Page 81 of The Blackened Blade

I grip my fork and stab it into my lasagne.

“I’m not moving, so find somewhere else to sit.” I scoop a forkful into my mouth, my eyes never leaving his as I swallow and lick the corner of my lip.

The air becomes tight as a heavy weight floods the room with his darkening expression. His eyes flare, something dark about to break loose as he takes a step toward me.

“If you don't move, I’ll-”

He's cut off mid-threat as a familiar voice chuckles, popping himself down on the seat opposite me.

“It's okay, Creed. Red's with me.”

The other three figures whip their heads toward Annex, their eyes slightly widening as the crazy ass in question takes a bite of his fajitas.

Another small chuckle sounds beside Annex, before the figure sits down and I’m met with two familiar turquoise eyes.

“How do you know this crazy asshole?” Ezra slaps Annex on the shoulder, a broad grin on his face. “I knew you had a fighter's spirit, little sea star, but I didn’t know you rantowardthe trouble.”

Annex stops his next bite–fajita midair–to turn to Ezra. His brows are drawn together as he flickers his gaze between Ezra and me. “How doyouknow Red?”

“Music class,” Grins Ezra as his eyes find mine.

Annex shakes his head mumbling something about‘not hacking people singing and shit’before turning back toward me. A wide grin stretches his lips before he takes a bite of his food.

“And Reds got her own brand of crazy, Ez.” Chuckles Annex through a mouthful of food.

“I don't think anyone could reach your level,” I narrowed my eyes toward Annex, a wider grin splitting his lips.

“We met in World History class,” I glance toward Ezra, “He wanted my seat, going blade happy on me trying to take it.” I take another bite of my lasagne as Annex chuckles.

“A fond memory for you too, Red?”

Ezra flickers his gaze between me and Annex. “And you didn’t run for the hills?” He slowly leans closer, his smile growing mischievous.“If you need help…blink three times–” Annex elbows him in the side, cutting him off as they both grin playfully.

“Youbothknow her?” Scowls the one Annex calledCreed.His glare never leaves my face as he slowly takes his seat, a couple of spaces from Ezra.

I turn away and look toward the fourth and final figure as he sits down, taking the furthest seat from me, at the end of the table. He wears a black hoodie under his academy blazer, his hood pulled up part way as a slight tuft of his hair peeks out from under it. It's almost white in colour, and I’m met–for a brief second–with a set of grey-blue eyes that turn away from me almost instantly.

A heavy sigh falls from beside Ezra asCreedlooks at me, his glare gone but his expression still sour and lacking even a speck of warmth.

“If you both want a play thing, you should find itoutsideof the academy…” He looks me up and down,and if the lasagne wasn’t keeping me busy,I would jump across this table and land my fork square in his–

“It's too messy dealing with some clingy junior because you both gave her a little attention.” He looks around the room, watching all the bent heads and hushed voices, nobody daring to turn this way.“No doubt she’s already using it to her advantage.” He glances back at me, as if I’m some fleck of dirt who’s messing up his tidy space, and polluting his clean air.

“They’re all the same.”

Whosethey? And what stick shoved itself so far up his ass, that he felt the need to spew shit?

This asshole didn’t know me, but then why would he ever try to? Why listen when you can form your own opinion anyway, right?

Power and status was all that mattered in this school, and clearly this dickhead embodied that. He was just like all the other morons before him.And I’ve dealt with enough of them today.

“Play thing–”

“She's not like that Creed.” Ezra cuts me off, giving me an apologetic smile, before turning back toward the asshole.“We met in group Music class, and I sat in front of her. She’s never tried anything with me…which is more surprising.” He gives me a small wink as I shake my head.

“Right.” Creed rolls his eyes, his tone sarcastic and mocking as Ezra opens his mouth again.

I stab my fork into my last piece of lasagne, scraping the plate intentionally and cutting Ezra off.

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