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It's a brand new nightmare I come back to when I manage to yank myself out of the past. It's a little disorienting, to be honest. I rarely let myself dwell on those memories, but when I do they're still vivid as ever, and it always ends up making me feel a little sick to my stomach.
You were such a pathetic little piece of shit in those days, Halyna.
But thankfully, I'm not that weak anymore, and I'm going to prove that right now. I'm going to take a deep breath, and this time I'll be able to stand with my own two feet—-
Ouch!
The pain has actually worsened, and once again I start to fall.
No, no, no, no, no——
I don't want anyone to see me fall. I don't want anyone to pity me. I don't want anything to happen, and somehow...
I actually get my wish.
Because someone is lifting me up in his arms, and even without looking I already know.
Even if he weren't wearing the same set of clothes, and even though I've yet to look up and meet his gaze—-
The way my heart jumps and my senses tingle, it all tells me I can't be mistaken.
It's him.
And I'm ashamed that it's him. Hate that it's him. But at the same time, the foolish, doesn't-know-any-better part of me is ridiculously thrilled that it's him. Even after having seen for myself what a jerk he can be, a part of me is still irresistibly drawn to him, and that part of me is what's making my toes curl so damn hard just because I'm in his arms...while still being watched by those students I saw earlier.
Shit.
I quickly start struggling to free myself, but this only has him snapping at me. "Don't be stupid. You know you'll only fall flat on your face if I let you down."
I want to tell him that he's the one being stupid, and a few hours ago, I would have. But because I know who he is now—-
"People are looking at us, Professor."
"So? Shouldn't you be used to it by now?"
His answer is so completely unexpected I can only choke back a laugh, more impressed than distressed or even offended by his rudeness. He's a jerk of the highest order without a doubt, but at least he's consistent and straightforward about it, which is more than I can say for most people.
When the professor glances down at me with a raised eyebrow, I simply raise my brow back at him.
"Any other pointless questions?" he asks silkily.
I make a face, which I'm thinking would make him smirk, but it doesn't even make him crack a smile. Instead, I only see his jaw clench, almost as if he's controlling his temper.
Huh?
I don't get what he's so angry about, but before I can even ask, he's speaking again, and this time his voice is cold and hard.
"Who told you about me?"
I just look at him. Take a fucking guess, Mister.
A muscle starts ticking in his jaw. "Isabella then."
Hearing him refer to her by name is strangely annoying. Isabella, huh? That implies some kind of relationship, doesn't it?
"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I can already tell she's found out about your visit to the gallery."
She...found...out? Does that mean he wasn't the one who told Dr. Foames?
"Did you by any chance tell her yourself?"
I can't help rolling my eyes at this, but my exasperation fades into confusion when the professor's expression turns even darker.
"What are you so angry about?" I finally burst out. "I didn't do anything—-"
"We're here," the professor interrupts me brusquely, and I'm momentarily caught off guard when here turns out to be a two-story structure with ivy-colored walls. It's very much in keeping with Rosethorne's whole dark Victorian theme, but once we're inside it's like we're suddenly back in the 21st century, and the change is a little jarring.
This is the first building on campus that hasn't anything in stone or wood. Instead, all I see is glass and stainless steel...but I guess I shouldn't be surprised about that since this does happen to be Rosethorne's infirmary?
"This is overkill," I mutter under my breath, but the professor simply gives me a bland look and acts like he's forgotten basic English.
The guy behind the counter greets the professor in Greek, and the professor replies in the same manner. Both speak too fast for me to understand what they're saying, and next thing I know, the professor has taken me inside what looks like a private consultation room and is now lowering me gently on a hospital bed.
I cross my hands over my chest and glare up at the professor. "My knee doesn't need any medical attention—-"
"I'd rather take the doctor's word for it, if you don't mind."
"Well, I do mind—-"
"Then you should've taken better care of yourself—-"
"No fighting please," a cheerful voice interrupts just as an auburn-haired doctor joins us. She's wearing a lab coat over her scrubs, and as she comes closer, I'm struck by how ravishingly pretty she is...and how utterly unaffected she appears when the professor meets her gaze.
"Keia, this is our new student Halyna." His lip actually curls as he gestures towards me, and I'm tempted to hit his face with my pillow. "Ms. Mariposa, this is Rosethorne's head doctor Keia."
Keia? Did I hear him right? Is he saying I should just call the doctor by her first name?
The redheaded physician smiles at me, and I guess my confusion must have shown as she goes on to explain, "The professor knows I'm not big on formalities. So yes, just call me Keia. Everyone here does. And now that we've got the introductions out of the way..."
Keia starts asking me questions in rapid-fire succession. Does this hurt? How about this? And this? Did you do anything that could have put pressure on your knee? Did I have an old injury before? How long? What happened?
While her voice is calm and her manner pleasant, I also get the feeling that she can be mean as hell if she wants to. It's motivation enough for me, and so I answer her as honestly as I can.
"There's nothing here a good night's rest won't cure," she says finally, "but since Professor Lucious is notoriously paranoid, I'll have you take a painkiller as well."
I open my mouth to argue, but when I see the way the professor's eyes are suddenly boring into mine, I decide to prioritize keeping my head connected to my body. "A painkiller would be nice, thanks."
Keia's lips twitch. "It's nice to see that not all young ones are unwise. You'll do very well as long as you remember to choose your battles."
Since I have no idea what she's talking about, I just nod and smile while Keia hands me my painkiller. I pop it inside my mouth, and it's while I'm in the process of washing it down with water that we hear the doors swing open.
It's Dr. Foames, and her lovely features are a picture of concern as she rushes inside. "What's going on? I was told Halyna has had some kind of mishap?"
Mishap, my arse.
It's her fault I'm here, but since saying anything will only land me in more trouble, I simply watch her sidle up next to the professor like it's her God-given place. Dr. Foames smiles up at him, but her expression turns into one of mortification when the professor doesn't even look her way.
Keia clears her throat, and as Dr. Foames turns to her, the redhead says with a smile, "How very thoughtful of you to come rushing here for just one student, Isabella."
"It's my job to care about students," Dr. Foames says rather defensively.
"I know that," Keia says cheerfully. "I just didn't think you did."
"That's not a nice joke—-"
Keia's eyes widen. "My apologies. Did I sound like I was joking?"
To say that I'm fascinated with this exchange is an understatement, but before Dr. Foames can answer back, the professor proves to be a killjoy with one curtly spoken word. "Enough."
Keia immediately throws her hands up. "Of course, boss."
Boss?
Dr. Foames is also as quick to comply, and she does so by turning to me once again with a fake smile. "How did this happen, my dear?"
"You already know the answer to that," the professor snaps.
Dr. Foames stiffens. "I assure you, I have no idea—-"
"You have her file, Isabella."
The professor's voice is ominously soft even to my own ears, but it's how he's using my file to put Dr. Foames on the spot like that which unsettles me. It's unfortunate but expected for a guidance counselor to have access to my records, but Professor Lucious?
The only way he'd know about my bad knee is if he's read the police report on my case, and I don't understand why either Agatha or Rosethorne would let him do that. There's obviously more than what meets the eye with him, but one thing I can be sure of: the professor is definitely not someone I can afford to piss off, and the way Dr. Foames is currently stammering in his presence just drives the point home.
"I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean to—-"
The professor bites out something in Greek, and although it's a little too fast for me to follow, it's gotta be bad with the way the older woman hurriedly snaps her mouth shut.
"This is the only warning you'll get from me." The words are enough to make Dr. Foames visibly whiten, but the professor's expression remains harsh, and his tone icily caustic. "Are we clear on this?"
The other woman all but chokes as she answers yes. I almost feel flattered by this protective side of the professor, and I'm even close to thinking he might not be as big a jerk as I originally imagined except—-
"Your jealousy is unbecoming for someone in your position, not to mention unnecessary."
—-for that.
He's just said her jealousy was unnecessary, and I'm not sure how to take that.
"I won't deny I find her intriguing, but you know how I am. How I've always been."
When I see Keia glance at me uneasily, I know right away that whatever else the professor has to say is likely going to hurt—-
"Ms. Mariposa is sure to bore me sooner or later, and when that happens, I shall move on to the next intriguing little thing."