Unthinkable Love

Chapter 9

Lola

It’s late on Sunday afternoon and I am sitting in the back corner of Deja Brew with Ivy and Jordan. We are cramming in our final study session together before a gruelling week of exams ahead. We have pumped our bodies full of caffeine to help keep our focus on the task at hand.

We had been at it for hours when I hear the bell above the door chime as a tall blonde woman walks into the café. She looks around as if searching for someone when her cold, hard eyes land on me. I gulp loudly and quickly go back to studying. From the corner of my eye, I can see her waltz up to the counter to place an order.

“Guys, don’t look now but Theo’s ex-girlfriend is standing at the counter.” I whisper quietly to them without taking my eyes off my pen in my hand. They both immediately turn around obnoxiously to stare at her. “Wow, real subtle!” I whisper shout at them both.

“What is she doing here?” Ivy whips her head back around and leans toward me over the table.

“I don’t know. I have been trying to figure that out ever since I met her in Theo’s office.” I reply.

“I’m picking up a bad vibe from her.” Jordan states. I wonder if it’s because they are both fire mages.

“I do too. I hope she isn’t in town to try to win Theo back. From what he has told me, he moved here to escape her.” I whisper back.

“Look forget about her, she’s not important right now. We need to finish studying!” Ivy interrupts, pointing out the obvious. I realise that she is right and concentrate on my notes in front of me.

After about half an hour, I look up and survey the café when I realise that Lucy has disappeared. It is strange that I never noticed her leaving considering she was staring daggers at me. I shake my head at the thought. Suddenly, Jordan bolts upright with wide eyes.

“What is it Jordan?” I ask nervously.

“I smell smoke.” He mutters aloud as his eyes dart around the room trying to find the source.

The three of us jump into action, quickly packing up our belongings.

“FIRE!” We all shout to alert everyone else in the café. They need to get out of here to safety!

I search the area while Ivy and Jordan help the people to leave. Where is that damn smoke coming from? It is starting to circle the ceiling dangerously. I cover my mouth with my sleeve over my hand.

I am still searching the café when I reach the hallway where the restrooms are. I see smoke billowing out of the c***k under the door. I test the door handle with the back of my hand and it instantly burns. I wince in pain and let out a small scream. I cover my hand with my sleeve again and throw the door open.

Stunned by the sight in front of me, I jump back as the heat of the flames and black smoke escapes the room. I needed to do something right now before someone gets hurt.

I close my eyes to focus all my energy on my magic. I feel it coursing through my veins and filling me up entirely, urging me to set it free.

My eyes snap open and I raise my palms in the direction of the fire before releasing my magic in a burst of power. It rains down on the surging flames and does absolutely nothing. The fire rages on.

“WHAT?!” I shout to myself.

How could this be? I have never seen fire that repelled water before. I don’t have time to figure this out right now. The roof is starting to collapse above me.

Just before a large piece can come crashing down on top of me, I feel someone yanking me out of danger. We tumble to the ground and I land on top of a broad chest. I knew it was him before I even looked but I wasn’t expecting to see the fire in his eyes in that moment. I flinched back and scrambled to my feet.

“GET OUT OF HERE NOW!” Theo roars at me, standing up tall and fierce almost as if he is trying to intimidate me. There is no way in hell I’m going to back down.

“I’m not going anywhere without you!” I yell, glaring back at him.

Without a word, Theo turns back to face the raging fire before us and closes his eyes. I can see he is channelling his power to help control the blaze. I take this opportunity to marvel at this god like man standing before of me. I’ve never seen him use his power before. It’s truly incredible.

Theo’s skin begins to slowly absorb the flames and the blaze diminishes into a pile of ash. The smoke is still hovering around us and I feel myself become light headed. I stumble backwards and feel myself almost drifting off.

* * *

Theo

I was furious when I heard Ivy mention that Lola was still inside the burning cafe when I arrived at the scene. How could she put herself in danger like that? Did she have no regard for her safety? I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her!

She defied me when I told her to leave and I just didn’t have the time to argue with her. The blaze was getting excessively large. I summoned all of my power and extinguished the fire rather quickly but when I looked over my shoulder at Lola, I could see the smoke was getting too much for her. I picked up her limp body and threw her over my shoulder to carry her out.

Once outside, I place her gently on the pavement outside. Ivy and Jordan surround us instantly as I cup her face with my now sweaty palms.

“Can you hear my voice Lola? If you can hear me, move your fingers. Do something to let me know you’re alright, please!” I whisper to her with my face unusually close to hers.

In this moment, I don’t care if people see us. All I care about is her safety. She moves her fingers slightly as her eyes roll into the back of her head. Jordan brings over some water and I push it up to her lips to force her to drink it. She needs to be okay. I don’t know what I would do without her. She needs to know how I feel about her but I just can’t bring myself to tell her. She is my student and I can’t be labelled as the teacher that favours one of his students.

Her eyelids flutter open and her piercing blue eyes meet mine. She looks so beautiful in this moment and I have to fight against every bone in my body not to kiss her in front of all these people. I can’t wait for the day that I can call her mine. I can’t wait to kiss her plump pink lips and have her body all to myself. I’m not a very patient man and I would do anything to have her right now. I don't know how much longer I can control myself around her.

Paramedics come over to us both and check us over for injuries. Fire can’t harm me so I don’t even have a scratch on me. Lola on the other hand, could have possible smoke inhalation. They whisk her away to the hospital to monitor her overnight.

Lola saved me once before and I wonder if I could have used my magic to help her in the same way. I watch the ambulance drive away with Lola inside.