In a world of twists and turns, of all things she had expected, this was never part of it.
Just yesterday, she had almost cried about being in the same space as Dylan as she got treated, and also having him seating opposite her as she ate the dinner Skyler had insisted on buying her after hearing her stomach grumble.
She had believed that would have been the worst twist of fate. She has prayed not to bite her tongue off as she chewed on her food slowly, even though her whole body was screaming on her to devour the food based on how hungry she was. And she had prayed that she wouldn't trip on her own feet and fall when Skyler insisted that they would take her home.
She had tried to explain that her house was only a Stone throw away, but Skyler being Skyler insisted that it was dark and that they would walk her there.
She had prayed desperately that the night would pass quickly or that she would disappear from their sight, but nothing prepared her for this traumatic news.
Eila stood frozen before the school's bulletin board, her eyes refusing to believe the words before her. There, in bold black ink, was her name.
Eila Christopher – Dylan Logan
'Her partner was Dylan Logan?' Her stomach twisted violently.
No. No, no, no. This had to be a mistake.
Her name was standing side by side with Dylan's name, and the list showed that he was her project partner.
She was terrified. She didn't even know he was part of her class until now. She was still standing there terrified to move her own feet, her heart was trembling again and so was her hands.
She didn't know how she managed to locate the professors office, and she didn't know what she was doing until she knocked on his door twice and he asked the person to enter.
As soon as she entered, she greeted him and began to lay down her complain before him.
"Please sir," She said in a rushed tone, "I saw the project paring, and I am not comfortable with the person I was paired with."
The professor was slightly stunned, but he asked her calmly.
"What's your name and who were you paired with?"
Eila answered almost immediately , "My name is Eila Christopher and I was paired with….." She swallowed, her pulse quickening, "Dylan Logan." She finished lightly.
The professor looked at her strangely, looked at something behind her before he nodded for her to continue.
Eila sighed before she spoke hastily "For one sir, am not even certain Dylan Logan is part of my class and even if he is, it would be difficult to prepare a project as important as this with someone as unserious as Dylan. Again sir, I understand that the pairing have already been done and it might be an inconvenience for you to readjust it, but sir, I am certain so many other people would want to be paired with Dylan Logan, so with your permission, can I switch partners with someone else?"
For some unknown reasons, Professor Ken looked very amused which was quite unlike him.
He said, "Mr. Logan, It seems like you've already gotten yourself quite the reputation here."
This statement was clearly not directed at Eila, and she realized that the director was looking behind her again.
Her heart began to pound as she slowly followed the man's gaze, and saw Dylan sitting on a couch she hadn't noticed before, that was positioned at the extreme end of the office. He was looking so carefree and at home.
Eila's face drained of colour as a look of horror took over her entire expression.
She realized then that he had been there even before she walked in, and she had not noticed him.
At this point, Eila was calling on all the elements of the earth to take her away. Most especially, she was wishing the earth would open up and swallow her.
She looked away, clenching her fists as she tried to remain calm, but she was very much aware of Dylan's eyes burning into her back.
The Professor laughed and said, "Miss. Christopher, this is the first time a person is bringing up any complain against Mr. Logan, and so I would have loved to consider your request, but am afraid it wouldn't be possible since this list has already been approved by the Project Administrators. Am afraid you have to stick with Mr. Logan until the end of the semester at least. But I can assure you, Mr. Logan is a good pairing for you, and as my student, I can assure you he is brilliant."
Eila felt her blood run cold. Not only has she embarrassed herself but she has also failed to get a new partner. Eila cursed her fate, and cursed the tears of embarrassment that was threatening to slip down her cheek.
All these time, Dylan was extremely quiet, making her feel even more terrible. Now she understood why some people go to the extent of committing suicide.
"Alright, why don't you both go along then, as you all know you are to start with immediate effect." Professor Ken said, and then Dylan stood up.
Eila turned stiffly and walked out, her feet sound matching the rhythm of her heartbeat. She was very aware that Dylan was following her now, but that even got her more nervous to the extent that she desperately wanted to run home, cry and hide forever.
They walked side by side silently, making Eila feel even more terrible. She wanted to say something, to explain herself maybe, but she couldn't find the right words. So she kept walking, her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms in an attempt to keep herself together.
But when she finally parted her lips, he spoke first.
"Eila," He suddenly said causing her feet to drat to a stop. She felt her blood run cold.
His voice was deep, smooth—almost too smooth. It rolled off his tongue effortlessly, yet it carried a weight that made her breath hitch.
There was always this vibration that followed him pronouncing her name, and she hated that she liked him calling her name, and that she liked how it made her feel.
She squeezed her eyes shut, her mind racing.
'Remember Eila, you must keep your face and pride. What happened that night does not bother you, it wouldn't bother you.'
But as she slowly turned to face him, she wasn't so sure anymore.
Eila forced herself to meet his dark grey eyes, though every instinct screamed at her to look away.
Dylan's sharp and unreadable eyes, held hers in a way that made it impossible for her to breathe properly.
Her pulse was a wild erratic mess, and so was her head. It took her a while to finally form a word in response.
"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dylan didn't respond at first, he only pinned her there with his intense gaze.
Eila looked away as she felt her cheek heat up from his intense gaze. His eyes made her feel vulnerable and open before him. It was as though he could see the very essence of her soul.
"You really don't want to be my partner that badly, huh?" His voice was surprisingly calm when he spoke, but there was something beneath it. Something unsettling, Eila could feel it deep inside her bones.
Eila swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "It's not about—" she exhaled sharply, trying to steady herself. "It's not personal."
He slowly leaned in to his, his eyes scorching hot as he said, "No, why does that feel so much like a lie?" His voice was low and very close to her ear.
Eila's body tensed up, and her jaw clenched. He remained bent towards her, his eyes searching hers.
Eila forced herself to remain calm, reminded herself to breathe and not to tremble under his stares.
It was the worst kind of torture, standing in front of him like this was torture because all it brought to her was the thoughts of that very night.
The night she had tried so hard to erase from her memory.
The night she had woken up in tangled sheets, with her body sore, her mind foggy, and Dylan Logan—this same Dylan Logan—lying beside her, asleep.
Even though she had managed to escape before he woke up, but in her head, it was as though he had opened his grey eyes, caught her in his arms and kissed her.
Eila's breath hitched from the thought, she shook her head violently and forcefully took a step back, cursing herself deeply for ever imagining something as dreadful as that.
She had to remind herself that it had been a mistake, a shameful horrible mistake she had made in her drunken state, and she had to face it as one.
However, no matter how she tried to avoid him and the thoughts of that night, it couldn't shake the fact that fate was forcing her to stand beside him, to work with him, to see him every day.
She has this strange feeling that Dylan knew, he must have been in his right frame of mind that night, and that was the worst part.
For the first time, she thought, 'Was she the one who made the move? Did she force her body on Dylan?'
Eila wanted to ask about it so much, her heart was now racing erratically, but she couldn't bring herself to ask that question just yet.
When she looked at him again, his eyes looked darker, and it was as though he had been listening to her thoughts.
She felt her defenses fly up as she put her hand before her as though to protect herself, then she said hastily and without thinking.
"I am sorry, but I do not think I can work with you. This project is really important to me and I don't want to be distracted, can you please convince Professor Ken to switch us or something."
Something flashed in his eyes, and his pupils twitched. He suddenly looked very dangerous.
"You think I am a distraction?" His voice was low, just too low that it sent vibrations to her skin.
Eila inhaled sharply, forcing herself to remain calm as she responded almost immediately, "No…..Yes..." She trailed off, struggling to keep her mind functional.
Dylan frowned and stood upright, but his eyes were still boring into hers.
He sighed, "Fair enough then, Let's get this over with then," he said casually, stepping past her. "Your place or mine?"
Eila nearly choked on air. "Excuse me?"
Dylan turned, brows raised. "The project," he clarified, the amusement evident in his voice. "Do we work at your place or mine?"
Her stomach twisted violently. It seemed she was stuck with him after all.