Chapter 37 Phobia
ARDEN
C
+5 Free Coins
What happened at the bus stop yesterday still lingered in my mind. The conversation had taken a downturn so suddenly, and even then, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had said so wrong for Cade to react that way.
It was strange how I was more fixated on his response than on the fact that he now knew I was a virgin. I didn’t know what he would do with that information. Would he treat me differently? That was how I predicted things would go. However, much to my surprise, he seemed to ignore my presence altogether.
“Earth to Arden!” Tessa exclaimed, cheerfully nudging my shoulder. I turned to her, still somewhat lost in thought.
“Yeah?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Alright, something is definitely wrong,” she finally said. “I thought you were just under the weather, but you’ve been in this absentminded state since the first class.”
I smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about that. Yeah, there’s a lot on my mind.”
Tessa sighed in concern. “You can tell me whenever you want to.”
Feeling grateful, I turned to her as we walked to our last class–which, unfortunately, also had Cade in it.
I was about to head to the gym when I was suddenly pulled back by Tessa. “Where are you going?”
“To the gym,” I answered innocently.
“Didn’t you read Mr. Thompson’s announcement?”
I was too preoccupied with the encounter last night that I had failed to check the new announcement.
“We’re going to have a swimming class today.”
The moment she mentioned the sport, my body went rigid. Suddenly, I felt myself being transported back to a traumatic past.
Of drowning. Of being submerged, unable to breathe until the capillaries in my lungs felt like they were burning.
“Whoever holds their breath the longest underwater is going to win!” a small et precociously large Kieran exclaimed as we played in our new bathtub. Lucian was outside, absorbed in another book. Kieran wanted to play with him, but the older brother refused, so in the end, he had coerced me into joining him.
Little old me liked it, of course. It was rare for my brothers to ask me to play with them.
“I don’t want that,” I remembered muttering in a small voice.
“Pussy!” Kieran exclaimed. I was taken aback by his choice of absurd words, especially since our parents valued respectful language.
He wouldn’t stop taunting me with such insults, so eventually, I relented. I had always liked playing in the water, but that moment changed everything. My lungs could only endure so much deprivation of air, so when I needed to come up for air after a couple of seconds. I couldn’t.
I was trapped.
Not because of my own body, but because someone was holding me back. I felt Kieran’s hands on my head, forcing me to inhale the water in the shallow tub Before I knew it. I lost consciousness, and when I woke up, I found myself in the general hospital of the West, receiving treatment for a water inhalation injury. I thought I would be consoled the moment I woke up. instead, I was inet with harsh words Kieran had twisted the narrative. He had blamed my competitiveness and desire to beat him as the reason I had drowned. No matter how much I explained, it was futile. The blame was already on me–even if I was the one who had nearly died.
1/3
10:45 AM O
Chapter 37 Phobia
Since then, I had never attempted to swim again, despite my initial fondness for it.
+5 Free Coins
“Are you really alright?” Tessa asked, appearing more concerned now as she squeezed my arm. “Do you want to go to the clinic?”
I gulped and shook my head. “I’m… fine,” I managed to squeeze out. “But I was wondering if it would be alright not to participate for this class?”
Tessa fell silent for a moment before a look of realization appeared on her face. “I’ll ask for you,” she said.
I shook my head. “I’ll ask,” I insisted. “Can you please… accompany me?”
“Of course,” Tessa said supportively, leading me toward the swimming pool this time.
As soon as we arrived, the first person I saw was Cade, getting dressed on the bleachers. He removed his shirt, revealing a toned and muscular body for everyone to see. Tessa and I had to stop in our tracks, and for a moment, the fear of having a swimming class completely escaped my mind.
His body wasn’t as muscular as Jaxon’s; however, it felt undeniably more defined. While Jaxon appeared more like a fighter, Cade emanated the essence of a Greek statue. Coupled with his striking handsomeness, it was quite the sight, and our classmates didn’t hesitate to appreciate his visuals.
I quickly snapped my gaze away from him when Mr. Thompson finally arrived.
“Sir,” I called out to him, hoping to grab his attention. He stopped in his tracks, raised an eyebrow, and turned to me.
“Yes, Miss Stone?” he asked. “What can I assist you with today?”
Tessa stood right by my side, serving as my silent anchor through this ordeal. “Is it alright if I don’t participate in this activity?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He frowned, clearly confused, but before he could articulate a response, I interjected again. “I’m willing to handle any paperwork related to swimming, or contribute in whatever way possible aside from participating in the water.”
“And why is that?” he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest, a look of skepticism spreading across his face. “I do not excuse students without a valid reason.”
I bit my lip, reluctant to reveal my phobia of swimming. Instead, I hastily concocted a different excuse. “It’s my time of the month,” I stated with surprising confidence. “The flow is very, very heavy, by the way. It’s… quite bad,” I muttered, hoping my embarrassment didn’t show too much.
Mr. Thompson seemed taken aback by my candidness and momentarily turned away, clearing his throat as he collected himself. “Well,” he managed, regaining his composure.
“The previous quiz for all the classes–could you check that for me instead?” he added.
A small sigh of relief escaped my lips as I nodded eagerly. “I’ll handle it really well, sir.”
Mr. Thompson pursed his lips before he finally nodded. “However, I am awarding points to the fastest swimmers today, so you’re missing out on that.”
“It’s alright, sir.” I replied without hesitation. It wasn’t as though I could earn the incentive even if I participated.
“Co to my office and get the papers,” he instructed, handing me the keys. “Then come back here to complete the task.”
I nodded, turning to Tessa, who offered me a subtle thumbs–up
“I’ll get dressed,” she whispered before joining the others. Meanwhile, I made my way to the teacher’s office, a smile playing on my lips. I felt a wave of relief wash over me that Mr. Thompson hadn’t asked any further questions. I arrived promptly, as the gym was only a short distance from theirs.
The words “ONLY FACULTY ALLOWED were plastered on the wall, and for a brief moment, I hesitated. However, empowered by the keys in my hand, I unlocked the door and stepped into the empty room. I stood still for a moment, gaping
2/3
10:45 AM
Chapter 37 Phobia
+5 Free Coins
at the expansiveness of the space. It was even wider than the gym! Dozens of tables were laid out, meticulously organized and uniform. I quickly scanned the room for Mr. Thompson’s table and grabbed the unchecked papers on it.
Just as I was about to leave, something peculiar caught my attention. Amidst the modern tables, there was one that appeared quite old, worn out, and distinctly out of place in the contemporary interior. For a moment, I found myself entranced. There was something about it that drew me in, compelling me to take a closer look. So, I did.
As I approached, the intriguing nature of the table became even more pronounced. Just as I was about to touch the antique wood, a light yet startling voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Student? What are you doing here?”
I gasped and quickly stepped back, the stack of papers slipping from my grasp and tumbling to the floor. I turned to face the voice and felt my heart race with nervousness. “Headmaster Winters,” I stammered.
A slight frown adorned his brows, yet a small smile soon emerged on his lips. Somewhat disconcertingly, that contrast sent a shiver down my spine. However, his expression softened again, and he seemed kinder than before.
I hurriedly picked up the papers from the floor, bowing slightly in his direction. “I–I was just getting some quiz papers from Mr. Thompson’s table, sir.”
He tilted his head slightly and glanced toward the old table. “It doesn’t seem that way,” he mused. “You were about to inspect the old table, weren’t you?”
I quickly shook my head, my heart racing. “No, I was just… trying to see it up close.”
Mr. Winters fell silent for a few seconds, his attention making me feel even more anxious than I already was. Then he suddenly chuckled, causing me to look up at him with wide eyes. He exuded an eccentric vibe that felt difficult to interpret. I had heard from Tessa that he was well–loved and respected by the student body for his down–to–earth personality, but perhaps I was simply unaccustomed to such warmth.
“No worries,” he exclaimed cheerfully, stepping over to the old table. “It’s just a table that holds a special place in my heart, so I kept it here.” He opened the drawers and gestured for me to come closer.
“See? There’s nothing here,” he remarked, his voice brightening the atmosphere.
I quietly nodded and stepped back, my hands held in front of me, my neck at a subtle tilt to show my respect.
“What’s your name?” he asked suddenly, breaking the silence that hung in the air.
I gulped, still with my head slightly bowed. “Arden, sir,” I murmured.
“Arden,” he whispered, the name rolling off his tongue with a certain fondness. “That’s a lovely name for a pretty girl. Somehow, it rings a bell, too. Where have I heard it before?”
He snapped his fingers searching for the answer in the recesses of his mind, but ultimately fell short. “Ah, as expected, I’m not as sharp as I once was. I can’t seem to recall such details. No need to worry, though–I’ll be sure to remember your name!”
“Now, Arden,” he continued, reverting back to his jolly self. “I truly appreciate your assistance with Mr. Thompson, but the sign on the door clearly states that this room is reserved for faculty members only. Keep that in mind, alright? I’ll be lenient this time, but the next moment I catch you in here, I might not be as forgiving.”
He delivered the last words with a cheery tone, but beneath it, I could sense his seriousness. I quickly nodded in acknowledgment. “I apologize again, sir.”
Mr. Winters shook his head and waved me off. a gesture meant to reassure. “Of course, everyone makes mistakes. I completely understand.”
“Now, off you go. Mr. Thompson must be waiting for you.”
