I Think I Love You... But You Kind of Scare me (The Academy Series)

-16- I Think I Love You...

Okay guys! Just realised only three more chapters until I have to end this story! D: How sad, right?! Well if there are enough requests, there will be a sequel :3 But only when I finish Love Lies Bleeding. Just want to say that I have to say thank you so much to the people who originally fanned me at the start of Laurie's journey! I love you guys for supporting me at the start of my writing >.

xx erin

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On Friday after exchange class, I found myself waiting back after class. I needed a ball gown for the ball, and with Joe's borrowed money and a possible permission slip, a dress would soon be in my grasp.

Ezra looked up as I approached him and smiled, picking up a fountain pen from his desk.

"Thank you Professor, I needed to go down to the villiage to get my ball gown,"

"I guessed as much," he replied, finishing off his siganture with a flourish. I smiled, taking the paper and folding it neatly in half. "You know your Dad is in the castle tomorrow on business. Make sure he sees you."

"I will," I breathed, shocked by the thought of actually meeting Dad. I began to grind my teeth in anxiety about seeing the man that dared to abandon my mother. "Thank you Ezra,"

I began to walk towards the door before Ezra's voice wafted over and stopped me in my tracks.

"Oh and Laurie... save a dance for me, won't you?" amusement played in his voice. I smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry Professor, I will,"

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I saw Dad waiting at the gates to Madame Gloriana's on Saturday morning.

I was holding Jack's hand and listenning to him talk about how there might be snow on the climb back up the hill, so I'd probably have to buy a coat. I stopped listenning to him as soon as I saw Dad's dishevelled appearance and salmon complexion.

Just like in the photographs.

My heart leaped when he saw me. His face froze, as mine would have if I was he.

Suddenly, I forgot that he'd abandoned my mum. I forgot that he'd left us. I forgot that he'd never bothered even trying to love us. I forgot that he never got to see Ja'Mie because of his own selfishness. I forgot everything except the one soul fact that I was his daughter and he was my Dad.

I found myself running into his surprised arms, sobbing a little into his velvet coat that brushed against my nose.

I pulled away from the embrace to see his smiling face creased with a few wrinkles that didn't appear on the old photos.

"Laurie Banks-Henderson," he smiled, giving me another hug.

"Dad," I breathed, stunned by what I was experiencing. This was the first time I'd ever met dad, and my mind had gone completely blank. He let go, giving me a reassuring smile.

"I have some business here at the academy," he began, leaning against the gate and reaching into his coat pocket. He pulled out an expensive looking wallet and took out a Master Card. "But I'm in the understanding that there's a ball that's on tomorrow?"

I was stunned. I had only just met him and he was already handing over his Master Card. It was a little odd, like he instantly trusted me. I bit my lip.

"I can't..."

"You can, and you will," he reached into his coat pocket once more, picking out a piece of paper with 4 numbers on it. I guessed this was the pin code. "I'll be seeing you again quite soon Laurie,"

And with that he swept up the crowd of students. They parted as he walked straight up the middle, heading towards the academy. I felt Jack's hand clasp around mine once more and knew we should be moving on.

I slipping the card and the pin number into my pocket.

We walked down to the village and made our first stop at one of the gown shops. This first shop wasn't very lavish but it sure was expensive. I was surprised at the prices as we walked around the shop and Jack explained this was probably the most expensive store.

I didn't believe him, how could they get away with such stupid prices on such ugly clothes. Still, it seemed to be a fairly popular shop. We moved onto the next dress shop.

It was a lot better, the prices were lower, but the sizes were too big for me. I didn't bother looking around any more then I had to.

The last shop was amazing. The shop was well lit and had the most beautiful and amazingly unpricey dresses. I instantly fell in love with a white regal looking dress. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

It was strapless with a thick, silvery belt that ran along the middle with an ornate design on it. The material was silky and soft, and there was something mystical about it.

"I want this one," I breathed to Joe.

"You'd look beautiful in it," he admitted, looking down at me and giving my hand a squeeze.

I went to the counter and had a sale assistant help me get it down. I entered the dressing room, closing the door and stripping down to my undergarments. Putting on the dress and feeling it against my skin was like a dream.

I sighed in happiness.

I bought the dress, which was to be delivered to the dorms back at Madame G's. I sighed again, taking Jack's hand as he led me into other stores, showing me his favourite things and buying a few items too.

After about an hour of wandering around shopping, we stopped in a little French bistro and ordered some food. We talked about school and what teachers we liked and how we were getting along. I liked Jack, I could get along with him really well.

Finally, we paid the bill and got ready to walk back to the school. As I took Jack's hand once again, out of the corner of my eye I saw a fleeting figure. I turned, looking at the edge of the forest and staring.

"What is it?" asked Jack.

"Nothing..."

But I swear I had seen myself, slipping back into the dense trees.