Chapter 33: Exams, Tutoring & Tension
(Lyra's POV)
The morning sun felt harsher than usual as I trudged out the door, backpack digging into my shoulders, heart thudding in anticipation. Exams. Ugh. Just the word made my stomach twist. I glanced at the necklace Evan had given me, catching the glint of the tiny star pendant. If he only knew how much seeing him calms my nerves…
By the time I reached Saint Valley High, the hallways were buzzing like a swarm of nervous bees. I clutched my bag tighter when I spotted Evan near the lockers, tall and impossibly golden-haired, casually scanning his schedule. And, of course, his eyes landed on me immediately.
"Late?" he asked, voice low, smirk teasing.
"Maybe a little," I muttered, cheeks heating.
"Hmm… might have to punish you later," he said, arching an eyebrow.
I choked on my own breath. Why does he have to be so tall and intimidatingly close?
Before I could respond, Soraya and Saphira swooped in like hawks.
"Ooooh, Sol, look at you! Flustered already?" Soraya teased.
Saphira nudged my arm. "Is he being mean, or is your heart just racing?"
I groaned. "Both, probably."
Evan just smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort, before walking away to his first class.
Exams were brutal. My hands shook slightly as I tried to focus on equations and history dates, my thoughts wandering to Evan every few seconds. Why did he have to hover that close this morning? Why does every look make my stomach flutter?
When I left the exam room, I felt drained. My friends gathered at the café, waving me over.
"You survived!" Cassian teased, leaning back in his chair, fingers drumming the table. "Barely, I bet."
"Shut up," I muttered, flopping into my seat. "I… think I did okay."
Cassian grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. "We'll see. But if you want, I can tutor you tonight — make sure you actually pass."
"Do I have to?" I groaned.
"Of course," he said, smirking. "Someone has to make sure you're not failing half the school like last semester."
Before I could retort, Evan appeared, looming over the table. His gaze swept over me, cool yet possessive.
"I'm supervising," he said casually, crossing his arms. "She's mine, Cassian."
Cassian's smirk didn't falter. "You wish, Vale."
I buried my face in my hands, mortified, while Soraya and Saphira burst into giggles.
"Sol, don't die of embarrassment yet," Soraya whispered, nudging me. "This is hilarious."
Evan leaned closer, just slightly, his golden hair brushing my cheek. My heart skipped, and I felt my knees weaken.
The tutoring session that evening was… chaotic. Cassian quizzed me relentlessly, teasing when I got answers wrong. Evan hovered nearby, occasionally murmuring corrections under his breath, making sure I got them right. Every time he got close, my chest raced.
"Sol, focus," Evan said softly, hovering near my chair.
"I am focusing!" I snapped, flustered.
Cassian laughed, leaning back. "Wow, look at Vale getting protective. Should I be jealous?"
Evan's jaw tightened, and he glared at Cassian. "Don't push it."
I hid my face in my hands, cheeks burning. They're both so tall… so imposing… and I'm just… me.
The day continued with more teasing, laughter, and tension. At lunch, Soraya and Saphira mercilessly poked at both me and Evan.
"Ooooh, are you trying to seduce him with that notebook, Sol?" Saphira whispered loudly, waving my assignment.
Soraya leaned over, grinning. "Or maybe just your hair. Hmm?"
I groaned, looking down at my hands. Evan, of course, noticed immediately. His protective glance made me shiver.
By the time school ended, I was exhausted but oddly exhilarated. Evan walked me home, his towering presence making me acutely aware of our height difference. Every small touch — his hand brushing mine as he passed, leaning close to point something out — made my stomach twist.
"Don't forget," he murmured softly as we approached my gate, voice low and possessive, "you're mine, Sol. I don't like to share."
I froze, heart hammering. "I… okay…"
He smirked and walked ahead just slightly, leaving me stumbling to keep up.
When I finally slipped inside my house, my mom glanced up from her sketches. "Long day?"
"You could say that," I murmured, adjusting the necklace around my neck. "But… good."
I sat down, pulling my bag closer, reflecting on the chaos, teasing, and tension of the day. Exams were stressful, yes. Tutoring was merciless. But… my heart? My heart was completely tangled.
And I don't think it's going to untangle anytime soon.