I Hardly Needed Saving

The First Day and a New Distraction

I walk into my first class of the day—sophomore year in college. There are always new students, always new friends to be made. I spot one of my friends and take the seat beside them, chatting for a few minutes as we wait for everyone else to wander in.

By the time we notice, all the desks are taken... except one.

The teacher walks in, plastering a happy FAKE smile across his face. Ugh, I can already tell he's going to be evil.

"Alright, everyone," he says, clapping his hands like we're children, "I'm assigning seats this year."

Great. I was hoping to sit near my friends, but nope—I get shoved to the back row. Back to the wall, end of the row, isolated. An empty desk in front of me, and two weird nerds on either side. Kill me.

Halfway through class, we're told to introduce ourselves. I hate the first day of school.

"State your name, birthday, and your favorite hobby."

The teacher scans the room. "Okay, Seth. Seth... nowhere to be seen. Absent. Now, Lyla..."

I stand up, arms crossed, annoyed expression in full force as everyone turns to stare. I hate this—hate being the center of attention.

Just then, I notice a guy outside the classroom door, staring right at me. Dark, flat hair that brushes the middle of his forehead, a white t-shirt stretched over muscular arms covered in tattoos. He's just standing there like he owns the place.

The teacher opens the door. "Are you Seth?"

"Do I look like a Seth?"

"Don't be smart. Just answer the question."

"So, if I act stupid, I pass?"

"What?"

"Haha—guess that's a yes."

He shoulders past the teacher, walking straight toward the only empty desk—the one right in front of me. I'm still standing, watching him approach. Green eyes. Light skin. Muscles. Tattoos. Oh my god, he's sexy. He smiles at me and winks.

"Well, I guess it's my turn now, isn't it, Lyla?"

White, sharp, sexy teeth. I bite my bottom lip—shit! Everyone's probably staring at me! He grabs my hand, giving it a slow, firm shake.

"My name's Seth."

"Lyla," I say, trying not to melt. He gestures for me to sit down, and I do, flustered.

He turns to the front of the class. "Name, birthday, hobby, right? I'm Seth. December 17th. I draw, tattoo, and make music."

His cocky attitude is sexy as hell.

"Okay, Lylaaaa..." My name slides off his tongue like butter.

The bell rings—thank God. I exhale in relief. Seth turns around, winks at me again, biting his bottom lip before striding out the door. Gone.

I grab my stuff and follow. Outside, my boyfriend Eddie is waiting.

"Any day now."

"Sorry, babe. I'm stuck in the back row—takes forever to get out."

Eddie grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers like he's marking his territory. I hate when he does that. Then I see Seth walking toward us, and Eddie tenses up. Shit.

"You could at least say thank you after I saved you in class, Lyla," Seth says, smirking.

"I hardly needed saving," I reply, smiling despite myself. He's so damn hot.