DELONIX [COMPLETED]

Chapter 59

| RED'S POV |

"You know, for someone who was almost killed on her date, you sure look happy today," Jacob remarked, his voice laced with curiosity as we made our way to our fourth class. Ana had wasted no time in sharing the details of what had happened with him and Dean. Dean, in particular, seemed genuinely concerned, bombarding me with a barrage of questions that, while endearing, added to the weight on my shoulders.

We stepped into the classroom, the other students trailing behind us. As we settled into our seats in the third row, Jacob leaned in closer to me, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Okay, forget that, but you're still going to show me," he whispered, his eagerness resembling that of a child hoping to get a scoop of ice cream.

Confused, I replied, "Show you what?"

His gaze darted around the room before he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your fire powers," he announced, prompting nods of agreement from the others. I couldn't help but chuckle softly at their insistence. "Ana, Avery, you guys have seen it."

Avery interjected, "We saw you burst into the room in flames, but we didn't actually see you use your powers." I nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth in her words.

"But before the whole Gwen Madness, how was the date?" Jacob wiggled his eyebrows mischievously, causing the rest of the group to burst into laughter and my cheeks to burn with embarrassment. The image of the kiss with Nicholas flooded my mind, and I could feel the heat rising within me. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, focusing on how soft his lips were and how he held me so tenderly, leaving me breathless with his touch.

"Damn, that must have been one hell of a kiss then," I blurted out in my mind, only to realize that Reyes had heard it. My eyes widened as I realized my slip of tongue. "Don't worry, love, your secret is safe with me. We wouldn't want anyone knowing just how your guardian's lips felt on you," he said with a playful tone, causing a lump to form in my throat. I knew he was teasing me, adding to the swirl of emotions within me.

"Red, you zoned out again," Ana said, playfully touching my arm and pouting her lips. I snapped out of my reverie, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, guys. So, where were we?" As Ana was about to respond, the class suddenly fell silent as someone entered the room. I turned my head and saw Nicholas standing at the doorway. Our eyes briefly locked, causing my gaze to quickly avert.

Act normal, Red. I reminded myself silently. I was no longer in the human world, and I had to maintain composure.

I struggled to maintain a composed exterior, my inner turmoil contrasting with the facade of normalcy I attempted to uphold. My heart pounded relentlessly, as if it held a secret that was both forbidden and exhilarating. It was as though we existed within the confines of a captivating drama, one where appearances were deceiving and our true emotions danced beneath the surface.

"Good day, students," he began, his voice laced with authority as he walked deliberately to the center of the classroom. He leaned against the desk, his arms folded, causing his muscles to strain against the fabric of his shirt. Sporting glasses this time, he appeared remarkably put-together compared to the previous night. The message he had sent had filled me with a giddy excitement akin to a sixteen-year-old receiving a text from her crush. I had been too timid to craft a proper response, settling instead for a thumbs-up emoji, now feeling foolish for my lack of eloquence.

"Stop staring at him like a predator, Red," Reyes's voice echoed in my mind, causing me to immediately bury my face in my hands. Slowly, I raised my head, only to be met with curious gazes from my fellow students, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement. I had inadvertently made a noise in the process.