A Kiss At Midnight (Delilah and Caelum) novel Chapter 129

A Kiss At Midnight

PATHETICALLY AWEFUL

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Mrs. Malakai looks up from the papers spread across her desk, her expression shifting into mild confusion. “Can I ask you something?”

I lean back in the chair. “That depends, Is it going to get me in trouble?”

She gave me a look over the rim of her glasses. “Why were you looking for another tutor when you already have Caelum?”

There it was, I’d known the question was coming eventually.

Forcing myself to look surprised rather than guilty. “Was there an issue?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head, “that’s why I’m asking, you and Caelum seemed to be doing quite well together.”

“We were,” the answer came a little too quickly, so I cleared my throat, “I mean, we are. There’s no problem with him.”

Technically, that wasn’t a lie

The problem was me

“I’ve just been getting much better lately,” I continue, reaching for the first reasonable excuse that came to mind, “my grades have improved a lot, and I don’t really need as much help anymore.”

I force a smile as she studies me, one that looked way too perfectly innocent.

“And I was also thinking about having some study sessions with a few friends. You know, studying together and helping each other out.”

Partly true

The few friends consists of Kaia and me, and most of our study sessions usually involves approximately one hour of actual studying and an embarrassing amount of us talking and having fun.

But right now, I would say anything, angthing that meant Caelum and I didn’t have to occupy the same space when it could be avoided.

I’d spent weeks convincing myself I could handle being around him. Clearly, I had been full of shit. So if a harmless excuse could keep some distance between us, I was taking it.

Mrs. Malakai finally nodded, “Well, you’ve certainly done a lot better these past few months.”

Relief loosened something in my chest. “I have?”

“Yes,” she smiles, “your progress has been noticeable. I just hope you keep it up, especially with the requirements for the school you’re applying to.”

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14:53 Fri, Sep 11

A Kiss At Midnight

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“I will,” I return her smile, keeping my expression calm. “I know what’s at stake,” I said, sitting a little straighter, “and I’m going to work twice as hard for it.”

She nodded approvingly, “Very well, then,” gathering a few of the papers on her desk before looking back at me, “I’m guessing you’ve already told Caelum about the new arrangement?”

I bit the inside of my lips, shit..of course she would assume that.

I hadn’t told him anything, not a word.

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I hoped the small movement would disguise the brief hesitation. “I’ve hinted at it,” I said carefully, “but I was planning to let him know during our tutoring session.”

That was another lie, one I was becoming far too comfortable telling. I offered her a small smile. “Actually, could you not tell him yet? I’d rather be the one to explain it to him.”

She once again nods without questioning me. “Sure, that’s perfectly fine.”

“Thank you.”

Pointing a finger at me, her expression turning stern, “But remember, no slacking off just because you think you don’t need tutoring anymore.”

I gave her a mock serious nod. “Duly noted.” That earned me a small smile and I return it before pushing my chair back and standing, “Well, I’ll see you later, Mrs. Malakai.”

“See you, Delilah.”

Adjusting my bag over my shoulder, I made my way toward the classroom door and the moment I step into the hallway, my smile faded.

I had bought myself a little more distance, now I just had to figure out how long I could keep it. Taking a deep breath, that was settled. One problem down, the next one was Caelum.

The only question was how the hell I was going to go about it

I turned, looking down the hallway and my step halts almost immediately when I spot him standing several feet away, his attention fixed on his phone.

His brows were drawn together in a deep crease, the kind that told me whatever he was reading had his mind somewhere else entirely.

Then his phone raised, bringing brought it to his ear and a second later, mine started ringing. My heart gave a sharp little ping as I stare down at the screen, watching his name flash across it.

For a moment, I couldn’t move as I watch it ring, and then slowly, I lift my gaze, just for me to let out a subtle gasp when I find him already looking at me.

His eyes locks onto mine with an intensity that stole the air from my lungs, there was something unreadable in them..something heavy beneath the surface.

2/6

14:53 Fri, Sep 11

A Kiss At Midnight

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His expression remains controlled, but his eyes weren’t. My fingers tightened around my phone. Then he started walking toward me and my pulse climbed with every one, untill suddenly, a figure appeared beside him and practically jumped onto him.

Olivia.

Caelum’s arm instinctively wraps around her waist to steady her and she says something to him, her face bright as she looks up at him.

His gaze shift from me to her, just briefly but it was enough. I swallowed hard, suddenly, all I could feel was pain.

Pain..pain..pain..pain

Caelum’s gaze met mine again and for one suspended second, neither of us looked away. Clenching my hands at my sides, digging my nails into my palms as I forced myself to turn around.

Walk

Just fucking walk

I started down the hallway without looking back but I could feel his eyes burning into my back with every step. My vision blurs, the tears hadn’t fallen..not yet..but everything around me had become slightly hazy, making it harder to see where I was going.

I kept walking anyway, walking straight into someone. My forehead met a solid chest. “Sorry,” I mumbled absently, barely waiting for a response before trying to walk around them.

A hand caught mine. “Delilah?” I stopped as the figure steps in front of me.

Through my blurry vision, a familiar pair of blue eyes stared down at me, filled with concern, but they weren’t the eyes I wanted to see.

Of all the people, It had to be him.

Landon

I pulled my hand from his then tried walking past him, but he caught my hand again before I could get away, “Delilah, what the hell is wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Clearly something is.”

“Its non..” he didn’t let me finish or maybe he simply didn’t give me the chance as he starts to drag me down the hallway.

“Landon..” I glare at the back of his head, but he kept walking until he pushes open an empty classroom, pulling me inside.

The door shut behind us and I immediately yanked my hand away from him.

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14:53 Fri, Sep 11

A Kiss At Midnight

Landon stares at me, worry written all over his face. “Delilah.”

“Mind your business.”

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