CHAPTER 448: THE CONFRONTATION IN THE CORRIDOR

Evaline:

My fork froze halfway to my mouth.

Conversations across the hall began to quiet down as the group approached, led by Draven himself. Every step he took carried the kind of unintentional command that made people instinctively move out of the way.

He stopped beside our table, glancing at my friends first. "Mind if we join you?"

I could almost hear the collective what?! in everyone’s heads.

There wasn’t even a single empty chair. But of course, that didn’t stop my friends.

"Of course not!" Noah said quickly, practically beaming. "Sit wherever you like!"

And as if that invitation was magic, the students at the next table - who had been quietly eating - caught Draven’s brief glance and immediately stood with their trays in hand, fleeing as though chased by devil. Within seconds, the table was empty.

My friends scrambled to make space. Ria, who had been sitting to my left, stood up so fast her chair scraped against the floor. "Here, Draven," she said with a polite smile. "You can sit here." Then she moved to the newly emptied table nearby.

I blinked at her, then at Draven as he took the offered seat beside me.

Every eye in the dining hall seemed to be on us. Conversations had quieted again, replaced by the faint clatter of silverware and low murmurs.

Draven didn’t seem to notice... or maybe he just didn’t care. He set his tray down, looking calm as ever, and glanced sideways at me. His lips curved slightly. "Morning, sweetheart."

I stared at him for a heartbeat too long, still processing how casually he had just invaded my breakfast. "Morning..." I finally managed. "What are you doing here?"

He leaned back slightly, his tone smooth and unbothered. "Having breakfast. With you."

Simple words, but they had my pulse racing all the same... because I wasn’t the only one hearing his responses, the entire dining hall was.

Across the table, Mallory hid her grin behind her cup, and Noah was doing a terrible job pretending not to be amused.

Draven just picked up his fork and started eating as if it were the most normal thing in the world, completely ignoring the weight of the entire dining hall’s collective attention.

On the other hand, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, hide, or melt right into the floor.

I was still lost in my thoughts when he suddenly covered my hand with his own - the one resting on the table and in clear view of several people. His fingers brushed mine casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. But the simple touch sent a wave of murmurs rippling across the room. My heart raced. I could sense my friends trying not to stare, their eyes darting between us and the other curious students pretending not to watch.

Draven’s hand stayed on mine, warm and firm. "Eat," he murmured, low enough for only me to hear, his thumb tracing slow circles on the back of my hand. "You barely touched your food."

"I’m not hungry," I whispered back, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck.

"Hmm." His lips curved faintly. "Then at least pretend. You don’t want everyone thinking I starve my girlfriend, do you?"

That word - girlfriend - made me froze. And around us, gasps spread like wildfire. My friends gawked openly now. I heard Ria’s faint giggle somewhere to my left, and Noah muttering something under his breath.

Draven leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. "You look exhausted," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that only I could hear. "Did you sleep at all last night, sweetheart?"

My lips parted, but no sound came out. The pet name. The warmth in his tone. The absolute audacity of doing this here, in front of everyone.

He reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing the side of my neck - deliberate, teasing. I could practically hear a few girls choking on their food.

"Eat," he repeated softly, as if his touch hadn’t just made my entire face go up in flames.

And because I had no idea what else to do, I obeyed. I focused on my plate, pushing food around just to give myself something to do. He didn’t look away once. Not even when someone dropped a tray across the room or when whispers rose like buzzing bees. He wanted people to see this... to see us.

When I finally finished, I muttered a quiet, "I’ll see you later," and stood before anyone could stop me. I could still feel the stares following me out the dining hall door.

The corridor outside was blissfully quieter... until it wasn’t.

"Evaline," a familiar voice drawled, dripping with satisfaction.

I didn’t even need to look up. Nadine and her little entourage were waiting halfway down the corridor, looking like a pack of wolves smelling blood.

Nadine crossed her arms, a smug little smile playing on her lips. "Well, well. Looks like the rumors were true after all."

I met her gaze calmly. "Good morning to you too, Nadine."

Her smile widened, her eyes glinting. "I must say, I’m impressed. Draven Thorne, huh? You certainly know how to aim high."

Her tone wasn’t mocking for once... if anything, it was oddly satisfied. She didn’t look angry. Probably because she thought my involvement with Draven meant I was no longer a threat to Kieran.

But her friend Mary... her expression was another story. If looks could kill, I would have been six feet under already. The hostility in her eyes was sharp enough to cut through steel.

I didn’t respond. I just tried to walk past them, not wanting to create a scene, especially the day before exams.

That is, until one of the girls reached out and grabbed my arm. Hard.

"Hey-"

Before she could even finish, I twisted sharply, grabbing her wrist and turning it just enough to make her gasp and stumble. "Don’t," I said evenly, meeting her wide, shock-filled eyes. "Ever touch me like that again."

Her friends stared, shocked. I let go instantly... I hadn’t really hurt her, just made my point.

"I’m not in the mood to entertain anyone today," I added, my voice low but steady. "So stay out of my way."

I turned to leave again, but Mary’s voice stopped me.

"Don’t get too comfortable, Rogue," she hissed, stepping forward, her words laced with venom. "Just because you are dating Draven doesn’t mean anything. You think you are special? You are just a pretty distraction. He’ll get tired of you soon enough."

I tilted my head, meeting her glare with a faint smile. "Oh?"

She sneered. "Once he finds someone better, someone real, he’ll drop you without a second thought. Guys like him don’t stay with girls like you. You are nothing but-"

"Careful," I cut in softly, my eyes narrowing. "You are talking about my boyfriend."

Mary froze.

I smiled sweetly, letting her words hang there before adding, "But by all means, keep dreaming. Maybe one day you’ll be lucky enough to even talk to him."

Nadine’s gaze hardened a little. While Mary clenched her fists.

I took a small step closer, lowering my voice to a whisper just for Mary. "And if you are that curious... yes," I said, smiling wider, "he tastes absolutely amazing."

Her jaw dropped.

But before I could turn to walk away, a familiar throat cleared behind me.

My breath hitched.

I turned slowly... and there he was.

Kieran.

The hallway went dead silent.

And my heart? It skipped several beats all at once.

Perfect, I thought faintly. Just perfect.