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“He probably thought I would have tucked my tail and run after what his friend did to me,” I reply without thinking. I wasn’t supposed to give that much away.
“Y
ou do know who did it! Come on then, tell us who it was, and we’ll make sure to show them the error of their ways,” comes from Elijah, as he cracks his knuckles, a dark look taking over his face.
“I don’t know their name, so I can’t tell you a damn thing. Look, I appreciate you guys walking me back, but you have classes to get back to and I need to sleep away this headache.”
“Okay little Hen, we’ll come get you when it’s time for dinner.”
“For the last time Eli, don’t call me little Hen,” I shoot back, knowing he hates to be called that.
“Jokes on you love, I like it when you call me that,” he gives me a wink before sauntering away, with Ivy following.
Pushing my door open and all I want to do is scream, nothing’s been done but I can’t help wondering if the gravestone is my future should I remain in this place.
I strip out of my uniform and climb into the bath, I prefer showers, but after this morning I need a good long soak. Maybe the guys are right, having friends isn’t the worst thing in the world and it doesn’t mean we’ll have to keep the friendship going once we’re set free. It’ll be a relationship of convenience; they can help me, and I’ll return the favour if it ever presents itself.
A knock sounds at the door and Noah makes me laugh hard when I open it and welcome him in with a semi smile. I don’t do it often, so it doesn’t feel natural to me. I’m just glad I had time to get out of my bath and throw some clothes on before he arrived.
“What’s got into you?” He sounds so taken aback by my smile and maybe a little worried?
“Can’t I be happy to see you?” I ask in return and he’s just shaking his head, eh men.
“Ivy was right, I do need friends, especially after what happened. So, if you guys still want the position I’m happy to offer it to you,” I say and he’s not smiling. Am I doing this wrong? It’s been so long since I tried to forge a friendship with anyone.
“You don’t have to do that. I can help you find out who ruined your door and identify who did a number on you. I don’t need you pimping your friendship out in return, you need to keep your wits about you.”
I’m staring at him as I notice his hands, he tries to pull them behind his back, but I latch on and catch the tell-tale sign of paint. I arch my brows.
I pull up short as I take in my newly painted locker, back to its original cream. The same colour that is on Noah’s hands, he painted it for me, who is this guy that I can’t get a read on?
Four
The rest of the week passes rather quietly, no one else pounces on me. Other than snide remarks from the Shepherd bitches no one says anything, and I’m getting used to sharing my meal space. I don’t believe for a second that it was all a misunderstanding, no. Harrison wants me out for whatever reason and I’m keeping on my guard where he’s concerned. He hasn’t really done anything, but I keep expecting him to.
My next lesson is PE, most of the students prefer being inside the fitness centre. My shadows seem to spend most of their gym time within the gym, which explains Elijah and Harrison’s physique. I mean there’s even a hall solely for self-defence lessons, and a room with a boxing ring and other equipment. There’s a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and even a trampoline room. It’s insane.
I’m running track in view of the ridiculous show jumping area, which is crazy, what kind of school has their own riding stable? Anyway, it was either run or play netball, and I refuse to play with those girls. I’ve been running for years and I’ve got a strong supply of stamina so I can’t see our P.E teacher having an issue with it. I’m not the only one running today but I’m well ahead so I feel like I’ve got the track all to myself. It’s freeing, be able to go as fast or slow as you desire, but I like to push myself so there won’t be any going slow for me today.
I’m lost in the freedom of my feet pounding the tarmac and the sun shining down upon me when I see someone in my peripheral. I can’t believe Harrison is here on my right and green eyes is suddenly on my left. I’m not slowing down, they won't scare me, not out here where the teacher can see. I look up and realise I can’t see Mr. Dosser the tosser.
“Don’t worry brown eyes, we’re not going to hurt you.”
“Shut it Finley, I like it when she panics,” says Harrison but his words ring hollow to my ears.
“You’ll have to do a lot worse than that, even your friend couldn’t strike fear in me at the mention of your name. And he did a real number on me,” I reply, pushing harder so I can leave them in my dust.
“What is she talking about?” asks Finley, I just don’t wait around for the answer, I’ve suddenly lost the joy and urge to run.
I sit down in the changing rooms, I’ve already peeled off my black Lycra running shorts and dark green tank top but I’m not in any rush to rejoin the masses. I can hear Britney and Chelsea whinging and whining and I can tell they don’t realise that they’re not alone.
“Fin hasn’t been paying any attention to me since that hoebag arrived, I thought Harrison would have declared her off limits, but nothing. What else can I do?” Chelsea moans, and her voice is so high pitched, I want to cover my ears just to save them from the pain.
“Maybe if you refused to open your legs once in a while he wouldn’t lose interest in you, besides we all know the rules. We can do what we want with who we want as long as we always go back to them and vice versa.”
“Give it a break Brit, are you telling me this arrangement doesn’t bother you. Don’t you ever get jealous when you see Damon Jude playing tonsil tennis with his local flavour of the day?”
“Stop being such a girl, you keep this up and you’ll lose him completely, we’re in school for fuck sake. Enjoy your freedom before we leave and then we can lay our claim to them: if we don’t find a better alternative that is,” says Britney, laughing at her own words as they leave the changing room, and I just sit here shaking my head.
