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“If you ever need a sparring partner, I’d be more than happy to step in. Just in case you need someone different to practice against,” Domenic offers, sheepishly looking up from his plate. Still abashed from his earlier leering.
“She’s fine,” Maximus growls, and I tense, waiting for him to make a move towards Domenic, but it doesn’t come. I relax back again, satisfied that he isn’t about to go rip my friend’s head off. See, progress.
“We’ll all be there to cheer you on,” Kali announces, changing the subject. “There was an announcement yesterday in our meditation class, all classes are being canceled for the day so we can be there to support you.”
My heart feels full at her words, grateful that I’ll have my friends there cheering me on. Yet, it doesn’t dispel the niggling sensation in my gut. I can’t help but think that the council may be up to something. Perhaps wanting the entire academy to be in attendance for me failing, displaying my humiliation for all to see. No—I can’t let myself think like that. I need to be positive, that’s the only way I’ll get through the next few months.
“Have you heard anything about how it will work tomorrow?” Zina asks curiously.
“No, unfortunately, I haven’t heard anything,” I reply with a bitter smile, shaking my head. Of course, I’m probably the only one being kept in the dark by the council. Kyros informed me how it should work, but I can tell they have some sort of ulterior motives, even by my brief encounters with them. Whether it be power or control, I’m unsure precisely what ends they’ll take matters to.
I blink in surprise, feeling a familiar warm, comforting presence enter the dining hall. I glance towards the doors, seeing Kyros pushing the large doors open. My brows knit together in confusion, unsure how I knew to look over at that exact moment. Kyros smiles brightly over at us before motioning for Maximus to join him.
“I’ll be back,” Maximus says, rubbing my arm tenderly. I soak up the caress for a moment, basking in the touch of his skin against mine. Reluctantly, I move my feet under me, attempting to stand, but Maximus’ arms scoop me up, lifting me with him, before gently depositing me back into the seat.
He gives me one last indecisive glance and heaves out an exasperated sigh. Grudgingly stalking off in Kyros’ direction. My gaze follows after him, that is until Kali clears her throat, shocking me from my daydream.
“So, are you going to tell us what happened there?” Kali giggles. Everyone’s eyes are on me when I look back, and my cheeks heat under their appraising gazes.
“What do you mean?” I ask nonchalantly, my eyes glued to my plate of food before me now. Not wanting to rehash all the dirty details in a cafeteria full of students, I mean to my girlfriends, yes, to all the nosy people eavesdropping, definitely not. I pick at my food, bringing a small piece of lettuce to my lips.
I know I won’t be able to get away with the innocent act for much longer. Pausing, I notice Kali’s gaze isn’t trained on me. No, it’s trained on something behind me. I turn in my chair and struggle to suppress the groan that begs to slip from my lips. Can’t a girl get to have just one lunch in peace with her friends?
“Hey,” Stacia greets us all awkwardly, and I blink in confusion as her attention lands on me. My eyes widen in surprise, figuring she would be here to speak with Kali. “I just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow. We’ll all be cheering you on.”
“Thank you,” I say cautiously, giving her an appreciative nod. Not knowing if the other shoe is about to drop.
“I’ll see you there tomorrow?” she asks, turning her gaze towards Kali now.
“Ya, I’ll be there,” Kali says coyly, A blush creeping across her cheeks, turning them a bright rosy color.
“Perfect.” Stacia gives her a brilliant smile, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. She gives us all a parting wave and turns to leave. Her heels click against the marble floor as she makes her exit.
“Looks like someone else has some explaining to do,” I tease, still astonished by the fact that she wasn’t followed by Katrina wanting to start an altercation she couldn’t finish. I glance around just to make sure she isn’t lying in wait for the perfect opportunity to ruin my day.
“I asked you first,” she declares maturely, hiding her still reddening face from me.
“Fine.” I relent, knowing I’ll have to tell her eventually. It’s not like I’m embarrassed or anything. It was just an emotional experience, something that seems sacred and special between the two of us. So I give them the watered-down version.
“Wow, I’m surprised,” Zina admits, and I tilt my head, eyeing her curiously. “I for sure thought it was going to be Kyros next.” She giggles, her gaze moving to my three other supposed friends. My brows knit together at the scene before me, seeing the others exchanging pieces of paper.
“What the hell are those?” I ask incredulously, pushing away from the table a fraction. It almost looks like—
“We may or may not have had a bet going on,” Domenic answers. At least he has the decency to look a bit chagrined. They pass their papers over to Lucas, of all people.
“And I won,” he announces proudly, shuffling the three scraps of paper in his fingers. He lifts them in front of his face, spreading them out and fanning himself as though it’s a wad of cash.
“What the hell did you bet?” My voice comes out in a high-pitched screech, barely believing my eyes.
“Well, since we don’t have cash here, we bet favors,” Kali explains sheepishly, finally noticing the incredulous look I’m giving her.
“What kind of favors?” I ask, eyeing them skeptically.
“We all agreed that since we didn’t know who would win, we would bet an IOU, for the winner to decide,” Lucas says triumphantly, still grinning gleefully at the papers in his hand. Now that he mentions it, I squint my eyes, vaguely making out the letters IOU written on each paper followed by a scribble, which I can only assume is their signature.
“So you were just carrying these pieces of paper around with you, just in case I let it slip that I hooked up with one of the guys?” I glimpse a few heads turn in our direction at the shrill, disbelieving note of my voice. But I remain unperturbed by their curious stares, let them think whatever they want, I need answers.
“Gotta be prepared for anything with you.” Zina grins, giving me a teasing wink.
