddhart whined. "Maybe if we do what the mysterious messenger asks we'll get Douglas back safely. Don't you care?"

"Of course we care!" Allison snapped. She looked stressed and panicked. In fact, Nolan always wondered if she and Douglas had a thing going on.

"I-I just don't know what to do. I can't give up my position. There are rumors, you know. Rumors about what happens if you get expelled at the Academy," Allison said slowly.

Alessya huffed a breath of indignation. "Are you kidding me?"

She looked at the rest of the group, each of the kids avoiding eye contact. "Does he mean anything to y'all? You're just going to ignore the fact that he's been kidnapped and possibly- possibly kil-"

Her voice shook and she took gulps to try and calm herself down. This wasn't good. She wasn't feeling like herself.

Nolan tapped Alessya's arm gently. Then, he addressed the group, "How about we meet before school at our usual place? I think we're all just a little overwhelmed right now, but things should work themselves out in the morning."

"Alright," Siddhart said reluctantly.

"I'm going to stay for a while," Allison rambled quickly. "Just in case Douglas comes back."

"And I'll stay with her," Cat said. "Don't worry, Alessya. It's been really stressful for you today, you should go home."

"Come on," Nolan said reassuringly, "let's bring you home. You need some rest."

He took her by the elbow and started guiding her to the main sidewalk.

Alessya bobbed her head ever so slightly, whispered a "bye" to the rest of her friends, and shuffled away from La Centerra with Nolan. Although no one else could hear her, Nolan swore he heard Alessya mumble, "We're spilling secrets or we're spilling blood."