With all the commotion going on, she found herself staring into his eyes way longer than she should have. It was ridiculous how tempting that moment felt, like her brain forgot the world existed.
Her daydream shattered when a woman's voice cut through everything.
"What's going on here?! Before the count of three I want you all OUT."
Everyone scattered instantly. Fiona pushed herself off Twilight, while he simply dusted off his shirt and walked away like she was nothing.
Wow. Okay. Guess I'm trash now.
Aviva rushed to her side and tugged her away. Fiona followed quietly, trying not to look as embarrassed as she felt.
They ended up in the restroom. Fiona slipped into one of the small enclosed wash stalls each had its own sink and mirror, thankfully. She rinsed her face, but froze when she noticed it: her hand… glowing again.
Red this time.
Oh no.
Great. Perfect. Just what I need –glowing hands in school.
A soft knock snapped her thoughts.
"Fiona? Are you done? We need to get back to class."
Panic surged. She shook her hands like an idiot, hoping the glow would disappear. It didn't.
Heavier knocking. "Fiona!"
"I-I'll be there!" she said, voice cracking.
Then she remembered what Twilight said in her dream. Calm. Breathe.
So she inhaled… exhaled… and slowly, thankfully, the glow faded.
She released a shaky breath and stepped out. Aviva looked concerned.
"You took long. Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Just… I like washing my hands," she lied again. She hated lying to Aviva. It always punched her in the chest.
"If you say so. Let's go back."
They returned to a mostly empty class. Confused, Aviva asked someone what was going on.
"School's free for today! Staff meeting!" the girl announced.
Aviva was excited; Fiona was… the opposite.
"I think I'll stay in class," Fiona murmured. "I'm not feeling great."
"Want the clinic?"
"No, just need to rest."
Aviva nodded. "Alright. If you need me, I'll be in Lila's class."
Once she left, Fiona sat down, trying to steady herself.
Weird dreams. Glowing hands. Mysterious boy. What exactly is happening to me?
As if summoned by her thoughts, Twilight walked in alone.
Wonderful. I really must be cursed. Is he reading my mind?
He took his seat and opened a book. A boy reading voluntarily? That alone was suspicious.
Then he stood up and walked straight to her. He placed something on her desk.
"Miss Marvin, you dropped this."
It was her sketchbook.
My sketchbook? But I wasn't even carrying it today…
"Um… thanks. But how did you find it?"
He looked directly at her. "I found it."
That was it. No explanation. Stone face.
He turned to leave, but she quickly stood.
"Actually… can I have your-your number?"
Wow. Smooth, Fiona.
He blinked. "Pardon?"
"No! I mean your number so I can, uh, know your house."
Perfect. Just bury me.
"So you want to come to my house?" he asked with a smirk.
"For our project!" she blurted. "If you're fine with it."
He stepped closer, gently taking her hand. "Then write your number for me."
He offered a pen. Her face heated instantly.
Why can't he just give me his number? Is this some prince-of-darkness privacy thing?
She pulled her hand back. "I'll… give you my address instead."
"If that pleases you, Miss Marvin."
Why can't he just call me Fiona!?
He walked away like he always did quiet and unreadable.
Needing distraction, she went looking for Aviva in Lila's class, but the noise there was overwhelming. And Aviva was nowhere.
Fiona slipped into the hall instead. The quiet felt better. As she walked, something white on the ground caught her eye a scarf.
She bent to pick it up, but another hand reached at the exact same moment.
"Seems someone else admires my scarf," a warm voice said.
She looked up.ly?
Another cute guy? Serious
"Oh sorry," she said. "It was on the floor, so I wondered why."
He had bright green eyes and curly dark-brown hair.
Of course he does.
He smiled. "And who might this fair maiden be?" His accent was soft, old-fashioned.
"Fiona. Fiona Marvin," she said, suddenly shy.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful maiden," he replied.
She swallowed. Okay… charming much?
"And your name?" she asked.
"Forgive me. I'm Frederick. Frederick Fall."
Fall.
The same surname as Twilight.
Please don't tell me there are two of them.
He offered his hand. She stared at it a second before taking it.