Unthinkable Love

Chapter 6

Lola

Feeling exhausted, I stumble my way to meet Ivy and Jordan at the marble fountain at the academy the next morning before our first class of the day. I look up from the ground to see her in a deeply intimate kiss with Levi. Jordan is sitting at the fountain looking at his hands as small puffs of smoke come out of his fingertips.

Ugh. “Gross, get a room please you two!” I exclaim, looking away dramatically.

“Sorry Lola.” Ivy says grinning. They peel themselves away from each other. Ivy and Levi have had feelings for each other ever since we were all small children. I always knew they would end up together and I am sure they will get married someday. I cannot wait for that day to come. They truly belong together, like soul mates.

“I had better get to work; mother will be waiting for me. I will see you later beautiful.” Levi whispers, kissing Ivy on the cheek before walking away, avoiding my gaze. He must still feel guilty about the way he treated me the night before.

I take Ivy’s hand and guide her over to the marble fountain where we all sit side by side looking at the water. As usual, I start to manipulate the water with my magic as they watch in awe. They love seeing me use my magic. I make the water bubble and send the bubbles flying into the air. Ivy starts to sprout lily pads and vines inside the fountain using her earth magic. Jordan leans his head on my shoulder and slings his arm around me. They must know something is on my mind and they are waiting for me to be ready to tell them. Ivy squeezes my hand reassuring me that everything is all right. I let my magic drift away into the air and close my eyes for a while.

I finally build up the courage to tell them everything that happened recently, from Theo chasing me to the flowers in my room to the way he looks at me to the conversation with Levi and my father to finding Lucy in Theo's office. They listen intently without interrupting me. Ivy’s eyes go wide in fear as I explain about the fire in Theo’s eyes.

She looks at me worryingly. “Lola, why didn't you tell us all of this earlier? I knew something was happening but I was waiting for you to open up to us. Surely Theo isn’t descended from one of those fire mages that went insane all those years ago ... is he? And why was that woman in his office? Who could she be?” All her thoughts begin to tumble out of her mouth all at once.

“I don’t have any of those answers but I will not be the one to question him about it after what has happened. I get a strange feeling inside every time he looks at me.” I admit, a bit embarrassed.

“But Lola maybe he has that same feeling. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He wants you bad!” Jordan says excitedly. I desperately needed to change the subject.

“How does Levi know I have been spending time with Theo anyway? Is he spying on me? You have not told him anything have you Ivy?” I ask her.

“You know your secrets are always safe with us Lola. I would never betray you.” She promises and squeezes my hand.

These two are seriously the best friends ever. I honestly do not know how I would get through life without them. I squeeze their hands and I stand up to head off to Acqua Studies class while Ivy heads off in the other direction towards Terra Studies and Jordan to Fuoco studies.

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I spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Professor Altobello. I see him in class. I see him in the halls. I see him in the gardens. How am I supposed to stay away from him when he is literally everywhere? Is he purposely doing this to me or is he following me?

After my classes are finished for the day, I am rushing around the halls of the academy to get home as quickly as possible. I am exhausted after a long day with little sleep and my mind is still reeling. Ivy has me worried about the possibility of Theo being one of the insane fire mages. I have only known him a short time but I do not see him being one of them. He seems so trustworthy and honest. I do not feel like I am in any danger when I am in his company. I feel almost safe. I am usually a good judge of character and I do not believe he would do anything to hurt me. Not intentionally anyway. Levi’s warning is always at the back of my mind as if it is haunting me. Why does he have to treat me like a child?

I turn the corner of the final corridor near the exit when I run head first into someone. We have collided with such force that I am knocked backwards and the back of my head smashes on the floor.

I shut my eyes and groan. My head is exploding in a pain so excruciating that my eyes snap open to see Theo’s worried face only inches from mine. He is studying my face in wonder. He tries to say something when I try to sit up but the pain is so strong that I flop back down to the floor again. I wonder if people are staring at us. What would they say about us?

Theo’s warm arms snake themselves around my body and he lifts me up with his strong muscly arms. His touch sends shivers up and down my spine like electricity zipping through me. The feeling is so intense that I close my eyes to breathe him in.

How could he be dangerous? Levi must be confused. His scent is so intoxicating that completely I black out.