Page 107 of Baseball and Shifters

“I finished packing up your room… it took me less than thirty minutes. Is that really everything you own?”

I blink. “Uh, no? I mean… most of my stuff is already at the guys’ dorm.”

Dallas smirks. “Most of your clothes maybe.”

I blush instantly, which only makes them all cackle.

“Fucking Ranger St. James, that bastard. This is absolutely unacceptable,” Helene tuts, shaking her head like my limitedpossessions have offended her. “You are moving into ahouse, not crashing on your boyfriends’ couch. You need things, stuff. We are going shopping, the boys can worry about moving everything from the dorms to the townhouse.”

The girls cheer like she’s just announced an all-expense-paid trip to the Bahamas while the guys all grumble about my safety and not wanting to let me go ‘alone’.

“Do you think I, a dragon, cannot protectmydaughter and her friends?” Helene asks, leveling my guys with a deadly glare.

A chorus of “No ma’ams” sound off around the group and just like that it’s settled. When I look around atmypeople I believe it fully for the first time.

I am not alone.

Rachel

It’s been almost three weeks since that fateful day. My new family came together to show me exactly what I’ve been missing all these years, and I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today without them. My father tried to break me. With Trent’s help he almost did. But my real family wouldn’t let that happen.

Anytime I felt scared or would start to slip back into the memory of that day, someone was there to pull me out. The day I spent shopping with Helene and the girls was cathartic and when we got back I went home to a whole new place, a fresh start. With Bas following through and getting us a ridiculously large bed, more often than not I’m in the center of all of them as we sleep. Thankfully Derrick's dream abilities have done a great job at keeping the nightmares at bay.

When I’m awake, the girls join in on the mission to keep the memories away. Between them and my mates I never go morethan a class period without someone by my side, and that's only twice a week for one class.

They’re the only reason I feel confident going into finals today. All of my professors assured me I could take the exams late considering my circumstances, but I refused. I don’t want special treatment. Besides, school has been a welcome distraction and my guys have come up with some delicious incentives for me to complete all my work.

All of my mates insist on walking me to my first class, knowing how stressed I am about presenting my final rebrand project. Despite knowing it’ll make Bas and Liam late to class, I don’t protest. I feel stronger when we’re all together and today I could use the added strength they give me through the bond.

“You’re gonna do great, Firefly,” Bas assures me with a smile. “I saw your designs, remember? You’re gonna hit it out of the park.” He winks and I giggle at the baseball reference, the jitters easing slightly.

“You go knock Stone’s socks off, Shadow Girl. I’ll be here when you’re done to walk you to Film Studies.”

I haven’t walked anywhere by myself since that night. I know Trent’s not a threat to me anymore, that I’m safe. But it makes all of us feel better when someones’ with me. The guys even begrudgingly agree the girls are suitable chaperones if one of them isn’t available. I smile at the memory of that argument.

I think we might have had another kidnapping on our hands if they didn’t give in to Dallas’s demands.

I kiss each of my mates goodbye and they offer me words of encouragement before I walk into Visual Arts alone, leaving them in the hall. I smooth the front of my jeans and adjust the collar of my emerald-trimmed top, willing myself to look as confident as I want to feel.

I can do this.

Pushing open the door to the classroom a sense of familiarity washes over me. Without Trent this class has turned into one of my favorites, I pretty much love every class I have with Professor Stone. Most of my classmates are already in their seats, some flipping through note cards while others are frantically typing away on their laptops making last minute edits. I take my seat just as Professor Stone enters the room.

He crosses to his desk, setting his bag down and organizing a few papers, before shuffling over to the podium to begin.

“Hello class,” he starts, drawing an instant silence. “Today we will be presenting our final projects. You each have already submitted your full proposals to me and now you will have five minutes to present your pitch to the class. After all of the pitches have been heard we will have an anonymous vote on which presentation was our favorite. I will have your grade for you at that time and you will be officially finished with your first class of the semester. Good luck everyone.”

Professor Stone calls the first name from his list and one of the girls in the back row nervously takes his place. The cycle repeats, each student giving their presentation then taking their seat before the next name is called. A few have impressive designs, others clearly phoned it in, but eventually it’s my turn.

When he calls my name I rise and take my place behind the podium. I connect my laptop to the projector and the screen flares to life behind me with my title slide.

“Eldergrove Renewed: Embracing tomorrow while honoring tradition.”

I don’t read from a script, I don’t need to.

“What started as just a class assignment,” I say voice steady, “quickly became personal when I realized the passion our players have for their sport. Our players represent our school with pride and our logos and uniforms should as well.”

Clicking to the next slide I reveal my version of the updated logo. It’s still simple and elegant but the stag is a bit more stylized, his antlers forming the letters EA over his head. Wisps of magical shimmers enhance but don’t overwhelm and of course our school colors of Emerald Green and Navy Blue are well represented. I recite my rehearsed lines before clicking through a few more slides outlining the new uniforms and touching on the graphics I designed for the welcome brochure. Another click and Stanley appears.

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