Page 12 of Caged in Flames

Walking through the service line, I put a bagel on my tray and add some fresh fruit. Grabbing a hazelnut flavored iced latte, the nectar of the Gods, I make my way to their table.

“Good morning, Nix”, Gunner swings an arm around my shoulders and kisses the side of my head. Even though the gesture is a quick one, it's enough to stir something inside of me.

“Gunner," I smile and try not to focus on how soft his lips are. "Jane." She groans in response and I giggle at the noise. It's nice to know she's not always the bubbly girl we met yesterday, makes her seem more human. "Who is ready for the first day of senior year?”

Jane grumbles out a barely coherent sentence. “I want more sleep, more coffee, and to not be here.” She removes the arms from over her head and eyes my coffee. Nope. I want to be her friend, but no level of friendship would justify sharing my coffee. She must sense this because her eyes narrow but look away. Good.

“Well, here is where we’ve found ourselves, so what classes do you ladies have this morning?” Gunner moves his arm from me so that I can eat, and Jane gets up to get herself caffeine. Once she's downed the cup, she's instantly perky.

We discuss our class schedules, and I'm delighted to share a few with each. Outside of our basic studies, we have some of our advanced courses and electives together too. Gunner is in advanced calculus with me on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Surprisingly, Jane is in my classical music class.

“What do you play, Phoenix?” The girl is vibrating with energy now and I have no idea how it could even be possible. I may have spoken to soon about her seeming human. Minutes ago, she looked like she’d fall over from exhaustion, but now she seems to have the energy of a puppy.

“Violin.” I finish off my fruit and push the tray away from me.

“Perfect, I play piano, but at a mediocre level. Mama insisted on it so I could attempt to blend in with high society. I honestly took the class on a whim hoping it's an easy grade." She's not going to like getting the first lecture from Dr. Lines, he's going to crush her hopes hard. "Also, since we are officially besties, can I call you Nix? I kind of assumed you’d offer, but it’s clear that I have some boundaries to knock down.”

I snort at her and nod in agreement. I have a feeling if I’d tried telling her no, she’d make up something for herself.

Apparently, a bunch of considered newbies making conversation are enough to catch the attention of our fellow students. Once again, I feel an evil gaze on me. This time, there's no hesitation as I seek them out.

I stare right into Charlie’s soulless pits. He’s sitting with his minions at the front of the hall. Of course, he is. They think themselves kings with the power to rule this kingdom. The rest of these kids just let them. Not anymore. One word, one move, one wrong look, and I will start the war to end them.

His eyes narrow, but Jude elbows him, and they get back to whatever stupid ass banter they were having. Sawyer looks up at me, and then next to me. His eyes catch on Gunner’s arm that happens to be awfully close to my own. G's hand travels to mine, and I look up to see him giving the sexiest fucking glare to our creeper. Huh. I nudge him a bit to regain his attention.

Once he looks down to me, he smiles and moves a piece of hair behind my ear. I don’t care how strong a woman you are, there’s absolutely no reason not to swoon like a blushing virgin when a hot as fuck guy does that move. Jane notices the tension, and immediately saves our breakfast chat by switching courses to talk about a party off campus she heard is happening this weekend. Something about celebrating the football team's inevitable win. Gag.

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea for Nixy.” Gunner doesn’t mean it in any negative way, but I won’t have anyone thinking I am weak.

“Perhaps that’s exactly the best move to make. I’d love a night of dancing and pretending to fit in among my fellow students.”

Jane claps her hands together and starts rambling on about her outfit and mine, and I pretend to invest an opinion instead of watching the three people who destroyed me walk out of the room. The line I drew into the sand seems to be respected for now.

Eventually, the bell chimes through the cafeteria. Gunner disposes of our trash for us and comes back to join us to walk to class. We drop Jane off at her first class, and head to World History. Unluckily, we share the class with Sawyer.

As the day goes by, I discover I also have to see Jude in Art and Charlie in English. Not one of them speaks to me. I hope it stays that way.

Sawyer stares Gunner and I down in class, but neither of us acknowledges the douche nugget.

Jude looks like he wants to jump out of his seat the entire time Miss Tate was explaining what each piece of equipment was for and what we would be working on this semester.

Charlie was the image of an uncaring athlete, even though I know the dick gets perfect grades.

All of them do. They are smart and hot. Too bad their personalities fucking suck, not that it stops the attention seeking vultures from hanging around them.

On top of it all, they all play on the football team. Charlie’s the real star here though. Golden boy quarterback. Just like Richard, my sperm donor. I wonder if that’s why Charlie is too.

Richard left my mom and I some time in elementary school. I guess that is one of the things I attempt to suppress, but it has been a therapy topic and I’m working on the festering resentment. Even though he abandoned us, he left my mom our small townhouse and nice little settlement for child support.

The same week, I heard my mom speaking to my grandparents on the phone about how he bought a new fancy home and moved his mistress-turned-new wife and her son into it with him. The worst part was learning he had adopted that little shit and gave him the same last name as me.

Charlie must have gone to private school only after that because I was in the local public schools up until I made it into Blisshaven for the music program. Originally, I was on scholarship for the program, but this time I had daddy dearest pay the tuition so there was less pressure on me to be perfect in school.

Before, I was happy with being a shadow in the local high school. The only place I have ever wanted to have a presence is the stage. Playing the violin, and singing my heart out, are the only times I feel human. Not anymore though. During treatment, a new persona showed up. She called herself Phoenix and I let her out of Diana’s dark cage.

Now I was always a damn presence. Maybe I don’t turn every head, and I’m not always making a statement, but when I want to be heard I will be. From now on, I always would. So, when a teacher asks the class a question and I know the answer, I raise my hand. If a kid drops something in the hallway, I pick it up for them. And if a boy flirts with me, and he’s worth the time, I flirt back.

Sure, that’s only applied to Gunner for the last few months, but maybe it could be a more regular occurrence. Except I doubt I would ever feel safe enough to truly go down that road again.

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