Page 8 of Grace of Spades
"Yeah... that's probably a good idea. This is going to take some getting used to." I mutter walking to the front door with Christian beside me. "Honey, I'm home!" I cry out into the house. I hear Christian trying not to laugh as footsteps echo through the air.
They're hitting fast! Is he running? Andras comes into view looking like he's going to have a stroke and drop dead any minute. He doesn't stop either he brings me in for a crushing hug that makes me stiffen but I don't reach for the knife hidden in the waistband of my leggings. I feel like that's a victory in and of itself. I don't manage to clear my face of fear when Andras pulls back though. His brows pull down and his lips thin into a hard line.
"It's time for breakfast." He says gently and puts me under his arm protectively.
"Sorry for worrying you. I just went for a run. I need to get used to having someone." I mutter quietly hoping Christian can't hear mein the echoing hallway.
"It's okay. We'll figure it out. It's only day two." He says with a gentle quirk of his lips. We walk into the kitchen and I'm greeted by the smell of bacon and the sight of an absolute feast laid on the table. I've never seen this much food all at once. Unless you count the soup kitchen but even then, it wasn't like this.
The food here is colourful and smells amazing. I want to eat it all. I know I should pace myself though. I've been skipping meals and going without for so long. I don't want to make myself sick and make no mistake, I will get sick. It looks delicious.
Then I'm wrapped into a big hug by a plump woman with frizzy greying hair and bright brown eyes. Her smile is infectious but dims when she feels me stiffen again under her hug.
"Hello dear. I'm Ruby, the cook." She says patting my cheek gently. "Go eat. You're too thin." I smile and take a seat while she piles a plate up with fruit and meat. Things I didn't get much of before now. She sends me a wink before turning away leaving us to eat.
I eat my fill and have to stop myself from eating more. Can't be sick on my first day of class. I notice the guys are off doing lawyer-business stuff so I start clearing the table and cleaning up.
I'm filling up the sink with hot soapy orange-scented water when Ruby starts swatting at me.
"What?!" I ask trying to block a swat.
"What are you doing?" She scolds. I freeze not knowing what she expects me to say.
"Cleaning up after myself?" I ask. Is that the right answer? She makes me doubt myself.
"Well, that's my job now scoot. You have to get ready for school." She chides levelling me with a look that promises another swat. I raise my hands in the air and slowly back out of the room. I hear her laughing as I turn the corner. I think I like Ruby.
I run up to my room and take a shower that's not in a locker room. I do make sure to check the vents and light fixtures andam happy to find them clear. It’s almost as glorious as the hot shower. The shampoo Emily picked out smells like apple pie and I love it. She said it was specifically for my type of hair. I didn't know shampoos did that. I thought they just cleaned your hair. That was the wrong thing to say because I got a whole hair-type speech from Emily yesterday. But now I smell delicious so it was worth it.
I wrap my towel around me feeling much more vulnerable than I care to be. I should have brought my clothes to the bathroom with me. Still, I have to get dressed. I palm my switchblade and make my way to my dresser with my heart pounding in my chest.
After several heart attacks, I am dressed in a black pleated skirt and a white button-down with a burgundy cardigan over top. I slip my knife-rig high on my thigh. Ray got it for me for Christmas last year. It's one of the nicest things I own... until recently. Still, it's precious to me. He may have stolen it though, I didn't ask.
I store another knife in my bra and one in each of my boots. I pull my hair up into a half ponytail so I look sweet and innocent and not like I'm armed to the teeth.
I look at myself in the full-length mirror and don't recognize myself. I don't see any of my weapons but I do look like a little brat. I sigh and sling my bag over my shoulder. Nothing I can really do about that.
Walking down the steps to the door, I yell out a goodbye before grabbing my jacket.
"Hold up!" I hear Christian shout. I turn to see him jogging toward me but he stops and doesn't say anything for a moment.
"What? Kennedy is meeting me at the gate. What's going on?" I ask. He blinks a few times.
"You uh... you look nice. Mr. Van Doren wanted me to give you lunch money." He hands me a twenty like it's nothing.
"Oh... uh thank you," I mumble feeling my face heat. I take the twenty and shove it in my bra to keep it safe and dash out the door before Iembarrass myself.
I see a cherry red SUV parked beside the guard booth. I run down the driveway and see Kennedy's pink hair in the driver's seat. I wave goodbye to Greg and slide into the passenger side.
"Hey, girl." She grins.
"Hey. Thanks again for picking me up." I smile.
"All good. It's on my way anyway. I'll even drop you off after school if you want." She shrugs.
"Thanks, you don't have to though."
"Whatever. It's kind of nice to have a friend who's a girl and not a complete bitch." She laughs as she pulls out and onto the road.
