Captivated (An Affliction Novel) Read Online Free PDF

say he was popular in a good way. It was more like everyone knew him because they had a habit of knocking his books out of his hands, playing keep away with his bottle g lasses, and other things that most students wouldn’t have to go through. I had never personally done anything to him, but I did just stand there while Ayden picked on him. Not a good thing to do either.
    “Ben!” I greeted with excitement. I jumped out of my seat and skipped to him.
    “It’s Benjamin, thank you.” he corrected. After noticing the smile on my face, he got a little cocky. Ben pressed his bottle glasses closer to his face and fixed his striped polo shirt.
    “So? What can I do for you Mindy?” Ben uttered.
    “I-uh…” I stuttered. I wasn’t really sure why I needed him. Of course I was glad to see him. Actually, I would have been glad to see just about anyone come through that door just to break the unbearable stillness of the room.
    “Speechless?” A wide smile grew on his face, although that was not what got me to look at it. It was his buck teeth. They were calling out to me, telling my eyes to look. “Did you need help with homework? You know…I can do some private lessons.” he winked.
    “No!” I blurted out a little too quickly and loud. The thud of a textbook closing came from Dean’s desk. I gawked in disbelief. Dean threw his textbook in his backpack and shoved the papers in with it. He then leaned against the back of his chair and put his hands up behind his head. His eyes were closed or at least I thought they were. I examined them, his eyelashes were too thick for me to tell if they were slightly open or not. I couldn’t help looking down at his stomach. A strip of bare skin was showing from having his arms stretched up. I gulped. The V muscle from his waist was peeking through. Embarrassed with myself, I looked elsewhere. His arms looked well-defined, even when covered with sleeves. I hadn’t really stared at his face in years, it was somewhat boyish, not that he looked like a kid or anything. He would have perfect features if not for the dark mask around his eyes. It was as if he hadn’t slept in weeks. His eyebrows looked clean; they didn’t look plucked, just clean. His nose was adorable and little, flicking at it would most likely make it bleed. I squinted to get a better look…he had the tiniest freckles on his nose. Adorable. I just didn’t understand why he was so distant from everyone. If he just smiled at a girl, she would scream from sheer joy. Tanya was right, he could have any girl he wanted. My gaze averted back to his eyes. The lashes casted shadows below them and that was when his eyes slit open slightly, already focused on me! My entire body tensed.
    “Ahem.” Ben interrupted the moment I knew I couldn’t handle very well.
    “Oh, sorry! Do you have…tissue?” I asked. There was nothing I wanted him for. I had to ask him for something or else I’d look like an even bigger fool.
    “Of course.” He set his books down and began patting down his pockets. “You never know when you’re going to get a runny nose.” He pulled out what looked to be a hankie. The colors were faded on it. The only things I could make out were thunder bolts and a blue background.
    “Umm…no thanks. You know what? I don’t even need it anymore.” I smiled. The rest of my face was in disgust.
    “It’s okay. I’ve only used it once today.” He insistently held it up to me.
    Students started pouring in the seemingly claustrophobic room. I heard Markus amongst them. Relief washed over me, but I wasn’t in the clear yet. I took a glance at him and clasped my hands behind my back. Luckily, he caught my distress signal and hurried towards me.
    “Hey, germ!” Markus called out to Ben and blasted through us, blocking me from Ben. “Let people through.” Markus swiveled around and grabbed me above the waist, pulling me along with him and leaving Ben yelling behind us.
    “It’s Benjamin!” he hollered.