All Chapters of Silent Flames, Forbidden Paths: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

He leans forward slightly, and I swear to God, he looks like he’s genuinely considering this. His smirk deepens. “Could be fun. You never know.”I shake my head, trying to suppress the urge to scream. I don’t know why you’re even asking me. I’m not some charity case you can ‘help.’ You don’t need to ‘rescue’ me from my weekend of watching dramas and eating my weight in snacks.He chuckles, clearly amused by my reaction. “I’m not trying to rescue you, Alina. (Can he read my mind or what? Donno!) Just offering a change of scenery. Besides, everyone could use a little fresh air every now and then. It’s healthy.”“Yeah, well, my bed is healthy too. So is my couch. And both of them involve zero interaction with anyone. Which, by the way, is my ideal weekend scenario.”His smile doesn’t falter. “You’re making it sound worse than it is.”“Am I?” I snap back. “I’m not really in the mood for history lessons, okay? I’d rather die than listen to you talk about the Renaissance or some dead poet w

The school gate loomed ahead like the final boss in a video game. That I cannot pass without permission. And Mr. Wright holds that authority!I stood there, arms crossed, pretending I wasn’t nervously waiting for him. And then, like clockwork, he appeared just on time.Let’s talk about Mr. Wright for a second—the criminally handsome man whose mere existence in a button-down, rolled-sleeves shirt should come with a warning label. Today’s choice was a black shirt, sleeves pushed up just enough to show forearms that could probably sell luxury watches, and the top three buttons were casually undone. Like, sir, is it your mission to cause heart palpitations? His tan skin practically glowed, his hair was the perfect level of tousled, and that smile?That should be illegal.For a moment, I genuinely forgot how to breathe. Then my brain rudely reminded me, He’s your teacher, Alina. Snap out of it.But honestly, how was anyone supposed to focus when faced with a man who looked like he’d jus

Just as I was starting to relax, he nudged my shoulder with his, catching me off guard. “Hey,” he said, his voice low. “Thanks for dragging me out here. It’s... better than what I planned!”For a second, I forgot how to speak. Then I managed a half-smile. “You’re welcome.”The moment stretched, filled with an unspoken something I couldn’t quite name. And as I looked out at the water, I couldn’t help but think that this was one of those days I’d remember. Even if I didn’t fully understand why.After some quiet moment, where we both just sat there like a pair of lovers… no no no… better say awkward peoples—me trying not to hyperventilate because my teacher was literally sitting too close for comfort—Mr. Wright finally broke the silence."Hey," he said, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. "Are you hungry? Let’s grab a bite before we head back. It’s almost 3 PM. What say? I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah, I guess. I’m starving," I admitted, realizing I hadn’t eaten anythin

Mr. Wright’s POVThe sun dipped toward the horizon, casting the river in amber light. I watched her from where I sat on the bank, her silhouette a study in contradictions—lightness and weight, confidence and something… else. Something quieter.Alina moved through the water as if it had called her, her steps deliberate but unthinking, her gaze lost to the distance. She didn’t notice how the hem of her jeans clung to her ankles or how the current swirled playfully around her feet. There was a stillness to her that didn’t belong in someone like her—a girl of fire and sharp edges.And then I saw it.Tears.They slid down her cheeks, catching the waning sunlight. The sight rooted me in place for a breath too long before instinct pulled me forward.I rose without a second thought.“Alina.” Her name left my lips as a question, barely above a whisper.She didn’t turn. Didn’t speak.I moved to her side, careful not to crowd her. “Are you hurt?” I kept my voice low, steady. A touch of calm for

How can my day end without drama? It’s practically my trademark. And I mean it! Sitting by the river, the darkness wrapped around us like a thick, cold blanket. I felt the peacefulness that only comes when the world goes quiet.The moon was doing its thing—glowing all ethereal and poetic, as if it had some exclusive VIP invitation to this very moment. And then, bam! It started raining. Not just a drizzle, mind you. It was a torrential, sky-is-falling, Noah’s-ark-level downpour.My jaw literally dropped. The audacity of the weather! I mean, I checked the forecast before coming, and there was not a single rain emoji in sight. Not a single one! Thanks for nothing, meteorologists. You had only one job.It’s not like I hate rain. On the contrary, I love it. I love the way it feels against my skin, the way it smells like fresh beginnings, the way it lets me live my main character fantasy for a hot second. But I didn’t have time to process any of that because suddenly, out of nowhere,