flavor 306

Arabella Rivera 

“You’re the girl from the window?” He asked, leaning his shoulder on the locker beside mine. 

I wanted to point out that he probably shouldn’t have done that judging by the fresh scent of paint coming from said locker, but I bit my tongue. It would certainly be karma for what he did to me earlier. 

This close, I could finally see the color of his irises a bit clearer. His eyes reminded me of the hot chocolate Gertrude always snuck into my room the night before Christmas. Warm and inviting, but it was nothing but a front. Haiden was the exact opposite of warm and inviting. 

He leans in closer and the smell of mint flutters into my nose. There was also a hint of cigarette but the scent of mint overpowered it enough to not make one notice it quickly. 

His slightly bushy brows press together while his eyes gleam with what I recognized as laughter. He was quick to pull the curtains over the emotion but the fight to stop the curve of his lips was useless for it tilted slightly into a barely–there grin that flashed some of his pearly whites. 

“Bella right?” His voice was smooth which was a huge contrast to the gruffness it usually possesses. Another glint of mirth flashed through his eyes as they scan my features. “How was the view last night?” 

It took me a few pondering seconds to understand his words. When I did, heat crawled up my neck like a raging fire. 

But me being me, hated anyone having the upper hand on me. Bad boy or not, he would not embarrass me in front of sa many eavesdropping students. So I straightened my spine and throw the strap of my bag over my shoulder and looked at him without battering a lash. 

“Dull and boring, nothing much to see honestly.” There was a neutrality in my tone as I spoke to him. 

His features betrayed him by exposing the startlement on his face. He was either surprised by my words or by hearing my voice up close for the first time. Still, Haiden compelled himself to reign in his shock and smirked. 

“Really? Seeing you quite often staring, I just presumed it must’ve been quite a good view.” His eyes narrow as he spoke. 

I prayed for his grey sweater to get stained by the paint on the locker by the mortification that pricked my being. Great. First time speaking to me and he decides to not so subtly tell me that my spying skills weren’t all that great like I thought it 

was. 

Still, even with the embarrassment that showed through my features by the sell–out of my body’s reaction to his words, I managed to shrug casually. “It’s been really hot in my room for a couple of months now. Nothing’s wrong with getting some fresh air. ” 

That was the stupidest thing that could have ever come out of my mouth. I was ashamed to be called a straight–A student. 

Perhaps with a not so smart person, the excuse could have worked but with Haiden, the look he gave me told me that he did not believe a word I just said. He raised a single brow that mocked my very existence. “Do you mean a couple of years?” 

1/3 

Chapter 306 

The breath gets stuck in my throat and not in a good way. Haiden sees the quick faltering of my composed calf and his smirk widens. I had the sudden desire to run but my ego was as stiff as a rock, meaning my feet would not comply with in mind’s need to run away. 

Seeing that I did not have any words to give that would certainly change the embarrassing situation around, Haiden decided to speak. His voice was hinting at incoming laughter. 

“However this isn’t why I came here to speak to you.” He sighed like what he was about to say was a huge task he 

dreaded. 

I gripped the strap of my bag more firmly as I lifted my chin to show that his presence and words did not affect me the slightest. It did but he certainly would not know that.” I want to apologize for dirtying you earlier. Though I think I did you a solid. That red shirt was dull and boring, nothing much to see honestly.” He murmured, eyes flashing wickedly down at my five–foot five self. 

When his words registered the first emotion that struck me was hot furious anger. The jab was not at all crafty enough to be swept aside as mere coincidence. Gritting my teeth I struck him with a furious glare that normally sent others away. But to Haiden, I suppose I looked like a wet cat after getting drenched by rain, judging by the amused look he flashed me. 

Narrowing my eyes and scowling at the six–foot well–built guy I spat. “Well Haiden, you can do us all a favor and shove that dumb apology up your ass. You know, where the cigarette buds are.” 

The shock on his face was almost comical enough to make me burst out laughing but I didn’t think he deserved such an honor, I was sure those who were eavesdropping on our conversation were rather shocked that little miss Arabella, the most studious student with sarcasm tattoed on her tongue told bad boy Haiden Cross off. Only that it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. I was always mouthy, especially having to always defend myself from judgy people. 

So much for not wanting attention on the first day. 

I turned on my heel just as the bell rang. “By the way, It’s Arabella.” I said over my shoulder. 

But of course being the renowned bad boy of the entire town and I suppose needing to live up to his reputation, Haiden calls out. “Hey, Bella!” 

I clenched my eyes in irritation before whirling around and ready to tell him off. He leans away from the locker casually, the shock on his face melting away within seconds after I told him off. He lifts his finger and pointed at his front teeth 

before speaking. 

“You have a little green thing there.” He snorts before winking. 

Speechless and mortified, I began to rummage through my bag in search of my phone while students shove past me in their need to get to class, which I was supposed to be doing also. The scent of mint and a hint of cigarettes abuse my senses as Haiden nears me. 

“See you around neighbor.” He walks past me not before brushing his arm against mine. 

My heart jumps in my throat before quickening its beats. I blamed it on the not–expected contact and pulled out my phone finally. 

“I rather not want to.” I grumble faintly. 

2/3