WILLA
I pushed the door of the bathroom open, stepping back into the corridor.
My hand deep inside my blazer's pocket as I tried to pull out my buzzing phone. I took two steps forward, half-focused on where I was going, and my face collided into a hard chest.
A gasp flew out of my lips, my eyes widened as the impact knocked me back a step.
My hand caught against his blazer to steady myself, catching my breath. I stayed holding onto the jacket for a brief second as if my life depended on it, until I heard him cough.
My cheeks burned in embarrassment. I pushed back immediately, the back of my head slamming into the wall behind me.
My brain didn't register the pain as I was more focused on the blazer now.
Yeah, it was the same deep charcoal grey as everyone else in the school. But the stitching along the edge of the lapel—wasn't silver like mine.
It was a deep crimson.
My breath caught as I lifted my gaze. Crimson eyes stared back at me.
His eyes were the most striking shade of red I had ever seen. Red irises were supposed to be impossible, but for him… they weren't.
Eric Callahan.
I didn't need the crest to confirm it. Verah had made sure I knew exactly who he was. Stay away from him.
Right. I should probably start running now. But for some reason, I didn't move. Or rather, I couldn't.
When I'd seen him earlier in the cafeteria, I hadn't gotten this close look of him. There was something annoyingly perfect about him, and the slight smirk tugging at his lips didn't help.
"Would you like to ask for an autograph after checking me out," he said, amusement flickering in his eyes. Then his smile shifted, into something more intense. "Or…"
He stepped closer, closing the distance between us until my back met the wall. "Are you here to ask me for a favour like the last time?"
"A… favour?" I echoed, even though I already knew what he meant.
The same stupid promise Lance had mentioned. My stomach turned at the thought.
Had Elyse really said things like that to Lance? Or were they all just used to getting whatever they wanted and now making up things?
"My house," he added casually. "After the party."
Disgust rose fast, sharp and immediate. I shoved a hand against his chest, forcing him back a step.
"What now, Maddox?" Eric tilted his head slightly, that half-smile still there. "You've fucked over five guys before. I'm sure Elliot doesn't give a fuck if we have something together."
The more he spoke, the clearer it became. Exactly why I needed to stay away from him.
Annoying idiot.
"Excuse me," I said, turning to leave.
His hand closed around my wrist, stopping me. He tugged, and I found myself instantly in his arms. He leaned in, pressing his nose against my neck and he sniffed.
What the hell was he doing?!
My eyes widened as his hands moved to the back of my neck, pulling my face closer to his until it felt like we were about to kiss.
My heart began to race. My tongue slipped out to wet my lips out of habit, and I shivered as his fingers traced my neck as though it were something fragile, like a flower he was trying to understand.
"Your scent…" he trailed off, frowning deeply.
What about it?
Eric pulled back, his eyes narrowing on my face. The corner of his lips twitched, but this time I couldn't tell if it was amusement or something else, because there was nothing remotely funny about this situation.
His gaze moved slowly down the length of my body, and instinctively, I glanced down at myself. My uniform wasn't revealing, even though I had removed my jacket earlier.
Still, it didn't matter.
The way he looked at me made it feel as though I were standing completely bare before him.
I wanted to turn and continue on my way. After making it clear that I had no interest in whatever twisted thoughts he had in mind, and I would never stoop that low.
Then he spoke again.
"You're kidding, right?" he said, his tone edged with irritation.
I realized he wasn't speaking to me. His gaze had shifted to something behind me.
I turned slightly. There was a statue.
A beautiful woman carved from pale stone that caught the light too easily. Her robe fell in soft, deliberate folds around her, and a crescent moon was etched behind her head like a halo. One arm was raised slightly, as if guiding something unseen, while the other rested at her side, relaxed.
For a moment, I thought she smiled at me. But when I blinked and looked again, she was only stone.
This woman… she was the goddess Selene.
Her image was everywhere in the school, in nearly every corner you turned, and I knew enough about Greek mythology to recognize her instantly.
Eric scoffed. I turned to look at him, noticing the way his nose wrinkled in distaste.
"She can't be the one," he said again, speaking as though I wasn't even standing in front of him.
He muttered something under his breath that I didn't quite catch.
Slightly irritated by his behavior, I opened my mouth to speak, but the shrill blare of an alarm cut through every word I had intended to say.
I blinked, looking around as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the building, followed closely by screams.
"What's going on?" I asked, confusion lacing my voice.
Eric grimaced, brushing a hand through his hair, barely reacting to the blaring alarm and the rising panic around us. If anything, it seemed more like an inconvenience to him.
"Fire, maybe," he said, already turning away.
"Fire, maybe?" I repeated, my eyes widening.
My heart began to pound so hard I could hear it in my ears. I focused on the alarm, and yes, it sounded exactly like a fire alarm.
In an instant, adrenaline surged through me.
Fight or flight.
I didn't hesitate. I chose. I ran for the exit.
But a hand clamped around my wrist, stopping me mid-stride and yanking me back. I wheezed as I collided hard into Eric's chest for the second time.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I cried, pushing against him. "Let me go!"
The alarm continued to blare around us, growing louder with each passing second.
"We need to leave!" I tried again, pushing harder against his chest.
Still, Eric didn't let go. His grip remained firm around my wrist.
His lips brushed against my ear, sending a sudden rush of heat through me. I flushed, gritting my teeth as the sensation from his touch invaded my senses once again.
Heat. And more of that damn heat.
You should hate him, Willa. What the fuck are you doing?!
"You still haven't answered me, Elyse," Eric murmured, his voice low. He paused briefly before continuing, "Or maybe I should make it easier for you."
His breath ghosted against my skin. "My room… or here, in the bathroom," he said quietly. "Just you and me."