Chapter 22
I skipped Defence class, hoping to avoid the keen eyes of the owner whose elven daggers I had yet to return.
Those beautifully crafted daggers cut like silk and felt light to the touch. I had never felt this kind of want for a weapon before. I knew I had to return them eventually …but I had to give them at least one last whirl before bringing them back.
I would make sure to take my time with them tonight while training. But right now I had a crisis of a different kind to deal with.
Fajitas or Lasagne?
My eyes dart from the spicy colourful dish to the creamy layered meal, both sitting on the counter. Maybe I could ask Finn to put whatever I didn’t get now away for later?
I nod to the lasagne, the female server tonight gives me a small knowing smile before passing over the creamy dish. One with extra cheese on it.
I’ve learnt that some of the nicest people in this academy were the cafeteria staff. There were no judgments if a girl wanted an extra big slice or second serving, and a simple ‘ Thank you ’ went a long way here.
I gave her my thanks and made my way to my usual spot before digging in. This time I wouldn’t let anyone ruin or disturb my delicious layered meal. They would get the tip of my metal fork in the centre of their meaty hands if they tried.
A small moan leaves my lips at the first bite, the tender pasta and creamy sauces mixed with cheese hitting all the right notes and warming me from the inside.
I notice a shift in the room's atmosphere as I continue my meal, the laughter and talking quickly turning into quiet hushes and whispers as I fall into my own delectable world.
I’m enjoying my next bite when suddenly four large shadows fall over the table.
I pull my plate towards me and grip my fork.
What asshole was starting on me today?
I lift my head and am met with a pair of dark golden amber eyes, their cold glare aimed solely toward me.
For a split second my eyes widen, taking a glance at the figure towering over me.
He looked like he belonged on the spread of GQ magazine, or the male muse for some famous fashion designer or artist. This boy was…captivatingly gorgeous.
I shake my head, pulling myself out of whatever daze he’s put me under and remind myself of the cutting glare I’m currently receiving.
The boy in question had raven-black hair, framing his modelesque features and amber gold eyes. Pity about the scowl he’s currently wearing.
“Move.” He grits out, the word carrying more power than it should.
I flinch, with his six foot plus frame and darkening expression, I’m sure anyone else would have already fled by now, or at least peed themselves. Even the group nearest this table grab their trays and quickly leave with his cutting tone.
But no-one could make me leave my favourite spot or my creamy lasagne again. Not even the huge hot guy that looks like he's planning my murder.
I grip my fork and stab it into my lasagne.
“I’m not moving, so find somewhere else to sit.” I scoop a forkful into my mouth, my eyes never leaving his as I swallow and lick the corner of my lip.
The air becomes tight as a heavy weight floods the room with his darkening expression. His eyes flare, something dark about to break loose as he takes a step toward me.
“If you don't move, I’ll-”
He's cut off mid-threat as a familiar voice chuckles, popping himself down on the seat opposite me.
“It's okay, Creed. Red's with me.”
The other three figures whip their heads toward Annex, their eyes slightly widening as the crazy ass in question takes a bite of his fajitas.
Another small chuckle sounds beside Annex, before the figure sits down and I’m met with two familiar turquoise eyes.
“How do you know this crazy asshole?” Ezra slaps Annex on the shoulder, a broad grin on his face. “I knew you had a fighter's spirit, little sea star, but I didn’t know you ran toward the trouble.”
Annex stops his next bite–fajita midair–to turn to Ezra. His brows are drawn together as he flickers his gaze between Ezra and me. “How do you know Red?”
“Music class,” Grins Ezra as his eyes find mine.
Annex shakes his head mumbling something about ‘not hacking people singing and shit’ before turning back toward me. A wide grin stretches his lips before he takes a bite of his food.
“And Reds got her own brand of crazy, Ez.” Chuckles Annex through a mouthful of food.
“I don't think anyone could reach your level,” I narrowed my eyes toward Annex, a wider grin splitting his lips.
“We met in World History class,” I glance toward Ezra, “He wanted my seat, going blade happy on me trying to take it.” I take another bite of my lasagne as Annex chuckles.
“A fond memory for you too, Red?”
Ezra flickers his gaze between me and Annex. “And you didn’t run for the hills?” He slowly leans closer, his smile growing mischievous.“If you need help…blink three times–” Annex elbows him in the side, cutting him off as they both grin playfully.
“You both know her?” Scowls the one Annex called Creed. His glare never leaves my face as he slowly takes his seat, a couple of spaces from Ezra.
I turn away and look toward the fourth and final figure as he sits down, taking the furthest seat from me, at the end of the table.
He wears a black hoodie under his academy blazer, his hood pulled up part way as a slight tuft of his hair peeks out from under it.
It's almost white in colour, and I’m met– for a brief second –with a set of grey-blue eyes that turn away from me almost instantly.
A heavy sigh falls from beside Ezra as Creed looks at me, his glare gone but his expression still sour and lacking even a speck of warmth.
“If you both want a play thing, you should find it outside of the academy…” He looks me up and down, and if the lasagne wasn’t keeping me busy, I would jump across this table and land my fork square in his–
“It's too messy dealing with some clingy junior because you both gave her a little attention.” He looks around the room, watching all the bent heads and hushed voices, nobody daring to turn this way.“No doubt she’s already using it to her advantage.” He glances back at me, as if I’m some fleck of dirt who’s messing up his tidy space, and polluting his clean air.
“They’re all the same.”
Whose they ? And what stick shoved itself so far up his ass, that he felt the need to spew shit?
This asshole didn’t know me, but then why would he ever try to? Why listen when you can form your own opinion anyway, right?
Power and status was all that mattered in this school, and clearly this dickhead embodied that. He was just like all the other morons before him. And I’ve dealt with enough of them today.
“Play thing–”
“She's not like that Creed.” Ezra cuts me off, giving me an apologetic smile, before turning back toward the asshole.“We met in group Music class, and I sat in front of her. She’s never tried anything with me…which is more surprising.” He gives me a small wink as I shake my head.
“ Right .” Creed rolls his eyes, his tone sarcastic and mocking as Ezra opens his mouth again.
I stab my fork into my last piece of lasagne, scraping the plate intentionally and cutting Ezra off.
All their eyes fall on me, a dark knowing smirk spreading on Annex’s lips as our eyes briefly meet.
“So let me get this straight. You think I want you? That any girl sitting at this table couldn’t possibly just want to eat?
They have to be up to something, and want your attention?
” I raise a brow, shaking my head as I quickly continue.
“And you want girls to fuck, to use, and to then throw away when you please, but they should have no expectations or needs themselves?” I lean a little closer toward him.
“What? They should be grateful to get your dick?” I swing my fork in between my fingers as I pull back and sit straighter.
“What's so good about you?” I ask, “I mean, yeah, you're pretty. And maybe you’ve got some sort of power or high status…you may even have a huge dick,” Ezra chokes on the drink he just took a sip of as I continue.
“But you're a complete asshole. Any girl having to put up with your shit and insecurities deserves a fucking trophy the size of your ego. Or maybe they don’t make them that big.
I don't know.” I shrug, pointing my fork toward him.
“But that sounds like a you problem, meaning I don't have to give a shit.” I say, before scooping up my last bite and slowly chewing.
I look at Creed, a wicked cold sneer spreading across his lips as he opens them, but I cut the dick off after swallowing.
“If that's how your relationships really are then that's pretty sad. But shit attracts flies, what do you expect?”
Ezra's eyes slightly widen before a small grin spreads across his lips.
A small cough, that sounded strangely like a chuckle, rings out from hoody boy at the end of the table as Annex breaks out laughing. The sound of it echoes around the room and sends the students near us to go stiff.
Creed's face darkens, his nostrils flaring as his jaw tightens.
Then something unexpected happens.
He leans back, his features relaxing as he takes a deep breath. The others around the table fall silent, their grins and chuckles fading as Creed looks at me.
To any other person, they would think he’s dropped it, that he was being magnanimous and moving on. But I could tell from the dark look in his eyes, those piercing amber eyes , that he was the silent killer type. The hit you never saw coming. Murder wasn’t messy or quick for this one.
He was the strategic type, the one who liked to pull the strings and watch from the front row. The type that when he snapped, everything would burn with him. It was the look of a predator watching its prey as it plans the most painful of deaths.
But death…I’d been there, and done that.
Living was harder.
And there was no point in living in fear. That wasn’t living.
A slow grin spreads on his lips.
“Tomorrow, we’ll be here.” He points to the table, his dark gaze never leaving me. “And you won’t. Am I clear?”
“Creed–” Calls Annex before he cuts him off.
“Shut it, Annex.” Creed's tone is cold and cutting and leaves no room for compromise. Annex goes to open his mouth again as Ezra pulls his arm, shaking his head, his eyes never leaving Creed. He looks stiff and nervous.
I guess Creed meant business.
But I wasn’t budging either. I’ve dealt with enough assholes in both my lifetimes to know it's not worth it to back down or give in. It's better to fight back.
I feel my features fall and darken as I stare at him, a visible shift in the table's atmosphere.
“Thanks for the suggestion. Noted. But let me make one of my own.” I pull myself up straighter, my gaze meeting his dark glare. “You either learn to share or get a new space, cause this is mine. I’ll be here tomorrow, the next day and everyday this week. My presence is permanent.”
“Do you have a death wish–”
“Death?” A chuckle falls from my lips, surprising even me with its dark tone.
“It doesn’t scare me.”I slowly stand, his dark gaze following my every move, looking ready to pounce if I take one wrong step.
“Nothing can anymore. So get used to my presence, Creed . Because I’m not going anywhere.
” I turn around and make my way out of the cafeteria, ignoring Annex’s voice and Ezra's gaze as I leave, and head towards the girls' dorms.
I wouldn’t back down from this. As stupid as it may seem, that was my space. A small place of peace for me, where I can rest and eat undisturbed. There weren’t many in this academy as it was, so I wouldn’t be giving it up for them.
But I guess now I can see why everyone else avoided it. Maybe it was originally theirs?
I make my way to my room, slamming the old door behind me and shaking the old wood.
The only other oasis for me to relax was in this old-falling apart room. But there was no-one to talk to here, to trust, or to call my own…I guess there never was here anyway.
I fall onto the bed, exhaustion taking over.
Even with the sun still bright in the sky, I begin to close my eyes.
‘Micai’... A low gravelly voice flows into my ear as my eyes begin to flutter and close, a small pain and ache working its way into my chest with its memory.
My only true haven and home in this world was him.
The only person I could trust, the only one I could truly be at ease with…My world, my ally, my strength… my mate.