Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

We stayed in the water until it was dark, swimming and drinking and laughing as our glasses were refilled over and over again. It never seemed to end. Nothing seemed to dry out.

Nothing seemed to break this perfection.

There was food too. Endless amounts.

I’ve never been so full in my life.

The night was lit only by the stars and the crescent moon, the lanterns that floated in the water and the mansion that glowed in the distance, placing us in this

unimaginable land. Music was still playing from somewhere, matching the push and pull of the water. It was breathtakingly beautiful tonight, the heavens clearing the sky just for us.

I was starting to feel the rest of my anxiousness for the School of Love slip away. At least, only a little bit.

With Kelcey and Christy, it felt like the pressure about this entire Academy was merely a bonus in this otherwise perfect getaway.

And it wasn’t all about fun too. I got to meet more people, got introduced to many people. Though none of them showed any real interest, it made me feel like I was actually trying.

Andrew was near us but he was quiet and kept to himself, drinking with a few other guys. I caught his eye a few times only for him to look away.

“My parents want this to work out.” Christy tells us as we floated around the beautifully lit lanterns. “To come home with someone.”

Kelcey was also on her back, looking at the stars. “Everyone’s parents want.this to work. This is what can make or break your future after all.”

“It’s a lot of pressure.” I gestured to us, swimming with a drink in our hands and then towards the mansion. “And most of the time… we have no control over it.”

Kelcey lets out a small laugh. “We can’t do anything. We can try our best to improve our chances but even that is just far fetched. I think all we can really do now is enjoy the experience and hope for the best.”

I could only shake my head. “Hope for the best. Is that all?”

“Yes.” She says wisely and carefully. “I’ve accepted that the odds are against me and all I want now is make the most out of my time here.”

“Girls!” Christy hollered from near the shore. “We have to get ready for dinner!”

Chapter 27

I was told that tonight’s dinner is in the gardens and every year there’s always a different theme.

“It’s going to be gorgeous tonight. I heard it’s woodland. Leaves and flowers and nature.” Christy went on excitedly.

I was quite nervous only because I was already running out of clothes to wear and I’m sure that what we have isn’t going to work with the theme tonight.

With the water only over our ankles and the chill of the wind making us shudder, I was surprised to find Andrew hesitating near the tree line, holding out a towel for me.

Both Kelcey and Christy glanced between Andrew and I, but Kelcey in particular had her sharp eyes studying us closely and when she was sure that everything was okay, she finally stepped away. “I’ll… see you later, Vareesa.”

I waved to her, unsure of what was happening as I tightened the towel around me.” See you.”

“Is everything okay?” I started, taking in the sight of Andrew. “Are you feeling well?”

He looked a little drunk, his eyes were glassy as the shadows from the trees and the lights from the mansion danced within them. He wanted to say something. I could tell that much.

But the words didn’t seem to come even as the seconds ticked by.

It’s as if he was battling something within himself.

Silence stretched between us and if I listened hard enough. I watched as he stared at the stars, his eyes looking and waiting for an answer from the heavens.

For what?

I did not know.

All I know is that something was happening.

And then he abandons the stars to look at me.

We balanced on the edge of something dangerous. I knew this, and I am sure that he knew it as well. The unknown was tipping us over endless possibilities and before I could decide which way to fall, which option is more important, he took a step closer.

Fear danced in his eyes, but I could see the longing that existed there as well.

Still, there was that glint in his eye- the one that told me to run yet stay as close as possible at the same time.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, his voice shaking like he was in pain. “I’m so sorry, Vareesa,”

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What for?”

He doesn’t let me speak, doesn’t let me get another word in as he walks towards me,

Chapter 27

closing the space between us and capturing my lips in his.

Andrew’s soft lips were warm on mine and he kissed me like nothing I ever expected from him, for it was gentle and hesitant and sweet.

All things he was not.

As he pushed me against a tree, his kiss was filled with such passion, such promise

that it took my breath away. There was an inferno that raged inside him, setting ablaze within as he kissed me.

Andrew was nothing like Benedict.

Not even in kissing.

But it was good in its own special way.

It took a fraction of a second before I responded, one arm wrapping around him to bring him closer while my other hand rested on his chest.

He was still topless, his body covered only by a loose pair of shorts and he was still dripping with lake water.

A water droplet falls on my cheek from his hair and I pull away from him, panting and dizzy from how quickly things have gone.

I had hoped kissing him would explain the unanswered questions in mind and heart, but it seemed to only make it worse. The lines between us are blurry now and yet there

were still no answers.

Only more questions.

And the way he looked at me made me worry that I had done something wrong. He looked scared… almost regretful.

My mind raced with questions, with emotions I could not decipher.

Because I too felt this regret.

What about Benedict? Was there even a Benedict to begin with?

I was so confused.

It felt good but it also didn’t feel right.

Andrew lets out a moan, eyes fluttering closed. “Always such a good girl, huh? So innocent. So pure. So unlike everyone else.”

I was a good girl.

I’ve always been a good girl, following rules and staying out of trouble.

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