Scarred Knight

An Angry Greek God

Lake

We were sitting in our class waiting for our English teacher when the principal came and announced that Mrs Edwards, our former English teacher was no longer going to teach us and instead of her, there was a new professor who’d be taking her place.

The students murmured their disappointment and I was one of them. Mrs Edwards was one of the sweetest teacher here. She knew about my condition and she often neglected the small mistakes I made in my tests and assignments. I wondered if this new teacher would give me a chance or would embarrass me in front of the whole class like the ones in the all girls' school used to do.

“I wish the teacher is a he.” Said a girl from my right. I turned to look at her and found her chattering and giggling with her friends.

“It could be. I saw a man going inside the principal office but unfortunately I couldn't see his face but what I saw of his back was one spectacular sight.” Said Fancy and beside her, in front of me was Valentina. I would bet all the hours I had spent learning my alphabets that she chose English just to torment me, to sit in the same class as me and not miss any opportunity to make fun of me.

“Really, Fancy, and here I thought I was the one who caught your fancy.” Asher drawled in a teasing remark from where he sat on my right.

Valentina stiffened in front of me and slowly turned around to look back at us. Her green eyes flickered to Asher before they came to rest on me. I arched my brow, but kept silent. Waiting. Because I knew she was planning something, it was the look in her green eyes. Just like before outside the school, she ran those eyes down my body and said, “You have changed, and one might say you look good too.” Even though I strived for keeping my face expressionless I couldn’t help but felt my brows pinching. Did she just give me a compliment? “Why don’t we put it to a test?” She smirked, making me wary.

“What do you have in mind, Tina?” I asked, sitting back in my chair even though the expression on her face was one I was so accustomed to. She was planning to ruin my life, once again.

Her lips pinched at the use of her shortened name and a dark scowl marred her features as she hissed out, “Don’t call me that. Ever.”

“Okay, Tina. I won't, Tina.” I knew it was petty, but for the first time I wasn’t backing away and pulling on her was feeling good. I don't know why she hated me, but sometimes it feels like it was because of a reason. I looked around as I felt Asher’s and every other student’s eyes on me. They all knew from the beginning of the year that we were sworn enemies and that Valentina was a bully while I always remained docile, avoiding confrontations and kept silent. But not now.

Her cheeks reddened and if not for the malice in her eyes, she'd have looked cute. “A bet. Let's make a bet.” Asher came forward, his elbows now resting on the top of his desk. A playful smile curved Tina’s lips as she said, “If the professor is indeed a man, let's see which one of us seduces him first.”

“What!??” I fairly shouted the question.

She rolled her eyes. “One would think you've never kissed.”

Only once.

“Its none of y-your fûcking business.” I snapped, only slightly slipping on my words because of the sudden flash of the memory and cursed myself for it. “And, you’re too far gone than I thought if you can even think about seducing a professor, who could be twice our age or more.”

“What if he isn't?” She countered.

“What if he is not someone you’d want to sleep with?” I questioned back.

“What if he's more handsome than the devil himself?”

“What if he asks for your soul in return?”

“What if you’re tempted to give in?”

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply before I said, “There are too many what ifs in your bet, Tina, why don't you come up with something else to torment me with.”

She looked around the classroom as if in thought, I narrowed my eyes at her as she suddenly stood up. “Everyone…” She called out, encompassing every one present in the class. “How many of you think Lake here looks beautiful?”

I watched in amazement as slowly more than half of the class raised their hands. All the boys were looking at me with appreciation in their eyes and except some of the girls who were Valentina's followers, most of the girls had also raised their hands and were smiling at me in friendly way.

“See..” Tina looked down at me and then held her hand out. “All the what ifs standing, if you managed to win I’ll be on my best behaviour for the rest of the remaining year.”

“Its bullshit. You don’t have to do it, Lake “ Asher said from my side, but I knew it was half for my benefit and half for whatever was going on between him and Tina.

And because this was supposed to be my year. Because I was supposed to come out as strong as I ever can be, I too stood up to gain everyone's attention. “Fine. But, on one condition.” Tina waited. I licked my lips and my gaze wandered around the classroom before it came back to her and I added, “Besides being on your best behaviour, you’ll apologize to me for all the bullying you have done in the past. For all the hurts you’ve caused.”

Something close to respect flashed in her eyes and it felt good to stand up to her. She smiled and took my hand. “Deal.”

And just as we pulled our hands free, as if it was a sign that’ll be marked in, the classroom door opened and he walked in. The air seemed to have stilled inside the classroom as he strode in like he owned the place and everyone in it. All the what ifs were just that, because the man standing in front of the classroom was one that every single female would die to have their hands on. My lips still tingled from the remembrance of the kiss that was like the gong before the war starts. And in this war, the defeated party was already known. Me. I have no defences. No strategy. Nothing. Especially, when it comes to the man standing there, looking at the students like they were unwanted flies around him and he couldn't wait to swat them away.

“Damn!” Someone half whistled from down the row.

“I won’t mind bagging that.” Another sultry female voice said.

Some of the girls giggled and another round of appreciative whispers echoed around me, annoying me with their hushed remarks. But I, on the other hand, couldn't even remember how to form words. It was still unbelievable to me that this man, this man who looked like half god of wrath and half angel was here to teach a bunch of rich spoiled brats. He looked like the one who would lead an army not teach an English class. An angry Greek God. Ready to unleash his wrath. Slay everyone with just one look with his green eyes.

He turned slightly and the students gasped in whole when the scar that ran from the corner of his eyebrow to the curve of his left cheek became visible. He met every person’s eyes as if daring them to say anything about it. As if warning them off, telling them that someone of them did that to him and whoever he was- he suffered, badly. And if anyone dares to go against him, they would suffer too— in most despicable ways one could imagine. It was there in very aspect of him. The dark aura that he brought with him. An invisible and impenetrable wall that surrounded him. The danger that came off him in waves, it warned everyone and all. And me.

“This can’t be possible.” I whispered to myself, softly, as I stared at him. My savior and my tormentor rolled in one. Angry Greek God, indeed. Here, where he shouldn't be.

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To Be Continued...

Thank you for being so understanding and patient!!

Take care and keep smiling.