I hurried to my first class, still unsettled from my earlier encounter with Clayton. The day had started off well, but his unexpected outburst had soured it just hours after sunrise. As I neared the classroom, I slowed down, taking a deep breath in an attempt to center myself.

Pulling my phone from my bag, I checked if Josh and Leroy were already inside. Just as I was about to send a message, I noticed Brigit standing a few steps away with her two friends. They were chatting, but Brigit's expression caught my attention—she looked agitated, almost nervous. A frown of concern creased my forehead.

I quickly sent a text to Josh, then slipped my phone back into my bag. Just then, our eyes met. Brigit's face lit up, her earlier tension evaporating as she hurried toward me with a wide smile.

"Arwen! Where have you been? We've been looking for you!" Brigit exclaimed, grabbing my hands tightly.

"Me? Why are you looking for me?" I asked, bewildered.

"Diarmid was worried," she replied, her earlier nervousness replaced with a calm smile.

"Diarmid?" I echoed, confused. As if on cue, he appeared at the end of the corridor, his expression tense, his eyes scanning the area. When he spotted Roisin, I saw him subtly gesture toward me. Our eyes locked, and I watched as relief softened his features. In that instant, the chaotic energy of the morning seemed to dissipate, replaced by an unspoken connection that made me curious—and concerned. Why had they been looking for me?

"Is everything okay?" I asked, stepping forward, eager to understand what was going on. The weight of the moment hung between us, and I had a feeling my day was far from over. Whatever was happening, it was just beginning to unfold.

Before I could process the thought, Diarmid suddenly closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me. My eyes widened in surprise, my breath catching in my throat.

His grip was firm yet tender, and I could feel his breath softly brushing my hair, like he was inhaling deeply—seeking calm. My hands were awkwardly pressed between us, unsure of what to do. I was frozen by the sudden intimacy.

Yet, despite the confusion swirling in my mind, I couldn't help but feel the warmth of his embrace. I should have felt awkward, maybe even alarmed, but instead, there was something oddly comforting in the way he held me. It was as if, for a moment, I was an anchor in the middle of his storm.

A soft chuckle sounded from behind him, but I couldn't see who it was—Diarmid's broad frame blocked my view. Still, he didn't let go. His arms remained around me, protective and firm, as if letting go wasn't an option.

Even though my mind was racing with questions, I couldn't ignore how close we were—the warmth of his body seeping into mine. He smelled fresh, earthy, like the woods after rain. Goosebumps rose on my arms despite our closeness, and I shivered.

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My heart pounded wildly, and I wasn't sure if it was from the shock or something else entirely. Standing there, enveloped in his warmth, I felt both vulnerable and safe at the same time.

Finally, I whispered, barely audible, "Diarmid... what are you doing?"

His grip loosened just enough for him to lift his head. His breath was warm against my cheek, but he didn't speak right away. It was as if he was searching for the right words, or maybe trying to understand what had come over him.

"I'm sorry," he murmured softly, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver down my spine. "I just... needed to be close to you."

His words hung between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. I could feel my cheeks flush, my heartbeat quickening as I tried to make sense of the moment.

Diarmid slowly released me, his arms loosening but still hovering close, as though he wasn't ready to fully let go. He didn't step back, remaining a protective presence. I blinked, trying to steady my breath, and noticed Finn, Roisin, Rhyian, and Brigit standing behind him, all grinning like they had witnessed something they'd been waiting for. Finn, the one who had chuckled earlier, gave me a knowing look.

Some of our classmates had turned to watch, curious about the scene unfolding before them. My face heated in embarrassment, and I quickly looked away, avoiding Diarmid's gaze. Instead, I focused on his friends, who were clearly enjoying this moment a bit too much.

But I couldn't resist. I stole a quick glance at him, half-expecting him to be focused elsewhere. To my surprise, he was still looking right at me. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to fade away.

He offered me a small, almost shy smile, softer than I'd ever seen him. "Sorry if I acted weird," he said, his voice gentle but tinged with awkwardness. "I was just... worried. Maybe it's still the aftereffect of being your bodyguard yesterday." He laughed softly, a sound that sent my heart into a wild flutter.

That smile—unexpected and warm—made my pulse race in a way I couldn't control. My chest tightened, my breath catching as he looked at me with a vulnerability that mirrored the confusion and excitement I felt. His concern, his presence—it was overwhelming, stirring something deep inside me that I hadn't anticipated.

I managed a small smile, trying to hide how much his words—and that smile—affected me. "Thank you..." I whispered, unsure of what else to say.

But in that moment, words weren't necessary. We both understood the weight of what had just happened, and though nothing more was spoken, the air between us buzzed with a new, unspoken energy.

The day slipped by, but even as I spent time with Josh and Leroy, I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of Diarmid's presence. It didn't help that, he is seated next to me in class, he would occasionally lean in to whisper something to Finn, sending my thoughts spiraling all over again.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Josh stretched and flashed me a teasing grin. "Hey, Arwen, don't ditch us at lunch, okay?"

I laughed, waving as he and Leroy headed off. "I won't, I promise!"

I smiled to myself as they disappeared down the hall. Despite their differences, the two of them were inseparable. But as much as I adored spending time with them, I couldn't shake the feeling of being drawn to Diarmid's group, especially him. Even now, standing by the doorway, I could feel his presence, like gravity pulling me closer.

I glanced at Diarmid, catching him watching me from the corner of his eye. He smiled—a soft, secretive smile that sent a small thrill through my chest. Finn, ever the joker, nudged him with his elbow, but Diarmid's gaze never left mine.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough.