Temptation

Chapter 52

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Everything would be okay. You prepared for this day, and it was here. It was sooner than you expected, but you were waiting for it. Were you? No, I was not. I did not think of today; I did not think it would start like that. I didn't think of anything. My brain shut off. Every logical thought blurred. Every subconscious voice silenced. My own self ghosted me.

Agea's sentence stroked me like lightning. I looked around. All eyes were fixing me; they were all confused.

"I don't believe it's real. It has to be Photoshop, right?" A brunette whispered to her friend, but loudly enough to catch my attention. Oh, Maria, I fooled you. We fooled all of you. It was no such thing as Photoshop. You guys were too stupid to realize things have changed.

Someone's fingers firmly grabbed my forearm. I swing around to meet Mrs. Vermont and a bald guy wearing all black and sunglasses. I recognized him from, but not particularly somewhere precise.

"Ms. Royale, you need to come with us." Mrs. Vermont ordered. The guy jerked me in the office's direction. I almost fell; he was so savage, and for what reason?

"Hey! What the fuck?" Xavier yelled, gabbing my other arms. "Where are you going with her? Leave her alone."

"Mr. Smith, we don't have time for any petty behavior." Mrs. Vermont frowned and raised her voice.

"It's okay." I intervened with a little assuring smile. "I'll be back. I love you guys." He hesitantly let go of my arms with wary eyes.

"We love you too, sis," Agea shouted at me as I was being dragged back inside the TL. I bowed my head, refusing to meet the eyes fixated on me. I was terrified of what was waiting for me.

Mrs. Vermont made me wait in her plain white office. I crossed my legs and tapped my fingers on the desk glass. Cold tiny spiders were racing up and down my spine. The door shutting made me jump. Mrs. Vermont's heels echoed across the room until she sat down in front of me.

"How are you doing?" She cleared her throat and placed an orange folder on a pile of paperwork.

"I've seen better days."

"You just shocked the whole world." She scoffed and joined her fingers. I gazed at her. Her wrinkles had doubled; even with her sleek ponytail, gray hairs invaded her whole head.

"Did I?" I said nonchalantly.

"This was the least no one expected. You are one of our most promising students, and we don't want anything more than to wish you the best. We never had a circumstance like this. We are tied."

"What am I doing here?" I stopped her. I didn't care about their bullshit speech at the moment. I needed to know where I stood.

"We were in contact with Mr. Mark Pellerino. We were advised to keep you safe until your plane is ready." She informed me.

Safe from what exactly?

"Do you need some water?"

"No, I am fine, thanks." I refused. "Is Julian in Campus?"

I couldn't go without seeing him; I needed to talk to him. She gave me a passionate glance, more like pity, before negatively shaking her head.

"I cannot tell you, Ms. Royale."

"Please." I sat on the edge of my chair, begging her. "I just want to see him for a minute."

"I cannot do that. You will be leaving soon, and I was ordered not to let you leave this room." She stood up.