“What do you mean, you want me to go to class? You’ve got to be joking,” I say, gaping open-mouthed at the two headmasters standing in the doorway to Mr Daniels’ cabin. They'd shown up, asking why I hadn't gone to class, as it had started fifteen minutes earlier, and they were expecting that I would attend. What the hell are they thinking?

“We think it would be best to return you to a level of normalcy,” one of them says.

“You and Mr Black will remain here, and resume your classes, whilst the others will be assisting Mr Daniels and the council,” the other adds.

“You can’t just expect me to go back to my classes, to act like nothing ever happened?” I sputter, not believing they could really suggest something so incredulous.

“That is not what we are suggesting, Miss Crowe. We simply believe that it would be best for you to resume your schedule as soon as possible. You're already behind now as it is,” the first replies firmly. He goes to step into the cabin, but I hold firm. I doubt Mr Daniels would want them in here.

“But with everything going on, can't it wait?” I whine pathetically. I really don't want to go. Everyone will be looking at me after what happened.

“No. The decision is final, and you are already late for class. You should get going now, before you miss the whole thing,” the other answers.

“Fine, give me five minutes to say goodbye and get changed. What day is it anyway?” I question, and they both give me exasperated looks.

“It's Monday, Miss Crowe,” he answers dryly.

What classes do I even take on Monday? Headmaster Lockhart must see my confusion, as he lets out a deep sigh.

“You're currently meant to be in healing class, followed by pain this afternoon,” he says in an unamused tone.

“Great, thanks,” I say, and then I slam the door shut in their faces. I'm too pissed over having to go back to classes already to care about how rude that may have been.

“You didn't just...?” East asks as he walks in from the bathroom.

“Maybe.” I shrug. It's too late to worry about that now.

“You're probably going to live to regret doing that,” he says in a serious tone, but his eyes are shining with amusement.

“Yeah, yeah. I'll risk it. Where are the others?” I ask. I hadn't seen the others since late last night. It had been eerily quiet in the cabin this morning. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa, and I woke up tucked up in Mr Daniels' bed, alone. I had much preferred the large bed with company.

East hesitates before answering, “They already left to get Ryan and Kelly. They left at about five in the morning, they didn't want to wake you since you've been getting so little sleep.”

“We were all still up talking at one, they couldn't have had any sleep,” I say, my worried feeling slipping into my tone. East crosses the room to me and pulls me into his arms.

“It'll be fine. They'll be okay. They planned on sleeping in the car on the way to the meeting point. Someone else is driving, so they'll all have a chance to catch a few hours,” he reassures me. I bite my lip, not quite believing that they'll actually sleep. I hate the idea of them going into a fight when they haven't even gotten enough rest. He rests his fingers under my chin and tilts my head up so I'm looking into his hazel eyes. “Don't worry yourself about them, Kenz. They've got this,” he says softly, brushing his other hand across my cheek tenderly.

I open my mouth to argue all the reasonable reasons I have to worry, but he silences me by pressing his lips against mine. He kisses me softly, and then pulls away to look at me.

“East, I can't help but—”

He cuts me off, crashing his lips back against mine harder this time. I return his kiss eagerly, as his hands thread roughly into my hair, and he walks me back to the wall. My back slams into the cold wall, feeling the chill set into me quickly. He slides one hand down my body, resting it on my hip, gripping it tightly. His teeth graze my lower lip, and he moves his body closer to mine, trapping me tightly against the wall. I'm not so cold with his hot body against mine. I manage to pull away, just about convincing myself that I do indeed have to go to class. I probably pushed my luck as it is with the door slam.

“Sorry, but we have to go to class,” I say. I really don't want to go though. I never wanted to go to this damn school anyway, and I was right not to want to be here, considering all the trouble that's happened. But there have been good things too, I muse as I look at East.

“Class...that's what they wanted? You can't be serious?” he questions, his eyebrows shooting up.

“So serious, and they said you had to go to my classes with me rather than your own.” I sigh. “I need to get changed, I slept in these clothes,” I say, gesturing down at my crinkled jeans and top. Luckily I'd already tamed my long, black hair back in a thick, high ponytail.

“I should probably change too,” he concedes, stepping back. I look at him properly, noticing the tight grey workout top and black joggers he's wearing. The top clings to him, showing off every muscle. Does he really have to get changed?

“If you keep looking at me like that, we're not going to class, Kenz,” he says in a low tone.

“Is that a threat or a promise?” I ask teasingly, and he steps closer again, leaning down so his lips brush my ear slightly, making me shiver.

“A promise, and I always keep my promises,” he answers. He then pulls back again, and heads for my room, where he and the others have stashed their clothes. I watch him as he goes, and then groan to myself. I'm going to have to follow him in there to get my clothes too, damn it!

I move slowly across the sitting room, creeping into my room quietly. East has his top off, and is rummaging through a backpack for another. He turns around, catching me staring at him. He grins, crossing the room to me and leans around me to shut the bedroom door.

“What are you doing?” I ask innocently, even as I flutter my lashes a little.

“I don't break my promises, Kenz,” he says, he steps closer to me, and I move back.

“We're going to get in trouble,” I say slowly, taking another step as he matches mine. He moves in time with me, watching me like a predator eyeing up its dinner. My back hits the wall.

“They'll live,” he whispers, and then he pounces. His arms pin me to the wall, and his lips easily find mine again. Slinking my arms around his neck, I jump up, wrapping my legs around his waist tightly, feeling his hardness press against me just right. I moan into his mouth as he grinds his hips against me, and he pushes me even tighter between him and the wall. There's no way we're leaving this room anytime soon now.

We were already late, might as well just try and be on time for the next class instead, this one's a lost cause. I smile as he pulls his lips from mine to kiss along my jaw. So worth missing class for.