The boys in front of me were suddenly standing erect, lips are tightly pursed with obvious nervousness etched in their faces. I could hear the footsteps approaching at my back. As I sensed him nearing, I smelled a very pleasant scent, awakening all my senses. It was like a combination of fresh mint, freesia, chocolate goo or something sweet, strong and appealing like an expensive alcohol.
"W-we were just talking with Everleigh, Carter. Nothing really serious, you know." Clarkson chuckled nervously.
His friends stood still like statues, as if they wanted to run but they were trapped. But that did not surprised me. What stunned me was the fact that Carter was here, behind me. Though at the same time, I was relieved.
"Really?" I could almost taste the sarcasm in Carter's voice, as if he knew better than anyone of us. Like there is nothing in this world that we could hide from him. It was as if he have the means of knowing everything.
"We were just having a little talk, right Everleigh?" Clarkson asked me.
I almost frowned at that. Eyes narrowing, I gave him a sharp look but didn't say anything. How did he become like a scared kitten now? Where is the guts he showed earlier?
"We... are leaving now. Don't worry." Clarkson raised his both hands and walked away with his fellows following him like dogs. But after he made a few steps, I heard him growled in pain while pressing a hand on his abdomen. I realized he bumped to a locker's door that just suddenly flew open. I winced at his pained growl.
"Next time, watch your moves," Carter said in a low, restrained voice like he uttered the words through clenched teeth. It sounded a warning rather than an advise out of concern.
The next seconds, the group were out of my sight. My grip on the strap of my bag tightened even more. The tension I am feeling at the moment is far greater than what I felt earlier. I inhaled, hoping to gain some confidence in the air before facing the man at my back.
I turned and took one step backward when I saw how close he was to me. With my five feet and five inches height, I noticed how small I was compared to him, that I had to lift my chin to look at his serious sea-green eyes. I didn't found any comfort in those. In fact, I was very intimidated. His eyes spoke dominance, stripping all the grit I supposed to have.
"Um, thank you for that..." I blinked twice, making sure that this perfect creature is standing right before me.
"You are welcome, Miss Delluci." Even his voice sounds effortlessly seductive.
"Eve," I corrected. "I mean, you may call me Eve if you please. I don't really like much of formalities."
He nodded once. A small smirk touched his flawless lips.
"Don't mind Mr. Clarkson and his friends. They won't pick on you again. I will make sure of that," he promised.
"How thoughtful of you, um... Carter. If... I am allowed to call you that."
Not sure but I saw his eyes glowed lighter than the usual. Literally. It was like there was a light beyond the vast sea for a moment. But I know that is impossible to happen. Eyes won't glow without the help of any lights nearby. Maybe it was my fascination for his eyes that triggered those illusions.
His expression turned grim. There was a moment of silence between us while he was staring straight to my eyes as if he was seeing something in those. I didn't wait and talked first.
"But... if you're not comfortable of a stranger addressing you casually, I'll address you in a formal—"
"No."
"What I mean is, you may call me by my first name. I like it that way."
I smiled. "Carter, then." I raised my books a bit. "I'll just put my things on my locker. Thank you again."
I turned my back at him to open my locker. I was lucky enough that Carter showed up earlier. Now that I think of it, I realized he doesn't seem disgusted with me, unlike most of the students does. That idea somehow hushed all the negative treatment the others are giving me. The idea of having him on my side, at least, was kind of relieving.
Turning around after locking my stuffs inside, I was stunned to see Carter at the exact position where I last saw him. I thought he would left, but why is he still there, watching me carefully like a very handsome guardian?
"I-I thought you already left."
"I'll walk you to your class," he answered gently but in a firm way.
I would have said no if he wasn't our sub teacher for Anatomy. But since we would be going to the same room, I just nodded. Besides, I missed having someone with me to talk with while walking in the school's hallway. I hate being a freak and a loner to everyone. It's uncomfortable.
"Isn't it hard?" I asked and pursed my lips back when we earned curious glances to the people around. I am sure they are thinking why Carter, the pagan god is with the antagonist of the entire town.
"What do you mean?"
I walked in a slower pace than the usual, trying to equal his. I don't know if he's too lazy to walk faster or he's just really used to this kind of pace. Of course I don't want to walk ahead of him. That would be rude.
"The student-teacher thing. I heard you're a first year Med. And you are teaching sophomore nursing students at the same time."
"Not as hard as you think." He made it sound that it was so easy for him. But if you would look closely, that is never an easy job. College of Medicine is crucial, like what Dad told me before. I even planned to be a doctor before buy my fear was stronger than my desire. I am not that intelligent when it comes to science. I am only an average student, never on the honor roll.
"Really? Or maybe you're just a very studious person or probably a genius." I chuckled.
"I'm not as intelligent as you think."
"Hm..." I nodded. "Humble."
He laughed a bit. I was surprised but that made me smile.
"Don't be sarcastic, Eve. I am saying the truth. I am no genius."
I doubt that.
"Alright," I surrendered and raised a brow at him, suppressing a chuckle.
"I heard you're from Philippines. I suppose the weather here is much colder than of that place. Are you comfortable?" He then glanced at what I am wearing. A not-so-thick sweater and knee-length skirt.
"Well, I'm still adjusting. I am not used at this kind of temperature yet. But I hope I'll get used to it soon."
"It's still August. The next months will be much colder. Prepare thicker clothes," he sounded so concern and at the same time, serious.
"I'll take your advice, Sir."
He smirked.
"So why did you transfer here? You're a second year. That's so unlikely to happen to any college student, specially nursing." Now he seems so curious about my ordinary life like it's a vital to know everything about me.
"It's... um, about my family. Not sure if that's how I should call it, though."
His forehead creased, listening to my every word, as if everything I say is vital for him. But it won't hurt to share, right? After all, we are not merely strangers to each other now.
"Mind to tell me?"
I cleared my throat, preparing to have a little storytelling.
"As everyone here knows, I am the Mayor's daughter from her first husband. My parents separated when I was nine and I lived under my father's roof for the last ten years. I was okay with it. I coped up with the loss of a complete family. But... last year, Dad got remarried. His new wife was nice to me, but her daughter wasn't any good at all. And I couldn't take it all in. So I had to leave for the diplomacy to remain between me and his wife, at least."
"What did your stepsister have done?" he asked with a very low voice that he seemed mad about it.
I shook my head. "Too many to mention."
He was about to open his mouth for another question but he stopped when he noticed that we're already in front of room 306. I smiled bitterly. I want to talk longer to him, too.
"We're here," I said almost mutely and walked inside the classroom first.
I took the seat I had yesterday. Jason looked at me anxiously while the others gave me sharp glances. I gasped watching Carter went in. It's comforting to think that he's not like any of them. In the middle of this unfamiliar little town, at least I have him.
"Good morning everyone," Carter greeted coldly. I fixed my hair and listened to his lecture. Though I was kind of distracted with his glances, I still had learned something.
The first week in Edmonds was really bad. I don't have friends that I could join during lunch. I was all by myself every time I am in the cafeteria while everyone else belongs to a group. Last Friday, I asked Jason to have a lunch with me, but he said he don't want to be involved in anything that concerns me. I understand him. He's just probably scared that everyone will start hating him like how they hate me. I don't want to put him on that situation.
Like Carter promised, Clarkson and his group didn't bother me again. Clarkson only glares at me sometimes but he doesn't go beyond the lines anymore. Even the girls won't say anything bad in front of me as well. All they did was to kill me with their eyes and I am fine with that. As long as I hear nothing, it's all right with me. I guess I should just accept that my life is now very different from what I used to. Maybe I have to get through this. To learn how to deal things on my own instead of leaning on my not-so-true friends.