Unthinkable Love

Chapter 8

Lola

I am standing outside Theo’s office door at the academy and reach into my bag to take out the orb I made for him. I knock twice before opening the door.

“Morning professor, I wanted to – Levi! What are you doing in here?” I exclaim in shock.

“I could ask you the same question dear sister.” He says with narrow eyes.

Quickly hiding the orb behind me, I say, “Umm ... I will see you in class Professor.”

I close the door and bolt to the marble fountain. Why do I keep finding myself in these situations? What on earth could my brother be in Theo’s office for? My mind is reeling with questions and I am about the throw the orb into the fountain when I see Theo appear at the edge of the square. He studies me for a moment and strides over to me. He takes my hand in his and sits me down on the ledge of the fountain.

“Are you all right Lola? You look like you have seen a ghost.” Theo utters.

I pull my hand out of his in case someone sees the intimate gesture. “Why was my brother in your office?”

“It was nothing, just your usual overprotective brother lecture about ‘staying away from my sister’ ... What is this?” He asks holding up my other hand in his.

“Oh … I made it for you with my magic as a thank you gift for everything you have done for me lately.” I say nervously. I really hope he likes it. He takes the orb from my hand and studies it intently.

“You made this?” He asks incredulously. “For me?”

“Yeah, do you like it?” I ask, a little nervous.

“This is incredible! No one has ever made anything for me before. I love it so much, thank you Lola.” He says. “I am sorry to cut this short Lola but I need to get to my next class. Do you think can you meet me at the beach after classes today and we can talk?”

“Sure professor.” I say as a cheeky smile spreads across my face and I squeeze his hand as he stands to leave. He squeezes my hand back before he turns to walk away. I stare longingly after him and I realise I am missing his company as soon as he leave my side. Is it bad to feel this way about my professor? I cannot wait to see him later.

*

*

*

I find myself rushing to get to the beach after classes. Am I really that desperate to see Theo again? I carefully lower myself to the hidden rock ledge and patiently wait for him to arrive. I grab some of my textbooks from my bag and start to study whilst waiting.

The late afternoon sun is starting to disappear below the horizon when I realise Theo has not arrived. Is he all right? Did he forget about me? I begin to put my books in my bag to head home when Theo appears above me.

“I am so sorry Lola! Another professor came to my office after class and would not stop talking to me.” Theo explains apologetically.

“It is no problem Profess – I mean Theo.” I say, shaking my head.

Theo lowers himself down to the rocky ledge and before I can scoot over to make room for him, he plonks himself down behind me with his legs on either side of me. My body stiffens at his contact. He slides his hands around my waist and leans me back against his chest. His body heat is intoxicating and my body relaxes into him on instinct. I fit perfectly in his embrace, almost as if I was meant to be there. Theo places his nose on the back of my head, inhales the scent of my shampoo then place his chin on my right shoulder. I think I am going to melt. We watch the sun setting in silence for a while.

“Theo, do you think what we are doing is inappropriate?” I ask him, nervous about his response.

“No I don't. At the academy, you are my student and I will treat you as fairly as I do with the rest of my students. Outside of the academy, we should be free to spend time with whomever we choose and I choose you Lola.” He whispers in my ear in his husky voice. His warm breath on my neck sends shivers down my spine.

That is it, I am definitely melting. I close my eyes and lace my fingers in his that are still around my waist. I want to remember this moment for the rest of my life.

“What if someone sees us together? Aren’t you worried about your reputation? I don’t want you to lose your job because of me.”

“The only person I’m worried about is your father. If he questions this, we’ll just get some truth serum and prove to him that nothing is going on.”

“What exactly is going on?” I wonder out loud, unable to stop myself.

“Only time will tell.”

As Theo walks me home a little later, we stop to buy some of my favourite pistachio gelato from Deja Brew. Theo said he has never tried it before so I insisted we get some. He loved it just as much as I do. I am smiling and licking my gelato cone as we turn the corner of the street to head towards my house and I bump shoulders with Levi as he is hurrying past. I drop my gelato and it splatters on the floor.

“Sorry!” He yells in apology then he realises that it’s me and turns back towards me. “What are doing out so late Lola?” He asks and sees Theo standing next to me. His face contorts with anger. Without another word, Levi grabs me by the upper arm in a tight grasp and starts to pull me down the street.

“Stop it Levi! You're hurting me!” I yell in pain, stumbling alongside him.

“How many times do I need to warn you sister?” He says through gritted teeth.

I turn back to look at Theo who is still standing there frozen in shock where I left him, his gelato melting all over the floor. He looks so helpless but he knows better than to try to stop Levi.

“Sorry” I mouth the words at Theo and give him a small wave. He throws his gelato on the ground angrily and stomps away in the other direction. I aim my palm at Levi and shoot out a heavy stream of water with my magic. He lets go of my arm and we continue our walk home not saying a word. His overprotectiveness is really starting to get on my nerves.