Page 13 of Secret

“Yes, I'm Elizabeth Turner. It's my first day,” I say and stand closer to his paper-filled desk.

“Elizabeth King, you mean? That's what it says on here,” he asks with a questioning look, pointing at a piece of paper he finds.

“Oh, that's my brothers’ last name, but I guess they must have put that in. It’s fine.” I guess I need to talk to them about the name change and about telling me this shit. I should have known with their money, and it’s not surprising they are having my name changed. Also, Harley did ask me to sign something two days ago, but I was too tired to read it, as he caught me after Luke and I had a film day all day. I trust them, so I just signed it, and I’m guessing it was this.

“Okay, here is your schedule, and your guide has just come. Mr. Frost will show you around today and tomorrow, so you don't get lost.” He smiles a knowing look at me, which makes my shoulders relax.

The man gestures behind me, and I turn to see those blue eyes I spent all night dreaming about. Blake stands there with his arms crossed over his impressive chest, looking at me. I can’t help but look him up and down, taking in how striking he looks today. Blake is wearing dark-blue jeans with a grey hoodie. I nearly drooled at the sight of him before shaking my head and reminding myself what a dickhead he is.

“Miss King, shall we? We have the same art class to start with,” Blake says with a sexy grin, winking at me.

I huff and walk past him to wait outside while his amused chuckle fills my ears. “Really, Blake? Of all the people in this massive school, you happen to be my guide?” I ask once he shuts the door, and I continue to glare at him with my arms crossed.

“I needed an excuse to spend time with you without annoying your brothers. Well, annoying them too much.” He frowns a little, making me wonder if he wants them to know or not.

“They don't care, and why would you want to spend time with me?” I ask, not really wanting the answer, and start walking to the right.

“Wrong way, beauty, but yes, they do. They have warned every male in here not to touch you, or they will beat the shit out of them. Why do you think that is?” He looks at me with a meaningful smile that makes me look at his soft lips.

I huff at my own thoughts and start walking next to him. “Well, they are clearly crazy. Why aren't you listening to the warning?” I ask, hoping he will say he likes me and . . . ah, I sound like a silly girl with a crush, but god damn, this man is hot as fuck, so I simply don't care right now. My feelings are all over the place, making me do and say stupid things.

“Call me crazy, but I couldn't forget that kiss if I tried,” Blake mutters more to himself than to me and suddenly stops, looking around before pulling me up to him until we are a breath away. There are teenagers walking around us, but no one seems to pay attention.

“The moment I saw you, I wanted you, and trust me, baby, I’ll have you,” he whispers and then kisses me with such a passion I can barely think straight. Blake suddenly stops the brief kiss and grabs my hand, walking me to a nearby door. I notice he lets go of my hand when we walk in, and I can't help feeling a little disappointed, but I shake it off as I look around the massive art studio. There are easels all around, and I instantly spot Sebastian behind one of the easels, he sees me too and gestures me toward him.

I go to walk to him and Blake holds my arm gently to stop me, saying, “Wait for me at the end of class, and I’ll take you to lunch.” His voice is so quiet, only I can hear him.

I simply nod, still in a daze from the kiss, and blush a little as he lets go. I turn in time to see Sebastian’s angry glare across the classroom, aimed at Blake as he sits down at his easel. I sit down at an easel next to my brother, who nods at me while finishing a message on his phone. I can’t help but glance at Blake, who just smiles back with a big grin, and I choke back a giggle.

“Hey, thanks for saving me a spot,” I say as I put my bag down. There are paint and brushes all set out on a table next to me, and there is a box of pencils and lots of plain canvases lined up next to the table by the window in all different sizes.

“No problem, sis,” Sebastian doesn’t look at me, but is still glaring at Blake across the room, and I roll my eyes at his angry face. I note to myself that Sebastian is clearly the one who has the biggest problem with Blake and me.

“Morning class,” an older woman says in a cheery voice as she enters. She has grey hair, which is cut short, and is wearing a hippy flower dress that stops at her ankles.

“We will be making a set of twelve canvas pieces on the subject of what you believe or see life as.'' I look at Blake as she goes on about different methods to create our canvas and how it will be the main part in our end of year grades, and he is staring at me too. I feel my cheeks turning red, and I quickly look back at the teacher. I don’t need to add to his ego by boldly staring at him.

“These are to be displayed, so make them good.” With that, she walks out.

I think about the question. Life is many things, it’s the world around us, but the most beautiful thing in life is love–true love and the love of those closest to you. Maybe it’s even happiness and joy.

I decide to start my first canvas as a drawing of the most beautiful place I have ever seen, which was when I was ten and my mum took me to see the sea for the first time. We drove for five hours before we came to a small beach. I can't remember where it was, but I remember the sun setting over the sea with a ferry crossing on the horizon. The watercolour painting takes the whole three-hour lesson, and the teacher comes back just to say we could leave our stuff if we wanted. I guess this is our classroom as it’s a pretty big school.

“I’ve got a date, so I have to go. I’ll see you at home, yeah?” Sebastian asks while grabbing his bag.

“Yeah, sure, see you,” I mutter, looking around for a certain guy that’s not my brother, and start grabbing my bag.

“Wow, that’s some nice work, new girl.” A cheeky-sounding, deep voice says next to me, and I turn to see a very good looking guy, about my age but maybe younger. He has nearly-black hair that curls around his face, and his bottom lip is pierced, which is totally hot. I realise I have stared as I look up at his eyes, and he grins at me.

“Oh, yeah, thanks. I'm Izzy,” I say way too quickly.Who wouldn't be flustered when a guy like him talks to you?Part of me is still thinking he isn't as seductively handsome as Blake, and another part of me is thinking about the fact that he doesn’t make me tingle like Blake does when he is around.

“Tristan, most people call me Tris, but you can call me whatever you want,” he says with a wink, and I can't help but blush while giggling at him.

An arm slips around my shoulder, and I recognise the smell of Blake instantly. Blake smells like the woods when it rains, and it makes me feel relaxed straight away.

“Hey, Izzy,” he says while gently kissing my ear. I frown up at him and wonder what in the hell he is doing while trying not to shiver at his kisses.

“Nice to meet you, Tris,” I say, looking back at Tris, and he smiles at me. Tris’ gaze cuts to Blake with a glare, and they both seem to have a silent conversation just by staring at each other.

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