Page 32 of I Don't Need Your Protection
Pushing my covers aside, I slip out from under them and reach for my school uniform. Caleb keeps his eyes on me as I make my way to the bathroom and shut the door. I stand before the mirror, my chest heaving. I don’t know why I’mhaving more of a problem getting up than I did back home. Even though it was hard for me then, it’s harder here. Is it because I don’t have a parent urging me to get to school (Caleb doesn’t count)? Or is it because waking up in the morning and remembering my parents aren’t here anymore makes it harder to go about my day?
Taking a deep breath, I stare at my reflection and nod. “You’ve got this. Mom and Dad want to see you make something of yourself. You’re in this great school and have made awesome friends. And there’s a guy who might be interested in you. Try to keep your head up and look forward to your future.”
“Are you talking to yourself?” Caleb calls from behind the door.
Darn him and his impeccable hearing.
“No!” I call back. “Looks like you don’t have impeccable hearing after all, Mr. Big Muscles.”
He grunts. “Please get ready or you’ll be late.” He says it in that drill sergeant tone that makes me want to say “Sir, yes, sir!”
Once I’m done, he tells me to wait here and not move or open the door for anyone. Then he slips out and returns three minutes later, dressed in his uniform and his hair disheveled in a way that looks messy but neat as well. I don’t know how he does it. He once again looks super hot.
He catches me eyeing him and his eyes narrow. “What are you staring at?” he asks. It’s not in an accusing tone, but more curious.
I shrug. “Just trying to figure out how you do all of that soquickly. Are you secretly a ninja?”
He chuckles softly, something that seems so strange coming from him, but it makes him look so normal. Like a regular sixteen-year-old. “Not quite. Just trained well.” He gestures toward the door. “Grab your school things and let’s go to breakfast.”
We leave the room and he, like usual, vanishes from sight. After all, boys are not allowed to be in the girls’ dorm this early in the morning. I meet Sophie, Raven, and Carly in the hallway and all four of us make our way to the dining hall together.
We chat about many different topics. I don’t see Warner here and figure maybe he’ll come later. Some boys tend to roll out of bed ten minutes before classes start. Lucky them. It’s a little disappointing because I want to see him again, but I seriously need to get a grip. It’s only the second day of school.
The bell rings and all the students go to their first classes. Nothing really interesting happens throughout the day. I do well on the chemistry quiz, thanks to the amazing Sophie. She wouldn’t let me leave her room yesterday until she was sure I knew the material inside out. I told her I’m okay with a B, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I’m just glad I won’t be flunking out of this school. I can imagine how ticked off that would make my grandfather.
I wonder if he thinks about me. Or am I just his heir and he doesn’t want a relationship with me? Caleb claims otherwise, that my grandfather loves me, but I don’t really believe him. I guess we’ll see what happens if and when those who want me dead are caught.
After school, my friends and I decide to hang out in Carly’s room and do our homework.
Sophie lies on her stomach on Carly’s bed, her book in front of her. She’s doing homework and reading at the same time. The rest of us are gathered around Carly’s desk as we try to complete the work.
After we’ve been at it for over an hour, Carly sighs as she drops her pencil. “My brain is going to explode. Who wants food?”
I lift my head. “Depends what food you have.”
She grins. “Remember that chocolate you didn’t win? Well…” She dashes to the kitchenette and returns with an armload of chocolate and candy. She drops them on her desk. “Ta-da!”
My eyes grow large as they take in the delicious treats before me. “Tell me I’m dreaming.”
Raven smiles. “Welcome to Carly’s room.”
Carly motions toward the sweet things. “Dig in.”
Raven snatches a chocolate bar for herself, then grabs a second and tosses it to Sophie. It smacks her on the head. “Thanks!” She doesn’t even look up from her book as she tears it open and dumps half of it in her mouth.
Carly and I reach for chocolate as well.
I take a bite out of mine and then I freeze when there’s a sound outside the door. It’s so faint the others don’t hear it. I wouldn’t either, if I wasn’t around him so much and can hear every slight movement from him.
I take a few more candy bars and slide them into mypocket. “For later,” I say with a smile. “If you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” Carly says. “Mi candy es su candy.”
“Thanks.” I frown. “Oh, shoot. I need to get something from my room. Be right back.”
I get to my feet and open the door. But I don’t see Caleb anywhere. Looking to my right and left, I still can’t find him.
“Caleb?” I whisper as I move away from the door. “Caleb?” I hiss as I continue walking, searching all over for him.
