Trust In Love - Chapter 251

Compared to Woodlands’ Laboratory incident, Classroom 3C had a quieter time. The students had grouped themselves into small social circles. The rest of the afternoon was to be spent for self-study. For the faculty and student council members, it meant they needed to make rounds. They peer into each room to check on the class’ behavior.

‘Self-study’ was free rein for students—as long as they stayed inside.

Alex plugged in her earphones and borrowed Kate’s notes. She noted down the lessons she missed from before she came to Freccia. The curriculum turned out to be a bit different than Woodlands Academy. They had discussed a few topics that she hadn’t encountered before.

A groan bypassed the music flowing in her ears.

“What did you say?” Alex asked. She removed an earbud and went back to writing. Her new notebook began to fill up.

“Are you two seriously studying right now?” Xiera ġrȯȧnėd again. She flickered her gaze towards the other busy student. “I thought I’d finally have someone to talk to during these self-study periods. It turned out Kate had a study buddy instead.”

Kate chuckled. “You can join us, you know. It is called ‘self-study’ for a reason.”

“Ew. They also made it every Monday because everyone dreads it. No one is feeling productive after the weekend. It’s also why we don’t have any tests during Monday.”

“Don’t we have a big Math test on Friday?” Alex frowned. She flipped to a blank page. “I need to study if I want to pass. I’m new, remember?”

“Right.” Xiera snorted. “Like your boyfriend hadn’t taught you the lessons yet.”

She crossed her legs and placed an arm on the backrest. She angled her body in Alex’s direction. Her right hand went to her ear, mimicking a telephone.

She exaggerated a giggle and changed the pitch of her voice. Then, she twirled her hair around a finger. “Oh, I just saw the homework you answered for me flash before my eyes.”

Alex opened her mouth, gaping at her impersonation. “One, shut up. Two, I don’t sound or act like that.”

She threw an eraser. Xiera ducked out of the way. Beside Alex, someone tried to muffle her laugh. Unfortunately, her shaking shoulders gave it away.

“Don’t laugh, Kate.” Alex accused. She shook her head at the two friends. “You guys are impossible.”

“Your conversation was cute though.” Kate defended, rubbing her nose. “It was refreshing compared to the ones Xiera had with every guy she ever liked.”

“Hey!”

“Although, I still can’t believe Neal wore a corset,” she changed the topic, “I bet a lot of girls would have been shocked.”

“He was just too pretty that the director wanted him to play the female lead in the play.” Alex chuckled, feeling her pocket vibrate. “She wouldn’t accept anyone else.”

“Hang on. I’m getting a call.” She placed her pencil down and held up a hand. Her other one went to retrieve her phone. The screen was lit up, showing her the caller ID.

“Is that him?” Xiera practically squealed. She moved to the stand behind Alex. She tapped on Alex’s shoulder after she read the screen. “Go on. Answer it. We’ll make sure no one is listening.”

Kate yanked her back to the seat. “Give her some privacy. The one she needs protecting from is you.”

Alex mouthed a ‘thank you’ and turned to the windows. The sun was in her eye level. Its rays peeked through the tree branches. Her back faced the rest of the room. She made sure the volume was low before clicking on the answer buŧŧon.

If she hadn’t made the promise to always answer when available, she would have turned her phone on complete silent mode.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Alex.” Logan chirped, still as energetic as ever. The sound of lockers opening and closing echoed behind him. “How are you? Did you make friends? Are people nice?”

Alex smacked her lips. “And you’re asking me because…?”

“Because I care about you? Why wouldn’t I ask?”

“Well…” She exhaled sharply. She could smell the half lies behind his words. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips. “If you really want to know, you can ask Lauren.”

She was right.

“She told you, didn’t she?” Logan guessed.

“Yep. She was worried that you might ask before her.” Alex smirked for the second time. She stared at the floor. “Now, what do you really want?”

“Can’t I call the girl I like because I just want to hear her voice?”

“That right there is the reason why I think you have an ulterior motive.”

Another pause for silence emerged. Alex had expected a retort back. Not hearing it made her wonder what his intention could be. He even called in the middle of switching classes. Could it not wait until after school?

“Well… you see…” Logan began to say.

“Yeah?”

He cleared his throat. Alex could hear him take a deep breath. She knitted her eyebrows. What had made him so nervous?

“Have you ever thought of where you’d like to have a date?”

“At home with my parents. Under ȧduŀt supervision.”

“…”

“That sounds a bit old-fashioned,” Logan stated. His voice still hinted a bit of agitation. “Not that I have a problem with it but…! Come on, let’s go out. You hardly do. What would you like to do outside?”

“Eat.” Alex shrugged.

“Besides that.”

“Eat some more.”

“Alex!”

“Logan!” She cackled, covering her mouth. This turned out to be more fun than she thought. For a moment, she felt like her old self again. This was how their conversations should be. Although she could feel the difference compared to before,

She didn’t feel bad about it.

“Be serious,” Logan grumbled.

Alex stopped laughing. A few coughs vibrated in her ċhėst as she recovered on her breathing. “Since when am I not serious?”

“You really can’t help me out?”

The subtle whɨnė made her smile.

“You’re the one who wants to take me outside,” she pointed out, her lips stretched too wide. “If I locked myself indoors, would that stop you?”

“Of course not.” Logan snorted. “If you’re locked up, that sounds like a serious problem. I’d need to free you.”

“What you really mean is that you’d barge in even if uninvited.”

“I—Okay, I got your point.”

A giggle escaped Alex’s lips. Oh, she could do this all day. It was effortless. “Wow, you caught on quick. Is that what happens when you become valedictorian? I didn’t know it has an effect on you.”

“Har-har.” Logan scoffed. She could imagine him rolling his eyes. A loud slam on a metal surface pierced her ear.  “I—I think I have an idea! And because you didn’t want to say anything, you revoked your rights to refuse.”

Alex shrugged, unworried. Then, she smirked, “As long as father agrees, it will be okay.”

“Wait… your father?”

“Logan.” She fake gasped. “You didn’t think I’d just go to Woodlands without his approval, right? Let alone roaming around town. With a boy. Alone.”

“I—”

“Mother told me to remind you.” She chuckled. Why her mother didn’t do it herself was something she didn’t understand.

Logan exhaled sharply. He felt the defeat. It was two parents vs him. He never had the chance with just one. Let alone two.

“Good luck,” Alex teased.

“How about a kiss?”

“Not this time.”

She disconnected before Logan could say anything else. She shifted in her seat, facing her companions. She grabbed her pencil and went back to copying Kate’s notes.

Xiera sighed dreamily. “I wonder what it’s like to be in love. There’s this glow in you that… that’s just so beautiful.”

“I’ve always been beautiful.” Alex protested. “I inherited it from my mother.”

“So it’s true that girls become more confident when they get into a relationship.”

Kate glanced at Xiera, skepticism in her eyes. “I am not sure what you mean, Xiera. Use that analysis skills in studying, hm?”

“Why are you such a party pooper?” Xiera pouted. She sank on the seat behind Alex. She had long been bored from the apps on her phone. With the phone conversation over, she had nothing to entertain her.

She spotted a silhouette from the corner of her eye. It moved closer, heading in their direction. She felt her muscles tense up as she recognized the strong odor of grapefruit.

She had to bite her tongue…

… or she would have cursed without restraint.

“Such a lively group we have here,” the silhouette spoke.

A girl with glossy crimson hair took Xiera’s seat. She had it tied into a half updo ponytail. She crossed her legs neatly, leaning on the backrest. She hugged her knee and pulled it towards her. Her rosy lips held a small smile.

“Evelyn.” Kate acknowledged with a nod.

“Kate. Xiera.” Evelyn glanced at the two friends. Then, she widened her smile at the last person in the group. “And who is our new student?”

Alex narrowed her gaze. She contoured her expression into a neutral one. She held her breath, her nostrils stinging from the heavy dose of perfume.

She heightened her guard up…

… but she didn’t let it show.

“Please call me Alex.”

Evelyn raised her arm, offering a handshake. Her ochre eyes glistened. “Evelyn Danes, daughter of Earl Danes and Viena Danes who are the current heads of our family’s wine empire.”