Evans said nothing.
Even he was at the verge of confusion.
His jaw tightened as Jasmine looked up to him.
"Do..do you care to explain?"
He stood up.
"You have been acting strange. First, it was Edward and his friends after you then the bakery where you were running from that creepy man. Now you're injured.. Are you okay?" She demanded. "I asked you earlier and I'm going to ask you again…are you into drugs..or perhaps..you are a gang member..
"Stop."
"Come on..you can talk to me..
"I said stop." He yelled angrily, making Jasmine flinch. "I have asked you nicely to leave earlier but you just want to jump to senseless conclusions!"
Her expression hardened as she stepped forward. "I'm not jumping to conclusions. I am concerned."
"To hell with your concern. I don't need it."
He paused. Those words came out harsher than he intended. He knew Jasmine meant well but he was not in a position to answer anyone's questions.
Silence filled the room.
Jasmine's face was filled with hurt. Evans did not take his words back and he did not look remorseful at the slightest.
"Wow..what a surprise." She said softly as she looked away.
"What surprise? You came into my house, questioned me, touched me without my permission, and accused me of baseless things and now I'm the bad person? Right?"
"I just wanted to help. Is that too much?" Jasmine asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Evans said nothing.
Jasmine picked up her phone and then put her shades on. "I hope you figure out whatever that's going on with you."
She walked to the door and left. The door shut behind her and Evams could hear the engine of her car roaring to life then it drove off, towards her mansion.
Evans' fist clenched at his sides. He did not mean for this to happen. He had let his emotions take control of him.
"What have I done?" He muttered under his breath as he sat down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, the class buzzed with chatter as students settled into their seats.
Evans sat at the back, guilt had overwhelmed him since yesterday. He knew he had talked to Jasmine rudely and was willing to apologize.
She arrived before the lecturer came in and sat in the front.
A few minutes later the lecturer walked in, holding a book and his phone.
"Good morning, students ." He let out in his baritone voice.
"Good morning sir." The class responded.
"We are supposed to have our group work today, but it has been postponed to Monday."
Murmurs rose but the lecturer's gesture stopped them.
"I should have informed Miss Jasmine to notify you but I had a lot on my hands." The lecturer glanced around then added. "As third year students in the department of biochemistry..I expect a level of cooperation and organization from you all. Let's end this semester with good results and determination."
"This semester is already stressful." A girl sitting beside Evans muttered.
The lecturer flipped through pages, then paused before flipping it again. He finally looked up, his eyes scanning the students.
"Today, we will discuss cell regeneration since the group work has been postponed. Open your notes please." He said as he placed his on the book desk.
Most of the students groaned while others reached for their books. Evans had already placed his note before him before the lecturer entered. As he leaned back, his attention drifted to Jasmine. She was already writing and she was focused as if nothing had happened yesterday.
"Cell generation." The lecturer started and silence filled the hall. "Cell generation is a procedure in which cells repair and replace injured tissue or tissues. In humans, the process is very much controlled."
Evans' chest tightened as the lecturer's gaze met his but he kept calm.
Only Ophelia and his parents knew what he was.
"You see..under biological circumstances, our body can't heal deep tissue damage within a short period of time as you all know. It takes days, sometimes some weeks. Even if you use antibiotics or medicines, the human body takes days to heal."
Evans' fingers curled.
He knew that all this while.
Ever since he knew he could heal faster..he had been studying science textbooks and doing research on the internet but none gave him the answer he needed.
That was when his passion for science began.
A few students were jotting things down.
"Rapid regeneration within hours is impossible. However, there are rare cases of accelerated healing in certain organisms. I repeat, certain organisms. Some animals can regenerate any part of the body..be it limbs, tissues, and organs." The lecturer continued.
Evans noticed Jasmine.
She had stopped writing.
Murmurs rose in the class.
The lecturer continued but Evans could barely hear a word. Jasmine knew, she knew about his injury that had suddenly healed. He needed to think about a lie to tell her but what would he say?
Soon the lecture ended.
As the lecturer stepped out, the students began packing their things. Evans quickly took his backpack and walked to Jasmine who was still sitting.
"Hi."
She did not reply.
"Jasmine?"
She turned her gaze to him, her expression stern.
"What is it?"
"I... I am sorry." It was not easy to say but he knew he had to.
"Why?"
"For yesterday." He retorted. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I was just..in a bad mood."
She raised a brow. "That doesn't mean you have to take it out on me, Evans. I only wanted to help but you made it seem like I wanted to murder you."
"I know. That's why I'm apologizing."
She looked away briefly then back at him. "Are you okay? Your injury..
"I had no injury." Evans cut in instantly. "I…I was learning about how to make up for an injury on the internet. The blood and everything you saw were fake..I was adding finishing touches when you came,"
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Jasmine didn't look fully convinced but she nodded anyway.
"Alright.