“I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it a million more times,” I laugh, swatting at his arm. “You wish.”
“Bianca, baby, my charm will work on you one of these days, and when it does,” he says, pausing for effect. “It’s going to be magical.”
With that, he laughs to himself before scooping up his drink and leaving the table.
Jacinta grins. “That boy is delirious. I swear, he’s so in love with you and he doesn’t care who knows it,” she says at his retreating form. “You know, you would have fun with him. I mean, it’s not like Rylan is suddenly going to not be your teacher and confess his undying, forbidden love for you.”
“I know and I wish things were different because I’d totally give it a go. I swear, as soon as I shake this ridiculous thing for Rylan, which should be any day now, I’ll see if I can make things work with Daniel,” I promise, knowing there’s no way these feelings for Rylan are anywhere close to disappearing. In fact, they’re getting stronger by the minute. “Now,” I say, changing the topic. “You know Daniel said that Trey has been moping around all afternoon.”
“What? Seriously?” she says, immediately falling prey to my wicked games. “That’s stupid, he’s moping because I admitted I like him?”
“Well…no,” I laugh, continuing at the blank stare she gives me. “He’s moping because the girl he’s crazy about is upset and went ape shit on him today.”
“I was just upset and annoyed, and it all just came out like word vomit. I really didn’t mean to lose my shit like that,” she says embarrassed, burying her face in her hands.
“I know, I was there. But maybe it isn’t me you should be talking about it to,” I subtly suggest.
“I know, I think it’s about time I actually have a serious conversation with him and get it all out in the open,” she says, digging her spoon deep into the ice cream and scooping it into her mouth.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” I smile, grabbing the bowl. “Now, give me back that ice cream.”
Chapter 14
It’s Tuesday afternoon and I’m sitting in my language class, listening to my teacher, whose name is either Miss Cathy or Miss Darcy. Who the hell knows? I watch the clock, counting down the last few minutes of class while Miss Whatsherface goes on about something in French.
Two minutes to go. I can almost smell the freedom of the hour lunch break, which I know is going to be entertaining as hell watching Jacinta squirm as she confesses her love for Trey.
“Bianca,” I hear my name being called. My eyes snap to the front of the room to Miss Whatsherface who’s giving me an expectant look. Oh no, she must have asked a question.
“Oh, um, can you repeat that?” I ask as she gives me a frustrated look.
“Comment allez-vous?” she says, the words rolling off her tongue as if English hadn’t been her first language. Though no matter how great she sounds saying it, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been taking language classes since kindergarten and the only French I know is the dirty lyrics from ‘Lady Marmalade.’
“Ahh…” I say, looking around to my classmates for a bit of help, but coming up empty. I hear the chime of the bell indicating the end of class. “Oh no. Raincheck?” I say, getting up and beelining for the door before she has a chance to stop me.
I head for the cafeteria, knowing that’s exactly where I’ll find Jacinta. I push through the doors and quickly scan the room, spotting her almost the same time she lays eyes on me. I walk toward her with a skip, unable to contain my excitement for the events that are about to unfold.
I notice an off tinge to Jacinta’s face and realize that she’s probably two seconds away from crapping herself which stirs my excitement further. “Would you wipe that ridiculous look off your face,” Jacinta scolds as I get closer. Looks like her nerves have brought out her snappy side.
“What look? I have no look on my face,” I shoot back, practically jumping up and down.
“Contain yourself, woman,” she says, leading us towards the long line of students waiting for their lunch “You’re making a spectacle.”
“Am not,” I laugh. “Have you got a game plan?”
“Ahhh…not really,” she says, looking anywhere but at me. “I thought I’d just wing it,” she adds, breaking into a nervous giggle.
“Sounds good to me,” I say, finally at the front of the line, picking up two trays and handing her one. “I’m starving,” I announce to anyone who’s willing to listen as I start to fill my tray.
“Do you see him?” Jacinta asks distractedly, her tray still empty.
I turn to glance around the cafeteria, looking straight over to the table where Trey and Daniel usually sit. Finding Daniel but no Trey. I scan the room and come up with nothing. “I’m not sure,” I say, catching sight of her pale face. “Don’t stress, I’m sure he will be here soon.”
I grab a pie and put it on her tray before leading her over to our usual table. “You don’t get it, you have no issue talking to boys. I had to work myself up to get to this point. If I don’t talk to him today, I probably won’t do it at all,” she says all flustered as she picks at her pie, which I’m pretty sure is going to be cold before it gets eaten.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and quickly type out a text.
Bianca - Hey Loser, where’s Trey?
I hit send and glance across the room at Daniel who digs his phone out of his pocket, quickly types, then glances up at me with a smile as I hear the familiar ding of my phone.
Daniel – Detention. Why?
Bianca - I’ve got someone here who is dying to spill the beans.
Daniel – Finally! His bad mood is getting on my nerves.
“What’s he saying?” Jacinta asks, probing for information.
“He’s in detention, so it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen today,” I say, trying to break the bad news as quickly as possible.
“Oh, okay,” she sighs, quietly getting back to picking at her pie.
“Hey, don’t look so upset about it, maybe it’s a sign. You can’t rush these things. It will happen when the time is right,” I tell her, throwing my arms around her small waist and giving her a tight squeeze.
“Okay, okay. Relax, would you?” she says with a smile, one that I’ve come to learn is fake.
“We have the rest of our lives to make as many mistakes as possible with these boys. Why start today?” I say, breaking into a cheeky grin which is rewarded with a true smile from my best friend who finally takes a proper bite out of her lunch, meaning I can get started on my own. I hear the familiar ding of my phone once again. Far out. My lunch is going to be well and truly cold before I get the chance to eat. I pull my phone out and hit the home button, lighting up the screen.
Daniel - Wanna get out of here?
I glance up at Daniel and catch the wink he sends my way.
Bianca - And go where?
Daniel - We could make out under the bleachers?
Realizing he’s still watching me with a smile plastered on his face. I shake my head, mouthing the word ‘no’, which only gets me a bigger grin and a new message.
Daniel - Bleachers don’t work for you? How about my dorm room? Yours?
I look up at him to find him still grinning at me. I roll my eyes and make a show of turning off my phone and putting it away in my bag. I pay attention to my lunch, ignoring anything and everything around me until it’s gone.
We duck into the bathrooms before the end of lunch and are followed in by two girls from my Guard History class who stop in front of the mirrors to touch up their makeup. Which I must admit is exactly what Jacinta and I are doing, but they manage to look like the biggest pair of bimbos with their panda eyes, orange skin, and bleach blonde hair that will most likely break if you blow on it hard enough.
I stand in the mirror touching up my lip gloss while I wait for Jacinta who has excused herself to actually use the bathroom, as if that’s actually a proper reason to come in here. The bimbos c
ontinue their conversation as if nobody else exists around them.
“My Dad called last night,” the first girl says.
“Oh, really? Did he have any gossip?” her friend questions with wide eyes
“Oh, yeah,” she responds. “So, you know how there have been those vampire attacks in town? Well, there was another one a few days ago, and this guy was killed with his daughter in the room and the vampire forced her to watch,” she says, unintentionally making my world freeze.
“Oh, my God. That’s so awful, what happened to the girl?”
“Who knows? They probably killed her too. I heard she was only twelve, it sounds so awful,” she says, pocketing her lip gloss and picking up their things to exit the bathroom.
Thoughts of the attack and awful memories swarm through my mind and make me want to throw up. Water is suddenly sprayed in my face and I snap back to reality. “What’s going on in there? I swear, I’ve been talking to you for ages, I thought you must have gone,” Jacinta says, drying her hands on her pants.
“Oh, sorry. Those girls just said something that made me think of my dad,” I say, choosing to be honest.
“Oh, shit. Sorry,” she says, leading us out of the bathroom as the bell for the next class rings. “I heard what they were saying, but I didn’t think. Sorry, that was stupid of me. Are you okay?” she asks, stopping and giving me a big hug.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine, just brought up some nasty memories is all.”
“I know, it couldn’t be easy,” she says, squeezing me just a bit harder. If only she knew the full story about that day. “I’ll see you after class.”
I walk to my Combat Training session alone, desperately trying to get the thoughts of my father out of my mind, but failing miserably. I find the room where we were yesterday and realize, apart from Tessa and Rylan, I’m the first student here. I lean against the wall, waiting for the rest of the boys to show up.
Unexpected tears begin to fill my eyes as the memories struggle to leave my mind. “How’s your hand?” I hear from a deep voice that’s suddenly right beside me.
“It’s fine,” I say quickly, holding out my hand to draw the attention away from my face, not wanting him to see the tears in my eyes, though he would have to be blind not to see the fat tears falling from my eyes.
“Good…” Rylan says slowly, pushing his hand through his hair, looking slightly awkward. “Is, ahh, everything okay?” he asks quietly, not to draw attention.
“Yeah, I, um, just have a lot on my mind,” I say a little more honestly than I had intended, giving him a small smile and wiping the tears away, thinking that if this was anybody else I would be completely embarrassed to be caught crying, but there’s something soothing about Rylan’s presence that makes me thankful he’s here.
“Right, you good to handle a knife today? Or should you be somewhere else?”
“No, I’m good,” I say, more determined than ever.
“Okay, well you have about three seconds to pull your shit together before the boys get here,” he says softly, which sends my mind spiraling. He indicates to the group of boys who are slowly making their way over; a clear warning to get it together to avoid prying eyes and questions.
“Oh, shit,” I whisper to myself, though I know Rylan is still listening and eyeing me as I turn away and fix myself up before any of them see me in my moment of weakness.
“What took so long boys? You’re wasting my time,” Rylan says, back in instructor mode. “Let’s get on with it.” He turns and pushes the heavy door open and I follow behind him avoiding the eyes of Daniel and Trey who are bound to know that something is up.
We walk in through the heavy door into an already brightly lit room. Rylan pushes straight through to the next door which I’m guessing means there’s no time wasted on checking out the weapons today. We follow behind him into the same room we had been in the day before and gather in the small clearing.
Tessa comes in behind us carrying a similar box to the one Rylan had the guns in yesterday and I’m assuming this one is full of daggers. The box gets put on the table and Tessa goes to join Rylan at the front of the class.
“Okay, guys, today is going to be very similar to our lesson plan from yesterday,” Tessa starts. “However, instead of shooting, you will be learning everything there is to know about using a dagger.” She pauses for a short moment as the boys lose their tiny minds to the excitement. “Right, so like yesterday, we will give you a breakdown of technique, a quick demonstration, some basic rules to make this work, then you will have a go.”
Once all the excitement wears off, Tessa pulls out a dagger from who knows where earning her a very inappropriate and sexual comment whispered by Luke which comes out a lot louder than he had intended. After Rylan finishes staring him down, which has him practically begging for mercy, Tessa breaks into every bit of knowledge she knows about the use of daggers with Rylan occasionally throwing in his two cents.
I listen intently to her advice on positioning the dagger in your hand, to different footing, what force to use, all the way down to right hand versus left.
Once Tessa is finished her explanation she steps up for a demonstration. With my mind still cloudy from information overload, I force myself to pay attention to the way she holds the dagger, how far her arm comes back before she throws, the angle in which the dagger is released from her hand, the way she holds her body, her footing, and so on. I try my best to commit each stage of her demonstration to memory, though realizing now, there’s a lot more technique involved in throwing a dagger than I had initially assumed.
Tessa faces the target at the opposite end of the lane and gets prepared. She takes the dagger in her right hand and in the space of a second, her arm flies back and suddenly the dagger is let loose from her grasp. It flies straight through the air, finding home with a loud and definite thud in the center of the target. And just like that, I realize that while Tessa is an amazing fighter, she’s also lethal. Not only do I want to be better than the idiots in this class, I want to be like her, if not better.
Tessa places five daggers in each lane, explaining that we’ll throw all five daggers, then as a group will walk to the opposite end, collect and begin again to avoid stabbing any of our classmates.
We’re given five minutes to get used to the feel of the daggers in our hands and practice the motion of throwing the dagger without actually letting it fly. Luke, however, has a little trouble listening to the ‘practice’ part of that explanation and I’m pleased to see him being escorted out of the room.
When we’re finally able to give it a proper go, I focus on my dagger, making sure all thoughts of my Dad are right at the back of my mind. I squeeze it between my fingers and raise my arm, bringing it back and flinging my arm forward with as much force as I can possibly manage. I let go of the hilt and watch as it twirls through the air, certainly not the same way Tessa’s had, but at least it’s still going. I hear the thud of my dagger connecting with the target, then watch as it falls to the ground with a loud clatter on the concrete floor.
Rage fills me as I know I released the dagger with as much force as I could manage, which means I’m clearly not strong enough to get the dagger to actually sink into the target. All around me, I hear the loud thuds of my classmate’s daggers hitting the targets and resist the urge to grind my teeth together as all their daggers bury themselves into the target.
“This sucks,” I mutter to myself, picking up the next dagger and getting into position as the involuntary thought that I wish I had a dagger with me at the time of my Dad’s death hits me.
“It doesn’t suck. Try relaxing your fingers,” Tessa says, stepping up beside me. “You had plenty of force in your throw, but because of the spin, the dagger was unable to sink into the target. Now, don’t get me wrong, a spin on a dagger is a beautiful thing when it is done right,” she says, getting off track. “You most likely hit the hilt to the target rather than the blade. You’re much better off flying it straight. Here,” she
says adjusting my fingers on the hilt. “That should help.”
I give it another go. I pull my arm back and let the blade fly. I release it the way Tessa had shown me and the dagger flies straight, lining up with the target. Thud. It connects, sinking into the outer circle. Well, by sinking, I mean the first two centimeters of the blade is in, the rest, not so much. Looks like I have a bit of strength work in my near future.
“Tell me, does it still suck?” Tessa says, pride lacing her voice.
“No, I guess it’s not that bad.” I smile. I spend the rest of the session working on my aim, trying to get the dagger closer to the center, though apparently, that takes a lot of skill. When my right arm is finally giving in, I practice with my left, taking turns in perfecting each side.
When class finishes, I collect my daggers and hand them to Tessa before heading for the door. I leave the room and head out past the oval, avoiding the calls from Daniel and Trey to wait up. I walk along the boundary line and past the elementary campus until I find my favorite spot on the lawn, where I can finally be alone.
I dump my bag at my feet and sit down in the cool grass, picking at the patch of clovers that have grown amongst the grass. I lay back feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin as I finally allow the memories of my father to come rushing back and assault me.
Chapter 15
I wake with a start as visions of the worst day of my life rip through my sleeping mind. I grab my phone and check the time. 11:47 pm. There’s no way I’ll be able to get back to sleep after that.
I grab my coat and slide on my bunny slippers while throwing my hair up into a messy bun. Taking my phone in my hand and sliding my laptop under my arm, I tiptoe out of the room and head out into the quad. The cold summer’s night air caresses me and helps to wake me out of the foggy dream that’s on replay in my mind.
I sit down at a table in the quad and open up my laptop before hacking into the Academy’s Wi-Fi and logging into The Guard’s server. I search for any type of news I can find on the attack I had heard the girls talking about in the bathroom, but come up blank which strikes me as strange. Usually, The Guard plasters warnings and updates all over the internet to let us know when a member of the supernatural is in the area.
Soul and Disaster: Slayer Academy (Book 1) Page 11
