Chapter 6

"I'm kidding, Noelle. Just stay close, or else you'll end up getting sick and missing class." His words hit me hard. It was a joke. I was usually so light-hearted and rarely took anything personally. I needed to breathe, to recompose myself, and to save myself from any more embarrassment.

We entered the building, and he graciously released his hold on me. I was grateful for the protection against the rain, but I wanted to return home as soon as possible. Even the thought of sitting in his car made me feel sick.

"This way," he cut himself short.

I nodded and followed obediently after him, matching him step for step, afraid to say anything. I turned to see if there was anyone around, afraid to be seen with him. The last thing I needed was rumors to start circling, especially rumors with a professor.

"Come on." He instructed, making me turn my attention to his beautiful white car.

"This is your car?" The words left my lips before I could think.

He chuckled. "Yes. This is mine."

A beautiful white Lotus sat in front of me. How could a college professor afford such an expensive import? I was just so intrigued by the vehicle itself. As a little girl, I grew up close to my grandfather, who always worked on cars. My childhood days were spent beside him while he worked on an old Impala day and night.

"Safe to say that you like cars?"

I shook my head. "No—I mean, that's not it, I just really appreciate nice cars—my grandfather was into cars."

I didn't really know cars, I just knew what cars were expensive and where they came from. I could appreciate that much. Maybe if I had paid attention when my grandfather was working on them, I would have learned more.

"Well, I'm glad you like her. Now come on, get inside so we can get you home."

I bit my lip as he held the door open for me and gently closed it after I sat in the car. There was this lovely scent—minty and warm. I couldn't exactly describe it, but it smelled familiar, just like him. I closed my eyes and took a moment to compose myself.

"Here." My eyes flew open to Wyatt covering me with a blanket.

"A blanket?"

His voice sounded sweet as he laughed. "Yes. Remember, you adamantly stood in the pouring rain just a couple of minutes ago? At least you can keep warm. I forbid you from missing class this week."

"You have nothing to worry about, I'm not one to ever miss class," I muttered under my breath.

He started to pull out of the parking spot and whispered, "Good." Though I could still hear him, his voice was so soft that I figured he didn't want me to hear, so I kept quiet.

I was actually grateful for the soft fleece blanket, checkered and grey. It carried a clean laundry scent mixed with something earthy. He was thoughtful, at least it seemed so.

Being in the car with him was challenging, not only because I still felt awkward, but being around him made me feel flustered. His entire presence was heavy but calm. Sitting beside him was enough to send my entire nervous system into a frenzy. The strange ache in my chest from earlier had been replaced with something else. The fear I had felt transformed into something more, yet I felt safe beside him. Why?

I tried to snap myself out of it and recalled how much he pissed me off in the morning, but I couldn't hold it against him.

Our previous night's encounter probably drove him to annoy me during class. It must have been embarrassing for him, too, having a college girl smothering him while drunk. The thought made me flush again, so I instinctively placed my forehead on the window as I looked outside.

"Okay, so where do you live?" He broke my train of thought as we left the parking garage.

I pointed out the window to my right. "If you take Spruce Avenue down to the intersection, turn right onto Lavender Road. I'm on the right-hand side; I live pretty close."

"That's pretty lucky of you."

I turned away from the window and faced him. "You would think so. "

He drove slowly towards the intersection, keeping a distance between us and the car in front of us. I focused on the patter of rain on the roof of the car and tried to avoid looking at him.

"You said stop at the intersection and turn on Lavender Road?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yep."

"Where exactly is the intersection? We keep getting stop signs," he muttered.

I turned to look ahead. "It's hard to see through the rain, but there's like 3 stop signs, so you should be coming up-"

And there it was. The traffic light was the only thing that was visible through the rain.

"Are you not from around here?" I was curious as to how he didn't know where we were headed. Spruce Avenue took you straight into the heart of town and was always a main road that opened to the intersection.

He hesitated. "No. Not originally."

I wanted to press him for more information, but didn't want to be rude. So I asked something simple.

"Is this your first year teaching here?" I asked and felt myself turn to look at him.

He seemed surprised by me asking a question and turned to meet my gaze.

"Yes. It is." His tone was somewhat blunt, so I assumed he didn't want to share.

"Well, I hope you like it out here. The weather isn't usually so...ugly." I made a lame attempt at creating conversation.

He chuckled and said, "I'll make sure to carry an umbrella more often."

There was a comfortable silence for a moment before my phone started to vibrate.

"Hello?"

- Nelle! Where are you??

"I'm almost home. I had to get a ride. Have you not noticed it's storming like hell out?"

- Of course I did! Why do you think I'm calling you?

"Just be at the door waiting for me. I'll see you in a few."

I heard her sigh before hanging up, and I had to laugh to myself. Elise was terrified of thunder and lightning, which meant the real reason she called was that she didn't want to be home alone during a storm.

"Boyfriend?" Wyatt's question startled me.

I paused to catch my breath. " No... no..." I sighed. "That was Elise. She has your class with me."

His brow lifted, as if he still had something he wanted to ask, but instead, he nodded in comprehension and continued driving in silence.

"Is that your place right there?"

I nodded at the obvious Elise, standing at the door with the light on. Her neon pink Bunny robe stood out ridiculously loud, which helped us spot her through the rain.

"Here, let me at least walk you with the umbrella, it hasn't let up at all."

I waved my hand. "There's no need! You don't—" Before there was anything else I could say, he was already out of the car with his umbrella, walking over to my side, ready to open the door. He walked with grace and...urgency?

He reached for the door and opened it, holding the umbrella over us. He stretched his hand out, and as I went to politely grab it, I froze. For a split second, as I took his hand, I saw something else. My hand was drenched in blood. But then..it wasn't.

"Something wrong?" He asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

I allowed him to help me up, and I shook my head. "No, it's nothing."

I told myself it was nothing.

It's dark outside, and there are shadows; it was just a shadow.

I wanted to believe that it was—just a shadow.

I breathed deeply and regained my composure. I focused on Elise and the impending questions that awaited me.