I hardly slept because I had to study for my upcoming exams and also I had to make the present for Austin. I knew it would be difficult for me to handle both the things but I wanted to do it at any cost. I completed weaving it a night before Austin's Birthday and I carefully placed it in a box and wrapped it with a gift cover and then placed it on my table. That night I slept peacefully and woke up late. My father sent his driver to drop me to school as I was late. I reached Just when the school gates were about to close. For the first time in my life, I stood in late comers line.
We have a rule that late comers should take signature of our sports teacher in their school diary. Punishment of being late depends on the number of times the student comes late to school, The punishment gets severe if a person have more than three signatures in his or her diary. Since my sports teacher, Mr. Steve Cullen is a psychopath he doesn't leave any student if he or she is late. He always find for chances to punish students. I stood behind a girl, even she came late for the first time but still he didn't excuse her. He hit her on the palm of her hand with his bamboo stick which left a bruise on her hand. My heart started to beat faster when he said 'next' with his eyes at me. I gulped before stepping forward. I took my diary from my bag before going to him. After I took my diary, I walked towards him with my eyes only on the ground.
"Jessica Olsen, may I know the reason why you were late today?" I heard him say.
I didn't have the guts to look at my teacher but when I heard that voice, I immediately raised my head.
It was Austin who stood in front of me with an unreadable expression. I was happy and at the same time I was afraid. There wasn't a smile on his face, he had that cold look on his face which he always had while he spoke to other people. Austin is not a kind of person who would take advantage of his leadership to help his friends from punishment. He treats everyone equal. That was the first time I heard him speak to me coldly, it pricked my heart even though he he didn't mean to hurt me.
"Well.... I ...." I started to stutter.
"Sir is busy, you all can leave to your classes, take signature from your class teacher," he said before I could tell something.
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief which included me.
"I'm waiting for your reply Jessica Olsen," he said. My name rolled in his tongue like a magical spell, it only made my heart beat race. His voice was low but deep which was audible only to me and not to the students who little away from us.
"I have something for you," I mumbled and ignored his question.
"I can't hear you, if you mumble," he said as we continued to walk.
"Happy Birthday," I smiled. Though my voice was not too loud, I was sure he heard me.
He let out a soft chuckle. "Was that the reason you were late?" he asked me to which I shook my head.
"Go to the class quickly," he said, when he saw Mr. Cullen.
I heard him say a thank you before I took few steps forward. I turned my head to my right side and saw him smile at me.
I went to the class and sat beside Rachel. I knew you would come no matter what, she giggled and asked me if I brought the gift.
I showed her the present which was wrapped with a gift cover. After sometime, Austin came to the class and sat beside Justin.
I waited for a chance to give the present I made for him. I couldn't give him during lunch hour. Later, I decided to give him after the school.
After the last bell rang, I saw Austin walking to our principal's room and I followed him. I sat on a bench and waited for him to come out. As soon as he came out, a girl came in his way and stood in front of him blocking his way, she held a letter in her hand which she hid behind so that he won't be able to see it. Her friends hid behind a wall and waited for her to give the letter to him. Those girls were my juniors.
Austin didn't speak a word but just stared at the girl who blocked his way. His expression was cold as always. She shook her head when he asked if she had something to say and the girl gave him way to leave. If I was in her place even I would have been afraid to talk to him if he gave such cold expression to me but he was always sweet to his friends. His cold expressions are one of the reasons why most of the girls never dare to approach him. They don't even dare to look Into his eyes, little do they know that he is not what he looks like.
I saw him heading towards the class. I got up and followed him. He turned back when I called out his name.
"What were you doing here?" he asked me and waited for my reply but I just looked around to make sure that only we were alone.
"I was waiting for you," I replied and took out the gift I made for him.
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Jessica knew that her exams were near but all she wanted was to give him the present she made for him and she was happy that she gave it to him that day. She should actually thank him for saving her from Mr. Cullen. If he came a moment later, Mr. Cullen would've left a Bruise on her hand too.