New college

Ezekiel was driving smoothly, his focus on the road, while I sat in the backseat, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew it was rude to sit back there, treating him like a mere driver, but I couldn’t bring myself to sit beside him. Not after last night. Not after knowing that he knew I had seen everything.

My gaze drifted to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of his eyes. Those long, thick eyelashes were almost unfair for a man to have. I bit my lower lip, feeling a warmth spread through me that I tried desperately to ignore. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, closing my eyes to block out the sight of him. But that only made it worse. His scent —intoxicating and eliciting —filled the car, wrapping around me like a blanket I couldn’t escape.

I sighed softly, squeezing my thighs together as if that would stop the flood of thoughts running wild in my mind. Thoughts that I knew were dangerous. Thoughts that I shouldn’t be having. When I first met Ezekiel, I think I had a harmless crush on him. He was handsome, charming, and confident —the kind of man any girl would notice. But after last night, after seeing him with my mom, that innocent crush had twisted into something darker, something I couldn’t shake off.

I tried to focus on something else, but all I could think about was him. The way he looked in the dim light, his strong, commanding presence, and the way his touch made my mother lose herself completely. My fingers found their way to my mouth, and I began chewing on my nails, a nervous habit I hadn’t been able to break since childhood.

‘I need to get out of my head,’ I thought desperately. ‘I need to go to a club, meet someone, make a boyfriend as soon as possible. Anything to get these thoughts out of my mind.’

But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Ezekiel was already under my skin, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to get him out.

I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at Ezekiel through the rearview mirror, captivated by his presence. ‘I’ve never spent time with someone older, more experienced,’ I thought, my mind racing. I was so tired of guys my own age —they were predictable, boring. But Ezekiel was different. I wished I could feel his warmth, his touch.

“I wish I could have his warmth,” I mused silently, my thoughts tangled in confusion and longing.

Lost in my thoughts, I kept checking him out when our eyes suddenly met in the mirror. My breath hitched, and I quickly looked away, my heart pounding. ‘D*mn it,’ I murmured under my breath, feeling my face flush.

To my surprise, Ezekiel broke the silence. “Are you nervous?”

I froze. How did he know? Was I that obvious? My voice came out shaky as I tried to play it cool. “No… I’m not.” But even I didn’t believe it.

We locked eyes again in the rearview mirror, and this time, neither of us looked away. The air between us felt charged, as if we were both silently acknowledging something we weren’t ready to say out loud.

Ezekiel’s voice was softer when he spoke again, his gaze still on me. “When I was your age, I was always nervous thinking about starting at a new college.”

For a moment, I was confused, then realized he was talking about college, not what had really been on my mind. I sighed, relieved that he didn’t know the true reason for my nerves. I managed a small smile.

“Yeah, I guess I’m a bit nervous, thinking about the people. I don’t know if I’ll fit in, or if I’ll match their vibes.”

Ezekiel nodded, his expression thoughtful.

“It’s normal to feel that way. But you’ll be fine.”

Ezekiel's voice was soothing as he spoke. "The professors are all helpful, so I think nothing will bother you." He smiled, and I blinked slightly, feeling the tension in the car ease a little.

‘Thank God,’ I thought, relieved that our conversation was starting to feel more normal.

"We're here, it's your college, Isabella," he said, slowing the car as we approached the university gates. I forced myself to sit up straight, pushing all those wild thoughts back where they belonged.

As I stepped out of the car, I took in the vastness of the campus. It was overwhelming, yet exciting at the same time. I turned to Ezekiel and smiled, grateful for his company this morning. "Thank you, Mr. Ezekiel, for the lift."

"My pleasure, my lady," Ezekiel replied with a playful bow, pressing his hand to his chest. His gesture made me chuckle despite my nerves.

"Okay, then, I’ll leave," I said, trying to sound confident as I started walking towards the entrance. But as I moved, I couldn’t help but notice the way some students were looking at us —well, mostly at him. It wasn’t surprising; Ezekiel was incredibly handsome, and I could see how he drew attention effortlessly.

I glanced back one more time and saw Ezekiel talking with the guard at the gate. His gaze shifted to me, and he waved with a warm smile. I didn’t know what he was discussing, but I waved back, feeling a strange mix of comfort and nervousness. With a deep breath, I turned and continued walking, determined to find my classroom and make it through the day.

My thoughts kept drifting back to Ezekiel, his smile, and the way he’d made me feel this morning. I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand.

After asking a few students for directions, I finally found my classroom. I stood outside the door for a moment, gathering my courage.

‘This is it,’ I thought.

With one last deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The classroom was already half-full, students chatting or looking over their notes. I found an empty seat near the middle and sat down.

But as I sat down a boy walked over me, "Hey!"