Page 14 of Blind Bite
I shifted my weight. “I was taking notes.”
“Really? Let’s see it then.” He pointed towards my notebook held to my chest. A sigh left me as I handed it over, only for him to reveal my doodles of twisted vines and thorny roses that adorned the pages. “These don’t look like notes on strigoi.”
The way his jaw clenched made my stomach flutter. If only these reprimands ended with me bent over his desk. No, stop it. You’re getting scolded because you couldn’t pay attention to his class, now was not the time to fantasize about him. I needed to push the temptation of a hot teacher out of my head before I began to blush. Every class he was an asshat, but you know what they said about grumpy guys…
“I’m not trying to be harsh, but you’re better than this. Your paper on blood demons was excellent—albeit a bit cheeky.” His lips twitched. Would they feel as soft as they looked? Focus, Lilith. “But you can’t coast through this class on natural talent alone.”
My hands clutched my bag tighter. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Are you? Because this is the second time this month we’ve had this conversation.” He ran a hand through his brown hair, messing it up in a way that shouldn’t have been attractive. “I’m starting to think you’re a lost cause. If you drop the class now, you have time to pick a new elective.”
Those words hit harder than they should have. Just like every guy who’d decided I wasn’t worth the effort. Just like Beckett’s silence. Now my sexy, grumpy professor didn’t even want me taking up a seat in his classroom.
“I’ll do better,” I mumbled.
Holloway let out a long sigh. “You’d need to start paying attention. It won’t be long until I’m selecting interns. When I read your paper, you had me writing your name along with the others I saw potential in. But I can’t have someone whose attention span is so fleeting that they can’t sit even through a simple lecture.”
With a wave of his hand, I was dismissed. As I ran out of the classroom, I couldn’t help but feel like I was lost and drowning. No matter what I did, it seemed like life would always drag me down.
Thankfully, our little chat didn’t go near as long as the last time, giving me plenty of time to work on assignments, grab lunch, and change before I made my way to work. I was able to get through Venom’s heavy glass door with a few minutes to spare before my shift. Even without taking the shortcut.
It was a regular weekday, not too busy, but not quite dead. I mindlessly traced stencil lines while my thoughts drifted. Was there something that made people give up on me? Would I be cursed to exist alone for all of eternity?
“Earth to Lilith.” Krista waved her hand in front of my face. “You’ve been staring at that same spot for five minutes.”
“Sorry, I just?—”
“Boy trouble?” She perched on the edge of my desk, her gold-threaded braids catching the light.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Honey, I’ve been in this business long enough to recognize that look.” She tilted her head. “Want to talk about it?”
I traced the outline of a butterfly wing, trying to keep my hand steady. “Just the usual. Guy seemed perfect, date went great, then—poof. Gone.”
“Poof?” Krista’s bangles jingled as she splayed her fingers wide. “No explanation?”
“Not even a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ text.” The black ink bled outside my lines. Great. Just like my love life—messy and imperfect.
“His loss.” She squeezed my shoulder. “You’re a catch, Lil. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my best apprentice.”
“I’m your only apprentice.”
“Details,” she winked. “But seriously, don’t let one ghost make you lose hope. Remember that couple from earlier? They met right here in my shop. She came in for a touch-up. He was getting his first piece. Now look at them—matching wedding bands and everything.”
I groaned. “Not helping.”
“My point is, love happens when you least expect it. Sometimes in the strangest of places.” She glanced at the clock. “Speaking of which, you should head out. It’s almost closing time, and I know Amelie’s been blowing up your phone.”
As if on cue, my phone buzzed. Another text from Amelie after several that I hadn’t yet responded to.
* * *
Amelie
Girl, if you’re not home in 30 mins, I’m starting without you.
* * *
