Chapter 15

Frank POV

"Clara, do you have any thoughts on the new development the school is trying to implement?" The microbiologist teacher asked, her gaze fixed on Clara, who was distracted and staring at Laura's empty seat.

Her attention snapped back to the teacher, her eyes unfocused. "Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just... um, thinking about something else." She fidgeted in her seat, her eyes darting around the room nervously.

"Maybe she has something to say?" Ralph teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm, and the whole class erupted into laughter. I couldn't help but join in, the excitement building up in my stomach like a bubble about to burst.

Clara's face turned bright red as she squirmed in her seat, her eyes darting around the room in embarrassment. "Shut up, Ralph!" she muttered under her breath, but her voice was drowned out by the chorus of snickers and giggles.

The teacher tried to restore order; her voice was firm but amusing. "Alright, alright, settle down, class. Let's focus on the lesson at hand." But the damage was done, and Clara's embarrassment was palpable, her face still flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

I turned in Laura's direction, grinning like a fool, and waved enthusiastically. "Hey Laura!" But she ignored me, her gaze sweeping across the classroom with a stony expression.

Clara leaned in close, her voice barely audible over the din of the class. "She's not even giving you the time of day, Frank," she whispered, a hint of jealousy tinged in her tone. "You're trying too hard to get her attention. It's kind of pathetic."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I turned back to face Clara, my smile faltering for a moment. But I quickly recovered, my eyes locking onto her's with a determined glint. I was not going to give up that easily.

"That's your business, young man," she snorted, walking away without a second glance.

But I wasn't having it. I grasped her arm tightly, my eyes blazing with fierce intensity. "Hey, don't walk away from me like that," I growled, my voice low and menacing.

She spun around, her eyes flashing with anger, but I held firm, my grip on her arm unyielding. "Let me go," she spat, but I just pulled her closer, my face inches from hers.

"Don't you understand the language I'm speaking, Clara?" I said, my voice trembling with emotion, betraying the depth of my disappointment. "Laura might reject me, but I accept her for who she is, and that's the most important thing you need to understand, you snob!" I spat, my words laced with frustration, hurt, and anger.

"I hate you so much; you disgust me," I said, my anger boiling over. I pushed her away, my hands on her shoulders, and her legs swept off the floor. She fell hard onto the ground, her eyes wide with shock and fear.

I stood over her, my chest heaving with emotion and my eyes blazing with fierce intensity. "You're always so condescending, so superior. But you're not better than me, Clara. You're not better than anyone." My words were laced with venom, and I knew I was hurting her, but I couldn't stop myself. The pain and anger had been building up for too long.

The whole class, even the teacher, couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, their gazes shifting from side to side as they murmured among themselves. The tension in the room became palpable, and I glanced at Laura, who seemed oblivious to the commotion, busily arranging her books in a neat pile.

"Shut your blabbering mouths up!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls as I pointed accusingly at various students around the room. "Can't you see we're in the middle of something here?"

The class fell silent, their eyes fixed on me with a mix of shock and fear. The teacher took a step forward, her expression stern. "That's enough, young man," she warned. "Take a deep breath and calm down."

But I was beyond calming down. My emotions were raw; my anger and frustration were boiling over. I glared at Clara, who still sat on the floor, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of hurt and defiance.

"Laura," I called out, my voice barely above a whisper, as I fell to my knees, my eyes weak and emboldened with emotion. My heart was weeping, and my soul was begging for her acceptance. "Laura, please accept me as your mate," I pleaded, my words sincere and heartfelt.

I gazed up at her, my eyes pouring out my emotions and my hands reaching out to her as if in supplication. I knew I was vulnerable and exposed, but I couldn't help myself. I needed her to know how I felt and to understand the depth of my devotion.

Laura's expression softened, her eyes filling with a warmth I had never seen before. She took a step closer, her hand reaching out to mine, and I felt a surge of hope. But her next words were like a dagger to my heart.

"Yes, I rejected you before," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I will reject you as my mate again, even if it takes a thousand times to say it." Her hand withdrew, and she took a step back, her eyes filling with a sadness that only made my heart ache more.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my hopes crashing down around me. I couldn't breathe; I couldn't speak. All I could do was stare at her, my eyes pleading with her to reconsider and see the love I had to offer. But her expression was resolute; her rejection was final.

I slowly got up from my knees, my legs shaking beneath me. I felt like I was going to collapse, like my world had been turned upside down. I took a step back, my eyes never leaving hers, and then I turned and walked to my seat.

"A beggar now has a choice." Clara's voice broke through the silence, her words dripping with malice. "You should be grateful he even considered you as his mate, Laura.”