Freya
My palms began to sweat, and I felt like I was about to pass out the moment I saw Jurius look at me as I exited the bus. I held my breath nervously, and both feet felt weak from his stare. I'm surprised I managed to leave the bus without falling flat on my face or suffocating myself for holding my breath for too long. I was glad I didn't. I have no idea how I'd deal with such embarrassment.
As I gathered with the others, I glimpsed him at my right side; he was still staring at me. I couldn't hold my breath any longer. I lowered my head, allowing my large, puffy, curly hair to hide my face, taking a deep breath out and in. I felt so stupid for acting so shy before him. I was worried he would find me uncanny or immature.
Finally getting my breath under control, I raised my head and bravely turned to look at him. A gloomy feeling swept over me, seeing that he wasn't looking at me. I bite my bottom lips angrily, blaming myself for him not paying attention to me anymore. I worried that I'd hurt his feelings by making him feel like I didn't want him to stare at me. I did; it's just that I've never had anyone notice me like he did.
"All students stay together and follow me, said Ms. Burrow, along with another male teacher who had offered to accompany us.
As we all walked, I glanced behind me, and Jurius and my eyes met instantly as I did. My lips parted, and I exhaled slowly. I immediately turned my head back around. How I wished I had my bag to squeeze onto the strap, but I had to leave it on the bus. My fingers went to my lips, and I started biting them; it was another way to control my extreme nervousness.
I followed the others into the forest. All I could think about was him being right behind me. I wondered if he was still gazing at me. I wanted to see for myself, but I was scared I would end up meeting his beautiful dark brown eyes again.
Several students quickly passed me, placing me at the back. My heart was galloping in my chest when I noticed we were walking side by side.
I was tempted and consumed by lust to have a look at him. This time he didn't look back at me; instead, he quickly walked away. I paused, observing his broad and sturdy back as he just kept walking.
"Freya," the teacher called from the front, seeing I wasn't following.
I immediately began to follow.
I brushed a strand of my hair from my face angrily. For days, I wanted to see him after what had happened between us, but now I was afraid to look him in the eye, much less approach him.
I pulled onto my long sleeve, jittery as I tried to catch him; he was so fast, it was difficult to do so.
Everyone stopped, and I slowed down.
"We've reached the center of the forest," said Ms. Burrow.
I looked around, seeing how beautiful it was. My mouth opened in awe. I didn't realize how beautiful it was because I was too busy noticing him. My head turned to him, and I found him staring at me again. I returned his stare, not wanting to look away from him this time. My lips parted as we kept staring into each other's eyes, as if we didn't want to stop. I knew I didn't want to, but there was something about him now. Just by gazing into his beautiful eyes, he gave me a sense of belonging—that I belong to someone—him. I've never had that feeling with anyone, nor with my mom, the one whose womb I came from. I never once felt I belonged to my mom, for she was always too busy entertaining her boyfriends to care about me. It was strange that I believed I belonged to him, who was nothing but a stranger to me.
Students, you can start searching for the different types of rocks, but don't go too far. There are wild and dangerous wolves out there; we need to stay close," she warned us.
My head turned away from hearing Ms. Burrow, and as I did, I saw Jurius walking further into the forest as Ms. Burrow warned us not to. He then disappeared among the trees.