The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (71 page)

             
As we waited for them to finish setting up, I bit my nails wondering about Riley, hoping she was okay. I was too distracted worrying about Riley that I didn’t even hear the teacher call my name. “Earth to Miss McCallister,” he grunted, looking up from his clipboard. His eyes scanned the bleachers for the disobedient child.

  
              “Ella pay attention!”
Dean squawked in my head.              

             
“Yes,” I stuttered, receiving snickers from my classmates.

             
“Front and center,” Mr. Miller demanded.

             
I nervously walked down the bleachers and stood in front of all the students next to the teacher feeling very small. “Today we’re going to go over our defense moves. Want to make sure you didn’t completely fry your brains while you were on vacation and forget everything we taught you.”

             
Great, how am I supposed to go over something I didn’t even learn? “Um, excuse me, but I just started and I don’t know anything,” I said. 

             
“Don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine. Instinct will kick in,” Mr. Miller said, not making me feel any better.

             
“Ashby!” Mr. Miller called signaling for Roman to join us on the mats.

             
Oh fan-freakin-tastic.

             
“Alright Ashby, let’s see what you remember,” Mr. Miller said, then turned to me. “McCallister, strike.”

  
              “Excuse me?” I asked, making sure I heard him right.

             
“You heard me, attack him.”

             
“Like, hit him?”

             
This earned me more laughs from my classmates and an impatient teacher growing more impatient. “Yes, hit him,” he said.

             
I looked at Roman who was smiling smugly and enjoying every minute of this. I was about to ask the teacher that maybe he should choose someone else to demonstrate, but the look on his face told me if I didn’t he might demonstrate on me. Sighing, I took a deep breath, and swung at Roman. He waved off my punch like he was swatting away a fly. “That was pathetic. Do it again and put some weight behind it,” Mr. Miller shouted, making my cheeks turn red. I tried again, harder this time. “That’s good, but I know you can do better,” he said.

“Stand shoulder width apart and bend your knees,” Mrs. Daniels instructed me while demonstrating.

              I followed her lead. I pulled my arm back and swung, putting weight behind it like Mr. Miller had told me. Not satisfied. I swung again and again. Roman blocked every punch with ease like this was boring him. He kept a smile on his face the whole time mocking me. “Is that all you got?” Roman taunted.

             
Not amused, I tried harder. I was starting to get winded which made him taunt me even more. “Mr. Miller, this really isn’t fair you know. She’s just a girl.”

             
Now that really pissed me off.  All that frustration and anger that was building up I put into my swing. The look on Roman’s face as my fist made contact with his eye was priceless. I knocked him to the ground, surprising myself as well as Roman and the teachers. “Well Mr. Ashby, I believe next time you’ll think before you speak,” Mr. Miller chuckled, helping him up. Roman glared at me as he held his hand to his eye. “Seeing as Mr. Ashby can’t remember some basic moves I think we need a review.”

             
Everyone groaned as we made our way back to join our classmates. “Spread out,” Mrs. Daniels shouted. They demonstrated basic blocking moves then had us fan out and partner off to practice. I didn’t know anyone so Dean volunteered to be my partner. Although I think he just picked me because he knew I wouldn’t hit as hard as everyone else.

             
We spent the next hour learning how to punch properly and then block those punches. I was glad this was my last class of the day. By the time we were done I was sweating like a pig, tired, and starving. I hopped in the shower in the girls’ locker room then went to check on Riley.

When I arrived in the nurse’s office, Riley was still there and lying down on one of the beds. “Riley?”

“Oh, hey Ella,” she said, sitting up, and looking much better than she did about an hour ago.

“How are you doing?” I asked, carefully sitting on the edge of the
bed.

“Oh, I’m fine. The nurse made me stay, but good as new,” she said cheery as ever.

“Good, I’m glad…Do you mind if I ask what happened?”

“Oh, it’s no biggie. I just get winded easily because of my asthma. Not supposed to push that hard. I guess I just over did it,” she shrugged.
             

“Maybe you should ask –”

She cut me off before I could finish. “No, I don’t want any special treatment. That’s why I never said anything in the first place. I know if they think I can’t keep up because of my condition then I’ll constantly be asked to sit out on things and…and well I just don’t want to do that. I know I just have to be more careful, that’s all,” she said smiling.

I could tell there was more to this story, but I didn’t want to pry. “Well, I brought your stuff,” I said, setting her bag down on the end of the bed.

“Thanks, how’d you get the lock open?”

“I can answer that,” Roman said, peeking his head around the curtain.

“What happened to your eye?” Riley asked, automatically noticing the bruise that had developed.

I looked down, picking at my nails. Roman wouldn’t even look at me. “An accident. Wasn’t paying attention,” was all he said. I didn’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to admit what really happened either. “I had to break your lock to get the locker open. Sorry, I’ll buy you a new one.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Riley blushed.

“I just wanted to come by and see if you were okay and get some ice for my eye,” he said, glaring at me from his good eye.

“Thank you. That was very nice of you,” Riley said.

“Yeah well…I guess I’ll see you.” Roman said to Riley and ignoring me.

I quickly chased after him.  “Roman wait.” He stopped and turned to face me with his arms crossed. “I’m sorry. It was an accident. You know that, right?”

He let out a breath. “I know. I guess I sort of deserved it. I was being a jerk.”

“Yeah, you were,” I agreed. He raised a brow at me. “Well you were.”

“That’s…fair, I guess,” he choked out. “Call it even?”

“I think I can manage that,” I said, giving him a slight smile. Not knowing what else to say I stood there, shuffling my feet.

“I’ll see ya around,” Roman said, making a quick getaway. I wondered about his abrupt departure before I remembered I left Riley hanging. I walked back in to let her know I would wait outside while she changed out of her gym clothes. I invited her to sit with me at dinner. I thought I’d introduce her to the group and help her feel more welcome.

Everyone was already at the usual table. “Hey guys, this is Riley,” I said, taking a seat.

Dixon, the gentleman he was, pulled out a chair for her as everyone introduced themselves.

I dug into my dinner, starved. I paused, mid-bite when the table went silent, and looked up to see Roman take a seat with Mackenzie. They all stared at Roman waiting for an explanation. “Dude, what happened to your eye?” Blake asked, having no patience.

“Accident. Wasn’t paying attention,” was all he said.

So accident was his story and he was sticking to it. I didn’t bother to correct him. I’m sure he was embarrassed enough as it was. After Roman’s explanation, the table went back to their normal conversations, and digging into their dinners. Riley took this opportunity to introduce herself to Mackenzie before I had a chance to warn her. “Hi, I’m Riley.”

Mackenzie gave her a, ‘
why are you talking’
to me look and then turned her back to her. “Since when did this turn into the rejects table,” Mackenzie said.

“Why do you always have to be such a bitch,” Cameron snapped.

“Because someone has to fill in for your mom,” Mackenzie smirked.

Cameron’s face turned bright red and I half expected her to bitch slap her, but she kept her cool and held herself back.

I spent the rest of dinner trying to help Riley feel included. Thankfully Cameron, Dixon, and Sienna did a good job of making her feel welcome. Mackenzie glared at us the whole time whispering snide comments to her bitch friends and laughing. I ignored her like I always did knowing this was something she wasn’t going to stop doing anytime soon.

chapter eleven

I woke up dreading the day ahead. I had royal politics and economics – bore – then art and dance. I counted down the minutes until art and dance knowing I would at least like those classes. Cameron was in my first class and saved me a seat next to her. I was glad for the companion. If I didn’t have Cameron to throw me an elbow every now and then I would have fallen asleep from the incredibly boring lecture. I was forced to take this class as part of my compromise to my dad. He reminded me every day before I left that I was a royal and needed to learn how to act like one. I also decided this was one secret I was going to keep to myself. As far as I knew no one knew and even Dean was keeping our royal status under wraps.

             
After two hours of listening to the teacher go on and on about the importance of good leadership, I was never so happy to have art next. My fingers were itching to paint. To my unlucky surprise we had to study a specific artist first before we were allowed to paint, making this another long, drawn out class.

             
I wasn’t looking forward to dance anymore, afraid we’d have to study the history of dancers before we did anything. Thankfully that wasn’t the case. Sienna was in this class and let me know before it started that we indeed did dance. For once I wasn’t scared jumping in where everyone left off. Back in high school I was head cheerleader and on the dance team. Not to mention all the dance classes my mom had stuck me in. I was dancing since I was five so today I was grateful for the training. We did a hip hop routine which was a nice change from my lyrical training. I ended up really liking this class and was looking forward to the next one.

             
After class, Sienna walked with me back to the dorms to change for lunch. On our way there I spotted a large dog with light brown hair running along the perimeter of the school. I couldn’t tell what kind of dog it was considering his size was bigger than any dog I’ve ever seen. He had a fierce look in his eye as he ran and that frightened me.

             
“Um Sienna, I don’t mean to frighten you, but there is a very large dog running freely over by the wall,” I said, slightly panicked.

             
She stopped and looked over in the direction of my stare. “Oh, that’s just Mr. Miller,” she said nonchalantly.

             
“Excuse me?”

             
“Mr. Miller, he’s a werewolf.”

             
“There are werewolves?” I asked, scratching my head.

             
“Of course there are. Geez Ella, have you been hiding under a rock or something?” she laughed.

             
Or something. If there are witches and vampires why not werewolves? “So are there students here that are wolves?”

             
“Yep.”

             
“Do they bite?”

             
My question caused her to laugh so hard she snorted. “Only if provoked,” she winked. I turned my attention back to Mr. Miller and watched as his massive paws pounded the ground while he ran. “Ella, come on,” Sienna shouted.

After lunch I went back to my room and decided to work on the tons of extra work I had to catch up on. I only had about an hour before Mackenzie came back and kicked me out for her
‘alone time’
. I still didn’t know what she did during this time and frankly I didn’t want to know. I thought it be wise to head out before she came back to avoid a possible argument of my neglecting her rules. I grabbed what I could and headed to the library.

             
I picked a table near the back where I wouldn’t be disturbed and cracked open my vampire history book. I had a report due by Friday on how the existence of our kind came about. From what I’ve learned so far most of us had come from Eastern Europe as in parts of Romania, Russia, others Greece, Italy, and Spain. According to the history book it was believed that a person became a vampire because of a birth defect, unnatural death, or conception on certain days. These were just some of the beliefs of the people who couldn’t explain what we were.

             
There were many myths and stories about vampires, but there was one that stuck with me. An ancient vampire named Lasairian. He was amongst the first of the royals, the one who actually created the vampire court. He believed we could live civilly with the humans. Blend in and work together. Vampire society in the beginning was chaotic. Vamps killed without remorse leaving messy trails behind. Mobs were formed to hunt down the killers and take revenge on the loved ones they had lost. Lasairian was a different kind of vampire. He saw great things in the future for our kind but knew we needed a leader, someone who could show us a better way to live.

             
They say he wandered all night in search of vampires who were worthy to join him on his journey causing death and destruction to those who dared to challenge him. In his search of those who he would deem worthy he stumbled across a large beast who we know today as the werewolf. This beast had come to his rescue one night while fighting several vampires who thought the idea of a royal court setting rule over our kind was a bad idea. They did not want to be ruled so they fought to take him down in hopes that his ideas would not be passed on.

             
After the beast had helped him take down the rogue vampires he invited him to come along with him on his journey. Thus starting the beginning of how the werewolves became the protectors of vampires. Now that was definitely interesting.

January 25

              So far everything was going by smoothly. No more issues with Mackenzie, thankfully, and even Roman was starting to live up to his so said reputation. Although I still wonder if these random acts of kindness I catch are staged or for real. I have yet to determine which. My main accomplishment was that I survived the first two weeks. Now I just needed to get through next.

             
I managed to develop a normal routine of getting up, going to my classes, and hanging with my new friends. I actually had Mackenzie to thank for that last one. If it wasn’t for her ridiculous schedule and Dixon convincing me to be more social, I probably would have hidden in my room. I was glad I got the time to hang with the group. It gave me the chance to get to know them and helped me to believe I could possibly start to trust people again. I even adopted Riley as my study partner and we helped each other catch up on all the work we missed
the first half of the semester, well, most of it at least.

I was doodling in my journal when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I retrieved it to see who the text was from. It was Cameron asking me where I was. I replied, in the library at my normal location. I spent so much time there I was starting to leave a permanent indent in the chair.

“Hey Ella,” Riley said, slightly startling me. She sat down in the seat across from me. “What you doing?”

              “Hey Riley,” I said, stretching my arms above my head. “I’m just working on a history report.” I quickly slid my journal into my bag hoping she hadn’t noticed how distracted I was. Riley was constantly lecturing me on not being more focused.

             
“I’m good with research, want some help?” she offered.

             
“No, I think I’m good, but thanks.”

             
Riley sat there quietly, her eyes searching everywhere. I could tell there was something she wanted to ask me, but was too afraid to. Not able to concentrate anymore I thought I’d pick her brain. “Is there something you wanted to talk about?” I asked.

             
She looked down at her hands. “Well, there’s this guy,” she started.

             
“And…” I prompted her to go on.

             
“I kind of like him, but I don’t think he even knows I exist.”

             
“Did you talk to him?”

             
“Well…no. I’m not good at the whole talking to guys’ thing,” she said sheepishly.

             
“Maybe I could help you?” I suggested.

             
“Really?” Her light gray eyes lit up.

             
“I could try at least. So what does he look like?”

             
“Well he’s tall, his hair is long, well not real long, kind of medium length I guess, and it’s blond and curly, blue eyes. He’s very athletic, well I guess he’d have to be, he is a wolf.”

             
“Oh,” I said.

             
“Oh? Is that bad?”

             
“No. I’m still new to this whole wolf thing,” I admitted.

             
Now she was the one to say oh. “You don’t know a lot about this stuff do you?”

             
“No. I only found out about my heritage this past year, long story,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t push for details. She was kind enough to drop it and go back to the subject of the boy she was crushing on. “So what’s his name?” I asked.

             
“Who’s name?” Cameron asked as her and Sienna joined us at the table. 

             
“This boy Riley has a crush on,” I said teasing her. She blushed and I could tell she wasn’t comfortable talking about this with just anyone.

             
“Ooh boys, my favorite topic,” Sienna said. She and Cameron stared at Riley waiting for her to reveal the mystery person’s name. I could see in her eyes that Riley wasn’t ready to blab to everyone about it so I quickly jumped in.

             
“We were just discussing how Riley could approach him,” I said and she gave me a thankful smile.

             
“You could always ask him to the dance?” Sienna suggested.

             
“What dance?” I asked.

             
“That’s not until the end of March and I’m sure she’d like to get with this guy before that,” Cameron said. “How about a group date?”

             
“Oh, that would be good. You should ask him if he’d like to watch a movie or something and tell him it will be a group thing so he’ll feel more relaxed,” I proposed.

             
“Yeah, Austin and I can be there. We can use the social room. They have a giant big screen TV in there with surround sound,” Cameron said.

             
“Will you be there to?” Riley asked me.

             
“Of course, I’ll even invite Dixon,” I smiled.

             
“I’ll come too so that way it doesn’t seem so couple-e, if that’s okay?”  Sienna asked.

             
“No that’s great. The more the merrier,” Riley smiled.

             
The three of them began to devise a plan on how Riley could ask him to watch a movie with her while making it not seem like a date. I drifted off somewhere in the middle of their scheming, distracted by the shimmery, bright light shining through the window. They were so into their conversation they didn’t even notice that I got up from the table. I made my way over to the window and pressed my hand against the cold glass. I watched the sun slowly melt what was left of the snow.

             
“Looking for a way to escape?” Aidan said, startling me.

             
I jumped, hitting my back against the wall. “Aidan, I mean Mr. Callahan,” I stammered.

             
“I told you, you can call me Aidan and I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, noticing my tense expression.

             
“You didn’t, I was just…”

             
“Staring aimlessly out the window?”

             
“Something like that,” I said, looking away.

             
“How’s school going for you so far?”

             
“Good, I guess.”

             
“Any problems with anyone?”

             
“With anyone besides Mackenzie…? No, no problems.”

             
He smiled before his face turned serious. He took a step toward me, making my cheeks flush hot. “Listen Ella, I just wanted you to know I’m aware of your,” he stopped and looked around, then leaned in real close and whispered, “Situation.”

             
I pulled back feeling uncomfortable with his close proximity. “Excuse me? My situation?” I said, feeling no need to whisper.

             
“Yes. I know what happened back at your school in Vermont,” he said sympathetically.

             
“Oh, that situation.” I pushed off the wall and walked into the book stacks.