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“Tonight,” he agrees with a nod, his smile tight. I give him a polite smile and step out of his grip. I focus on my footsteps as I walk out the door, making sure to keep my gaze straight ahead. My guilt forces my footsteps onwards, despite the ache in my chest.
Tonight. I would deal with it tonight. Meaning I get to agonize over it all day, oh joy.
I walk forward numbly, barely taking in my surroundings when a dark figure pulls my consciousness forward. I come to an abrupt halt, my breath stuttering in my chest. The cold chill of fear sweeping over me.
Please, oh please, let this not be another fucking demon. I whip my head around to the figure, just in time to see a leather-clad hulking form peel from his position leaning against the wall. I clutch my chest, and heave in a breath of relief, seeing Maximus striding towards me.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? You almost gave me a heart attack!” I cross my arms over my chest. I swear I almost see concern flit through his gaze before he schools his face into a sneer.
“Stop being dramatic.” The sound rumbles from his chest, and he crosses his arms, surely mocking me. Yet, my gaze can’t help but be drawn to how the movement makes his forearms and biceps bulge.
I shoot him a look, I hope is full of disdain, before turning on my heel and stomping my feet like a toddler as I walk away. The sound echoing off the now empty halls. My irritation only grows when I hear his footsteps following behind me, just as loud as mine. I grit my teeth, turning back to face him. My move is so abrupt, he struggles to pull himself to a stop, almost smacking right into me.
“Is there a reason why you’re following me?” I ask snidely, copying his signature sneer. He frowns at me as though the answer should be obvious.
“Trust me, princess, this is the last thing I would want to waste my time on. I—unfortunately—drew the short straw since none of the others want to deal with you. Now I’m stuck babysitting you, and your annoying friends for the rest of the day,” he grumbles.
I try to force a sneer on my lips to no avail. His words cut me to my core. None of the others wanted to look out for me today. My heart plummets in my chest at the realization that all of them think of me as a chore.
His words pluck on a sensitive cord. I’ve felt like a burden for most of my life, I know my father loves me, but he was mostly absent for my childhood. When he was home, he would always be busy with work. My feelings were pushed to the side so much, I just decided burying them would be the safer option. Better to hide them inside and not bother anyone else than voice them and have them dismissed. For Maximus to outright say that, brings all those memories flooding back to the surface. To know that the four of them thought of me as just that—
I turn towards the classroom, not wanting to betray any of the thoughts playing through my mind.
“What no cutting retort?” he asks blandly, his long strides catching up with me instantly. I feel his eyes on me, assessing me.
“Follow me or don’t. I honestly couldn’t give a fuck.” My voice quivers, betraying the emotions I desperately want to hide from his surly asshat. His large palm wraps around my shoulder, gently pulling me to a stop.
He whirls me around to face him. The motion startles a gasp from my lips. “What’s wrong?” he growls out as though he’s mad at himself for even asking the question. My brows furrow on him, taking in the strange expression on his face.
“Why do you even care?” I ask, my voice finally taking on the indignant tone I hoped for, the sad thoughts now replaced with confusion and anger.
This is definitely not what I need today. Exams are in less than a week, and this grumpy bastard is stopping me from getting to one of the few classes I have left. I jerk my shoulder out of his grasp and pick up my pace, desperately needing to get to class before I look weak in front of this ass.
“Just don’t pout. It’s not a good look on you,” he calls from behind me before I hear his footsteps once more. He appears at my side a moment later. Damn his stupid long legs.
“Lies,” I state proudly, glad to finally be able to change the topic. I push those crushing emotions out of my mind for now. I’ll focus on them once exams are over and this demon master is dealt with. “I’ve been told I have a sexy pout.”
He remains quiet, much to my chagrin. I at least expected a verbal jab from him to help keep my mind focused. I glance to the side. His hands are clenched into fists, and a vein bulges on his brow from the effort of whatever he is trying to hold back.
I open the door to the classroom where the professor and students are already deep in meditation, so I silently tiptoe over the threshold, not wanting to disturb them. To my surprise, the surly asshat decides to follow me in. Heedless of my quiet entrance, he boots the door the rest of the way open, stomping through behind me and drawing the eyes of the entire class, including Professor Pallas.
Great. Just great. This is going to be a long—fucking—day.
