Page 133 of The Blackened Blade

I meet his gaze, surprise etched across his features as he watches Morgan and her two partners.

“No,” I reply as his eyes flicker toward me, “He's not worth it…”

“Micai,” Seria calls, “You know Xander didn’t mean it, he just thought–”

“None of them are worth it.” I step around Morgan's partners, their focus fully on the boys around Seria as I place myself between Morgan and Xander.

His words struck a chord in me, finalising and severing the friendship we had in the past completely, or whatever scrap of it was left in me.

There was no space for them or the memories we used to share in me anymore. They had made their choice in my past life and in this one too.

I glance toward Morgan. I was treated better by a stranger I had met only a couple of times, than them.

Like a switch finally flipped in me, I realised they never deserved me.

The friendship of the past was dead.

They were only a dream that had once helped to give me comfort when I was young and alone, and no more. Now, I would let those memories and feelings go.

A small grin tilts my lips, a strange feeling of almost relief falling over me.

“I’m nothing to you–”

“Micai–” Knox calls from Morgan's side as I continue, my gaze solely on Xander and his returned cold glare.

“It's a mutual feeling.” I take a step toward Xander, his eyes widening slightly with the proximity. “So when you see me…don’t evenlookmy way.” I look at the other sets of eyes on me, making sure they know I mean every word. “Let's stop pretending like we ever really knew each other.”

Clearly what I thought I had with them in the past was all an illusion or some dream of mine. And even if it wasn’t, none of it mattered…they weren’t the boys I knew as a kid anymore.

I take a step back and turn toward Morgan as I call over my shoulder. “And don’t come near me again. ‘Cause I won’t take your shit anymore.”

I head towards the girls dormitory; wanting to change and go for a quick run or sparring session and release some stress. I make it to the courtyard before a hand grabs me from behind.Morgan.

Had she been following me this whole time? Why?

And why had she even helped me back there in the first place? We only shared one class and hadn’t even had a conversation before, so why would she care about me? Why get involved?

I had heard she and Seria didn’t get along, and from my past memories I do remember Seria complaining about her. But would she have really helped me because of that? From some hostility toward Serie and her puppets?

“Seems like you're overthinking things.” Morgan gently pulls me over to a nearby bench, the area quickly emptying out of the couple of students sitting there as we make our way over.

Morgan sits down, pulling me with her and waving her entourage away. They look back and forth between me and Morgan, but don't budge an inch.

“I’ll be fine Grey. Go take Ash for a walk.” The one I’m presuming is Ash raises a brow, his green eyes filled with an amused glint as he slides a hand though his short wavy dark-brown hair. The taller ash brown haired boy standing beside him,Grey,gives her a tiny smirk.

But neither of them move.

“Overprotective dickheads.” She turns back to me, a sigh leaving her lips.“I can’t even go to the bathroom without them checking if anyones had a whiz before me.”

She sighs while rolling her eyes at them as I try to school the small grin trying to spread on my lips.

Morgan seemed like the honest and blunt type, like she would rather say it to your face than talk behind your back or play little mind games. Maybe that's why her and Seria didn’t get along.

Either way, it was a little refreshing. And a complete change from how the majority of the girls in this academy treat me. Which usually involved dirty glares and smug smiles, with either hateful or degrading words spit at me for fun.

She gives me a small smile, a softer look in her eyes as she leans in closer.

“But we both know, I’m safe with you.”

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