-This takes place roughly three and a half centuries later.-

-The present time period.-

I was running late.

Again.

I guess staying up until one in the morning isn't the best idea in the world. My netflix and chill had turned into netflix and bags under my eyes. Big, black bags under my ocean colored eyes. My orbs had lost their life as I struggled to even keep them open.

My eyes were my favorite part about myself, and because of my late night exploits, I look nothing but a walking zombie.

"Ro hurry up! We're gonna be late for school!"

Jessica's, my best friend slash accomplice, voice could be heard from downstairs. I quickly stuffed my notebook from the dresser into my backpack, along with my other books and binders, pausing to look at myself in the floor length mirror at the corner of my room.

I am never going to stay up late ever again.

Yep. That will never happen.

"Ro! What's taking you so damn long?!" you could already tell patience was not one of her strongest points. She raised an eyebrow questioningly, before walking over to me and invading my personal space.

"Woah Jess, invading my personal bubble here"

She examined my face a bit more before saying "You look like death dude."

I sigh dramatically "Thanks Jess" I rolled my eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "That's such a huge boost to my ego"

"Your welcome. Now hurry up woman!!!"

"I know! I know! Sheeesh, can't even have peace in the mornings anymore"

I was reaching for a pen in my made bed when something caught my eye. Lying in my bedside table was a single, red rose that I didn't even notice until now.

"Weird" I mumbled.

"What was that? You said something Ro?" Jessica followed my line of vision to see what I was looking at. I stuffed the pen I was holding, zipping my backpack rather hastily, as I grabbed her hand, effectively pulling her out the door.

"Nothing. Let's go! We're already 5 minutes late!"

"Jesus Ro, slow down!" She said while I pulled on her left arm as we made our way down the stairs and out the door, all the way to her parked Audi just in front of the house. Mom and dad had already left for work. They both had an early meeting today so I was tasked to lock the house before leaving, only child and all.

"Dude! Not cool Ro!" Jessica said once we were already on the road "What was that about, anyway? You went all terminator on me"

"Huh?" I was staring at the window, not quite hearing what she said "Oh that? It's uh, nothing."

"Uh huh."she said not quite believing me. She glanced at me briefly, tapping her manicured hands on the steering wheel as we waited for the light to turn green. "You sure it's nothing? You look a little pale Ro"

"What's up with you and criticizing my face?" I said, trying to lighten up the mood. The light turned green and the car started to move again.

"That's because I care Ro. And you didn't really answer me."

I sighed. Looking back outside the passing trees. "I probably just need more sleep Jess. I stayed up late again, you know. The usual "one more episode" thing"

She nodded as if she finally solved the mystery to my wonderful bed face. "Oh, that explains it. You should stop abusing your body Ro, it's the only one you have"

"Says the girl who binge watches anime every chance she gets"

"Hey! Don't drag anime into this!"

I laughed and she smiled, following afterwards. "Fine Jess, I'll try. Whatever you say mommy dearest."

"Ha ha, very funny"

Once in the school parking lot, Jess and I said our goodbyes as we went into our separate classes.

"Bye Roro"

I rolled my eyes smiling. "Bye Jess. And don't call me that"

She just laughed and walked away to her class just across the hall. Before turning in a corner, she dramatically blew me a kiss and disappeared off sight. I smiled shaking my head. Jess will be Jess. Sometimes I don't really know how to handle that girl. Don't get me wrong, I love her to the moon and back, but that girl is gonna be the end of me, I swear.

"Hey Rose, have you heard?" Drake, my seatmate from class asked. Drake was the average boy next door kind of guy. Down to earth, always so nice to everybody. He was pretty cute if you're into the shy but not really shy kind of guys. It's hard to explain. Think of an ambiverted kind of person and you get Drake.

"Don't tell me we don't have classes? I already got up so early in the morning!" I said.

"Ha! I wish, but no." Drake looked around as if checking to see if someone was listening. People were already filling up the classroom when he looked to me and with his hands around his mouth, he whispered "We have a new homeroom adviser"

I giggled with his antics "That's it? I thought it'd be something weird"

"Oh but it is. Who gets hired out of the blue instantly after Mrs. Newman's accident?"

Mrs. Newman is our homeroom adviser. It was reported just this Friday that she had been in an accident. Something about getting attacked during her trip to the dentist. She was a nice lady and you could tell the woman loved her job, so hearing about her incident immediately made me feel sorry for her.

"Why can't they just replace her with another teacher from the faculty? Why would they hire a new one out of the blue? What's even weirder is nobody from class even knows his name. It's like he really just popped out of nowhere!" Drake said snapping me out of thoughts.

"Now that you mention it, that is weird" I said.

"Right?"

I readjusted the straps on my bag before entering the classroom, Drake right behind me. Everyone was in chatters, especially in the female department.

"Have you heard about the new guy?"

"Katherine said she saw him in the hallways entering the principal's"

"I did. The guy was hot! Like he was so tall and-"

That was the last thing I heard before I zoned out, dropping my bag to the floor as I slumped to my chair. I rested my head in my crossed arms on my table, feeling the sleep deprivation finally taking a toll on me. Gosh, when will I ever learn?

"Netflix again?" Drake said beside me.

I curled up on my desk and mumbled a muffled "Yep"

"Thought so"

That was the last thing I heard, before everything faded out and I was knocked out cold.

Dazed, I was suddenly woken up by a persistent shaking on my shoulder.

"Rose wake up. Homeroom guy is here." Drake said.

My eyes were still adjusting when a figure had entered the door, his silhouette was the only thing I could make out at the moment. My eyes were still kinda blurry.

The whole class fell into dead silence.

Not even Katherine and her band of catty girls are talking. Talk about a demanding presence.

The figure stopped at the center table and started writing on the whiteboard, his marker making a squeeking sound as it glided across the surface. Immediately when he was done, he faced the whole class, my eyes snapping open, suddenly feeling aware of my surroundings. Aware of him.

Woah, what's this feeling?

"Good morning class, I will be your new homeroom teacher" his velvety voice boomed out in the silence "As I hoped you are all aware of Mrs. Newman's condition, I shall be her substitue for the entire school year."

A mumble of yeses could be heard. I could detect a mixture of accents in the way mystery hot dude sounded though. Like a mixture of Russian and British maybe? Either way I decided to call him Mr. SWOON, because you know...

"I hope she gets better, God bless her soul." Mr. Swoon said. He clapped his hands and continued "Now that that is out of the way I would like to introduce myself."

At this, some of the girls in my class seem to sit up straighter. Katherine had been twirling a lock of her hair the entire time Mr. Swoon had entered, batting her mascara caked eyelashes rather weirdly. It was funny to watch that I couldn't help but giggle.

At this, Mr. Swoon's eyes snapped to mine, and I swear my heart just skipped a beat.

Shizzballs.

The hot homeroom teacher just held my gaze longer than what was considered appropriate. God, what am I doing holding a stare off with the teacher anyways?!?

Spring.

He has the greenest eyes I've ever seen. Why do I feel like I've seen him before?

And just like that, the new homeroom teacher broke eye contact, not before giving me a ghost of a smile.

Wait.

Was I just imagining that or did did the new guy just smirk at me?

"My name is Mr. Hanford. Spelled exactly as it sounds. That's H A N F O R D. As you all may or may not know, I just graduated last year in my studies. Besides being your adviser, I will also be your History professor so you best be prepared for some more time together" he said the last part glancing at me briefly before directing his gaze back to the class. Again, what was up with him?

A series of nods and yes sir echoed. Everyone seems to be enthralled by this mysterious homeroom adviser. There was something about him that demanded your full attention. It was hard to describe, you'll understand it once you see him.

"Settle down, and take your seats. We will now begin our lesson."

Class with Mr. Swoon went by in a blur, and before you know it everybody was already beginning to leave for the next class. A few flirty stares from the ladies and jealous glares from the guys later, every one was out the door in no time. My eyes snapped to Mr. Swoon, as I noticed the way he moved gracefully, like he didn't belong here. He looked out of place- out worldly.....

"Ms. Grimoire, may I have a word with you please" his velvety voice suddenly echoed around the room, grabbing my attention instantly. As I mentioned earlier, everybody was already gone and we were the only two left inside the classroom.

"Of course sir." I chuckled nervously "I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"No of course not, take a seat Ms. Grimoire" he said motioning to the chair beside him. Woah there. O....kaaaay....

I was gripping my bag straps tightly as I nervously sat near him.

So near that if I lean just a little bit, my head would lie directly on his broad chest. Where did that thought come from? Sheesh Ro, keep it in your pants.

"You look a little nervous Ms. Grimoire" he said as he was putting a few paper from inside his brown shoulder bag. "You shouldn't be really. I don't bite." My eyes seem to follow his evey move, even down to his adam's apple as he swallowed every now and then.

When his emerald eyes snapped to mine, I unconsciously leaned farther from him, squirming uncomfortably in my seat. I cleared my throat.

"Sir um, will this be long? I might be late for my next class-"

"Not at all. Just answer a simple question and you're free to go." He said smiling warmly at me.

Now his smile had been playing tricks on me ever since our first encounter. His stares, they seem to have a certain amount of fondness in them. It would be weird if this new guy decides to be buddy buddy with me out of nowhere. Not to mention the awkwardness since he's also my teacher.

"Oh okay." I said, feeling unsure.

"Ms. Grimoire" upon saying this, his face had turned serious. As he reached out to place his hands upon my shoulders, I couldn't help but notice that my body had ceased to have the ability to move. Not that I wanted to anyway....

Staring into his eyes, my mind suddenly feels fuzzy and numb. At peace. I'm not even sure if the changing colors in his eyes were just figments of my wild imagination or not. But as his hands tightened their grips upon my shoulders, effectively sending jolts of electricity on my body, all rational thoughts seem to fly out the window.

"My dear Rosabelle, I have found you at last" he said with a growl. Weird. Humans don't growl, do thy?
I'm not so sure anymore...

He stood up. His tall stature towered over me even more now that I'm seated with his frame looming over me like a storm. As I struggled to determine what was reality in my hazy state of mind, he kneeled in front of me and took both my hands in his. My eyes looked down, unable to look him in the eye. Woah, everything feels like a dream now...

"Tell me, Ms. Grimoire," the words flowing out of him elegantly. He placed his right hand softly upon my chin as he gradually tilted it to meet his gaze "Does the sight of me flatter you?"

"It....does.... Mr. Hanford" my words felt like my own but at the same time it doesn't. "It... does..."

"Good." his soft lips met my forehead before the sound of his fingers snapping triggered my brain.

What just happened?

"You're free to go Ms. Grimoire, English is waiting"

"Uh yeah. See you later Mr. Hanford"

"See you soon Rosabelle." He said as his smile radiated fondness.

"And please, call me Julianne"

-End-