Chapter 7 #2
Oh shit, hot professor alert. What’s with all of the people here? Do they put sexy vitamins in the tap water like it’s fluoride? Or is there, like, a magic cosmetic surgeon on staff at this school? Here’s a tote bag with the school crest on it and a coupon for 50% off your first nose job.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Lena.”
“I’m aware, Miss Solis.” Dr. Komarov grits his teeth, giving my hand a disdainful look before ignoring it completely.
“Ah, right.” I straighten my skirt, pretending, unsuccessfully, that smoothing out its nonexistent wrinkles was always my intention. “Cool, cool, cool,” I mumble to myself.
Who am I? Usually I’m bursting with unearned confidence. But since the Q apparently I won’t be able to leave campus without permission from my faculty advisor and the closest town is a forty-minute drive away. It’s not like I have my car anyway.
Check-in jerk returns and hands the tote bag to Kian, smiling the smarmiest ass-kissing smile I’ve ever had the displeasure of witnessing. “I put some extra swag in there for you!”
“Great,” Kian says without an ounce of gratitude as he takes the bag and hands it to me. “Thank you.”
I smirk, and the tote bag dictator narrows his eyes at me.
Kian continues, completely unbothered, “Walk with me.” Kian takes off in the direction of a tall building in the distance, and I quickly match his pace.
“Due to the rather…contentious reaction to your enrollment, the institute’s board has, unfortunately, determined that, at least for the time being, you are to be chaperoned while outside of the residence hall. ”
“Excuse me?” I whisper-shout, stopping dead in my tracks.
“Your curfew is seven o’clock, at which time you’ll need to be in your room. In the event you’re required to be out, you’ll need to obtain special permission,” he presses on without stopping.
“I didn’t agree to this, Kian,” I huff in frustration and hurry to catch up with him. “I’m a bartender. It’s in my nature to be out all hours of the night. I don’t even finish work until after two o’clock most nights.”
“Now you’re a student,” he counters. “It’s time to form some healthier habits.”
My habits are just fine! He should form healthier habits. He’s going to need so much Botox for that scowl! I shout in my head, only because I don’t want to cause a scene.
“Look, I understand this has been a lot for you, but work with me here,” he implores, stopping outside of an intimidating stone building with tall turrets that stretch into the sky and rise well above the rest of the copper patina roof.
“I know you left all your things in Portland. I requested that your wing captain pick you up some clothing and essentials. She’s a family friend and quite fashionable, so I’m sure you will be satisfied with her choices. ”
“You really didn’t have to do that. I can manage on my own,” I argue, crossing my arms. I can handle myself—been doing it my whole life.
“I’m counting on it.” Kian stares into my eyes with a serious expression on that stupidly handsome face of his, before adding, “But you can’t go around this type of place dressed like someone’s grandma.” He gestures to my outfit with a smirk.
I think he’s indeed teasing me. I shake my head, trying to recover from the whiplash.
Every moment with this man feels like a carnival ride.
One minute I’m on a calm and steady climb, just enjoying the spectacular view, and the next, I’m free falling, jerking in every direction and holding back curse words and vomit.
I let out a little exasperated laugh and call back to our conversation from a week ago with a small smile. “I’m only trying to impress Miss Hannigan.”
He chuckles quietly, shaking his head. “Good luck, Miss Solis. I hope your first week goes well.” With that, he saunters off casually, hands at ease in his pockets.