Under His Skin

The next day, Simon sat astride his bike, exhaling a stream of smoke as his cigarette burned between his fingers. The leather of his jacket creaked as he shifted, leaning back against the seat, his gaze skimming over the campus without really seeing it. The usual sights and sounds—the early arrivals, the rumble of distant engines, the idle chatter—faded into the background. His mind was elsewhere, caught in a loop he couldn't break.

Stella.

The events of the previous night played over and over, vivid and unshakable. He could still feel the wind whipping through his hair as they sped through the dark streets, the growl of his engine echoing in the night. But more than that, he felt her—her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her body pressed against his back. There was an energy between them, a silent connection that lingered long after the ride had ended. He hadn't expected it to hit him like this, but every time he tried to shake the thought, it crept back in, stronger than before.

She wasn't like anyone else. The way she'd held on—firm, yet with a vulnerability he hadn't anticipated—stirred something in him he hadn't felt in years. He could still sense her hesitation, the way she gripped him as though she wanted to let go but couldn't. It wasn't just the thrill of the ride, nor the rush of speed and adrenaline. It was deeper, more unsettling. Her touch had left an imprint on him, one he couldn't easily dismiss.

Simon took another drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke curl around him as he exhaled slowly. His eyes narrowed, trying to make sense of the strange pull he felt. Stella wasn't just another girl, another fleeting distraction. There was something more there—something raw, magnetic, and entirely unexpected.

It unnerved him, this unfamiliar feeling creeping in, threatening to unbalance the carefully crafted detachment he lived by. But he couldn't deny it. She was under his skin now, and no matter how hard he tried to push her out of his thoughts, she stayed, stubbornly lingering in the corners of his mind.

Simon flicked the ash from his cigarette, a small smirk tugging at his lips. If he wasn't careful, this thing with Stella was going to turn into something far more dangerous than he was prepared for.

As the day unfolded, the atmosphere in the college shifted. One of the teachers had unexpectedly taken the day off, leaving the students buzzing with excitement over the sudden free period. Stella and her friends exchanged glances, the thrill of spontaneity lighting up their eyes. Without a second thought, they decided to head to the music room, a space where creativity flowed freely and laughter often echoed off the walls.

As they strolled down the corridor, Stella's gaze wandered. She caught sight of her friend Mallory through the window of a nearby classroom, her intense focus unmistakable as she listened to the lecture. 

"Stels! Come on!" called out Noami, breaking Stella's reverie. The playful urgency in her voice pulled Stella back to the moment.

"Coming," Stella replied, quickening her pace to catch up with her friends.

When they entered the music room, a sanctuary filled with instruments and the sweet scent of polished wood, the familiar buzz of creativity enveloped them. Milo, ever the musician, settled down with his guitar, fingers already dancing over the strings as he tuned it to perfection. Nora, with her graceful poise, took her place behind the piano, her fingers hovering eagerly over the keys.

Stella and Noami sat on the benches, watching as Milo strummed his guitar and Nora's voice filled the room, accompanied by the soft melody of the piano. The sound was captivating, almost otherworldly. Noami leaned toward Stella, her voice barely a whisper.

"I swear, her voice feels… hypnotic," Noami murmured, her brows furrowing as she listened more intently.

Stella turned to her, slightly startled by her choice of words. Hypnotic? The thought made Stella's stomach churn. Why would she feel that way? She shook off the feeling and forced a smile. "Yeah… it's definitely mesmerizing," Stella said, though deep down, she didn't feel the same. Maybe Noami was just exaggerating—at least that's what Stella tried to convince herself.

As the final notes of the song trailed off into silence, the room burst into applause. Noami and Stella clapped along with the others, watching as Milo and Nora exchanged satisfied smiles.

"That was amazing," Stella complimented, and Noami nodded in agreement.

"Thanks, guys," Nora responded cheerfully, and Milo walked towards them. "We're heading to the cafeteria—wanna join us?" he asked, flashing his usual charming grin.

Stella hesitated, glancing at her watch. "Uh, I actually have some work to do. I'll catch up with you guys later," she said hastily, standing up from the bench.

"Work? On a Friday afternoon?" Noami raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.

"Yeah… just something urgent. I'll be back in half an hour," Stella replied quickly before walking off, ignoring Noami's puzzled expression.

She hurried through the campus, her mind fixated on something else entirely. Reaching the rooftop, she let out a sigh of relief. It was the only place where she could make this call without anyone overhearing. Stella pulled her phone from her sling bag and dialed a familiar number.

The line rang twice before a gruff male voice answered. "Yeah?"

"Is there any way I can get access to the market?" Stella asked in a hushed tone, glancing around to make sure she was still alone.

"The Black Market?" the voice on the other end clarified, his tone sharp.

"Yes. I need access to it." Her heart pounded slightly. She had been curious about the Black Market for a while now — the place where anything related to supernatural creatures was traded and sold. If she could get in, it would give her a clear lead to the supernatural secrets that surrounded her.

There was a brief pause before the man spoke again. "I'll send you a link. Use it wisely," he said curtly before hanging up. Typical. He never spoke more than necessary.

Stella stared at her phone for a moment, exhaling deeply. This was it. The game was about to begin. She put her phone back in her bag, leaned against the chair, and let the sunlight hit her face. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax. The breeze was light, the campus unusually quiet, and without thinking, she started singing softly.

Her voice, melodious and haunting, floated through the air. It was something she never did in public, but here, in solitude, it felt natural. After all, mermaids were known to have the most captivating voices in the world.

Lost in the moment, Stella didn't notice someone approaching until a subtle shift in the air caught her attention. She turned—and froze.

Simon stood at the entrance of the rooftop, leaning casually against the frame, his posture relaxed but his presence intense. His dark hair fell effortlessly over his forehead, and his piercing eyes locked onto her as if he had been watching for a while.

Stella's heart lurched. How long had he been standing there?

"Didn't know you could sing like that," Simon finally spoke, his voice low and rough. There was a hint of something—admiration or curiosity—laced in his tone that sent a chill down her spine.

Stella swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "I-I was just… passing time."

Simon pushed off the doorframe and took slow, calculated steps toward her. "That was more than just passing time, little fish," he murmured, his nickname for her slipping off his tongue so effortlessly that it made her stomach flutter. "You've got a voice that could silence storms."

Stella blinked, unsure of how to respond. Was he complimenting her or was this another one of his subtle, intimidating games?

"Maybe you should sing for the whole campus sometime," Simon suggested, a sly glint in his eyes. "I'd definitely pay to see that."

Stella let out a nervous laugh, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, right. I'm not that brave."

Simon didn't look convinced. He stepped closer, invading her personal space in the most unsettling yet intoxicating way. "I think you are," he said softly, his voice now a mere whisper. His gaze dropped to her lips for the briefest moment before returning to her eyes. "You just don't know it yet."

Stella's throat dried. She felt the pull of his gaze like gravity. Why does he always do this?

Her heart hammered. She needed to get out of there before she lost control of herself. "I-I have to leave," she stammered, grabbing her bag and rushing toward the exit, avoiding his burning gaze.

"See you around, little fish," Simon called after her, his voice dripping with something dark and possessive.

Milo and Stella were huddled in a corner of the library, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes for their upcoming exams. The musty scent of old paper and the soft rustle of pages filled the air, creating a cozy bubble of focus, but Stella was struggling to find her rhythm.

Milo adjusted his glasses and looked up from his notes, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Nora was asking for you to do her makeup for the play, you know," he said, his tone casual but with an edge of teasing.

"And I said I would do it," Stella replied, popping another lollipop into her mouth, the sugary sweetness offering a brief escape from the reality of her looming tests. She leaned back in her chair and sighed dramatically, tossing her textbook onto her face as if it were a heavy weight she couldn't bear. "At this rate, I'm going to fail. Just looking at those numbers makes me want to die."

Milo chuckled, the sound light and airy against the otherwise silent backdrop of the library. "Come on, Stella, it's not that bad. You just need a good tutor."

Stella raised an eyebrow, pulling the book down to meet his gaze, her bright green eyes glimmering with a mix of hope and frustration. "Why don't you be my tutor? You always top our class," she suggested, her voice laced with a playful challenge.

"Nah! I can understand but I cannot explain, you know," he replied, shaking his head with a grin. "I'd just end up confusing you more. It's a gift."

"Great, so I'm doomed," Stella said, rolling her eyes before leaning forward, propping her chin on her hand as she stared at the textbook in front of her. The numbers swirled together, a chaotic mess that seemed to mock her attempts at comprehension. "Why do we even need this stuff? I'm pretty sure I'll never need to calculate the angle of a triangle when I'm doing Nora's makeup."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up," Milo said, leaning closer, his voice softer now. "You're one of the most talented people I know. You'll get through this. Maybe just take it one section at a time?"

"Easier said than done," Stella mumbled, her eyes darting across the pages, trying to make sense of the equations. "It feels like everyone else is getting it but me. I swear, I can feel the numbers laughing at me."

"Maybe they're just jealous of your singing," Milo joked, nudging her playfully. "I mean, who can blame them? You have a voice that could charm the scales off a fish!"

Stella couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing just a bit. "That's true. If I had a nickel for every time someone said my voice was magical, I'd have enough to pay for a tutor."

"I will look for any simple books in this chapter," Stella said, her eyes brightening with determination as she made her way toward the towering shelves of the massive college library.

As she wandered through the labyrinth of books, she found herself lost in the enchanting atmosphere, each tome holding a world of knowledge waiting to be discovered. Mindlessly, she picked up various titles that caught her eye—colorful spines, intriguing covers, and familiar authors—but her attention soon turned to a particularly alluring book perched high on a shelf.

Curiosity piqued, she stretched her arm as far as it would go, but being shorter than most, it was a futile effort. With a determined huff, she jumped, reaching for the book. Just as her fingertips grazed the cover, a hand loomed over hers, surprising her. She spun around to find Simon standing right behind her, his presence both intimidating and magnetic as he plucked the book from the shelf effortlessly.