CHAPTER SEVEN !
"breathless"

🎸. . . Emmaline Armani / ALDERIGE

Emmaline adjusted her guitar strap, her fingers running through the chords of the latest song she had been working on.

The past few days at Alderidge High had been a whirlwind of rehearsals, classes, and planning for the upcoming competition. Yet, amidst the busyness, there was one thing she couldn't stop thinking about: Christian.

Ever since their encounter in math class, Christian had been on her mind. She couldn't quite understand it. They were supposed to be enemies, rivals in this intense artistic battle, yet every time she saw him, her heart fluttered.
She stole glances at him during rehearsals, in the hallways, and even during meals.

He seemed to be doing the same, their eyes meeting for fleeting moments that left her breathless. It was like an unspoken secret they shared, something forbidden and exhilarating.

One afternoon, during a break between classes, she found herself alone in the music room, strumming her guitar absentmindedly.

The door creaked open, and she looked up to see Christian standing there, a hesitant smile on his face.

"Hey," he said softly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

"Hey," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "What brings you here?"

"I could ask you the same," he said, sitting down on the piano bench.

"Needed a break from all the noise."
She nodded, feeling her pulse quicken. "Yeah, me too."

They sat in silence for a moment, the unspoken tension between them palpable. Emmaline decided to break the ice. "I've seen you around a lot these past few days."

"Same here," he replied, his eyes meeting hers. "It's hard not to notice you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her guitar. "Yeah, well, we're supposed to be rivals, remember?"

Christian laughed softly. "I know, but it's hard to keep that in mind when you're... well, you."

Emmaline's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said, leaning forward, "you're talented, passionate, and you have this way of lighting up a room. It's hard to think of you as just an enemy."

She felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. "I feel the same way," she admitted. "I didn't expect to, but I do."

They shared a long, meaningful look, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging in the air. Emmaline knew this was dangerous territory. They were from rival schools, and any hint of a relationship between them would be scandalous.

But the more time she spent with Christian, the more she realized she couldn't deny her feelings.

A few days later, Emmaline found herself wandering the school grounds, looking for a quiet place to clear her head. She decided to go to the library, shielded from view by thick ivy and tall hedges.

To her surprise, Christian was already there, leaning against the wall with a book in his hands.

"Fancy meeting you here," she said, stepping into the alcove.

Christian looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Seems like we have a knack for finding each other."

Emmaline laughed softly, sitting down on the bench opposite him. "What are you reading?"

"Just some poetry," he replied, closing the book and setting it aside. "Needed a break from everything."

"Yeah, me too," she said, sighing as she leaned back. "It's been a hectic few days."

Christian nodded, his eyes never leaving her face. "Tell me about it."

During rehersal everyone was very caotic and werent agreeing on the strategy and the acts to be played.

Emmaline slipped away to the rooftop of the school. It was her favorite place to clear her head, the view of the campus and the distant city skyline calming her nerves. She wasn't expecting anyone to be there, so she was surprised to see Christian leaning against the railing, looking out at the view.

"Christian?" she said, stepping onto the rooftop.

He turned, a smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Emmaline."

"What are you doing up here?" she asked, joining him at the railing.

"Needed some air," he replied. "You?"

"Same," she said, glancing at him. "This competition is getting to me."

"Tell me about it," he said, running a hand through his hair. "It's a lot of pressure."

They stood there in silence for a moment, the wind gently ruffling their hair. Emmaline felt a strange sense of comfort being next to him, even though they were supposed to be rivals.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we weren't competing against each other?" she asked suddenly, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Christian looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I do."

Emmaline turned to face him, her heart pounding. "What do you think it would be like?"

He took a step closer, their faces inches apart. "I think it would be amazing."

They stood there, the tension between them palpable. Emmaline felt a surge of emotion, her feelings for Christian growing stronger with each passing day. She knew it was dangerous, that they were walking a fine line, but she couldn't help it. She was falling for him, her supposed enemy, and she didn't know how to stop.

Cazz had told Emmy to go fetch a book from the library, a spot frequently visited by her. She was searching for a book for Mercy, to help her with the monologue she was acting out.

Emmy couldnt say no so with that and her guitar pick on her hands she rushes to the library to get the Shakespeare book.

Running through the hallway she bumps into someone. Rather two people. Emmy's pick and journals fall open on the ground.

The person she had bumped into sat down to help her pick up the books and when she raises her head she sees him.

Ryan.

Her childhood best friend.

She was trying her best to avoid running into him after the first conversation. Too many things left unsolved, too many broken strings.

As he tries to pick the journal up, their hands accidentally touch, as Emmy removes her hand immediately and stands up.

"Emmy" he says meeting her gaze.

"Ryan" she says back looking at her now grown up best friend. Who was currently with a girl right now. "Here" he says handing her the journal being careful so he doesnt touch her.

What Emmy thought to be hatred, was actually the opposite feeling in Ryan's side. Why he refused to touch her, or even so look at her.

"Can we go now?" Josie says asking. "Oh yes, yes" Ryan answers to her as they leave.

Shaking the thoughts of her head Emmy made her way to the end of the library where classics were held.

She was browsing through the books to find the one she was searching for as she comes across some classics she loved. She picks up Pride and Prejudice, Madame Bovary and Little women. Maybe rereading one wont be bad.

She picked Pride and Prejudice as kust then she found the copy of Shakespeare she needed.

The old books shelf tilted a little and a book from the upper shelf almost fell on her head. Someone had stopped it.

Emmy looks up to see the face she constantly thought about during her day.

"Christian." Her voice comes out in a whisper.

"Emmy" A hoarse reply comes out of his mouth.

They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the rustling of leaves outside. Emmaline could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the proximity to Christian making her skin tingle. She glanced at him, her eyes tracing the lines of his face, the way his hair fell over his forehead, the intensity in his gaze.

"Why do you look at me like that?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Christian's smile faded, replaced by a look of raw honesty. "Like what?"

"Like you're trying to figure me out," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Maybe I am," he replied, leaning forward, closing the distance between them. "Maybe I can't help it."

Emmaline's breath hitched as he came closer, his presence overwhelming. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the magnetic pull between them growing stronger.

She wanted to reach out, to touch him, to close the gap that seemed to shrink with every passing second.

Christian," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Emmaline," he replied, his voice low and husky.

Their faces were inches apart now, the air between them charged with unspoken desire. Emmaline's heart raced, her mind spinning with the impossibility of the situation. They were supposed to be enemies, yet here they were, caught in a moment that felt both forbidden and inevitable.

"I can't stop thinking about you," Christian confessed, his eyes locked onto hers. "It's driving me crazy."

Emmaline swallowed hard, her own feelings mirrored in his words. "Me too," she admitted. "I don't know what to do."

He reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek, sending a shiver
down her spine.

"Maybe we don't have to do anything. Maybe we just let it be."

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, the warmth of his hand seeping into her skin.

"What if they find out?"

"Then we'll deal with it," he said softly.

"But for now, let's just have this."

Emmaline opened her eyes, meeting his gaze once more. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their hidden space.

She felt a surge of emotion, a mix of fear and excitement, as she leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a tentative kiss.

The contact was electric, a spark that ignited something deep within her. Christian responded, his kiss gentle yet demanding, his hand sliding to the back of her neck to pull her closer.

Emmaline melted into him, all thoughts of rivalry and competition dissolving in the heat of the moment.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. Emmaline could feel her heart pounding, a wild, uncontrollable beat that matched the rhythm of her thoughts.

"This is dangerous," she whispered, her lips still tingling from the kiss.

"I know," Christian replied, his voice equally breathless. "But I don't care."

Emmaline smiled, a mix of nerves and exhilaration coursing through her. "Neither do I."

They stayed there for a while longer, savoring the stolen moment, the unspoken promise of what was to come.

Emmaline knew this was just the beginning, that their secret meetings would continue, filled with the same tension and desire that had brought them together.

As they finally parted ways, Emmaline felt a sense of anticipation bubbling inside her. She didn't know where this forbidden love would lead, but she was willing to find out. For now, she would keep their secret, cherish their stolen moments, and hold onto the hope that one day, they could be together without fear.

Back in her dorm room, Emmaline lay on her bed, replaying the kiss in her mind. She felt a rush of excitement, a thrill that came from knowing they were defying the odds. She knew she couldn't tell anyone, not even Lana. She had Christian, and that was enough.

As she drifted off to sleep, Emmaline made a silent promise to herself. She would be careful, she would protect their secret, but she wouldn't let go of this feeling. Because sometimes, even in the midst of rivalry and competition, you find something-or someone-worth fighting for.

EJONA SPEAKS !!!

GUYS I WANT THIS ! I want someone to look at me the way Chris looks at Emmy. 🤧
EMMY X CHRIS !!!!

Thoughts?