BURNING RED

Chapter 11

HANDSHAKE

Suddenly I felt weird when we stepped inside the grade nine building.

I looked around curiously and saw students standing along the long corridor chatting.

They stopped when they saw the man beside me and gave way to us.

He was like a walking angel with a tote bag on his shoulder. He insisted on holding it for me. So now, my guts were twisting because of that.

I shouldn't have let Bryce carry my bag. We looked like a couple or something.

I stopped walking and tried to get my bag from him. Bryce just looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.

I pursed my lips and shook my head. But instead of giving it back to me, he grabbed my wrist to stop me then clasped our hands together. I heard murmurs around us.

I stared at some group of girls who were looking at us with curiosity, when they turned their attention on me, I saw their horrified faces. Like they've seen a ghost. I looked up at Bryce when he tugged me to the second floor.

l slowed down when we passed by the group of pretty girls. They were looking at our clasped hands so I pulled it out of his grasp. Bryce didn't let me go and instead squeezed it.

I felt uncomfortable with their stares. I thought of how they've treated me back when I helped Bryce with his injury ten months ago. I couldn't help but feel nervous while looking at them. Would they bully me because I was close to Bryce?

We stopped at the last room and Bryce pulled me inside. No one was in the room except us two.

I glanced nervously at the window. To check if anyone was watching us, luckily no one was around. Bryce held my cheek to make me look at his eyes.

"Are you nervous? Don't worry they're good."he gently asked.

"I'm fine Bryce." I breathed out. Still thinking how to redeem myself.

He looked at me intently then nodded. He doesn't looked convinced. I tore my eyes away from him and checked my homeroom.

My nervousness got replaced by excitement.

One step further.

Further from the life I lived before.

I felt ecstatic. Too excited. I felt like I got another achievement that I worked really hard. And I promised to myself that I would enjoy every moment I have here.

I walked to the tables and chairs on the first row.

I never experienced going to school because I had been homeschooled ever since.

I never interacted with any girls my age, except for my 'friends' who'd attended my big parties but never treated me as one. My mother only allowed me to interact with rich families but I never felt they were sincere and wanted to be my friend.

Now, my fate would be in my own hand. I chased Bryce because he gave me the feels I never had before. But maybe if I have more people to interact with me, I would get the same feels he was giving me. And from that, I could let him go and do my own thing without bothering him. Right. I didn't want to be called clingy and obsessive girl.

I grinned at him when I turned to see his gorgeous face. To let him know that I was fine and he doesn't need to worry about me.

His face was so serious and intent.

I pouted and skipped towards him. I held his veiny arm and squeezed it. This morning he was wearing his coat.. He really was gorgeous in everything he wears.