♥ Chapter 10 ♥

Elara Sinclair.

Classes finished a little later than usual; it's already five o'clock. Spending almost the whole day sitting in a chair is very boring. The only time I got up was to eat something and go to the restroom, that's all. My butt is sore, and my back is aching too. But I'd better start getting organized to go home. I'm very tired, so I'll start packing my things.

'' So, when are we going to start our lessons? '' He asks, and I roll my eyes.

'' I'll check. And you'd better start practicing on your own too, I'm not a genius. We'll only talk in English. '' I reply dryly.

'' I know, but it's always better to practice with someone than alone.

''Hum.

I leave the room without looking back, heading for my locker to put my books away. I don't want to risk bringing them home with Orion there. Speaking of him...

He'll probably get up to something with Struk. Maybe then he'll leave me alone.

I look next to me and see Struk. I let out a sigh.

"What's your biggest fear?" I ask, as if it's no big deal.

"Why do you ask that out of the blue?" He asks, confused.

''I'm just talking,'' I reply indifferently.

"I have a phobia of crickets. I'm scared to death. There was once one inside my house, and I fainted.

''Hum. It's good to know.'' I say, implying that that's enough. ''I'll text you to arrange a date.

I get into the car, start the engine and drive home, leaving behind the irritation caused by Struk's annoying persistence. No matter how many times I make it clear that I have no interest in him, he just won't stop insisting. Sometimes I think about telling my father, but I know he would take extreme measures, and I don't want that. Even if this idiot tests my patience to the limit, I don't want him to die. Maybe a beating, but not death.

****

I go home starving, even though I ate something at college.

'' I'm home! '' I announce, letting out a sigh of relief as I feel the warmth of home.

My mother emerges from the kitchen with a warm smile.

'' Welcome back, dear. How was class?

'' Class was interesting, but I'm facing a challenge. We have a paper on human resources to present in English.

'' Wow, so you're going to shine since you're an expert in the language. '' She encourages me.

"The problem is that I have to team up with the boy who keeps showing interest in me, Mom. I've turned him down so many times, but he just won't give up. What frustration. '' I sigh, feeling exasperated.

'' Oh, my love...

'' You know very well who really stirs my heart. If it's not him, it's nobody." I confess, seeking comfort in my mother's understanding.

"I know, my dear.

''And to make matters worse, I'm going to have to live with him for a month. What's more, I'm going to have to teach him to speak English properly, since any mistakes will reflect on me too.

'' Your situation really isn't easy.

'' Mom, I even put a picture of Axel as my cell phone wallpaper in the hope that he would understand that I'm already engaged. But he still won't let go." I reveal it with a wry smile.

She gives me a complicit look. '' Ah, that photo of Axel...

I feel a little embarrassed.

'' I took it as soon as I woke up, after spending the night next to him. It was wonderful, Mom, I felt complete in his arms. '' I let out a nostalgic sigh, remembering the comforting feeling.

'' Why don't you just tell me, darling?

'' I just don't know how, Mom. '' I confess, feeling lost.

You'll find out. Anyway, hungry?

'' Very hungry. '' I reply, following her towards the kitchen. '' Speaking of which, where are Dad and Orion?

'' Orion is asleep, taking a nap. His father went to sort something out at his company, he was very angry. '' She grimaced, expressing her concern.

"When dad gets like that, it's really intimidating. I feel sorry for his enemies.

'' Yes, but I'm used to it. It doesn't scare me anymore.

'' You know, I remembered something funny from my childhood. '' I start to laugh as I think back.

''What was it?

'' When I met Dad in the kitchen, back then he didn't know how to deal with children and seemed to run away from me like the devil runs away from the cross. It was hilarious to see the desperate look on his face as he didn't know how to deal with me in the kitchen." She starts laughing along with me.

'' Dante was never the most skilled with children.

We sit in silence for a moment until she puts lunch in front of me, even though it's almost six in the afternoon. I start eating without caring about the time.

"Mom?" I call out.

'' Yes?

'' What does he think about me liking Axel?

'' Well, I'm not sure. He's never talked about it. But I don't think he cares, after all, Axel is reliable and a good friend. I think that if he didn't like you, he would never have let you sleep at his house." I agree.

Furthermore, I'll finish eating.

'' I'm going to take a shower and get some rest, I'm exhausted.

'' You do that. '' She kisses my forehead.

I leave the kitchen and pick up my backpack, which I left on the sofa before going upstairs. On the way, I meet a sleepy Orion.

''Are you back yet?'' He asks, stopping in front of me.

'' Yes. '' I pick him up, even though he's ten years old, he's not that heavy.

"It's the first time you've carried me, what do you want?" He asks, now more awake.

I go into my room and sit him on my bed.

''I want your help with something.'' He crosses his arms and looks at me suspiciously.

'' What?

'' There's a boy at college who likes me. Even though I turned him down over and over again.

'' And what's it got to do with me? '' I roll my eyes.

''I'm going to call him here, and I want you to scare him. '' He looks at me as if I've grown a pair of horns.

''Have you gone mad? I'm already grounded, and if I do anything like that, I'm screwed. I'll never leave the house again.

''Relax, as soon as you scare him, I'll take the blame. And I'll even give you half my allowance.

'' Hmm, now that's interesting. '' I grumble.

'' You really are self-interested.

''Sure, do you think I'm going to risk it without something in return? Fine, I'll take it.

''He's afraid of crickets. '' He gives me a mischievous smile, looking like a miniature version of our father.

'' Lucky, I have some stashed in my room.

'' I want him to leave me alone, but not to kill the boy, okay?

'' Relax, it's up to him. If he has a heart condition and dies, there's nothing I can do. '' That boy is scary.

'' Right, I'm going to take a shower and go to sleep.

In the bathroom, as the warm water caresses my skin, I find myself sinking into thoughts about Axel. Every drop that drips seems to whisper about the courage I crave to confess to him. Even though I'm aware of the risk of rejection, the desire to relieve the burden weighing on my heart is overwhelming.

After the invigorating bath, wrapped in the softness of the towel, I realize that Orion has fallen asleep again. He looks so serene there-a comforting reminder of family ties. I slip into gray pajamas, seeking familiar comfort, as I watch Orion sleeping peacefully.

With a sigh, I slide under the covers, carefully pulling Orion close to me. His warmth is like a welcoming hug, and I soon find myself drifting off to sleep, enveloped by the peace and love that fill that moment.