“Me too,” Millie announces, suddenly chirpy and ready for the day. “Your bed is great.”
“I know,” I grumble, getting up to stretch out the cramps in my back and legs.
“So, what did I miss last night? It seemed you were getting a little comfortable with Daniel there,” Millie grins, prying for information in the most obvious way.
I come over and flop down on my bed next to Millie who quickly pulls her legs out of the way to make room. “You didn’t miss a thing,” I say not wanting to go into too much detail with a twelve-year-old. “Nothing happened.”
“You’re such a liar,” she scolds.
“No, seriously,” I argue. “I think Daniel is better off as a friend.”
Millie scoffs. “Boring!”
Jacinta ignores her comment and looks up at me. “Now all you have to do is tell him that.”
A wave of nausea comes over me at the thought. “It’s going to break his heart,” I nearly whimper.
“Yes, it will, but it’s best to let him know now than to keep leading him on,” she urges, getting up off her bed and heading to the closet to pick out her day's outfit.
“I know, I know,” I say, slouching back into my bed. “You’re so lucky you don’t have to deal with this stuff,” I say to Millie.
She smirks and gives a slight shrug. “Well, this has been great,” Millie says sarcastically and jumps up out of bed before grabbing her things and heading for the door. “I have to get going.”
“Alright, I’ll see you soon, okay?” I promise. “Don’t get caught on your way back.”
Millie rolls her eyes and not a second later, the door slams behind her.
Chapter 8
I somehow make it to the end of the week, managing to avoid any awkward conversations with Daniel and even managing not to get myself any more detentions. I still got my ass handed to me in combat training yesterday and after a week of hardcore training, my body is aching.
I stand in the combat room staring at Rylan’s broad chest as we wait for the rest of the boys to get their act into gear. “Alright,” he says at the front of the room, getting straight into the day's lesson. “Today is your last day of sparring before we move on to weapons next week,” he adds before launching into his spiel about what needs to be focused on in today’s session.
My focus is lost when Rylan brings a muscled arm up and runs it through his dark hair, causing an unfamiliar flutter to stir deep in my stomach. His eyes reach mine from across the room and I pray to God that he can’t see the effect he is having on me.
“Alright, pair up and get started,” he orders and I realize I’ve completely missed who I’m partnered with. Oh well. That’s what you get for daydreaming about your scorching hot instructor. The room fans out and I’m suddenly left standing at the front of the room with one other person.
Luke.
SHIT!
I’m paired with the one guy who’s been waiting for this exact opportunity for the past two years and I just know today is going to end up with a detention. I glance over at Luke who’s shooting daggers at me from across the room and give him my prized ‘FU’ glare. I turn and make my way over to the sparring mat, avoiding the worried and curious glances coming from Trey and Daniel.
“Bianca,” I hear my name being called and turn to find Rylan falling into step beside me with his manly scent radiating off him. Wow. If only I could bottle that and sell it, I’d be a millionaire overnight. “Can I trust you to keep your mouth shut today?” he asks in a dismissive tone and I’m reminded that despite his good looks, he is still a jackass.
“Can’t make any promises,” I shoot back as Luke joins us on the mat, smirking as though all his Christmases have come at once.
“Whatever differences you two have, need to be left at the door. You’re here to become a fighter for The Guard. One slip from either of you and you can forget graduating this class. Got it?” he warns looking us each in the eye.
“Yeah, got it,” Luke says with a scowl and gets on with his warm-up.
Rylan’s eyes linger on mine urging me to back down. I give him a small nod and rein my ego back in, getting on with my warm-up before I fall into the inevitable trap that’s bound to come if I continue looking into those deep eyes any longer. Rylan backs off and turns his attention elsewhere, though, never straying far.
“Ready?” I ask Luke.
“Been ready for years,” he snaps, stepping into the center of the mat.
I smirk at his bad attitude and step up in front of him, positioning myself for what’s most likely going to be the toughest fight of the week. Despite his lack of technique, I know he packs a nasty punch and after the week I’ve had, I’m pretty sure one punch is all it’ll take.
Our fight begins and I beat Luke to the offense, striking my fist out fast, but not fast enough as he dodges my advance. “That all you’ve got, Princess?” he taunts. “Pretty pathetic if you ask me.”
And so it begins.
The rest of the fight continues in pretty much the same way, you know, me getting my ass whopped and Luke making snide comments about my lack of strength and speed. So, I must be honest, it really doesn’t take long for my frustration levels to peak and lose control. I run at him, punching and kicking him with whatever energy is left in my exhausted body.
Within seconds, I have Daniel’s tight grip circling my waist, holding me back, while Rylan stands in front of Luke with a hand pressed hard against his chest, stopping his advance. Which is exactly how I landed myself the job of cleaning up the training room after class.
“I thought I told you to keep your mouth shut,” Rylan murmurs in his usual bored tone, lounging on the stairs as I’m forced to pack away the training room.
“I thought I told you I couldn’t make any promises,” I fire back, not in the mood to bother masking my irritation. “Besides, I didn’t say anything, Luke was the one with the big mouth.”
Rylan’s quick smirk doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s quiet for a short while when he suddenly gets up and begins helping pack away the room. “What are your expectations of a fight with one of the supernatural?” he asks in a curious tone.
“Ah, well, I guess I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve ever seen one before.” I lie, turning my attention back to the mats so he doesn’t see the fear in my eyes that particular memory has brought on.
“From my experience,” he says, not noticing my mini-breakdown. “You can relate it to what just happened with Luke. They’re going to taunt and call you anything they can think of to throw you off your game. You can’t allow that to affect you. You need to learn to control yourself. Making a mistake like the one you did today could cost you not only your life but the lives of the people around you,” he adds, fixing me with a look of complete seriousness and I know I have to learn to control my temper or it could get me in a lot of trouble one day. Even though his tone is serious, I can’t help the feeling that he’s talking to me like an equal. Not his student but a friend. Maybe he isn’t quite the jerk I’d made him out to be? A hard-ass, yes, but a jerk? Maybe not.
I look up at Rylan as I pack away another mat. “You’re right,” I say. “I’ll work on that.”
“Good,” he nods, appearing shocked that he may have actually gotten through to me. He flashes me one of those sexy half-smiles, that only a man can do. “I’ll finish up here. You’re good to go,” he says, his tone softer than I’ve ever heard, bringing on yet another round of unfamiliar flutters in my stomach.
“Cool.” I quickly avert my eyes and make a bee-line for the door. “See ya,” I shout looking back over my shoulder to get one last glimpse of the man who’s turning my world upside down.
I exit the training room feeling lost and confused about, well, everything. I'm confused about my inappropriate feelings towards Rylan that’s definitely turning into something more than just a crush. I'm completely lost about how to let Daniel down without breaking his heart or losing a good friend. I miss my dad and I've been getting my
ass kicked all week. I'm mortified that I lost my shit with Luke, maybe his comments about me being inadequate wouldn't hurt so badly if it wasn't my greatest fear.
I walk aimlessly around the academy, desperately craving some time to myself when I’m interrupted by an out of breath Trey. “Earth to Bianca,” he calls, jogging up beside me.
“Oh, hey,” I say, pulling myself out of my own disastrous thoughts and slapping on a smile.
“Finally, I’ve been calling you for ages.”
“Really? Sorry, I was daydreaming,” I explain. “What’s up?”
Trey gives me a mischievous smile. “I hope you were daydreaming about me?” he asks with a twinkle in his eyes but continues at my glare. “A group of us are thinking about sneaking out and having a party tonight. Are you guys in?”
Oh, great. A party is the last thing I need right now. Though seeing the excitement radiating off him and not wanting to let him down, I hastily agree, promising that I’ll bring Jacinta along, knowing she would love to go.
Trey, trying his hardest to maintain a straight face, breaks into a wide grin when he hears Jacinta will be there. “Awesome, well when we figure out the details, I’ll let you know,” he says quickly. “Oh and Daniel will be there,” he adds with a wink before scurrying off laughing, probably to find his next victim.
I take advantage of my alone time and wander off past the elementary campus and find my favorite spot, completely out of the way from the rest of the world. I plonk myself down on the old creaky wooden bench, swing my legs up, and lay down while soaking up as much afternoon sun as possible.
‘Beep, beep’
I jolt awake. Crap, I must have fallen asleep out here. I fish out my phone and check the time. Woah. I’ve been asleep for 45 minutes. I hope I haven’t gotten sunburned. I open up my messages and find the unread message waiting from Jacinta.
Jacinta - Where are you?
Bianca - Fell asleep. You up for a party tonight?
Jacinta - HELL YES!!!!!!!!
I get up from my bench and start making my way back to our dorm room. I pass back through the elementary campus and out onto their field to go the short cut back when children’s giggles tear through my preoccupied mind. I glance around the field and stare in shock as I see Rylan chasing a bunch of kids around the field, two locked under his arms, another thrown over his shoulder while playing what looks like cops and robbers.
I stand on the spot, completely shocked. I’m pretty sure I’m gawking at the sight when all the children turn on him and attempt to tackle him to the ground. His eyes lock on mine as if sensing me there and he gives me the most dazzling smile I’ve ever seen, making my heart race. Wow, he really isn’t the tough love, hard-ass he makes himself out to be. He’s kind and playful. Hell, he spends his afternoons playing with the kids on the elementary campus.
I need to get out of here.
I take off like a bat out of hell and make my way back to my dorm. I need to forget about it and fast.
I push open the door to find Jacinta rifling through the closet. “What party? Where is it? What are you going to wear? Crap! What should I wear?”
Good. Hit me with questions. That’s exactly what I need to make sure my mind doesn’t wander back to the amazing sight I just witnessed. “Woah, calm down,” I laugh as I make my way into the room. “I don’t know yet. Trey said he would let me know.”
“It’s Trey’s party?” she asks wide-eyed while trying to hide a smile.
“Yes...what’s it to you? It’s not like you have any reason to be extra excited for this particular party. Right?”
“Shut up,” she says throwing her shirt at me then suddenly changing her tone. “You know, if Trey is organizing it, I can guarantee that Daniel will be there,” she says, fixing me with a meaningful stare. “Have you talked to him yet?” I give her a guilty look and advert my eyes. “I’ll take that as a no,” she laughs as I come and join her in rifling through the closet. “You know you can’t keep putting it off.”
“I know, I know,” I moan, picking out a little black dress that’s way too revealing for a campus party and quickly slide it back into the closet. “I’ll talk to him tonight,” I add as my eyes land on my favorite red top. “Oooh, what about this?” I pull the skin-tight red halter out of the closet and hold it up against my body.
“Definitely,” Jacinta grins, taking me in before picking a yellow dress for herself. “What would you wear with it?”
“My ripped jeans, of course.”
“Sounds good to me. Now, quit messing around and help me out.”
“Alright, alright, no need to get your knickers in a twist,” I say, joining her. “Are we going for the casual look or an ‘I want to show Trey how damn sexy I am’ kind of look?”
“Oh, shut up,” she scolds, playfully hitting my shoulder. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re such a liar. You’re so into him,” I laugh. “He totally wants to ask you out.”
Jacinta stops and stares at me before dissing every word I just said. “Look who’s lying now.”
“I am not. I cornered him during the week and forced it out of him. But seriously, you two drive me crazy. The sooner you both admit that you're nuts about each other, the better.”
“What do you mean you forced it out of him? What did he say?” she demands, clothes are completely forgotten.
I grin. “Oh, that piqued your interest.”
“Shut up and spill.”
“No can do, lady. You’re just going to have to talk to him yourself,” I wiggle my eyebrows before snatching up my outfit and making my way into the bathroom to get dressed before she can get any more information out of me.
“Get back here,” she calls from the other side of the door. “You’ve got beans to spill.”
“Sorry, I can’t hear you,” I shout through the paper-thin walls.
“You’re such a cow.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m dressed and ready to go. I put my boots on and position myself in front of the mirror. I look as fresh as a daisy after my spontaneous afternoon nap despite the aches and pains coming from my body after this torturous week. My bruised jaw is still awfully ugly so I’ve caked on as much concealer as physically possible. My hair is teased to perfection and my jeans are hugging my ass in just the right way. I add a touch of lip gloss and a hint of black mascara to finish my look and deem myself an absolute goddess.
“Are you ready to go?” I call to Jacinta who’s currently jumping up and down, pulling up the tightest pair of jeans she owns after ditching the yellow dress. She finally gets the button done and saunters over to stand in the mirror with me.
“Yep, ready,” she declares, holding onto me while she fumbles around, pulling on a pair of knee-high black boots. “We look fierce,” she grins, looking up into the mirror, studying our womanly lines and curves.
“Hell yeah, we do,” I agree loud and proud.
Chapter 9
“So, where’s this party?” Jacinta asks, grabbing her things and opening the door.
Whoops. I forgot about that minor detail. I fish through my bag, pull out my phone and press on the unread message from Trey.
Trey – Party in Mr. Fisher’s room.
“Why Mr. Fisher’s room?” Jacinta asks, peering over my shoulder as we make our way across campus towards the room in question.
“Probably because it’s the furthest room from the staff housing,” I say as though it’s the most obvious answer then adding as an afterthought. “Oh, and because Trey swiped the spare key and knows where he hides a bottle of tequila.”
“What? Are you kidding?” she asks, pride lacing her voice at hearing about her badass wannabe boyfriend’s mischievous doings.
“Yeah, well the way he giggled like a little schoolgirl while telling me about it, kind of takes away from how cool it was. Though I must admit, I never thought those boys would actually have the balls to use it.”
“Which room is it?” Jacinta asks,
staring down a long corridor.
“No clue,” I whisper yell as we tiptoe down the hallway. “I’m assuming this one,” I say stopping at a door that has the distinct buzz of music coming from the other side before pushing our way in.
The room is buzzing with students. I’d say the whole senior class has shown up. “Hey, you guys made it,” Trey beams excitedly from behind us while carrying a box filled with snacks and plastic cups.
“Yeah, you know we wouldn’t miss a good party,” Jacinta says, fixing Trey with a look that has his cheeks turning the brightest shade of pink.
I give Trey a smile. “We’ll let you keep going. Catch up with us later,” I say pulling Jacinta towards the makeshift bar that’s been set up under the whiteboard and begin to pour us both a drink of punch that I’m almost certain has been spiked with what tastes like very cheap vodka.
“Why does he need to ‘catch up with us’?” Jacinta asks, slightly confused.
“Oh, did I say catch up with us? I meant catch up with you,” I say, grinning at the horrified expression that overtakes Jacinta’s pretty face.
“Bianca,” she whines, desperately trying to think of an excuse, but coming up blank.
“Chill out, you’ll be fine. Have a drink and relax,” I say. “Besides, it’s not like I have my own daunting task to do tonight.”
“Who’s doing what now?” Daniel says, slinging his arms over both mine and Jacinta’s shoulders and squeezing himself between us.
I nervously look up at Jacinta who has a grin I know all too well and begins announcing loud and proud. “Oh, Bianca just wanted to te-”
“DANCE! Bianca was just wanted to Dance,” I say, cutting her off and catching the look in her eyes that tells me ‘payback is a bitch.’
Daniel gives us both curious glances and excuses himself to get a refill. “Hey, Daniel,” Jacinta calls after him.
He turns back around. “What’s up?” he responds.
“Catch up with us later,” she smiles, mimicking my earlier comments.
Soul and Disaster: Slayer Academy (Book 1) Page 7
