Chapter 2 IN A TRANCE 2

Timothy parked the car and Amaya was the first to come down, she bid him farewell and rushed into the school building. As Alex got down, Timothy spoke.

"You okay, kid?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You need to loosen up, you're so rigid, so stiff. Tell me, you got any friends?"

Alex frowned, Timothy's comment had hurt him but he wasn't going to show it. "Thanks for caring, but I'm fine."

"I know your parents death had a huge troll on you, but you've got another family and-"

"I said...." Alex snapped. "I'm fine, you don't have to remind me of them." With that, he slammed the door shut and walked away, his anger intensifying.

Alex inhaled deeply and walked into his classroom, taking his seat. He brought out his sketch book and started making sketches, that was his solace, his escape.

"Yoo, Alexander the great!" His best and only friend shouted on entering the class.

Alex rolled his eyes, Christopher was too loud and he had complained about it but Chris didn't want to stop. Chris arrived at Alex's desk and snatched the sketch book.

"Look at that, making another anime?" He asked.

"Give it back, Chris," Alex said, standing to collect the book. However, Chris escaped from his reach. "This is beautiful, you should show the class."

"Chris, that's enough," Alex said, praying deep inside that Chris would just stop playing around.

Chris chuckled and raised the book up for the class to see. Reacting on instincts, Alex rushed to collect it but mistakenly hit a class bully. Before he could utter a word of apology, the guy's fist came jamming against his face.

The punch knocked the breath out of Alex's lungs and he staggered backwards, hitting a girl who was standing behind him. The girl immediately became irritated and pushed him away but Chris was fast to catch him before he collided with another person who would do worse to him.

"Are you okay?" He asked, feeling bad and responsible for what happened.

Alex turned to him, anger flashing in his eyes. "I asked you to give it back!" He snapped.

"I'm sorry," Chris apologized, handling the book to Alex.

Alex snatched the book from him and returned to his desk, nursing his bleeding nose. Chris approached, squatting by his side.

"I'm sorry Alex. I swear I never wanted anyone to hurt you."

"Just go Chris, I'm fine," he replied, lowering his gaze.

"I can't, not when you're like this, listen, I'll..."

"You!" A voice shouted prompting the whole class to look up. "You hit my girlfriend?" The guy who's name was Tyler asked.

Alex looked up and realized it was him Tyler was talking to. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could, Chris stood up, standing in front of Tyler. "It was an accident."

Tyler scoffed. "Since when did you become his mouth piece?" He asked.

"I'm his friend, so back off!"

"You little..." Tyler raised his hand to hit Chris when a teacher got into their class.

"On your seats, everyone," Rachel, their history teacher said, walking in. As they looked towards the door, they noticed she was not alone.

A sudden hush fell over the students as all eyes turned to the newcomer, and a collective intake of breath was audible. The new student, a boy with captivating features, walked in with an air of confidence.

His chiseled face was accentuated by sharp jawlines, prominent cheekbones, and a straight nose. Piercing blue eyes sparkled beneath thick, dark eyelashes. His hair was a rich, raven black perfectly messy and styled to frame his face.

His athletic build was evident beneath his fitted white shirt, which highlighted his broad shoulders and toned physique. Dark jeans hugged his lean legs, and sleek black boots completed his effortlessly cool look.

Every student was mesmerized, and Alex found himself scanning him from head to toe.

"Everyone, this is Kaiden Lysander. He's a transfer student and will be a member of this class from now on."

"Hello," he greeted and the students melted, whispering inaudible words to each other. Alex inhaled deeply, tearing his eyes away but couldn't miss his scent – a subtle blend of leather and citrus – wafted through the air, enthralling his senses. He noticed the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, and the faint dimple on his left cheek.

His gaze traveled down to his hands, strong and masculine, with neatly trimmed nails. He observed the silver watch on his wrist, the simplicity of which contrasted with his radiant presence.

Finally, he looked up and their eyes locked. Alex felt a jolt of electricity pass through him and he suddenly looked away, hoping and praying no one caught him staring.

"Were you in any way checking me out, Alex Blackwood?"