Page 23 of The First Year

I added a winsome smile. “I’m sure people are just intimidated. I can’t wait to see what the next lecture is about. History has always been my favorite subject, especially when we learn about our own history.”

He narrowed his eyes, and I was afraid he’d caught on to my sarcasm, but then he shrugged. “Just do your best, and no one can ask more.”

When we left the room, Desi grabbed me by the arm and towed me aside. “What was that?”

“That was hypocrisy in action. Didn’t you like it?”

“You scare me, new bestie, but I did enjoy it. How do you think you did on the test?”

“Good, I think.” We started off down the hallway and toward our next classes. “But I will be sure to take my own notes next time so you don’t have to do without yours. In fact, if we both do, we can maybe study together in the library?”

“You are all gung-ho now! What changed?”

We paused outside the door of my class, and I offered her that same winsome smile, but she read it correctly and laughed.

“I listened to you and to Odin, Evander, and Sol who all basically have told me to maintain and not show any weakness, at least if I am reading it all correctly.”

“You’re right. That is the way to get by here. But maybe tone it down just a bit. Haley is gullible, obviously, and as long as you can keep up a level of ‘appreciation,’ you’ve probably got him wrapped around your little finger. I can’t believe I never thought of it. You’ve done this before, right?”

“Not at all. I’ve always prided myself on being honest. So this is a switch. I wonder how many other authority figures it will work with.”

“Guessing not many, so take it slow. If one figures it out, they’ll all talk about you.” The gong went off and she pushed me into the class. “See you at lunch.”

Chapter Twenty

Evander

PE on a non-shifting day was usually something exciting like walking in circles inside the fenced area, two by two, with no conversation allowed. On a hot day like this one, it was pretty awful without a lick of shade to relieve the unrelenting sun’s glare.

I didn’t usually participate in this particular session, but the instructor was in a meeting and I was assigned to supervise the class until their return or if it ended, whichever was first.

Of course, I had no interest in being an enforcer, but if I didn’t at least keep things close to the rules, everyone would pay. So, I sat on the steps to the building, watching students march around and around, sweat dripping from their foreheads, their gym clothes dampened, but unlike the regular teacher, I made sure they got plenty of water and breaks. If someone looked out the admin window, they would probably see what I was up to, but there was only so much I was willing to do. It wasn’t unusual for someone to keel over in these forced marches.

I also allowed talking, as long as they continued to look straight forward and speak quietly. Desi and Roxy were in the class, and I did not want to see either of them suffer. Whoever called this PE was a complete idiot.

Funny how shifting was indoors but marching, that would have been just fine to do in that same auditorium where it was at least twenty degrees cooler, was out here. I checked my watch. Another half hour, and while nobody looked great, Roxy looked bad. She stood straight, taking solid strides, but when she passed me, her pale cheeks and clenched jaw told the story. I wanted desperately to tell her to stop and sit down. I’d have taken her place if I could, but of course that wouldn’t fly.

With no way of knowing for sure when the teacher would be back, I had to keep things as normal as possible, and that meant Roxy continuing with the others. My wolf raged inside me, demanding we take her to our den and offer her a cooling drink. Twenty more minutes to go. I picked up a squeeze bottle of cool water, left the steps, and moved out into the yard to walk alongside the various class members. I offered encouragement and a squirt of water for anyone who wanted it. And they all did. I tried not to show favoritism to anyone. It was at least ninety-five degrees out there, and since it was the first hot day of the week, I wondered if they had deliberately scheduled this class to make them suffer.

Not a comforting thought.

By the time the hands of the clock worked their way to the hour, I was sweating more than the class members, and Roxy’s steps were far less sure than at the beginning.

“That’s it, everyone!” I headed back toward the steps. “Be sure to hydrate a lot more before your next class, and thanks for doing such a great job.”

One by one, the students passed me on their way inside, but Roxy and Desi lagged behind. It was too soon for her to have to do a death march in the blazing sun, and I hovered, watching, afraid that if I ran out to help her, someone in admin might see it out the window and realize how weak she still was.

As she wobbled, I tensed, but then Desi burst in to laughter and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re so funny, Roxy!” She giggled and guided her toward where I sat. “Come and tell Evander what you just said. He’s going to die.”

At first, Roxy swayed, but then she laughed as well. It was weak, but it let her lean into her friend and hug her waist, whispering in her ear to all appearances.

“Evander,” Desi said, “Can you believe this girl? She just got here and she not only kept up with everyone out there but told me the funniest joke just now.”

At this point, they were close enough to the building to be out of sight of the windows, and I was on my feet and on Roxy’s unsupported side instantly. “Hang in there.” Desi was not that much bigger than Roxy who was quite petite, but she’d managed to keep her going all the way back to where I could help. “You’re both rock stars.”

“Sit down for a few minutes and drink water,” I insisted.

“You’ve got this, right?” Desi made to leave but I patted the steps. “You, too. I cannot believe you and the others were put through this for no reason. I’d fix it if I could.”

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