Adrian

Chapter 25: The Next Day Should Have Been Normal

(Adrian's POV )

The next day should have been normal.

It should have been like any other day—same classroom, same boring teachers, same people.

But it wasn't.

Because the moment I walked into school, the moment my eyes found her—

I knew.

I wasn't over last night.

Not even close.

—

Amber sat at her desk, pretending I didn't exist.

Again.

Her head was bent slightly, flipping through her notebook like she was actually focused.

Like she wasn't still thinking about what happened.

Like she hadn't stood in front of me last night, breath hitching, eyes burning, heart racing when I told her to get in my car.

She thought she won by walking away.

She thought she had the upper hand.

She was wrong.

—

I smirked, sliding into my seat beside her.

She didn't look up.

Didn't even acknowledge me.

Cute.

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

She stiffened.

Just for a second.

But I caught it.

I always did.

—

She sighed heavily, still not looking at me. "We're not doing this today."

I raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

Amber finally turned toward me, eyes narrowed. "Whatever this is."

I smirked. "You mean the part where I talk and you pretend not to like it?"

She scowled. "You are the most—"

"Charming? Handsome? Impossible to ignore?"

Her jaw clenched. "Annoying."

I laughed. "That too."

—

Class started.

Amber ignored me.

Or at least, she tried.

She kept her head down, tapping her pencil against her notebook, pretending to take notes.

But I could feel it.

The tension.

The way her shoulders were too stiff.

The way her pulse jumped whenever I moved even slightly beside her.

She could lie to herself all she wanted.

But I knew the truth.

—

Then, it happened.

The moment that ruined my patience.

Damien.

The bastard walked into class late, like he didn't care.

Like he hadn't spent the last few days getting under my skin.

And worse?

He smirked the moment his red eyes landed on Amber.

I clenched my fists.

I told him to stay away from her.

But of course, Damien Vale never listened.

—

"Morning, Amber," Damien said, sliding into the seat on her other side.

Amber looked up, surprised.

"Oh. Hey," she said.

She smiled.

And that was the moment I decided I hated him.

—

"You look nice today," Damien mused.

Amber blinked. "Uh… thanks?"

He smirked. "I was thinking—since you and I didn't get to finish our conversation yesterday—"

I snapped my pencil in half.

—

Amber turned to me, startled.

Damien just grinned.

Like he had been waiting for this.

Like he wanted to see how far he could push me.

I exhaled sharply, forcing my voice to stay calm. "New seating arrangement?"

Damien shrugged. "What can I say? I like good company."

Amber rolled her eyes. "It's not that deep, Adrian."

I smirked, tilting my head. "Oh? And here I thought you liked sitting next to me."

She scowled. "I don't."

Damien chuckled. "Seems like she's warming up to me instead."

I turned to him slowly. "No, she's not."

Amber sighed. "Both of you—stop. It's too early for this."

I ignored her.

Because Damien wasn't just testing me anymore.

He was enjoying this.

And I was done playing nice.

—

Class continued.

I didn't listen.

Didn't take notes.

Because Damien was still talking to Amber.

He leaned in too close. He made jokes that made her laugh. He acted like he had every right to be next to her.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my temper down.

I couldn't lose control.

Not here.

Not now.

So I waited.

Waited until class ended.

Waited until Amber packed her things, completely unaware of what was coming.

Then—just as she stood up—

I grabbed her wrist.

She stiffened.

Damien raised an eyebrow.

I didn't look at him.

Didn't acknowledge him.

Because this wasn't about him anymore.

This was about her.

I exhaled slowly.

"We need to talk."

Amber blinked. "Now?"

"Now."

She sighed. "Adrian, I—"

"Five minutes," I murmured. "That's all I'm asking for, sweetheart."

Her lips parted slightly.

Because she knew.

Knew I never asked for things.

Never said please.

And now?

I was.

Because I was running out of patience.

Because she was slipping away.

And I wasn't letting that happen.

—

Damien leaned back against his chair, smirking. "Careful, Blackwood. You sound desperate."

I finally looked at him.

Smiled.

Amber groaned. "Oh my god, I hate both of you."

I chuckled. "You love me, sweetheart."

She shoved me.

But she didn't pull away.

And that?

That was all the proof I needed..

__