𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Chapter 9: Want A Cigarette?

Aelin charged into the bathroom and looked at her reflection above the sink. She was still wearing the suit. She wasn't ready to be go back to the changing room and be bombarded with questions from Nehemia and Elide.

Her pale face was red and slick with sweat. Ripping off her gloves, she almost moaned when cool air met her hands. Aelin tied back her elbow-length blonde hair and turned on the tap.

Flowing water ran down and she splashed it on her face, she knew she was late to her next class anyway. Putting both hands on either side of the sink, she sighed and let the cool water drip down her neck.

What a wonderful start to a first day.

The door to the bathroom opened and Aelin was ready to let go all of her rage on the next person she saw, no matter who. Her stomach twisted and turned, like a swarm of ferocious bees were attacking her from the inside.

"Get out," Aelin growled, but she was so breathless, she cringed at how weak she must have sounded.

"I never got to introduce myself you know?" His voice was rough, and Aelin stared at the door just around the corner. Maybe, if she slipped past him fast enough— "I'm Rowan."

Her eyes whipped back to his emerald green pair and she licked her wet mouth and then bit it, he immediately looked down to her lips.

"Rowan," She hummed his name and his eyes shifted nervously, "Want a puff?"

He nodded, almost in relief, and walked towards her.

Grabbing a packet from her boot, she plucked out two and handed one to him.

Plopping it in her mouth she took her lighter and lit the end of both her and Rowans cigarettes before leaning against the white-tiled walls.

Aelin muttered through the stick in her mouth and blew out a puff of smoke, "Beginners luck."

Rowan raised his white eyebrows, "What was that?"

She rolled her eyes, "I said you won by pure luck." She stressed on the k.

"Your footwork was sloppy," He cooed and then coughed a bit of smoke out.

"Your footwork was sloppy!" She glared at him through the foggy air and took a step closer.

"Sore loser," He grinned, taking another step forwards, leaving the cigarette in between his two fingers pointed towards the floor.

"Arrogant snob," She sneered, following his footsteps until they were only a breath away from each other.

"Hot-head," He whispered and the smell of the cigars entered her nose.

"Bastard," She murmured softly. Their bodies were ever so lightly touching and she noticed how his gaze slide from her eyes to her mouth. She could feel his body radiating heat to her, it'd take one move and they'd kiss, just one.

He closed his eyes and leaned in.

Aelin smirked and slowly lifted her own cigarette to the ceiling.

3...2...1...

Rowan's eyes snapped open when he heard screams erupting from outside. Looking up he saw the emergency sprinklers spraying droplets of water, and they traveled down his shoulders and soaked his suit as well as Aelin's.

Her heart skipped a beat, and her veins pumped with adrenaline.

"Race ya," Aelin smirked and they both ran out of the bathroom, laughing and joining the crowd of panicking students who were bursting out of classrooms, dripping wet.