Beyond the surface Chapter 3

Alright.

I learned that my cousin, Aldric, is coming to visit." She said, laughing nervously. I frowned, slamming my locker shut in the process.

I clicked the lock into place, snapping the latch together." Aldric? A cousin? Since when do you have a cousin? I thought your parents had no siblings?" I asked. Logan looked away, playing with her keychain.

"Well...it turns out they do! And-um-he's coming to visit today?" "Your parents' sibling?""No! My...cousin!""...Okay." I drawled, collecting my books.

She usually didn't stutter when speaking, but thenagain, she had just been kissing her boyfriend.to the bottom of my locker to help me grab a couple of books that I needed andmy pencil case, her dark black skin brushing against my light brown shade. Logan's so beautiful, I thought.

With her blue eyes and dark skin, she could rival Barbie's beautyherself.

She looks way better than I do, anyway. Logan started to chatter before I could think of any description words for myself, eagerly layingout her plans with Drew and how they were going to pick out their wedding venue on Saturday. We walked to class together, giggling about her eagerness to get married and the dress shewould choose, when the best smell I've ever smelt hit me like a ton of hot bricks.

It was likefresh cookies and pine, a weird combination, but it smelled divine to my nose.

It reminded me of

a candle Mrs.

Cortes once had lit on her desk from one of her family members...maybe the brother she keptmentioning?"Uh... Raleigh? You okay girl?" Logan asked. I blinked, realizing I had blocked the doorway to English class when I had paused to get a bettersniff of smell, as if I had been caught under the summer mistletoe. I turned and smiled sheepishly to the kids behind me even though I knew they wouldn't sayanything to me.

Hustling to my seat, I leaned my cheek on my arm, gazing at the whiteboard infront of us.

Miss Lythis was late...again.

She was always late, yet Mrs.

Cortes had the patience of a saint, one of the other reasons I respected her. "Why did you stop in the doorway, Raleigh?" Logan asked, taking a seat beside me.

"Didsomething happen? Did you hurt yourself?"I flinched at the worry in her voice but shook my head.

"No, I'm fine, but do you smell that?"

Iasked.Logan's eyebrows drew together and she turned to the open window and took a deep whiff, herhead poised just like a wolf howling at the moon."...No.Describe what you smell." She questioned; her hopeful blue eyes turning to me. I frowned, tapping my chin and gazing at the whiteboard.

"Like, a sweet cookie and pine scent. It just makes me want to cuddle up against something warm...like my blanket or something.""Eh.

It was probably the cafeteria cooking that you smelled," Logan replied, brushing myquestions aside.

"We're opposite them on campus and it's Friday.

Cookie day."" Maybe..." I mumbled, dropping the dark chocolate color of my eyes to my arm, running over the pink incision over the joint between my elbow and arm.

The color of Logan's eyes reflectedonto my own, giving them an aura of blue. Damn reflection, I cursed inwardly, tearing my gaze from the memory of my weakness to thewhiteboard instead.The cursive script of the black marker caught my eye. DON'T FORGET! NOTEBOOK QUIZ TODAY!" Huh, I forgot about that," Logan murmured, her voice barely audible. Not the worst test in the world, I thought, leaning against the bar on my chair, reaching underneath my desk for my notebook.

The smooth books slipped under my fingertips as if I weretouching glass.

That made me frown.

Nothing poked my soft pads.

Nothing brought an iron scentto my nose. Panic rose in my chest."Damn it!" I cursed softly, so only Logan could hear.

I rummaged through my backpack, myheart beating frantically.

I shoved all my books to the back of my backpack, but my yellownotebook remained nowhere in my sight.

For a brief moment, I thought that I had forgotten it athome, but then, it hit me. I had been in such a rush to get to my locker, I had forgotten to zip up my backpack in Mrs. Cortes's office! I jumped out of my seat, startling Logan. "Raleigh? Where are you going?" She asked. I grabbed the hall pass from the ledge on the whiteboard and skidded to the door.

My legs trembled in warning as I ran, a caution for me to slow down or I'd fall, but I paid no heed to it, knowing that choice would cost me later. "I left my notebook in Mrs.

Cortes's office!" I called, my breaths already leaving me, making itharder to breathe. I slid into a quick-paced walk in the hallway, smiling and nodding briefly at the teachers andsafety officers walking past.

They nodded at me, their eyes glued to my wobbling legs, jerkilyswaying hips and bent arms like leeches.

It disgusted me. I smiled at Mrs.

Cortes's receptionist when I reached the main office and she smiled back at me, gesturing to the closed oak wood door. As I neared, I could hear hushed whispers and quiet cackles.

I bit my lip, debating whether Ishould knock or not.

Realizing I'd rather interrupt their conversation than getting an F, I steeledmyself and rapped my knuckles on the door. "Come in!" Mrs.

Cortes called, sounding as if she was trying hard not to laugh.

I licked mycracked, dehydrated lips, palms sweaty, and slowly creaked the door open.

I bent my headsheepishly as I entered."Sorry for bothering you, Mrs.

Cortes, but I think I left my notebook here?" I asked quietly.

Ilooked at the chairs by her desk, wondering what student had gotten in trouble this early in themorning.

When I was met with an empty chair, I took a risk and looked up, my eyes catching theimposing figure looming by her desk. Or rather, above her desk. It was the same guy from the picture, only now he looked much more intimidating and taller than before.

His golden eyes bored into me, and the sweet scent returned to my nose at full force. His pupils widened and his mouth parted slightly, turning to Mrs.

Cortes.She was grinningwickedly at the two of us. "Raleigh, I believe I have yet to introduce you," she said, looking very smug.

She gestured to theyoung man (who looked like a college student), whose eyes had glazed over for a moment, muscles contracting ever so slightly. Abruptly, he glanced at me just as I was assessing him.

"This is Lucien, my older brother. Lucien, this is Raleigh, the girl I've told you about over the phone.""Nice to meet you," I said politely, shuffling on my feet and hoping she would hurry theintroductions so that I could get back to class and finish my test. Lucien stared at me for a moment, as if debating why a teenager was talking to him.

Then hesmiled."Nice to meet you too," he said, his voice as warm as milk, yet had a sharp undercurrent of power. I watched him closely as his bright eyes ran over my petite frame, the irises darkening as he tookin the crippled girl in front of him.

I waited for the repulsed wave that would crash into my bodywhenever someone new met me, but instead, heat crept like molten lava through my veins and Ibit my lip.

My heart was pounding, struggling to catch up to the pace I had run in. Why does he keep looking at me? I thought irritably.

Can't he find something else to ogle at?" Here you go!" I jumped and Lucien chuckled as Mrs.

Cortes reappeared from below her desk, the notebookheld high.

I snatched it; my ears tipped pink. "Thank you!" I stammered, practically running out of the office.

His smile.

His laugh.

His darkeyes haunting my every step.

Suddenly, it was like his likeness spilled on me, soaking into mybody and unable to get out. I knew deep down in my heart this wouldn't be the last time I met Mrs.

Cortes's brother. And I knew he could never fall for a girl like me..