Page 9 of Forged By Shadows
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I chuckle. Kay gives a ‘try me’ look so I relay the past few hours, not sparing any details. Not about Garrett’s dick being thrust into my face, my stubborn-off with Dax or the excess of cocks I scratched into the side and back of the SUV.
“Holy shit!” Kay doubles with laughter, unable to catch her breath. “Where the hell did you learn to escape from a car like that?!” I smirk along with her, keeping the answer locked within.
There are certain scenarios I experienced as a child which haunted me night after night. So when I was assigned a self-defense trainer, I had very specific requests. The hope was, if I felt well-equipped enough, I could chase away the nightmares. Today was an added bonus I couldn’t have set up better myself.
“I was wondering if you had dinner plans,” I change the subject once Kay has settled, looking out over the track.
“My, my. Are you asking me out on a date, Avery?” she holds a hand to her chest. I roll my eyes.
“You wish,” I snort. Something about Kay’s demeanor, the light-hearted edge to her tone, is easy to vibe with. It’s like a whole different person when she’s not engrossed in her phone and ignoring the rest of the world. “There’s so much I still need to be caught up on. I was hoping the offer of good food and wine might encourage you to indulge me.”
“Okay well first off, people our age don’t talk like bored, middle-aged wives. If you want to get me drunk and spill the hot gossip, all you had to do was say so. I’ve got some pink gin beneath my bed, you hardly taste the alcohol until you can’t see straight,” Kay begins to stand. I jump up to stop her.
“Um, I would probably avoid going back to the dorm for a little while. Is there anywhere else we can go?” Kay looks over my blouse and denim skirt, then her own polo shirt and leggings.
“Yeah, I know somewhere. I hope you’re prepared for this crash course on how things run around here. It’s a lot to take in.” Leading me through an archway to exit the arena, Kay’s lingering smirk doesn’t rattle me as I’m sure is intended. It’s day two at Waversea and I’ve had a morning break-in, been kidnapped twice, and lied to multiple times by faces I don’t know whether to lick or punch. A crash course is exactly what I need.
Kay climbs the steps, guiding me into a quiet whitewash house on a relatively quiet street. Not what I expected on the rich side of campus, from the frat and sorority houses lined in two neat rows. I suppose it is only Tuesday; the parties will be reserved for weekends.
Stepping into a circular entrance lobby, the low hum of chatter soon becomes apparent. Women cross the landing atop wide stairs, most smiling down sweetly. Either side of me, two matching living areas suggest this building was originally two houses, the central wall knocked through to make one, giant home. The decor is classic, cream with ascents of soft, pebble gray. Huge sofas face flat screen TV’s mounted up high, twin fireplaces are set in stone feature walls. Feminine touches arise in pastel pink pillows, fluffy blankets, scented candles, and bouquets on low coffee tables.
Kay leads me into a dining room, the hint of a kitchen through wide archways beyond. None of the girls studying at the long table flinch or perk up at the sound of my name, as Kay makes introductions. Finally, I smile to myself. A hint of normality.
“Mind if we join you for dinner tonight?” Kay rubs small circles over a brunette’s shoulders. They share a secretive look. “My new roomie here has some questions she needs answers to.”
“More the merrier,” the brunette directs my way. Mandy, I believe her name is. Kay strokes Mandy’s hair and announces she’s going for a shower. Before exiting the room, she pulls out a chair and pats the back, indicating I sit down. I do just that, tucking my backpack beneath my legs and cross my fingers. Everyone seems so intent on their work, I don’t want to disturb them. Pulling out my phone, I shoot a quick message to Nixon to let him know I’m doing well and settling in nicely. All lies, but I don’t want him to worry. The three dots of his reply appear and then quickly vanish. He must be busy at work.
“How are you finding Waversea?” A voice floats to me from a beautiful young woman with incredible blue hair. The light shade matches her eyes, her full red lips turned into a kind smile.
“Oh, it’s been interesting,” I huff beneath my breath, tucking my phone away. Her expression is strangely understanding. “Sorry, it’ll take me a while to remember everyone’s names.”
“Sophia,” she reaches across another girl with long braids to shake my hand. “Yeah, it’s quite the adjustment.” When Braids gives up trying to finish writing her sentence, she drops her pen and turns to face me.
“Lizzy,” she nods as a way of greeting. “Obviously you’re on much more of a backfoot than us. An announcement went out on the student forum that another Hughes would be starting here. It doesn’t take a genius to spot you, all wide-eyed and innocent.” My eyes do indeed widen, a blush coating my cheeks. Mandy leans on her hand.
“I’m sure we’re not the only ones who have been curious about you. Have you met them yet?”
“I presume you mean Wyatt’s thugs. And yeah, I’ve had the unfortunate pleasure.” A series of laughs sound around the table, from those participating in the conversation and not.
“They’re not thugs,” Lizzy twists further and knocks my knees. “They call themselves the Shadowed Souls.” I snort but she gives me a somber look. “It’s from their childhood days. Five young boys who had their individual struggles but found a family in each other.” I wrinkle my nose but dare not say anything further. A contemplative silence has fallen over the room, so I shift my questions elsewhere.
“So how do I get them to leave me alone?” The small laughter is back, pens scratching on paper. Lizzy hums to herself, double underlining key words in her notes.
“As long as you avoid Garrett’s attention, you’ll be fine.” Her eyes glance my way when I remain quiet, a slow blush on my cheeks. “Oh no, what did you do?”
“I mean…well, technically he started it. But I suppose I…”
“She pepper sprayed him and kneed him in the balls,” Kay strides back into the room, freshly showered. Her red hair is dripping on a pair of flannel pajamas. She must crash here often. The general consensus around the table is utter shock before the hysterics kick in. Kay had a similar reaction in the arena. Hounding laughter echoes around the room, more than a few mutters about me having a death wish filtering around. I swallow hard, trying to calm my erratic heart.
Thankfully, as more girls enter, the task of dinner shifts the attention. Many hands work in unison, practiced roles becoming apparent. Those who aren’t cooking either wash up as they go or clear the table, setting places. It’s more sophisticated than the pizza boxes I was expecting. Wine glasses are placed by Lizzy, Chloe flittering just behind to fill them.
“What’s the special occasion?” someone I haven’t met before asks. She’s on cutlery duty. Mandy snickers from across the island.
“It’s Avery’s funeral. Take a good look guys. She might not be around tomorrow.” Meanwhile, I sit there like a melon, not wanting to get in the way. A round of chimes and vibrations go off in unison, apparently on everyone’s phone except mine. It goes ignored as bowls of spaghetti bolognese are dished out, the space filled with idle talk. I half listen into two conversations, eating and sipping the wine. I need a refill before I’ve finished my bowl, battling with my own nerves to relax. This is fine. More than fine; it’s pleasant. The first glimpse of hope I’ve had since arriving at Waversea.
“I’m dreading Harcombe’s assignment being set on Friday,” Kay is groaning. “He purposely handpicks what you’re worst at and spends the rest of the semester watching you squirm. It’s borderline sadistic.” Mandy pouts in sympathy, reaching up to brush sauce from the corner of Kay’s mouth. The flirtatious looks between them seem private so I twist and enter into Lizzy’s lengthy rant on gender equalities between the tutors. Spoiler alert, there’s five more men than women apparently.
I hug my glass, happy to be forgotten. Invisible in plain sight. The more they talk, the more I drink. The more I drink, the more I relax. This is fine. Eventually, my bowl is swept away and replaced with a small plate hosting a slice of lemon cheesecake.
