Chapter 23

I stare at him for a while, disbelief on my face, too stunned to be angry. He stares back; his eyes turn darker slightly as he holds my gaze. Regret and shame flicker through them, but only for a minute. The tiny specks of gold dance in his blue irises. I find I cannot look away. 

My disbelief turns into confusion as a look of longing filters across his eyes.

Why is he looking at me like that? 

Hell, everyone knows that we can only just tolerate being in the same room as each other. But I can’t deny the intensity of his eyes stir something deep within me.

The bell rings, making me jump. Chris drops his hands from my hips like he has been burned. 

We walk towards the canteen together. We walk in uncomfortable silence, which is strange, as we never talk much or exchange many words outside of training. Yet the silence feels unsettling. 

“Hey Kayla.” 

I hear my name being called and stop mid stride. Justin walks towards me. I feel Chris’s body close behind me, the heat of his skin flowing through my back, his warm breath on my neck. I have to take in a deep breath to stop my legs from shaking. 

“Hey, would you like to have lunch with me today?” He grins, which causes my heart to flutter as a cute dimple appears on his left cheek. 

“No, she doesn’t, she already has dinner plans that don’t include you,” Chris butts in, his voice laced in venom. 

Who does he think he his telling me who I can or cannot sit with for lunch? 

Justin does not seem bothered by him and keeps his smile in place, his eyes on me.

“That’s fine, how about tomorrow? I am looking forward to the dance tomorrow night.” He winks at me. 

My heart starts to beat faster. I am excited about the dance, and I really like Justin. He also is the only one of the other students apart from the Michael’s willing to be friends with me or even speak to me for that matter, the others keep their distance. 

“I would love to, thank you for the offer,” I quickly answer before Chris can. 

Chris grabs my elbow and spins me around, pulling me down the hall with him. I yank my arm free, glaring at him. I am sick of being dragged and thrown around like a rag doll.

“Misty will send out a search party for us if we are any longer,” he says through gritted teeth. Justin irritates him. I don’t know why; Justin is such a nice guy. Then again, most people get on Chris’s nerves; he should have been a hermit.

“Then why don’t you go ahead and stop dragging me about. I am not your property.”

“And what kind of a gentleman would I be if I left you stranded in the corridor. Besides, when you are left alone you seem to get yourself into a hell of a lot of trouble.” He is trying to be smart. 

I grab a pasta salad as we reach the counter, the line is now empty. I give him one of my best glares. 

“First, you are no gentleman, and secondly, I would not have been stranded, more like relieved, and I never asked them to kidnap me.” 

The corners of his mouth try to turn up into a smile, but he holds it back. “Why would you want to waste your time with him,” he asks, a hint of what I think is jealousy lines is voice. 

“He’s a nice guy.” 

“Yeah, for a dog,” he responds. 

I punch his arm for his remark, like I have seen Misty do.

“If you want to touch me all you have to do is ask.” 

I roll my eyes and turn away, ready to take my seat at the table before things escalate. Sarah gives me a look of pure hatred as we pass by. She places her hand on his arm, stopping him, fluttering her long lashes, and twirling the ends of her long blond hair with her finger.

“Rory, you are gross,” Misty squeals as I approach. 

Rory has two chunky chips stuck in both of his ears. I sit beside Misty. James gives me a warm smile. Rory says, “Maybe I don’t want to hear my sister drone on about her date for the dance.”

“You know, Rory, one day you will think some girl is pretty and want to date.” Misty waves a chip at him.

“You’re right, Misty. When I see someone that is pretty, I stare, I smile, and then I get bored and put the mirror down.” 

A small giggle escapes my mouth. Misty gives me a look to say don’t you dare encourage him. 

“Just because you got a date, don’t mean I want one.”

“What date?” Chris pulls up a chair beside me. He has gotten away from Sarah quick. That girl is like a leech. 

“Don’t mention boys, or dates, he has a problem.” He stares at me. “When you get rabies, Kay, you will thank me.” he says in a mocking tone. 

“Rabies? What as that got to do with anything?” I ask in annoyance. 

“Well, he is a dog,” James laughs at his comment so I give him a glare, kicking Chris under the table for his mean insult. Just because he does not like him does not give him the right to call him names.

“You are mean, what’s with calling him a dog every chance you get.”  

“He’s a shifter, and he turns into a wolf. All his family are wolves,” Misty explains. 

I am still new at this. “Can he really give me rabies?” I am a little worried. 

Chris smiles a mischievous grin, while James and Rory try to contain their laughter. “Just hope he doesn’t decide you look tasty and take a bit.” 

I can feel the colour drain from my face. 

“Chris, leave her alone,” Misty comes to my rescue, but I catch her smile before she turns away. “You won’t get rabies, just ignore him,” Misty says. 

I feel silly for believing him. “You’re a jerk.” 

He just smiles at me. So, I do the most absurd thing I have ever done. I rode him. Yes, I put my middle finger up. He has a way of bringing out a side of me I have never seen before. The scarcest thing is I like it. The others laugh. Chris pretends to catch it mid-air and places it in his pocket. I roll my eyes. 

“You know you really shouldn’t judge someone unless you have walked a mile in their shoes. You never know what someone is dealing with on the inside,” Clara has always taught me never to judge a book by its cover, you may be surprised by what you find inside, remembering Clara’s loving nature I smile. I wish she could be here to help me through this new chapter in my life. 

“You know that is not a bad idea. That way I will be a mile away from him. On a better note, I will also have his shoes.” Chris smiles as he leans back in his chair. 

I roll my eyes at him. He is impossible. 

“So, who is your date, Misty?” Chris asks, I roll my eyes the detour in the conversation did little to keep him away from the subject.

A worried look covers her face. She has already told me how all her dates change their minds or has something that needs to be done, that cannot wait on the day right after Chris finds out. She said he was a protective brother. With the way he treated Justin I can imagine why, he is intimidating.

“No one special, just a friend,” Misty waves him off, but he is not deterred.

“So, who is this friend?” he drags the word friend out. 

“Maybe she does not want to tell you, or he might get the Justin treatment.” I give him a pointed look. 

“I think we might need to work on our trust issues.” He points at Misty ignoring my comment.

“Great idea, we should start with the free-falling thing, I promise I will catch you.” I smile sweetly at him. The rest of the table burst into fits of giggles. He shakes his head fixing his eyes on a squirming Misty. 

“You know, sometimes you two sound like a married couple,” James says 

“Misty is not the problem. Rory failed his IT course work,” James points at Rory. Rory lets out a sigh. 

“You should hear his excuse, Mom went nuts. She has to come in today and meet with Ms Thorn,” Misty says with a big grin. 

“He told her that he could not do his homework because the cat ate his mouse for his laptop.” 

I crack out laughing, unable to contain it.

James and Misty laugh alongside me. Chris shakes his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. 

“Did you lose your laptop again Rory,” Chris asks him. 

“You know his room is like the Bermuda Triangle; if it goes in it is never seen again,” Misty adds. 

I sit in my usual seat in history, across from Justin and in front of Chris. Flashbacks of the last time I was in this class cause me to cringe.

“You have a nice lunch?” Justin asks, taking his seat. 

“Yeah, just a shame about some of the company,” I direct the last part at Chris, who kicks the leg of my chair in response. Anger filters across Justin’s face before quickly disappearing. 

“You will be in better company tomorrow. I can guarantee it,” he beams. 

“Let’s just hope he is obedient.” Chris leans forward, staring at Justin, taunting him. Justin ignores his comment.

What is his problem today?

“Don’t forget. Make sure you are firm with him, or you will just have an excited little puppy on your hands.” 

“Chris, shut up,” I warn. 

“The best advice I can give you is never moon a werewolf.”

Justin stands up as anger flashes on his face, causing his eyes to take on a yellow tint and his cheeks to flush slightly.

“Sit now and be a good little puppy.” He just has to carry on. 

Before things can escalate further Mr. Donald walks into class, calling everyone to attention, and wastes no time in getting started.

“As the rise of the Dark ones and Demons rose, God was at a loss, he didn’t know what to do. The world in which he created was falling apart. Humans were being sacrificed, drained of their blood, torn apart in vicious attacks. Their emotions were being played upon, turning them against each other. So, God came up with a plan, and he created three witches, one boy two girls. Can anyone tell me the names of these witches?” 

“Faith, Meredith and Michael,” a petite girl answers.

“Faith is correct, the other two are not, anyone else?” He looks around the room my heart stops when he looks at me. I don’t have a clue. I have not done much reading lately. 

“Chris, how about you?” Chris does not answer, which causes me to turn around, he is staring straight at me, his dazzling blue eyes locking onto mine causing goose bumps to rise.

“Chris, do you know the answer?” Mr. Donald slightly raises his voice, tapping his hand on Chris’s table. 

“Sorry what?” He does not even try to hide the fact that he wasn’t listening.

“The names of the three witches first created.” 

“Faith, Aura and Meredith,” Chris answers with ease. No surprise there, Mr. know it all is correct

“You will all be working in pairs; you will be writing an essay on one of the three witches. I would like to know about their lives.” He then begins giving partners. 

“Kayla, your partner will be Chris, pick a name out of the hat.” 

I groan. From the hat I pick Meredith. 

“What name did you get?” I ask Misty as we leave hoping she has the same as me then we can do some of the research together which means I don’t have to work with Chris as much.

“Faith, you?”

I let out a groan. Looks like I have a lot of research to do. I know nothing about Meredith. I wonder if the internet will have any information, but I highly doubt it.