Page 50 of Brimstone Academy: Semester One

16

Corbin

Harper is soaking wet.Her long blonde hair is stuck to her face and she pushes it back as she walks toward her room. I run to greet her. “I’m so relieved to see you.”

She frowns and crosses her arms over her chest. “Well, I’m here. And I’m going to bed.”

“Hey, what happened? Are you okay?” I ask.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she says.

The sound of a door opening draws my attention away from her and Professor Cardale steps into the hall. “Is there a problem here?”

“No problem,” Harper says. “Corbin was just leaving.”

“Harper, talk to me, what’s wrong?” We had such a good time until the rain hit and I know this isn’t about losing her. There’s something else going on here.

“Goodnight, Corbin,” she says.

“You heard her,” Professor Cardale says. “Good night.”

“Night, Harper,” I say reluctantly. I can feel Professor Cardale’s gaze on me even after I hear a door close. I’m pretty sure Harper is already in her room and that he’s watching me. No way I’m turning around to check, but it’s an odd feeling. Since when do any of the professors at this school give a damn about the students? And since when did any of them live in the student dorms? There’s something going on here that I’m missing.

When I arrive at my room, Damon’s door is closed. He’s not waiting to ask me how my date went and I have a feeling that whatever Harper is pissed about is probably his fault.

I set my alarm for early so I can go see Harper again before class. I know I should probably let it go, but there’s something about her that makes her difficult to shake. The thought that she’s hurting is too much. I need to make her feel better. I’ve never cared much about other people. Granted, I’m not as callous as my twin, but I usually let things go easily. Not this time. This woman is under my skin and I can’t let her slip away.

As soon as I knock on Harper’s door in the morning, I hear the sound of Professor Cardale’s door opening. With a sigh, I turn to look at him. “Morning, professor.”

He’s in a bathrobe sipping a cup of coffee. “Didn’t she tell you to go?”

“I swear if she asks me to leave again, I’ll go,” I say, holding up my hands in mock surrender.

He takes a sip of his coffee, his eyes locked on me. I know he’s not leaving that doorway until I’m gone.

Thankfully, Harper opens the door. “Corbin?”

“Can I walk you to class?” I ask.

Her blue eyes look me up and down and she shifts her weight. “Alright.”

My pulse rises and flutters circle in my stomach. Just being around her makes me feel more alive.

She steps into the hall and closes the door behind her. “I don’t want to talk about last night.”

“Got it,” I say. “How about the test today in class?” Professor Lee is giving us a practical exam today and I’m honestly not worried about my performance or Harper’s. She’s been keeping up surprisingly well for a new student. Especially for a non-demon student.

“I think I’ve got it,” she says. “It’s both parts, right? The potion and the spell?”

“Yes, but she won’t tell you which one she wants us to do till we start,” I explain. “She likes to try to throw us off.”

“Which one do you think she’ll go for?” Harper asks.

“I’m guessing darkness or sleep,” I say. The two of us walk down the hall and the conversation feels comfortable and familiar. We’re not in the same place we were last night, where I felt like I could take her hand, but I think we’re on the right track.

We emerge into the main hall where a mass of students are gathered in a group. They’re all talking and pushing as if trying to get to the front of some kind of line. My brow furrows as I lift my chin to see if I can make out the commotion.

“What’s going on?” Harper asks.

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