You Really Do Have Beautiful Eyes

I managed to complete most of the Physics of Magic homework with Julian's help. I just needed assistance with the last question. But it wasn't easy. My focus kept slipping, distracted by Julian's odd behavior and the way his gaze lingered—intense and far too close. It was almost intrusive, and honestly, should probably be made illegal.

I heard Julian emerge from the bathroom, the sound of the door creaking open followed by the soft padding of his footsteps. "Hey, Julian, can you help me with this question—?" My words faltered as I turned around, and there he was, standing shirtless with a towel slung around his neck. His brown hair was damp, water droplets trickling down the curve of his neck, and his broad chest glistened faintly in the light.

My gaze unwillingly dropped to his abdomen. A four-pack, no—wait, a six-pack. My breath caught for a second as I bit my lip, unable to look away at his gorgeous body.

"What question do you need help with?" Julian's voice was smooth, teasing. He stepped closer, his warm, musky scent suddenly filling the air. The solid weight of his arm rested casually on the desk beside me, and he leaned in just enough that I could feel his presence like an overwhelming wave.

I freeze, inhaling sharply. His body wash, deodorant, cologne—all of it seemed to mix in a way that made me feel lightheaded. Snap out of it. The voice in my head screamed at me.

I blinked rapidly, forcing myself back to reality. My hands shot up to my face, hiding the blush that I could feel creeping up my neck.

"Julian," I managed, my voice a little shaky. "Can you please put a shirt on?"

"Why?" he asked, his voice light, but I could hear the smirk in it. "You don't like it?"

My eyes stayed firmly fixed on the desk in front of me, but I knew he was grinning. Of course he is.

"Just. Put. A. Shirt. On," I said, my tone tight, trying to force some control back into the situation.

He chuckled, moving closer, his breath warm against my ear. "What if I don't want to?" His voice was a low whisper, almost playful, but there was something else there now. Something I couldn't quite place.

I spun around to face him, trying to keep the space between us. My heart was pounding. "What if I tell Albert?"

He leaned in, his lips just inches from mine. Oh God, I could kiss him right now if I wanted to—wait, where did that thought come from?

I noticed him staring at my lips, his gaze darkening ever so slightly. A sudden alarm bell rang in my mind, and without thinking, I shoved him away.

But before I could move far, he was faster. His strong hands caught my waist, pulling me back toward him, our bodies colliding in an instant.

"Hey!" I protested, shoving against his chest. But his grip was unyielding, his body pressed against mine. "Let go of me!"

He didn't release me. Instead, Julian rested his head against my shoulder, his breath warm against my skin. "Please, can I just hold you for a while?" His voice was surprisingly soft, almost... vulnerable.

I froze, stunned. This wasn't the Julian I knew—his usual playful bravado had slipped, and I didn't know what to make of it.

"Julian…" I said quietly, my voice laced with concern. "What's wrong?"

But he didn't answer, not at first. The sound of his heartbeat—loud and fast—pounded against my ear, mixing with mine.

"Your heart's beating fast," Julian said softly, his voice shaky.

"Well, so is yours," I reply, finally looking up at him. I met his gaze, searching for something, anything to make sense of the moment.

"Yeah, you're right," Julian admitted with a grin, but it was a far too knowing grin, one that sent a ripple of tension through me.

I placed my hands on his bare chest, needing to steady myself. "Julian, tell me what's wrong."

He hesitated, his eyes flicking away before returning to mine. "Nothing—everything—I don't know. All I know is that I…" His words trailed off as he leaned in, but then, abruptly, he stopped. His eyes widened, and his hand flew to his mouth as if he had just seen something unimaginable.

"Oh my God," Julian whispered, his voice full of awe. He pulled away from me, looking at me with a new intensity. "You're glowing."

I blinked, confused. "Um…thank you?"

"No," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I mean, your physically glowing."

"What?" I looked down at myself, bewildered. And then I saw it—I was glowing. Faint, but undeniably there. My skin shimmered softly, a golden light radiating from me like I was some kind of lamp.

"What's happening?!" I gasped, backing away slightly, my heart racing in panic. This couldn't be happening. I didn't know how to make it stop.

Julian stood motionless, his face pale, his hand still over his mouth as if trying to hold back something he couldn't quite say. He muttered something under his breath, too low for me to hear.

"What?!" I shouted, panic creeping into my voice. "What's happening to me?"

"You're using light magic, Seraphina," Julian said, his voice a breathless whisper. He didn't seem to know whether to be confused, amazed, or both.

My breath hitched in my throat. "What? Light magic?" I repeated, the words feeling like a foreign language in my mouth. "But—how? Why—?" My mind was a blur, my thoughts scattered like falling leaves in the wind.

I glanced back at Julian, searching his face for answers. His eyes were wide with shock, his lips parted in disbelief. The last thing I expected was for me to be the one using light magic.

And then the fear hit me—How am I using light magic when I already possess wind magic? What if I can't control it? What if I hurt someone?

"Julian," I whispered, my voice trembling. "What do I do?"