When Brilliant Turns Bloody | The Secrets of The Academy

VII

Alessya's POV

What was wrong with her friends? How could they just stand back stubbornly trying to protect their secret when it just wasn't worth it anymore? Alessya couldn't explain how she felt right then. No one else could understand. They weren't the ones who had seen the merciless headlights approach with an intent to kill. To them, sure, she had almost gotten run over, but in the end she hadn't, and they thought that made things okay. But it was much more complicated than that. Knowing how close she had been to dying, feeling the terror and helplessness as the black car accelerated, it was just too much for Alessya. It filled her with panic just thinking about it, her hands shook and her breath was hitched.

Without even realizing it, Alessya's hand had slipped into Nolan's. Normally, she'd never do such a thing, or maybe even be disgusted, but today...she felt safe. He had saved her, after all. He said he'd never let her die. He wouldn't let her down.

To be honest, Alessya was starstruck. She hadn't felt like this in a long time. Nolan had always been kind of dorky, but cute in a way. His blonde hair had this ruffled look, as if he had fallen asleep at his desk and hadn't bothered to brush his hair when he woke up. His glasses were always just a bit crooked, which gave Alessya the urge to just reach out and correct them. Cat and Allison constantly teased that Nolan liked her, but she always waved their "ooh"s and "aww"s away. Today, she was finally noticing him for everything he was.

The second he had snatched her into safety, he had snatched her heart. Sure, he wasn't "hot" or "sexy" but he was like her rock. He was keeping her from losing her head during this time of crazy.

Their steps were perfectly in sync, making a lulling rhythm on the sidewalk. As they walked, Alessya began to lose herself in thought.

Only a week ago, she had been joking around with Cat and Allison at their lunch table about the upcoming Spring Dance. Cat was obviously going with her boyfriend, Isaac who was holding her hand under the table, and she had picked the most beautiful dress to compliment her eyes. She and Alessya had teased Allison to ask Douglas to the Dance, despite the two's loud protests. They had gossiped about how Alister was finally winning Eve over, and how they heard Anders was planning on asking someone to go with him. He had only grinned a sheepish smile and kept quiet. School had been stressful, but on the normal levels of studying and difficult tests, not the ominous crap they were into now.

That car...Alessya couldn't stop thinking about that car. She could swear she had seen it before, but she couldn't place where. It was a shiny black, the windows were tinted slightly, and it looked very well taken care of, but this all meant nothing. Almost everyone she knew had a nice car, after they were a bunch of seventeen and eighteen year olds at one of the most prestigious schools in the nation. Money, brains, and beauty seemed to be the traits everyone had.

"Hey, we're in your neighborhood now," a voice broke through her daze.

Instantly, Alessya felt self-conscious. Why had she held Nolan's hand? She groaned internally. Her palms were all sweaty and gross, and she felt so disheveled and her hair was frizzy and—

"Which one is your house?" Nolan inquired.

"Oh- um, it's over here," Alessya stumbled awkwardly. Leave it to a boy to take her mind of her near-death. Emotions these days.

She turned to the left path and walked on until they reached her front door.

"See you ," Nolan chirped once Alessya had unlocked the door and let herself in.

"See you..." Alessya grabbed the air for things to say, but any witty comment was out of reach.

Nolan smiled and strode away whilst Alessya gawked at him wistfully. She wanted to invite him in, but of course, he probably had better things to do. All she could do was sigh in disappointment and longing.

*         *          *

The Next Day...

Alessya was extra careful on her way to school. She got her mom to drive her to school today by claiming she had to be there early for a project, not wanting to risk getting hit by car as she walked.

A feeling a dread was filling the pit in her empty stomach. The sixth sense of "Oh, crap" was clawing at her head. Something wasn't right. Something was going to happen. 

Something that wouldn't be good.