Dinner.

Bailey

It's the end of class and I linger back until the last student leaves before making my way to Mr Matthews "Good lecture today."

"Thank you, Miss Harper."

I hold out his car keys for him "I brought your car back safe and sound"

His lips twitch as he takes the keys from me "Thank you."

"Welcome." I smile and head to the door

"Bailey." He calls out for me and I pause to glance at him, he makes his way over to me and I have to crane my neck as he towers over me "Can I take you somewhere tonight?"

I blink about a thousand times "Where?"

"Just this cool spot that I think you would like."

Oh.

I clear my throat "I can't tonight. I have dinner plans with my roommates and the parents."

"So after dinner." My heart starts pounding when he reaches a hand up and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear "I really want to spend time with you outside of campus, Bailey."

I swallow and say softly "I would like that too."

He hums "The barrier will be down for the weekend so it won't be a problem for you to sneak out." I nod and he says "Meet me at the Trinity statue at 10 tonight."

I smile "I'll be there."

I watch in absolute fascination as he brings my hand to his mouth and gently presses his lips to my knuckles "I'll see you later, Miss Harper."

"Yes you will, Mr Matthews."

I walk out not being able to hide the big ass smile on my face, feeling so giddy but also a bit nervous. I know deep down that if anyone were to find out then it'll cause chaos but I can't bring myself to care about that right now.

Dinner is beyond awkward. Marcus brought Eden, the girl I usually see him with who also happens to be the girl Liliana beat up at the party in the woods. Liliana and Marcus has been quiet ever since they sat down, which is normal for Marcus but for Liliana? Not at all. Tyler and I try talking to all the parents so the whole table doesn't sit in tense silence but it's not working because Marcus' mother looks between us and asks "Are you guys not a fan of Eden?"

Liliana scoffs under her breath and I jab her with my elbow, she sends me a glare and I shake my head before saying "We haven't had the time to get to know her but we don't have anything against her. All we know is that she's Marcus' girlfriend"

"Not my girlfriend." Marcus all but growls out and I raise my hands in surrender.

Tyler lets out a sound of amusement "Sure she isn't."

His mother says "Eden is Aurora's sister and Marcus kind of just took her under his wing after-"

"Mother!" Marcus snaps and she immediately shuts up. The entire table suddenly goes quiet not knowing what to say

Liliana clears her throat before standing up "Excuse me for a moment."

She walks to the restroom and I glance to Tyler with a questioning look but he just shrugs, my eyes dart to Marcus who's watching her walking away with a clenched jaw.

"I'll go with her" Liliana's mom says and she follows her daughter.

Aunt Lisa leans closer to me and whispering "Seems like your roommates have some history. Perhaps chemistry too."

I shush her because I know Marcus can hear her, it's not long before Liliana and her mother comes back and I see her looking slightly better. "Sorry about that."

She takes her seat next to me again and goes back to eating her food like absolutely nothing happened. I glance at everyone to see the same dumbfounded look on their face, I lean closer to her "Are you okay?"

"Mm-hmm" she nods "The best." I stare at her for a moment but she doesn't pay me any mind as she says "Did I tell you guys that Tyler installed a swing in my room?"

Tyler's dad raises an eyebrow "Did he now?"

"He did and all because I told him I have never been on one" she says happily and I smile to myself, Liliana only mentioned it in passing that she hasn't been on one in her entire life and Tyler decided to make her one.

The parents swoon over that and I laugh as I see the proud grin on his face, without warning Marcus stands up and his chair scraps against the tiles "Dinner was lovely but we should get going."

I frown and open my mouth to tell him it's still too early but my aunt says "No problem, Marcus. You and your family have a good night further."

He nods and we all bid them goodnight before going back to eating and I can't help but feel like I'm missing something between Marcus and Liliana.

"Well that was definitely something." Aunt Lisa says as we walk from the restaurant

"I know" I sigh

"Do you want to come to my hotel room? We could have some tea and gossip" she nudges her shoulder against mine "Or perhaps wine and gossip"

I huff out a laugh "Tempting but I think I'm going back to campus"

To meet Eli.

"Okay, well this is me." She gestures to the hotel "You stay out of trouble yeah?"

I mock salute "Got it."

She rolls her eyes with a small smile "Goodnight"

"Goodnight" I wave and wait until she's inside before walking the rest of the way back to campus.

22:00 on the dot, I'm standing by the statue and I see Eli's car pull up and I get into the passenger seat "Hey you"

"Hey. You ready?"

I nod with a giddy smile "I am."

He gives me a once-over before driving away and we drive for about an hour as we talk about nothing in particular before he stops in the middle of nowhere. I glance around in confusion "Where are we?"

"You'll see in a minute." He gets out and opens the car door for me before leading me through the forest with his flashlight on.

I ask in amusement "Are you going to sacrifice me for a ritual?"

He chuckles "Not at all. We're almost there though."

We continue walking and I hear the faint sound of water before he stops and moves out of the way for me to see past his large body. My mouth falls open in awe as I see the medium-sized waterfall, the moon shining down on it making it so beautiful "I love it."

"I knew you would." He says from next to me and I glance at him to see his eyes already on me.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Well this is what I call my thinking spot." He takes a deep breath before letting it out again "Whenever I feel like I need time away from Trinity then I just come here to clear my head." He nods to me "I want this to be your thinking spot too. It's a secluded place away from everyone for you to practice your spells or rituals when you control of your magic"

My whole body softens at his thoughtfulness and I say with a small laugh "That's so sweet of you, Eli but I can't exactly leave campus whenever I feel like it."

"You can. You can lend my car and I'll even borrow you my necklace to escape the barrier unnoticed." I blink about a thousand times not knowing what to say and he steps closer to me "Say it again."

"What?" I ask softly as I stare up at him.

He licks his lips "My name."

I tilt my head "Eli, I appreciate this. Thank you"

"You're welcome."

We stay like that for a moment, standing close as we stare into each other's eyes and I want nothing more than to kiss him but then I get the painful reminder of him pulling his head away the last time I tried it. So instead I take a step back and ask "Is it safe to swim in the water?"

He raises an eyebrow "It is."

"Good." I stare at him as I take my top off.

His jaw clenches "What are you doing?"

"Going for a swim" I take off my shoes then my pants and I walk over to the water before glancing at him over my shoulder to see his darkened eyes watching me intently "Are you coming?"

He doesn't say anything and instead just starts taking off clothes all the while staring me dead in the eyes. I bite my bottom lip and I don't even try to hide the fact that I'm checking him out, I'm threading on dangerous territory right now and I don't think I ever want to leave.