3. Wanting to be unnoticed

Briar's POV

For the first time in my life, I felt like I shouldn't have been the head-leader.

"Good morning, students." He said, bending to speak in the mic. I could hear some girls from behind, already falling for him.

"Due to some very severe reasons Mrs. Wilson is not present amongst us. She may or may not be able to join the school again. As already said by your teacher, we must keep her in our prayers.” He continued.

“I look forward for having an amazing time with all of you, because everyone has something new to teach in your life. It depends on you, how you take it. Thank you. Have a great day everyone." He said and smiled, with the claps roaring the hall once more.

He stepped down the stage and walked out the door, right in front of me. My breath being uneven, as it had been, a heavy feeling my chest just never left. The drum started playing, indicating the students have to be dispersed. I almost jolted when someone tapped my shoulder as I was deep immersed in the thought of the early morning incident.

I abruptly turned around and saw Mrs. Adrienne, our staff manager, standing with a few folders in her hand.

“Good m-morning ma’am.” I stuttered as her presence was sudden.

“Are you okay?” she asked looking concerned, because I rarely act so out of the place.

“Yes ma’am, I’m fine.” I said, nodding, letting out a weak smile.

"that’s good. Also, Mr. Wilson is asking for the student council. You take all the students with you, to his office quickly." she said and I just nodded, trying to register the hasty occasion.

But as reluctant as I was, I still had to call out for the student council. Knowing what happened in the gallery at daybreak, my steps were unwilling. Having our little crowd on the way to his office, wasn’t too bad, but my mind revolved around bad outcomes. I just kept thinking about what's going to happen once we reach there. Is he going to tell everyone about what I did?

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.” I mumbled under my breath.

I stood in front of the huge gate and slowly opened the door, raising my heartbeat in the process. The incident was very fresh in my head and so is his’ according to my assumption. I knocked on the inner office door, revealing only my face to the person inside.

"May we come in, sir" I said in low, sweet voice.

He looked up and his sarcastic smile appeared just when he saw my face. From the morning till now, the sheer thought of him making fun of me inside his brain was very much visible from his facial expressions. Even though his smile was like as pleasant as a dream, I was only unnecessarily bothered by it. Not in a good way.

"Yes, please come in." He said, standing up from his seat, making his way in front of the huge table.

An involuntary annoyed expression came on my face and I heard him chuckle a bit. But I did not dare to make eye contact with him. I don't want to make things more awkward and embarrassing between us. Because he seems to thoroughly enjoy it while I pray to commit non-existence. We all stood in front of him and he folded his arms around his broad chest.

"Good morning." He said with a comforting smile.

"Good morning, sir." We said in unison.

"So, do you know why I called you all here?" He said and I shook my head.

"Well, you all know I'm new here.” He said, letting out a chuckle.

“So, in the beginning I really need your help. Okay?" His smile was so warm that everyone seemed to get comfortable, with his voice calm and pleasant to my ears.

“Sure, sir.” Our head-girl responded with others nodding in agreement.

"Great. So, as we're going to be working together, I need to know all your names, I don’t promise to remember them all at once. But I will try my best.” He said, making the environment as calm as possible.

“And firstly, let me introduce myself. I'm Gareth.” He said and suddenly turned his face towards me, looking at me briefly. I swear, butterflies evaded my stomach.

“And I'm just like all of you. So, no need to be scared to say something. Feel free to give any kind of suggestions. Though, this is our little secret. Okay?" He said making all of us laugh a bit, and all of us nodded. Then he dismissed us.

We were all leaving the room, but a voice halted my movement.

"Umm Briar! You wait here a minute. Others may leave." He said, with his eyes stuck on me. And just like the morning, I looked down cursing him under my breathe.

Why did he only stop me?!  There are so many girls who would love to do his work.

"If you're done mumbling, then give these files in the staff room to Mrs. Adrienne. Also inform in the office that I will send the signed letters, to the head manager, after the seventh period." He said with that teasing smile.

Is he a mind reader?

I smiled politely, moving towards his table picking up the files he asked me to. Just when I turned around, I heard him again,

“Miss Carrington.”

My breath hitched and looked back in terror only to find him smiling. I hate how his face is so beautiful, but his smile reminds me of Satan.

“Yes, sir?” I asked, with my eyes widened, waiting for his response.

He gave me a blank stare with a slight smile never leaving his gorgeous face. placing his elbows on the table, in front of his chest, he crossed his fingers. And insignificantly placed the tip of his chin on his fingertips. He looked amused, or perhaps he relished tormenting me.

The urge to run away from the spot was dominating every single brain cell. I promised to myself that once I make my way out of his office, I will never go back in again.

“These files.” He said pointing to the other set of files placed in front of me.

“Not those.” He continued looking at the folders in my hand.

“Oh, s-sorry, sir.” I stuttered again. At this rate he can assume I have a childhood-onset influency disorder.

Gosh I'll kill these bastards for giving me that dare. Only if they haven't given me that dare and I would've never come in his notice. Moving out as quickly as possible, I rushed with the folders in my hand, trying to run far away from him.

“Please God, I hope I never see him again.” I said looking up, ready to collapse on the floor.

I did his work and then dragged my feet to the class. As usual they were all shouting and screaming. You know the classroom. If a teacher is late for just five minutes, then the class becomes like a concert stadium. Well, I entered in that ongoing concert and made my way to the empty chair which was reserved for me, by Gretchen. The class was yet to start, so I had a few minutes to relax.

I sat beside Gretchen and banged my head on the table.

"What happened sunshine?" Bianca, who was sitting behind said.

“Y’all are assholes.” I said, leaving the effort to raise my head and talk to them.

"Are you're still mad because of that dare?" Ariana said, lightly patting my back.

“Seriously sorry, Briar. We thought, nobody would be there since Mrs. Wilson isn’t in school. Nobody goes to the office in the morning anyways.” Rosé said, bending beside me, rubbing my hand, trying to comfort me.

"I'm not mad. But because of that dare I came in notice of the principal. He doesn’t leave a single chance to tease me." I said getting irritated.

"He is new, Briar.” Charlotte patted my head.  “And more importantly, he is drop dead gorgeous. I don’t think anyone would leave him alone. So, the chances of you running into him are very little.” She did point out a notable detail. I nodded.

“And babe, it's his first day at school, coincidentally he only knows your name, that's why he asked you to do his work. Soon when he'll get to know other students, he won't bother you much. So, don't worry and chill." Gretchen said pinching my cheeks.

"I hope so." I said, taking a deep breath.

I want to stay away from him as much as possible.