Autumn Secrets (Numinous Book 1) Read online

  I had to manage the rest of my morning classes without Lexi’s support, as we had different electives. My last class before lunch was visual arts, one of my favourite subjects. As I studied my map of the school, I realised that I was in the complete wrong end of the building. I turned and started to walk the other way, just as the bell rang. Everyone disappeared quickly into classrooms, and suddenly I was walking all alone in a long corridor. That is until I heard that smooth, deep voice from somewhere behind me.

  “Aurora.”

  The mere sound of his voice sent my heart spiralling out of control. I spun around and saw him stride towards me with a wicked smile on his lips. My mouth went completely dry.

  “Adrian.” I blushed, right on cue. His piercing pale eyes rested comfortably on me for a second before slowly travelling down my body, then up again. He locked his gaze with mine and my legs felt wobbly. How could he make me feel like this, every time we met? This was just insane.

  “Do you know where you’re going?” he asked. I shook my head and swallowed once, then twice. Surely, I could try to pronounce at least one syllable in his presence? That wasn’t too much to ask, was it? “What class are you in?” he tried again.

  “V-visual arts,” I stuttered.

  “You’re on the wrong side and the wrong floor. Come on, I’ll show you,” he said and put his hand on my shoulder to lead me in the right direction. As he touched me, I felt a jolt of electricity travel through my body. My head snapped up to meet his gaze and the gleam in his eyes told me he knew exactly what his touch ignited inside of me. Did he feel something too? I searched for an answer in his eyes, but there was nothing. I stopped abruptly and his hand fell off my shoulder.

  “You don’t have to do this – you’ll be late for your own class,” I tried.

  “I know I don’t have to, but I want to. Besides, I’m on the same floor. Come on.” This time his hand landed gently on my lower back for a brief second. The light touch sent tingling sensations through my body and I shivered slightly. There was this overwhelming feeling of yearning spreading through every part of my body like wildfire. I wasn’t sure what to make of all these intense emotions that kept appearing as soon as he was close. “How was your morning?” he asked, as we started walking towards the other end of the building.

  “It was all right. What about yours?” Those were probably the first sentences I’d been able to produce in his presence, and I mentally gave myself a pat on the back. See, Aurora, that wasn’t so hard, was it?

  “It’s been very…interesting. Awakening, you might say.”

  I looked up at him and he gave me a secretive smile.

  “How come?” I asked.

  “Well for starters, you’re here.”

  I blushed and looked away. He was joking with me, right? He looked like a supermodel, just as Lexi had described him, straight out of a fashion magazine. And me? I was just…well, me. Plain, ordinary me.

  He laughed softly and when I looked back up and met his gaze, I got the craziest feeling that he had read my mind. I felt a sense of unease. I tucked my hair behind my ear nervously, as I realised how bizarre that sounded. I shook my head in disbelief. Mind-reading? Don’t be stupid, Aurora, get a grip on yourself!

  “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

  “Nothing, I just… Nothing.” I was looking ahead of me instead of at him, trying my very best not to get so distracted. We walked up to the second floor and Adrian showed me the classroom I was supposed to be in. “Thanks for helping me out,” I offered. “I would probably still be downstairs wandering, if it wasn’t for you. I hope you don’t get in too much trouble with your teacher.” I stopped outside the classroom door.

  He grinned. “That wouldn’t be my biggest concern right now.”

  I had no idea what he meant, so I just gave him a smile back. “I might see you at lunch then?”

  “Maybe.” He smirked and walked away.

  I took a deep breath and reached for the doorhandle to another new classroom. I loved it straight away. I absolutely loved it. It wasn’t a normal-sized classroom; it was enormous. I’d never seen anything like it, and I’d been to quite a few schools around the globe. There was plenty of natural light penetrating through the big windows in the back. Further down in one of the corners were desks with computers, and at the other end was a big open space with dozens of easels holding blank canvases.

  I saw some people down by the computers, and a few other students in another adjoining room. I had no idea what they were doing in there, but my guess was it was a darkroom. Everyone was too busy noticing me though, thank God.

  “Aurora?”

  I searched around me, looking for the pleasant voice that had spoken my name. “Yes?”

  A friendly face popped up behind the desk near the front of the room. “Sorry, I just dropped something on the floor. I’m Mrs Day, the art teacher here.”

  “Hi, sorry I’m late. I couldn’t find my way.”

  “That’s all right. All students are working on their own piece of art at the moment before autumn break is here. Do you have anything from your old school you would like to finish?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do, I have it on my USB stick.”

  “Great, why don’t you get settled in the back by the computers? This classroom is always open for students who are studying anything within the arts. I usually leave it open until about five p.m. every day. There are no classes after three in here, so feel free to use this room as you please. All I ask is that you leave it in the same condition you found it in.”

  I loved Mrs Day about as much as I loved this classroom. I loved how she gave us freedom to create our own art. When the bell finally rang for lunch, I couldn’t bring myself to pack up and leave. I was too absorbed in my creation and decided to stay back just a little bit longer.

  “Don’t forget to eat.” Mrs Day smiled kindly as she walked towards the door. “It was lovely meeting you, Aurora. Do you mind switching off the lights when you leave, and making sure the door is closed?”

  “No problem,” I replied and gazed down at my computer screen again.

  I don’t know how long I had been sitting there, when I got the feeling that someone was watching me. As I looked up, I saw a girl sneak in through the door, silently closing it behind her. She didn’t say anything, only stared my way. Or more correctly, she stared right at me.

  I threw a quick glance behind me, just to make sure it was actually me she was looking at and when I turned my head back towards her, she was already across the room, coming towards me.

  How did that happen?

  I studied her as she made her way towards me. She seemed to fly around the room gracefully. Her hair was blonde, reaching all the way down to her waist. Her skin was flawless and quite pale, and her eyes were deep blue. She looked like a supermodel, no actually, she looked like an angel. She was absolutely beautiful.

  “Hi, sorry, it’s just me in here,” I said and pushed the ‘save’ button on my computer. When I looked back up again, she was standing by my desk. I hadn’t even heard her move. She tilted her head to one side as she studied me.

  “You are Aurora.” It was a statement, not a question and I nodded in reply. I remembered Adrian’s words: everyone knows about you. I gave her a smile.

  “I guess news travels fast around here… And you are?”

  She didn’t have a chance to answer before a harsh voice interrupted us.

  “Evangeline, what are you doing in here?”

  I saw her whole body tense at the sound of his voice, before she slowly turned around to face him. “I was looking for you,” she replied in a gentle tone.

  “When have I ever been in this classroom?” Adrian replied sharply. I still couldn’t see him, but I knew that voice well by now.

  “Sorry, my mistake.” She laughed softly and walked towards Adrian with her back towards me. I watched him come into view, then saw her stop just in front of him. For a moment they simply stood there in silence, look
ing at each other. Drinking each other in. Waiting, I supposed, for the other person to make the next move.

  After another moment of silence, Evangeline put her arms around Adrian’s neck and to my surprise, and horror, they started to kiss. I didn’t want to look at them, but I couldn’t look away. It was almost hypnotic. I noticed Adrian’s hands wrap around her waist, pulling her close, and I felt something I’d never felt before in my entire life: a powerful surge of jealousy exploding in my chest. It hurt so badly I folded my arms across my chest to try and protect myself from the pain.

  I swallowed hard and was about to tear my eyes away, when Adrian’s gaze met mine. They had stopped kissing by then, thank God. The intensity of his stare prevented me from moving or breaking eye contact, as his lips curved into that playful smile of his. Without breaking eye contact with me, he whispered something in Evangeline’s ear. She unhurriedly released him and left the room as quietly and effortlessly as she had entered it, not giving me so much as a glance. She closed the door behind her and then it was just me and Adrian alone.

  The room that I had thought was incredibly spacious, suddenly felt too small to accommodate the both of us. I felt like the walls were going to cave in on me. I reached for my USB stick and turned the computer off.

  “Okay,” I said and stood up. “I should probably get going.”

  I threw him a quick look, then collected my bag with shaky hands and pushed the chair in. Adrian was just standing there, watching me, like he was daring me to come closer. I knew I had to walk past him, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to leave.

  “Where are you going?” he asked softly.

  “I’m having lunch with Lexi.” I was mildly impressed at how smoothly the lie came out. The truth was, I wanted to get away from him, because I felt…angry. I was angry because he kissed Evangeline in front of me. I knew that I had absolutely no reason to be. We’d just met; we didn’t even know each other. Why was I so angry? The whole situation was so confusing. I normally wasn’t this irrational. I didn’t understand all these emotions that stirred under the surface whenever he came near me, and I definitely had no intention of exploring those feelings right now. Especially after what I just witnessed.

  I slowly moved his way, trying to keep a neutral face. His eyes were glued to me, following every step.

  “Are you okay?” His voice lowered intimately, seeking answers I couldn’t possibly give him. Because the truth was, I had no idea if I was okay.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” My reply came out harsher than I’d intended it to. I tried to avoid his stare and walk past him. He caught my elbow and a wave of heat raged through my body.

  “I don’t know. You tell me, Aurora.” I felt that connection again, the overwhelming feeling I didn’t understand.

  “I’m fine. I’m just hungry,” I replied and looked at his hand on my elbow. He moved his hand away, caressing my skin as he did. My skin seemed to burn under this seemingly innocent touch. He tilted his head to one side and looked at me, like he was trying to figure me out. I quickly looked away.

  “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

  I shook my head. “No. Like I said, I’m just hungry.”

  He nodded and let go of my arm.

  “I’ll see you later, then.”

  On shaky legs, I left the room and went to find the cafeteria. After everything that had happened this morning, I just wanted to find Lexi and try to forget about Adrian. I mean, he had a girlfriend. A beautiful girlfriend. Another pang of jealousy hit and I wrapped my arms tightly around myself again. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. But what had I expected? Of course, someone like him would have a girlfriend.

  Chapter 5

  The cafeteria was full of hungry students, and I had to search several times before I found Lexi and her friends. I grabbed myself some food and made my way to their table.

  “There you are!” Lexi yelled excitedly. “Okay, guys, this is Aurora. She’s new here. That’s Mia,” she said and pointed to the cute redhead sitting across the table. “And this is Jasmine.” She pointed to another blonde, pretty girl sitting next to her.

  “Hi.” I waved to everyone, as I managed to put a forced smile on my lips. Not that I didn’t want to meet them or anything, but I was still trying to shake this stupid jealousy thing. I pulled out a chair and sat down next to Lexi.

  “How’s your first day going?” Jasmine asked.

  “Well, it’s been…good so far.”

  “And what do you think about Angel Falls?” she continued.

  “It’s very different from where I used to live. But it’s okay, I can’t complain.”

  “Aurora used to live in Paris,” Lexi added.

  “Oh my God, really?! I’ve never been to Paris. What’s it like?” the girl with the red hair asked. I closed my eyes briefly to try and remember her name. Mia, that’s it; it was Mia.

  “Well, where do I start?” I smiled and popped a piece of my sandwich into my mouth.

  I spent the next half an hour talking about Paris. The girls wanted to know every single detail of my life, prior to coming here. It made me so happy that they cared enough to ask. After a while, I turned to Lexi. “Sorry, Lexi. I feel like I’ve repeated our weekend’s conversation all over again.”

  “No, don’t be silly. I love to hear about Paris.” She laughed.

  “So, what did you like the most about Paris?” Jasmine asked.

  “I don’t know, I just love the fact that it’s a really great place for culture and the arts. Paris has a special vibe. I love the history too. It’s like an historic city of new beginnings, you know…”

  “Isn’t Paris the city of love?” Mia sighed with a dreamy look in her eye.

  “Well, I think Paris is the city of everything.” Lexi chuckled. They all laughed, and I couldn’t help but join them. I felt myself relax and all the tension that I’d experienced earlier gradually released from my shoulders.

  “Speaking of the city of love, I saw you sharing books with Julian this morning. Not a bad introduction to the gorgeous guys we have around here,” Mia said.

  “Yes, I did have to share with him this morning. And I would have to agree, there are a lot of good-looking guys in this town.” I laughed.

  “And this morning she had Adrian Hunter escort her across the school grounds,” Lexi filled in and wiggled her eyebrows. Unwanted butterflies awakened in my stomach when she mentioned his name.

  “Oh my, you’ve almost met every one of them then.” Mia smiled.

  I turned to Mia. “There’s more of them?!”

  “Yep, there are two more we put in the same category as Adrian and Julian. The famous four, we like to call them.”

  “And who makes up the rest of the four?” I asked, eagerly.

  “Well, ask Lexi here.” Jasmine bumped playfully into Lexi’s shoulder.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Lexi, have I missed something?”

  “No, not at all.” She laughed.

  “Oh, come on, Lex. We all know Luca has it bad for you,” Mia teased.

  “Really?” I asked, my curiosity taking over. “Well, I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “It’s not like that. We’ve just recently become…good friends.” She giggled. “Besides, he’s away with his family at the moment, a wedding or something. Anyway, I already told you, I have more important stuff to think about. Like study.”

  “Whatever.” Mia grinned.

  “It’s true,” Lexi tried.

  “No, there’s more to it, I can tell. We will talk about this later.” I pointed my finger toward Lexi, then nodded towards Mia and Jasmine. “So, who’s the last member of the famous four?”

  “That would be Elijah, Adrian’s twin brother.”

  I stared at Jasmine in surprise. “He’s got a twin?” I couldn’t believe it.

  “Yep. Lucky us.” She giggled.

  No kidding. “And he goes to this school too?” I was beyond curious by now. In my head I was already picturing what he might loo
k like. Were they identical? Did he have the same charm and charisma as Adrian? Before I had a chance to ask, Lexi chimed in.

  “Yep. And can I just say, he’s really good-looking. They are twins, but you can definitely tell them apart; they not identical,” Lexi said. “He’s single too, from what I understand.”

  “And what year are all these good-looking boys in?”

  “Same as us.”

  “What about Adrian’s girlfriend?” The words were flying out of my mouth before I could stop them. I had to know who she was. Damn it.

  “Adrian doesn’t have a girlfriend,” Lexi replied.

  “Who’s Evangeline then?” I asked, confused. Someone like Evangeline would definitely not walk around Angel Falls unnoticed. Surely, they had to know who she was.

  “Evangeline? Never heard that name before. Have you guys?” Lexi asked the others. Both Mia and Jasmine shook their heads.

  “But I saw her…” I tried, wondering if this was some kind of joke.

  “Can’t have. It must have been some other girl. There’s no Evangeline at our school. You must have gotten the name wrong,” Mia replied.

  I was more bewildered than ever. I had seen them, like, half an hour ago. I had seen her. They kissed each other in front of me and I heard Adrian call her Evangeline. At risk of sounding jealous, I decided to let the subject go. I didn’t bring up what I had witnessed in the classroom or ask them any more prying questions. I could always try to find some answers later.

  My last subject for the day was math, and to my surprise I ended up in the same extension class as Julian. Like this morning, he was by himself in the back of the room, and I was again assigned to sit next to him. As I walked between the desks, my eyes connected with his. His dark stare captured me as a slow grin appeared on his face. What was wrong with the guys around here? They just couldn’t help themselves. The ‘famous four’ moniker must have really gone to their heads. Julian unsettled me somehow. He probably had the same effect on every single girl in this school though. I placed my bag under the table and sat down next to him.

  “Aurora, what a nice surprise to see you here,” he said warmly.