6

My hands started to tremble as I looked at the note in front of me. Someone knew what I was, as well as what I had done. Someone had seen me. This can't be happening. I tried to calm myself, breathing deeply. I left the paper on the table along with the clothes. I wanted to tell Kayler, but he wasn't here, and it wouldn't be good to tell him this over the phone.

I fanned myself with my hand to calm down a bit; I was too nervous. I just wanted to have a peaceful life with Kayler, but now I was in a bigger mess. Minutes after calming down a bit, I decided to leave the apartment in search of fresh air to think. I had always been a strong girl, never letting bad things get the best of me.

As I walked into the hallway, I ran into Rafael, who was carrying a cappuccino. He smiled when he saw me.

"Hey, Carolina," he greeted me, but his smile faded when he saw my face. "Are you alright?" He quickly approached me.

"Yes," I faked a smile. "It's just that I'm waking up, and I always look like a zombie when I do," I grimaced to downplay it.

Rafael hesitated but eventually laughed a bit.

"I see, I didn't see you on campus," he commented, taking a sip of his cappuccino. I pressed my lips into a thin line.

"I had something super important to do, that's why I missed it," I lied.

He nodded in understanding.

"I don't think your boyfriend liked me much today," he murmured.

"Kayler doesn't like many people," I smiled, remembering how he would get angry whenever a guy was near me.

"Well, having such a beautiful girlfriend, anyone would be protective," he complimented.

"Beautiful?" I laughed nervously. "Not at all."

Rafael was so transparent and kind, but I would never see him as anything more. Maybe he reminded me of Connor in those days.

"It's true," he admitted. "But don't get me wrong, okay? I'm still your professor," he mused. "But I'd like that to stay just inside the classroom. Outside, you can consider me a good friend," he suggested. "The other girls, I think, are looking for something other than friendship."

I took a deep breath and nodded. Rafael wasn't unattractive, so he probably had a good group of admirers. I was still nervous and a bit scared from earlier, but I had to be strong.

"Of course, I already consider you a friend," I nodded.

Rafael glanced at something behind me but then looked back at me before I could turn my head to see who was there. His voice stopped me:

"Were you going somewhere? It seems too late for a young lady like you to be out alone."

"I wanted to get some fresh air," I admitted. "I also needed to think a bit."

"I could accompany you," he suggested.

Actually, I wanted to be alone to vent without embarrassment, but I couldn't say no to my professor. Besides, maybe in the future, he could help me with some points in class if needed.

You're terrible, Carolina Lane.

"Yes, that's fine..."

"Absolutely not," a voice said behind me. It was authoritative and harsh. Kayler stepped beside me, giving me a quick glance before looking menacingly at Rafael. "No offense, but I planned to take my girlfriend somewhere better," he said with feigned appreciation. I glared at him, but he didn't look at me. Rafael just shrugged.

"Alright," he raised his hands in a peace gesture. He then turned to me. "See you tomorrow, Lina," he said.

"Goodbye," I smiled at him. Rafael turned and started walking to his dorm.

Now to face the guy next to me. Kayler stood in front of me, reproachful.

"I don't like your professor," he murmured.

"Really? Wow, I thought you adored him," I replied sarcastically, turning and starting to walk toward the elevator. I still wanted to go outside.

"The sarcasm is back?" he wanted to know, matching my pace. I rolled my eyes.

"I think it was time; some questions deserve a sarcastic answer," I replied.

"And did he give you a nickname? I heard him call you 'Lina'."

"So what?" I looked at him. "There's nothing wrong with it. Rafael and I are just building a nice friendship, like the one I had with Connor when I first arrived in town," I pressed the elevator button. The doors opened, and we stepped in. I pressed the button for the ground floor. The doors closed.

"Like that?" he sounded upset. "Will you let Rafael kiss you too?"

I faced him. His expression was darkening.

"Kayler, please, stop that. I can have male friends too," I retorted. "Besides, having him as a friend benefits me since he's one of my professors," I confessed. Yes, sometimes I doubt my intelligence, but it sounded so bad. In other words, I said I would use him to pass his class if needed.

I'm a terrible person. I hope this elevator doesn't have security cameras, or I'm doomed. I reflexively looked at the corners.

"And if he asks you to kiss him to pass? Would you do it?" he took my chin to make me look at him.

I rolled my eyes.

"Obviously not, silly," I freed myself from his grasp. "Calm down. I thought you had overcome your need to give me orders."

He sighed, running his hands through his hair. He was holding back, I knew. But I didn't feel like fighting.

"To make you feel better, I'll tell him not to get too comfortable with me," I looked at him. "Happy?"

He thought about it, analyzing me, scanning me, maybe looking for any sign of a lie. Finally, he just sighed and nodded.

"It won't last long anyway," he murmured more to himself.

"What won't?" I wanted to know.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out simultaneously.

"I'll take you somewhere tomorrow, alright? I'll give you a surprise," he took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. His anger dissipated so quickly. Ah, I forgot this is Mr. Bipolar.

"Okay," I reluctantly agreed. We walked out into the garden; the night was starry. We found a bench away from the entrance and sat down. The moon was at its peak.

I didn't know if I should tell him now about what I received a few minutes ago, but we were silent and peaceful. I didn't want to recall it because something inside me felt anxious, and I didn't like feeling that way. I just wanted to be with him, calm.

I'll save it for tomorrow.

"Do you miss being in the forest?" I broke the silence, resting my head on his shoulder. "At this hour, you might be there, as a wolf, running around with your pack," I commented.

"It's your pack too," he reminded me, as he always did. I still didn't feel part of his world. No matter how much I tried, I didn't know what to do in some situations, I didn't know what to think or who to trust.

"Do you miss it?" I evaded his comment.

Silence, maybe I could take that silence as a "yes."

"If I'm with you, I don't miss anything," he finally answered. Maybe it's true, but maybe not.

---

The next morning, I woke up feeling a bit lazy. Kayler wasn't beside me, as he usually was. I headed to the shower, taking a long and relaxing bath. When I got out, I decided on black pants that fit my legs perfectly. I chose a loose white shirt, with sleeves reaching my elbows. Then I put on beige platform sandals, neither too high nor too low.

I combed my hair, making a slightly loose ponytail. I applied mascara to my lashes and a bit of gloss to my lips.

I was ready. I grabbed my bag and stepped into the hallway. I was surprised to find Kayler sitting on the couch, but I froze when I saw what he had in his hands: the gift box with the note. He looked up at me, watching me.

"I thought you had left," I murmured.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he stood up.

"It slipped my mind, alright? I planned to tell you today," I replied.

He just stared at me for a few seconds.

"Carolina, you have to tell me everything that happens to you, please," he pleaded. I nodded.

"I know."

"But you don't do it..."

"Kayler..." I whispered.

"Don't you trust me?"

"It's not that."

"Then?"

"I just didn't want to remember what I did for one damn moment, alright?" I exploded. "Sorry for wanting some peace in my life, because honestly, since I became what I am now, I almost don't have any."

I said it, I finally said it. And I regretted it at that moment. I regretted it when I saw Kayler's disappointed and hurt look.