18. The Assignment

For some reason, I was looking forward to the shared class with Damon. Many things have changed since the last time I saw him. It was just two days ago but still, I had a newfound interest in being with him and spending some more time with him instead of making excuses. Maybe it was the guilt talking because I assumed that he was the killer and tried to stay away as far as I could.



New beginnings! I mumbled under my breath and tightened the strap around my shoulder. There was nothing that could go wrong today. My life was finally back on track. That's what I was trying to convince myself with.



As I passed through the hallway from the corner of my eyes I noticed Damon. Inching backwards I gave another look only to notice that he was standing with few of the cheerleaders. Surprisingly he was in his soccer uniform with bold 28 number on the back. Of course, he would have said yes to the offer. Sometimes I just forgot how convincing Asher can be when he wants to be.



As the giggles reached my ear something boiled inside me. I was not used to him being so social and charming with the other girls. Maybe because I didn't know him that well and also I never saw him with others. I clenched my jaw tight at the sight and pretended not to see him. It was definitely not my day and I spoke too soon.



Before I could disappear around the hallway I saw him wave with a huge grin on his face. That made my anger deflate a bit that he actually recognised me and did not pretend like I don't exist. A problem most of the cheerleaders in our class have.




As he approached me I turned to peek at the sour faces of the girls behind him. They were sending me daggers through their eyes and it should terrify me but I felt amused. Tables finally turned around and I was feeling elated at that.




Damon got closer and that's when I noticed that he was wet. Sweaty I mean. The tank was clinging to his chest, showing off his tight washboard abs. I tried not to look at the way sweat was glistening down his neck and trickling down till it disappeared into the tank. Those were some dangerous thoughts.




"Hi" He breathed, standing an inch away from me. He had a duffel bag along with him.



"Practice?"




He shook his head, "Sort of. The finals are approaching so the coach is extra tough. We have been doing this since 5 a.m."



My eyes widened at that. That was insane considering the chilly weather outside. No wonder Asher was crying in his story about the game. I awkwardly shifted on my feet, soaking the information in. Even though he had been at the game since hours it did not look like he has broken too much of a sweat.



"That's too much"


"Eh I'll live"


I rolled my eyes, "Okay...but you do remember that we have to be in English class right now?!"



Flustered, he grabbed his watch from the pocket and exhaled, "Shit I cannot miss this one. I am already having trouble with the professor"



"Really?!" I asked with a fake gasp. There was no one in the school that would let the opportunity pass of teasing him. Actually, they would be considering most of them are scared. But anyone who has prior knowledge about him acting out during his first day would find the situation hilarious.



"I had no idea Thomas is an ass!"




I slapped at his arm, suddenly flinching at the pain. How rock hard was he built! His expression turned around and he immediately took my hand. But as soon as he realised that we were standing in the middle of the hallway he dropped it like a bag of potatoes. My cheeks felt hot at his sudden action and I shifted behind.



"Do you actually want to get suspended?!" I slowly started looking around when I noticed that most of them were rushing towards the class. My eyes fell on the huge clock behind him. I was going to be late.



"I was just stating facts" He coyly said tugging at his wet strands.



"Whatever please shower and show up to the class. I think sir is going to distribute the assignment for the week"




"Your request is my command"



"That wasn't a request" I flatly said when he huffed and walked away from me. With a sigh I turned around, the cheerleaders were still glaring at me. How did they not get bored? Shaking my head at them I quickly turned around and rushed towards the class. Unlike someone, I did take my classes seriously. Yeah, take that, you cheerleaders!
***

As usual, the class was filled and surprisingly Kay was sitting on the exact same spot. She patted the seat beside her to which I quickly slid in. There was not a thing I wanted more than talk about the case. As if she read my mind Kay opened her mouth, "What did you find out?"



"Do we have to do it here?" I asked looking around. The last thing I wanted was the entire class finding out that I was doing my research on the new boy of our class. My reputation was already in the ruins.



"Ooh is it something serious then?" Kay wriggled her eyebrows in a weird way, the thing she does when she is excited.



"I wish. It was nothing exciting or remotely useful but I did find something."


Kay huffed, "Stick to one narrative! Gosh!"


I leaned closer, noticing that no one was looking at us, "Talking to the neighbours prove to be useless because no one knew about the fire. Most of them refused to talk because you know... I did find the number of the lady who called the fire department"



Her eyes twinkled at that, "That's useful, right?"


"I mean yeah if she does figure per call and remembers about the incident all those years ago."



"It was 5 years ago!" Kay rolled her eyes, crossing her arms against each other.



"Well people tend to forget about the things that scare them Kay"



"Whatever" She made a face and slumped back against her seat aggressively. It almost reminded me of a child.



Taking a deep breath I complemented whether to tell her about professor Ryan or not. Him popping up on the scene I was trying to conduct my investigation was suspicious. Not to mention how he easily went away.



"That's not the weirdest part. I saw our professor Ryan lurking there."


"The history professor?!" She exclaimed, slapping my arm excitedly. I pushed her away and turned to glance back fortunately most of them were busy in their phones.



"Yes."




"What did he say?"




"Nothing. He just asked me about the article and I don't know why he was there..." I trailed off when I noticed that Damon was entering the class. Kay went quiet as soon as he sat beside me. 




"Did I clean up better?" He smirked, patting at his plain black tee. I could feel the glares directed at me again as he rested his entire shoulder in my direction and nudged me.




"I would say so" I gave him a fleeting smile and then turned around when the professor entered the class. He had a glare on his face as usual.





"So class let's cut to the chase. The assignments need to be submitted by this weekend. I don't care how hard you all have to work but I need it. And sports people..." He trailed, a look of annoyance on his face as he stared at Damon and adjusted his glasses. What was his problem with him anyway?





"No excuses" He cleared his throat, his voice booming around the class. The no-nonsense made me jump a little and I noticed that Kay was chill as usual. How was she not terrified by him?





"I don't know how you are going to find time in the middle of your game but I need it on my desk just like everyone else. Am I clear?"





Damon sat up straight and hummed, "Sure"





"So yeah... The assignments are already written on the papers. Pick one and pass the rest of them behind"





Mr Thomas handed them over to me and I picked Gatsby because it was something I read and watched. Damon scrunched his face when he stared at the paper.



"Really?!"



"What? It's a good novel"



"It's hopeless!"





"Mr Damon how about you save this argument for when you are actually working on this assignment? Together!"




He emphasized the last part which made me cringe. I glared at Damon who didn't look as embarrassed or affected as I did. He simply opened the book and shrugged while I ducked my head away.




"So let's begin our lesson. Shall we?"




A sigh left my lips. It was going to be a long day.
***


Anya's Daring Dive into Damon's Mysterious Realm
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