CHAPTER ONE

"What in the world are you wearing?"

Catherine West halted in mid-stride. She looked down at her practical soft grey shapeless dress with sensible black flats. She looked back up at Mrs. Stanford's shocked face, " What's wrong with it?"

Elizabeth Stanford slowly shook her head trying to absorb the nightmare on Catherine's body, "It's just so...ugly."

Catherine's laughter lit up her face and brought a smile to Mrs. Stanford's face. "Really Mrs.Stanford, your honesty's amusing".

Taking the remaining steps to her desk, Catherine was immediately swamped with questions. "You're two weeks late darling, Were you sick? Was there an accident? are you okay?"

Catherine smiled, "How about you prepare my new schedule and I'll tell you".

As Elizabeth prepared her class schedule, Catherine talked. Yes, she had a fever. No, there was no accident and of course , she feels fine. As she turned to leave with her schedule in hand, the door to the principle's office opened.

Stepping out with an elegance sharpened with age, Ms. Angela Woods addressed her secretary, "Elizabeth has that McAllister girl arrived yet?" Just as Mrs. Stanford opened her mouth to reply, Angela caught sight of Catherine standing silently by the door. 'Never mind. Catherine will do just fine."

Sighing softly, Catherine follows the elegant principle into her office. She notices a hooded black figure reclining in the chair and frowns lightly. "Take a seat, Catherine. I heard you were ill for a while. I hope you're feeling better."

As she took a seat, she wondered just how her aunt managed to keep up this facade of not knowing who she was.

It's been 3 years and Catherine's now a senior. She wished they could just drop the act but understood her reasoning. If everyone knew, no one would treat her like a normal student an and everyone would fear and dislike her, teachers included, just because the principle is her aunt.

Smiling at her, Catherine replied, ''I am, Miss Woods.''

Nodding her head, she regarded the hooded figure apologetically, ''I'm afraid our senior class president is unavailable. However, Catherine here is the best student in her year. I will be aligning your schedules together for easy assimilation. I'm leaving you in her capable hands." She turned to me, ''I trust you can manage with this set up.''

Catherine blinked at her. Having to babysit some new kid for every class? And what's this about Brittany McAllister being class president? That's my job.

However, she was still looking at her for an answer so she smiled and nodded unable to open her mouth to protest.

She nodded back and looked down at the files on the desk.

Taking that as her cue, Catherine stood to leave and the dark figure stood as well. She noticed that the person was at least 6'5 and bulky. so it was definitely a guy. Super...

They left and walked back to Mrs. Stanford to get the new guys schedule printed. After thanking her, they left for their first class. Noticing the empty hallway, Catherine figured they were late so she sped up, the tall figure keeping pace easily.

Arriving in front of the class, she stopped and took a deep breath before opening the door. Everyone's eyes widened either because of she being late ,she being back to school or the tall dark figure behind her. Probably all of the above.

Mr. Croft, who is apparently her new history teacher despite the fact that he taught English last year , folded his arms over his chest. ''You know how you feel about late comers, Catherine.'' She winced and he smiled.'' However, since this is your first time, you can come in.''

He regarded the guy behind me speculatively as he walked up to him and held out a slip of paper Catherine recognized as a school transfer slip. Mr. Croft read it and nodded. ''Welcome to our school Mr. Kir..ki..''

''Kyril.'' The deep voice startled the class and Catherine as well into shocked silence. That sounded nothing like teenager. He sounded like a wet dream.

Mr Croft gulped suddenly intimidated. ''Ye..yes of course. Please take a seat, Mr Calix.''

Catherine watched as Kyril nodded and slowly made his way to the back.

The seats by the widow opened for them as two guys there fled, making space for the hulking giant making for it. The two sat quietly as slowly, Mr Croft and the rest of the class regained the ability to speak.

Five minutes into the class, Kyril slowly began squirming in his seat. Catherine shot him a look that he apparently caught because he immediately stopped.

Two minutes later, the squirming intensified enough to distract Catherine from taking notes. Dropping her pen in annoyance, she turned to him, a brow raised high.

''Are you okay? You keep squirming.''

Wordlessly, he gestured to the large hoodie he had on. Catherine gave him an exasperated sigh, ''You're hot?'' He nodded. ''Take it off then.'' He turned to look at her under the hood.

She shrugged, '' For real. If you're uncomfortable, take it off.''She sighed, "I have no idea why you're wearing a hoodie in the summer time anyway".

Kyril wiggled again, "Are you sure?". His voices sounded unsure and amused.

Catherine smiled at him and teased,"Why don't you want to take it off? Are you hideously ugly? A bad case of acne perhaps. Because I really don't mind".

She saw a glimpse of a smirk before he grabbed the bottom if the hoodie and took it off.

The entire class went silent as they took in the impossibility that is kyril .

He was huge. I mean we already figured that out but the guy is absolutely massive. Tattoos littered his impressive muscles all the way up to his neck. His tight black shirt had ridden up exposing his 8 pack.

Catherine ripped her eyes away from his body just to clash with his.

They were beautiful. A bright cat gold that practically glowed with mischief and sat high on his impressive cheekbones. His pink plump lips were pulled in a smirk as he watched her watch him.

Catherine could feel the blush working up her neck to her ears and immediately turned back to her notes.

Just like that the silence was broken by people chattering loudly with teacher trying to bring them back go order.

And the main cause of it just leaned back and smiled.

What a lovely start to the year.