Unthinkable Love

Chapter 1

Lola

It is a warm summer’s day as I walk through the tall black gates of Colombo Academy of Magical Talents for the final semester of the year with one of my best friends Jordan. He has his arm linked through mine as he practically skips his way into the academy. He is always in an incredible mood and has such a zest for life with his eccentric personality.

We gaze around the academy’s front garden, with its immaculate landscaping and precision cut hedges and see our other best friend Ivy Petrello, her long black wavy hair framing her face perfectly. I have always thought she was beautiful, even now when she is standing under the tall oak tree frowning up at my older brother Levi. We walk towards them together when I hear my older brother speaking in a hushed voice.

“.. Just make sure you stay as far away from him as possible, I mean it Ivy!” Levi says poking a finger towards her face.

“Alright alright! Anyone would think you were MY bossy older brother! Sheesh!” Ivy says rolling her eyes at him.

“Who are you two gossiping about now?” I ask them both.

“Your annoying brother was just telling me to stay away from the new Magical History professor. Tell me why again?” She asks turning towards him with a questioning look on her face.

“Because he is dangerous. I do not have time to explain this right now. End of story!” Levi grunts, storming away towards the gates.

“Ugh, I do not know how we put up with him. Let’s get to morning assembly; we don’t want to be late.” Ivy says worryingly as she links her arm through my other arm.

Theo

I always knew it would be hard to start a new life in another village amongst the Acqua clan but sitting on this stage with all these young faces staring up at me is making me incredibly nervous and jittery. I can feel the butterflies swirling in the pit of my stomach and I could probably vomit right about now. Headmaster Acquaviva is sitting next to me chatting away to another professor about his three children.

I could not focus on his conversation, it just sounded like gibberish in my mind, I don’t know these people. I wished this assembly would be over and done with so I could head to my office to calm down. What is wrong with me?

Headmaster Acquaviva stands to address the students as the last of them are filing into the Hall when I lock eyes with the most incredibly stunning woman I have ever seen in my entire existence. I immediately rake my gaze over her to take in all her features. Her pale blue eyes look like diamonds, her luscious curves around her hips, and her dark brown hair cascades all the way down her back. I cannot stop staring at her and I realise this is dangerous. So very dangerous. Especially when I realise she is a student.

Lola

As we take our seats in the second row of the grand Crystal Hall, my eyes widen at the sight of a strikingly handsome man with emerald green eyes, olive skin and light brown wavy hair sitting on the stage. He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen and I cannot stop staring at him. I know it’s strange to refer to a man as beautiful, but that is exactly what he is.

Ivy notices my frozen form and stunned expression. She elbows me in the ribs just as the man meets my eyes and I still cannot look away. Something about his gaze on me is making me feel all kinds of strange emotions.

Headmaster Acquaviva, who also happens to be my father Ezra, is addressing the assembled students and professors. I couldn’t tell you how long he had been speaking for, my mind and body reacting to the gaze of this mysterious man.

“Good morning students. I would like to welcome you all to the final semester of the year. Let us all continue to work on our magical studies and develop our magic. I hope you can all achieve great things in these last few months. Remember to study hard, always be safe when using your magic on school grounds and please enjoy your last few months as students. In addition, I would like to introduce to you all our new Magical History professor Mr Theodore Altobello.” The man I have been staring at stands up and waves before sitting back down. “I am sure you will all welcome him and assist him with anything he requires. You may all be dismissed.” My father announces.

Is my father insane?

I do not need to look at Jordan or Ivy’s faces to know that all our jaws have dropped and we have ridiculously stunned looks on our faces. Mr Altobello still has not taken his eyes off me.

Forcing my mouth shut I say, “That’s him! The guy Levi was warning us about!”

“He doesn’t look dangerous to me, he looks smoking hot!” Ivy giggles in her seat beside me.

“Mmm … he is yummy!” Jordan says on my other side.

“Stop it, don’t be ridiculous. I need to speak to my father right now.” I scold them and get to my feet promptly.

I find my father speaking to another professor next to the stage and pull him towards the Headmasters office just outside the Crystal Hall. He excuses himself politely, follows me to his office and closes the door behind him. He turns around to face me with a stern look on his face.

Before he can say anything to me, I blurt out, “Father you can’t possibly have hired Professor Altobello, he’s dangerous!”

“Nonsense darling. Who is telling you these vile lies?” He questions me in a dangerous tone.

“Levi! He warned Jordan, Ivy and I this morning. He said to stay far away from him. Why would he say such a thing to us? It will be almost impossible if he is my professor. What am I going to do father? This is such a nightmare.” I’m rambling and shaking my head. I need to snap out of this frenzy. I don’t understand what is happening to me.

“Lola, Professor Altobello is a highly intelligent young man who finished his training in the two years since he finished at Russo Academy. Professor Altobello is highly qualified and one of the only mages I could find that was capable of handling this job. Stop being ridiculous and get to class. We will continue this discussion later. I must speak to your brother too. I do not want him spreading rumours about our new Professor and I certainly do not want any other students to hear of this. I do not want to hear any more of this!” He scolds me.

My father shoves the timetable for this semester at me and pushes me out of the door. It slams behind me and I flinch. I look down and see my first class of the day. It is Magical History and Professor Altobello will be waiting for me.

I was right; this is a nightmare! My father truly is insane. How could anyone concentrate with Professor Altobello as their teacher? How am I supposed to walk into class everyday with his eyes staring straight into my soul? Can I do this? Why am I being like this anyway? What is wrong with me? I must pull myself together before I walk into that classroom to face him. Snap out of it Lola!