elle

s hair was that rare, effortless gold that actually caught the light and his eyes were a

he dirt on the hem of my skirt. My thro

. My brain was stu

y expression that made my hea

. His voice was low an

gripped my bag. "I got lost... The map... and there were

orry about it. St. Aurelia wasn't built to b

rp, rhythmic taps. A side entrance creaked open and a man in a stiff su

h me," the

submissive nod and stepped aside. I stared at the back of the boy

e inside. "I'll show you where to sit. If

s thick with the scent of beeswax and old paper. Julien led me toward the center and I noticed the way heads turned a

that vibrated in my teeth. Director Alexandre Roussea

ts," he began, h

way they both held their shoulders... it hit me like a physical punch. Th

distinguished themselves," the Direc

degrees. I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Please tell me it's not the 'Dmitri Volkov'

favor, but I was dead wrong. It was that 'Dmitri Vo

than school clothes. His eyes, that cold, piercing grey scanned the pews until they locked onto me. The gaze

't swallow. Beside me, I felt Julie

to the silent tension, "your results

ething he already owned. As he walked off, his eyes flickered to Julien, then back to me

oice warmed up significa

of excited whispering and applause. Julien stood up smooth

l piano competition," the Dire

back down, he caught my eye and gave me a tiny,

o disappear into the crowd but Julie

Isabelle

tching my bag like a sh

from the Beaumont gala," he teased, a glint of amusement in h

the heat climb up my neck. "I m

closer. "And I saw where you were coming from. Di

barrassed. "Is i

air for a split second as he plucked it away. The butterflies in my stomach did a little

"I'm a third-year student. If you ever get lost

ng to find my voice. "Congratulati

ment. It's better with a violin. I can't wait to see you at the Music

said with a wink. "And Isabelle? Don't let the student

assroom, I came face to face with Dmitri, almost bumping into his chest. His eyes darkened as if he w

den boy already. Interesting choice." he said, as he stepped closer, lea

n coming from my chest and forcing a smile. The last thing I

he light. You made that mistake by accepting that scholarship. You could have remained i

nd," I forced a tiny wave, hopin

t your friend

e Duval. Your turn," I said, smiling and extending my hand out for a handshak

sion as if I was speaking a strange language. He looked at my hand like I'd offe

on, my han

tted, his expression changing into something dangerous

o be friends with you." He leaned closer until I cou

rabbit," he whispered into my ears. "Julien

ng inside me forced its way out. He's not doing anything physical to me yet but deep down in my gut

cold promise in his eyes. "And when the rea

control my breathing but it already sounded like I'd just woken up from a nightmare. I pressed my palms flat against

French class as I tried

acher, Monsieur Leclerc, ask

I said, my voice came out thinner than

, whispering to her friend and sneering. The word felt like a stain on my skin. The

nd cafeteria, trying to hide. I looked up and saw Julien across the room,

the far corner.

He was staring directly at me, his grey

tomach twisted. The "angel" might have opened the door for me