My Fiance

Thirteen

I sunk into my seat, trying to dig deep into my brain. Was James in Mrs. Espino's English class?? I ask myself in a panic. "Oh god. Please." I say sinking deeper into my seat. "This is Rowena Chao, Theo Aguilar, and wasn't there one more?" My professor asked as she looked out the door. He steps through the door with his hands buried into his hair, looking shyly at my professor. "Ah... Mr. Reid?" She asks looking down at a piece of paper. James looked at me and back at my teacher, "Yeah that's me."

Chatter began throughout the room. A loud grunt caused the chattering to quiet down. "Is there a problem Mr. Aquino?" My professor asked. I turned my head to look where he was sitting. His eyes were already on me, "Nothing Prof. Mercado." Eli replied sarcastically. Some of the basketball team who sat beside Eli looked at me and shook their heads in disappointment. "Okay then. Since this is a lecture hall, find yourselves seats and class will proceed." Prof. Mercado said to the new additions to our class. James cautiously walked up to me, and of course I moved my bag to empty the seat beside me. "Sorry." He said taking the seat beside me.

Murmuring began once again. I could already imagine the gossip people were saying about me. NADINE! Get yourself together! Their opinions mean nothing, I say to myself. James took my hand under the table and we stayed like that. "Does anyone know that you're THE daughter of Lustre Industries?" James asked in a whisper during class. "No one really made the connection... I've never actually announced it either. I just say it's a coincidence. Now shush." I say trying to focus on the lecture. "You're amazing you know that?" He said sneaking a kiss on my lips. I blush embarrassed by James's actions. A loud bang caused me to flinch. "IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG?" My prof. barked in anger. "I'm out of here." Eli said bitterly. "Come on bro, class is almost over." Jason, one of the closest people on the team to me, said to Eli.

"No. Fuck this." Eli grunted, grabbing his things. "Mr. Aquino! What do you think you're doing?!" Prof. Mercado asked flabbergasted. Eli looked at Prof. Mercado apologetically but he still walked out of the room. I gave James's hand a squeeze and got up from my seat. "You too Ms. Lustre? Are relationship problems more important than your future?" Prof. asked looking at me with an arched eyebrow. "I'm sorry." I say, directing it more toward James than my Professor. James looked at me with a mixture of anger and sadness. He said nothing, and moved to allow me to leave the room.

I run down the hallway, seeing Eli's back. "Hey..." I call out, now sprinting. When I turn the corner, I fall on my butt. "Sorry." I say looking up at Eli. His expression seemed surprised but that didn't stop his anger. "What?" He asked rolling his eyes. "Don't do this Eli. Don't fail this class just because of me." I said getting up from the floor. He let out a sarcastic laugh, "You're not that great you know that? Stop acting like you care. I didn't leave the room because of you. That class was boring, that's it." He said, refusing to make eye contact with me. This was the Eli I remember... I think as a pang of guilt fills my heart. I could feel him crumbling; he was still sweet and sensitive. "Eli, I don't know how to express how sorry I am." I say placing my hand on his arm. "Look..." He said looking at my hand on his arm, then at my face.

For the first time I see the Eli that I had fallen for. "You know I still love you Nadz... I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to get physical with you. I just couldn't stand seeing that James kid take you away from right under me." He apologized, cupping my face in his hands. Before I could say anything, he kissed me. His lips felt desperate and hungry as he placed a hand on the small of my back. James, I thought instantly. I push Eli away from me. His eyes looked as though he was in the brink of tears. "I... I love you. You know that." Eli said slinging his bag over his shoulder before walking away from me. He left me in the halls alone as it hit 12 pm, and the classes began to end. Before I knew it, the halls were beginning to fill with bodies, but all I saw was Eli's back as he continued to disappear.

I sit in James's car as he drove. "Nadine!" James yelled hitting the brakes causing the car to jerk forward. "What the hell?!" I gasped in shock and anger. "What are you thinking about?" He asked. "No better yet. WHO are you thinking about??!" He corrected himself.

(Sorry for the LONG time off guys. Leave feedback about the story please? It helps with the writing process! Thanks guys. SORRY AGAIN!)