Chapter 3: Briar

brIAR

After leaving my first class, I need a chance to put myself back together.

I wander through Wyldhart Hall until I find a secluded nook on the third floor. Tucked behind the curving stairs, the alcove has an arched window overlooking the evergreen forest beyond the walls of the school.

By the stale smell of the air, people rarely venture to this corner of the third floor.

The bright sunlight streaming through the leaded glass window provides just enough light for me to read. It's a perfect place to get lost in someone else's problems for a little.

Sinking to the dark blue carpet, I rest my back against the cold stone wall under the window. I tuck my sneaker-clad feet under me to avoid flashing anyone passing by. At least Wolves Hollow University allows students to choose our shoes, as long as they're black. I live in tennis shoes in the summer and boots in the winter. It's a small mercy that I won't have to wear Mary Janes or pumps.

Setting an alarm on my phone to alert me ten minutes before my next class, I pull out my Kindle. Opening up one of my favorite books, I get lost in a world of magical abilities, hardship, loss, and love.

It seems like only a few minutes have passed when my alarm goes off. In reality, it's been over half an hour. That's the power of a good book. It consumes you so completely you lose track of reality, which is a blessing most days.

Standing up, I brush off any dust on the back of my skirt before slinging my bag over my shoulder. Wincing as the weight of the bag hits a particularly sore spot, I shift it until it's marginally more comfortable.

I make my way down the curving stone stairs to the second floor, where my Western Civ class is.

As I pull open the heavy, weathered wood door, its hinges squeal. Being on the second floor, this classroom has lower ceilings, but they're still higher than average.

The classroom has the same gentle slope of the other room. There's a large, dark wooden desk in front of the blackboard. This room has the same type of desk-and-chair combo as the first one, only the chairs are a muted blue.

As soon as I step in, I see Rory waving like a maniac from the second row. My lips twitch into a small smile at her antics. There's an empty seat between Rory and the wall, so I make my way toward her. It takes me a moment to walk up the stairs and scoot in front of the other people in the row.

When I reach my seat, I pull out my notebook and pen as I sit down. Looking up, I freeze. "Fuck me sideways," I breathe. There are two of them. The Western Civ professor is almost a perfect copy of my statistics professor. Now that I think about it, my schedule showed that a Professor Grimm teaches all my classes today. I hadn't given much thought to that until now.

He has the same angular jaw, impressive height, and piercing, deep green eyes.

However, his sun-bleached golden hair is longer than Professor Grimm's. If he didn't have it gelled back, his hair would completely cover his striking eyes. This professor is also clean-shaven. His long, patrician nose isn't perfectly straight. It's slightly crooked, like it's been broken before.

Instead of traditional work attire, he's wearing dark wash jeans, a black tee stretched across his broad chest, and a black leather jacket. He definitely doesn't dress like any teacher I've met. I'd think he was a student if he weren't sitting on the desk at the front of the class, casually swinging his long legs.

Hearing a giggle, I turn toward Rory. From her amused expression, I know she overheard me. If Rory heard my quiet exclamation, I realize the professor, only a row in front of me, could have heard me too.

I briefly close my eyes, hoping against hope he didn't hear me. When I look up, I see his forest green eyes trained on me. One side of his mouth is kicked up in a smirk.

Oh God. He heard me. Kill me now.

I meant it as "holy fuck." He didn't take it that way.

Jesus. What an impression to make. I'm two for two in sounding like an idiot in front of my professors. I'm tempted to skip my next class to spread out my humiliation to another day. Who knows what new and horrifying way I'll find to make an ass out of myself in my next class.

Rory pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. "I'm guessing you didn't know Xander and Sebastian are twinsies? Math is Xander's jam. Bastian's crazy good at history. Their older brother, Kai, is also a professor here. He's a wizard at Latin."

Lovely.

There's another one of them. I'm not sure my poor heart can take it. One insanely attractive teacher is more than enough trouble for me. Two, I could maybe manage. But three? I sigh, shaking my head in resignation. This is going to be a long semester.

Focusing back on Rory, I wonder how she knows so much about our professors. "Did they tell you all this at orientation?" I had to skip orientation at the demand of my stepfather. I've been flying blind for my first day at my new college.

Her tinkling laugh reminds me of the windchimes my mom used to hang off our back porch. "Nope," Rory responds, popping the P. "WHU's orientation was literally the most unhelpful orientation I've been to. I had oodles more questions after than I started with. Anyhoo, Xander, Bastian, and Kai are my cousins. I've been hanging out with those dorks since I was a baby."

Huh. I wouldn't have pegged them as cousins. Looking closer, I can see some similarities in their facial structure. The more you know, I guess. It explains why she seems to know so much about them.

Before I can interrogate Rory for more info, Sebastian Grimm begins introducing himself and his class. He paces the front of the room, gesturing animatedly. Unlike his brother, this Professor Grimm doesn't talk for the whole class. Instead, he has us each introduce ourselves.

I absolutely loathe public speaking, so I try to keep it short when it's my turn. "I'm Briar Wylder. I'm from Wolves Hollow, and I'm undecided about my major."

My eyes find their way to his while I'm speaking. It's a miracle I don't trip up when our eyes connect. It's hard to focus on anything other than his entrancing dark green eyes, even my own thoughts.

The rest of the class period passes uneventfully. Before dismissing us, Professor Grimm 2.0 assigns us a few chapters of the world history textbook to read before next class.

"You have a class next? Or do you wanna grab some lunch with us?" Rory grins at me as I load up my bag. She's persistent, I'll give her that. I thought she'd stop trying to be my friend after I turned her down last time.

"I have to talk to the professor again after class for a few. I can get lunch after, though." I'm fine without friends, but it would be nice to have someone to eat with at this nightmare of a school, though.

As sucky as this school is, I'd still rather be here than at home.

"That works for us, chickee! We'll wait in the hallway for you." Rory flounces down the stairs, with her quiet twin following closely.

She has to be one of the bubbliest people I've ever met. I wonder if she stole all the enthusiasm from her twin in the womb. That'd explain how she has this much pep.

As much as I'd like to avoid talking to this professor, I know I need to ask about accommodations. Quietly making my way to the front, I wait for a few minutes behind other students. I roll my eyes at the two girls in front of me blatantly flirting with him.

Yes, he looks like a GQ model. He's also a professor. I highly doubt he'd risk his job to bang students, especially when he likely has his pick of women everywhere he goes.

Finally, it's my turn to talk to him.

He swings his hypnotizing green eyes my way. "What can I do for you, Miss Wylder?" Professor Sebastian Grimm purrs with a flirty smirk on his face. His suggestive tone throws me off. It's almost like he's coming on to me. Figuring I'm probably imagining things, I launch into my spiel about accommodations I need for APD.

As I talk, his flirty smile drops, his blond brows lower, and his eyes scrunch in confusion. By the time I finish, his eyes look like they have thunderclouds rolling across them. His mouth flattens in a harsh line. "That's fine," he bites out. "I'll let you know what I decide on alternative assignments. Is there anything else?" Professor Grimm's face smooths by the time he asks if that's all.

I feel like I have whiplash from his rapid mood changes. "Um, no, I don't think so." I hate how shaky my voice sounds, but I'm unsure what to expect from him. I've learned the hard way that unpredictable people are the most dangerous.

As I reach the door, I chance a look back at Sebastian Grimm. He's sitting on the desk again. With his elbows resting on his knees, he's cradling his face in his hands.

I have the strangest urge to go over there and comfort him. Forcing myself to open the door instead, I leave the classroom, consumed with thoughts of two pairs of green eyes.