Part 12 (1/2)

Every word that left my mouth caused my brain to throb harder against my skull. I did understand. I attacked a student with a power I have no control over, a power that I didn't know how to stop. The only information I had was that if I got too angry, there was a possibility I might explode.

”If you're not feeling well, perhaps we should get you down to the medical wing...” Mr Aleksandrov thought aloud.

”No. I just need to rest. I need my bed.”

”I'll take her.” Hunter grasped my arm, pulling me gently to my feet. I wobbled momentarily but found my footing.

”Good. Mr De Luca and I have things we need to discuss, anyway.”

Hunter began walked me toward the door. I glanced back over my shoulder towards Eli, who was watching me intently. I could tell by the way he looked at me, he wanted to take me back to my dorm, he wanted to look after me, not leave me in the arms of someone else. I gave Eli a rea.s.suring nod and he turned back toward Mr Aleksandrov.

It was dark outside. Clouds cluttered the sky, blotting out the stars. I pulled up the hood of my jacket, stopping the wind from whipping me with my own hair.

”He likes you, you know?” Hunter said as our feet came into contact with the gra.s.s opposite Eli's house.

My head groaned in agony. ”Nah, He's just protective. He wants me to make the right decisions and - I don't know ... I guess he just worries too much.” I could feel a slight smile hint at my lips as I thought about Eli and I bit the inside of my cheek to hide it.

”I guess I should apologize. I shouldn't have a.s.sumed that it was true. I'm sorry.” I added.

Hunter's lips smiled, exposing his perfect teeth and cute dimples. He ran a hand through his unruly hair, slowing his pace and coming to a stop before the booth and gate that separated the students from the teachers.

”It's okay. I would have done the same thing. Sure, it was h.e.l.l not being able to talk to you, but I knew you'd find out it was Rylan eventually. You can make it up to me, though.”

”How?”

”Breakfast tomorrow morning. It'll be just you, me, and the rest of the school in the dining hall.”

A laugh fell from my lips. I didn't realize how much I missed Hunter's witty charm. It was the least I could do after everything. It wasn't romantic in any way, so I didn't feel guilty because of Eli. I just wanted a chance to make it up to Hunter.

”Done.”

The roaring sound of the students gossiping filled my ears as soon as I entered the dining hall. It was unbearable from the steps, let alone inside. I glanced around at the student body, each face telling a different story. Some were excited, some terrified, and some were sad. My actions affected everyone in different ways, none of which I was proud of.

”Over here, Rubes!” A voice pulled my attention to the left side of the room.

There Hunter sat, his hair an unruly black like crow's feathers, and a dark blue s.h.i.+rt clinging tightly to his torso.

”Good Morning,” I greeted as I sat down next to him.

On the table was an a.s.sortment of breakfast foods; fruit, yoghurt, coffee, juice, toast and muesli.

”I didn't know what you prefer, so I got a bit of everything.”

”Fruit is good.”

He slid a bowl of fruit salad over to me and my stomach growled with hunger. I stabbed a piece of watermelon with my fork and brought it to my mouth. As I took a bite, my glance fell onto Eli, who was watching us curiously. I looked awkwardly into my bowl. Why was I suddenly feeling guilty? Eli and I weren't dating, and Hunter and I were only having breakfast together. It was the least I could do for him.

”Let's go to dinner together on Friday night.”

I raised a gla.s.s of juice to my mouth and took an extra-long gulp to buy myself some time. I was going to tell Hunter I was leaving, but I didn't want to do it at breakfast. I didn't want to ruin another meal with him. However, I didn't have a choice.

”I, uh, I'm leaving.”

”But you haven't finished your fruit salad.”

”No, I'm not leaving now. I'm leaving on Friday.” I lowered my voice so only Hunter could hear. ”The higher power is here, he's staying off campus. He's requested that I work for him for a while.”

His mouth had dropped slightly and he slowly rose from his chair.

”Hunter, what are you doing?”

He didn't respond, he pursed his lips into a line and I followed his line of vision as he narrowed in on Rylan, who sitting with Zavion on the other side of the room. His jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth.

I threw Eli a panicked expression and he understood. He left his chair and walked hastily over to us, trying not to draw any attention.

”Hunter,” murmured Eli, his voice low.

Only Eli could sound so calm yet so threatening at the same time. Hunter didn't see Eli, he only saw Rylan.

”Hunter, please?” I whispered.

He turned and headed out the door, leaving Eli and I staring after him.

”Well, there goes another meal ruined. Now I only need to ruin lunch to complete the collection,” I groaned.

I rested my head on my arms in defeat.

”Don't stress yourself out with this stuff. You have a lot on your plate already.”

I nodded and he returned to his chair.

Love.

The rest of the week went quickly, too quickly. It was Thursday, and the predicted storm had arrived. I spent most of my time in my dorm room. After the incident with Raina, I wasn't allowed to attend cla.s.ses or hang out in between meals.

It was late, my clock said it was eleven p.m. and I was alone. Mila had gone to spend the night with Ava in her dorm and I was left with the storm for company. The wind whistled, causing my window to rattle relentlessly. The sky was black with menacing rainclouds until the cracks of lightning broke the darkness. The wild storm matched my mood perfectly; tomorrow night Eli and I will be officially working for a vampire.

I'd been in bed for hours now and sleep still evaded me. Fang-filled faces were painted across the sky with every lightning strike and each time it made my heart quicken, sending s.h.i.+vers down my spine.

Eventually sleep came. It wasn't a full sleep, it was constantly broken by images of fangs, blood and pale skin. Nothing truly sank in until I saw yellow rays of light creep upwards. The sun peered over the horizon, its light dimmed by the blanket of clouds. The rays that managed to break through the clouds covered the gra.s.s and covered the leaves of every tree. Night fled and a new day dawned, but I didn't feel good about it. This new light didn't bring me joy, it didn't give me relief. It condemned me to a new life. A life I didn't want, one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I took my eyes off the early morning sun and stared at the digital clock sitting on my bedside table. It read 5:30. I really didn't need to be awake right now. I sighed, frustrated by my insomnia, I climbed out of bed and headed to the shower. It was the only thing that could pull me from this groggy state.

I hadn't seen Hunter since breakfast on Tuesday. He could be mad at me, although I wasn't sure what for. I was the one leaving. In the past few days, Raina's sunburn had turned to a deep tan with ridiculous amounts of peeling. I couldn't help but smile every time I saw her. Mila and Ava seemed to be getting closer by the second and they even had their own personal jokes. Granted, it's annoying when I have no idea what they are talking about, but I knew it was for the greater good. Ava looked like she would look after Mila and that's all I wanted.

My thoughts have kept me in the shower long enough, so I got out and got dressed. A pair of skinny denim jeans, a grey top, and a black leather jacket was a perfect outfit for me to wear; it matched my dark mood and the dark weather. I decided to go for a walk and see the grounds a bit before I left. Who knew when I'd be back - if I'd be back?

I exited the girls' dorms. The weather was as depressing outside as it was inside. There were no patches of blue sky, no birds. It was so early in the morning there were no students loitering around the place. Only me. Already, today seemed so lifeless and bland. I made my way down to the sports oval. In the misty fog I saw a face, a familiar face, Eli's. He must've had a hard time sleeping as well. As I got closer, the slight bags under his eyes confirmed my suspicion.

He stood in the drizzling rain without an umbrella or coat and his hair, that had once been sculpted to perfection, was now lying in strands against his forehead.