Chapter 11: Ally Or Enemy?

IVY

The arm around her shoulder was heavy, and sent goosebumps down her skin. She turned to look at the man who had invaded her personal space in what felt like an instant. He was tall, but his chin dipped down to meet her gaze. A smirk was plastered on his lips, with his dark black hair falling in front of cold, brown eyes. Ivy grimaced at the sight of Hyun. He touched her like they were friends, spoke as if she'd enjoy the condescending nickname of 'princess'. She tightly grit her teeth. Was it her presence that just screamed pushover?

Under his gaze, it felt like she was being looked down on. Ivy hated it.

"Get off of me," She finally huffed, shrugging the arm off her shoulder.

"Ouch," Hyun dryly said, raising a single brow. He clicked his tongue before shifting his gaze back to the storage closet. James and Francis visibly jumped, while Cilian stood firm, his eyes never leaving Hyun's.

Ivy could sense the tension from where she stood. She looked away while swallowing thickly.

"Get lost already," Hyun said, flicking his head to the side. "You're an eyesore." James was the first to dart out the room, breezing past Hyun with a quick nod. Francis winced while slowly standing up, clasping both hands over his nether regions. She shot Ivy a fiery glare before limping past Hyun. Ivy returned the look with a glare of her own. It wasn't like she wanted to hit him.

Huffing, she looked back at Cilian who remained where he stood for a moment longer, before slowly brushing past Hyun.

"Jeez," Ivy stepped forward and grabbed Cilian's wrist, yanking him out the door frame. "Let's go already!" She whisper-yelled, ignoring the male's resistance.

"Where are you going, princess? I didn't say you could leave just yet."

Ivy stopped in her tracks, forcing herself to hold back the choice words that dared to leave her lips.

"I didn't know I needed your permission." She let go of Cilian and slowly turned to see Hyun standing there with an annoying smirk, his arms folded over her chest. "Feisty. I like that, ya know." He took slow steps towards her, and Ivy felt her shoulders slightly hunch. Hyun was intimidating, to say the least. His frame was huge, and he stood just an inch or two taller than Cilian. Images of Hyun mercilessly kicking that student flashed in her mind, causing her to shudder. He was someone she needed to be cautious of. That look in his eyes was enough to remind her.

"Ya know princess-"

"Stop calling me that."

Hyun paused, blinking til a deep chuckle escaped his lips.

Suddenly, a figure blocked Ivy's vision. It was Cilian, standing in Hyun's way.

"Oh?" He cocked his head to the side while shoving his hands in his pants pockets.

"Move. You're in the way."

"No."

Ivy silently blinked, her feet frozen in place.

Hyun moved closer to Cilian, only stopping when they were inches apart. Hyun kept his head high while looking down at him.

"You trying to act big by protecting your girlfriend or something?"

"Yeah. So back off." The words rolled off Cilian's lips with ease, like a simple truth that required little thought. How could he say something so casually? Ivy felt a rush of heat go straight to her cheeks. She turned away with a cough, trying to conceal her shock.

"Wait- I know you, don't I?" Hyun said.

Ivy perked up from this and looked over to see Cilian instantly duck his head down, hands curling into fists at his side.

"No."

He turned his back on Hyun and grabbed Ivy's wrist, pulling her down the path back to the indoor classes. "Hey! What are you doing?" All she could see was Cilian's back tense, his muscles pressing against the white shirt.

Ivy then looked over her shoulder, seeing Hyun remain standing there. His eyebrows were furrowed and eyes slightly squinted. Ivy quickly returned her gaze forward. Questions floated around in her mind, but she decided to hold them back for now. But, she'd get those answers soon enough.