Chapter Two
For a few seconds, the hallway slowed.
Not completely silent—just quiet enough for the slap to register. Conversations dropped off, footsteps hesitated, and people turned to look. My hand fell back to my side, fingers stiff, my pulse suddenly loud in my ears.
I didn't look at Ashton right away.
Aurora did. I felt her panic before she said anything.
"Evie," she whispered, her voice tight.
"Please tell me that wasn't—"
I swallowed. "I know."
That was all I could manage.
Ashton touched his cheek slowly, more surprised than hurt. When he looked at me, his expression was unreadable.
Behind him, Theo stepped forward. "What was that?"
Cillian gave a short laugh. "Did you seriously just—"
Ashton lifted a hand. They stopped.
He shifted his attention back to me. "You want to explain?"
I kept my eyes on the floor.
I didn't know what to say.
My silence stretched longer than was comfortable.
Aurora spoke instead. "We were just trying to get you to move out of the way." she wasn't even sure of what she had said.
Ashton considered that, then looked back at me. "That doesn't usually end with someone hitting me." his tone was flat not looking like he believed Aurora for even a second.
I didn't respond.
The hallway buzzed again, louder now.
Phones came out. Someone whispered my name—or maybe they were guessing it.
Ashton studied me for a moment, like he was deciding something.
"What's your name?" he asked.
That was unexpected.
Aurora answered, quicker this time. "Genevieve. Evie."
His gaze flicked briefly to her, then returned to me. "Evie."
I shifted my weight, uncomfortable under the attention.
"You don't seem reckless," he said. "So I'm guessing there was a reason."
I shrugged, small, barely noticeable and noncommittal.
That finally earned a reaction—a faint curve of his mouth, like he found my refusal mildly amusing.
Theo frowned. "This is a waste of time."
"Not really," Ashton replied, still watching me.
A lecturer's voice cut through the hallway, telling people to move along. Slowly, the crowd began to thin, though not without obvious reluctance.
Ashton stepped back, giving me space.
"You should go," he said. "Before this gets complicated."
I nodded relieved.
I didn't say thank you.
I didn't apologize.
I turned and walked away with Aurora, my heart still racing.
Only when we were out of sight did she grab my arm.
"You scared me," she said. "You never do things like that."
"I know," I replied quietly.
I was not unaware of the gaze behind me.
Only when we entered the class did I release a small breath of relief.