Page 37 of Dissent

“Chase must have told you that all the time.” He spoke it as though he knew it to be a fact. I didn’t know how to respond to that, and my body buzzed with something I wasn’t ready to admit.

God, it’s hot.Matias looked away, finally releasing me from the spell I was under, and I took the opportunity to fan myself.

“You okay?”

“Yes!” I squeaked out like a mouse. Closing my eyes, I cleared my throat softly and tried again. “Yeah, just a little warm from the hike and all the training,”and all the touching.

He glanced up one last time at me, his smile becoming a devilish, sexy smirk that made me jitter. “Come on,” he motioned with his head, placing his hands in his pockets. “It’s getting dark, and we don’t want to be caught up here when it does. Let’s get some dinner.”

***

The rest of the hike back flew by. Matias made for great company, telling me about the forest, pointing out different trees and plants. And he was so sweet and patient.Thathad become clear earlier while he trained me. I really enjoyed his company. Something about being with him felt safe and natural.

We made it to the cafeteria, slipped in the entrance, and were greeted by the hustle and bustle of everyone trying to finish up their meals. Matias led me to the dinner line. This time, the giant vats contained some dark colored liquid with chunks of off-colored lumps floating in it. I was told they were vegetables and meat, but that last part was a major question mark for me. Matias whispered in my earstewas he ladled out the contents from the vat into my bowl. I smiled in return. I had no idea whatstewwas, but I guess it stood formystery meat.

Taking my bowl from me, Matias tipped his head and motioned for me to follow him. Making our way through the rows of tables and benches, I got that distinct feeling on the back of my neck, like someone was watching me. Sensing the little hairs standing on end, I casted a quick glance over my shoulder only to find familiar eyes looking right at me. Sitting amongst friends, arms crossed, and the scowl I was sure was tattooed on his face, was Wes.

I shivered and turned away, trying my best to ignore him.

I followed Matias to a table where I was greeted by Edith, the girl I had just met that morning at breakfast, and Chelsea. They were both finishing up their last spoonfuls of stew.

“Hi, ladies.” Matias gave them a dashing smile.

“Hey there, Matias.” Edith fist-bumped him before turning her attention to me. “It’s the new girl! Welcome back.” She smiled, waving her hand so I would come sit next to her. “Ya survived your first day. How about that?”

Chelsea immediately scooted over, creating a space for Matias to sit down on her right side, across from me. Her eyes beamed at him. He took the seat, and I couldn’t help but notice Chelsea inch toward him, ever so discreetly, until her hips were brushing his as they moved about. She tossed her hair, the gorgeous curls raining down to the left side of her, creating a curtain of red.

“How was training today, Matias?” She ran her fingers through her hair, playing with it. I never realized just how pretty Chelsea really was. She was a maid in the house, so I seldom paid attention to her. I never noted her emerald green eyes, how they sparkled like gems catching the sunlight. Or how her curls shaped themselves into perfect, loose ringlets, or how milky and smooth her skin looked. She wasn’t just pretty. She was downright gorgeous. And as she tossed her hair about, smiling at Matias while he smiled back at her, I found a twinge of something pulling at my insides. It bubbled up slowly, rising until it turned my stomach sour. And I felt green with it. I was jealous.

“Earth to Mara!”

I snapped my attention back to Edith, who was tapping my head with her spoon. “What?”

She arched a brow at me. “Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”

“I’m sorry, I was…spaced out. I’m just tired.” I gave her a quick smile before returning my attention to the bobbing chunks of god only knows what in my bowl.

Edith cleared her throat. “I was asking about how training went with Wes?”

I blinked, surprised by her question. “It was…not great. Why?”

A sly smirk overtook her lips and a playful twinkle crossed her eye. “Oh, I don’t know,” she toyed. “I was just curious because he’s been watching you ever since you stepped into the caf.”

“What?” My eyes darted back to the space where I caught him before, and sure enough, he was still there. This time though, he appeared more relaxed, lounging in his seat lazily while his friends laughed around him. And for once, he wasn’t scowling. His face was stoic, pensive, as though he was measuring out the solution to every problem in the world. His eyes just stared at me, and he didn’t even try to hide it. I looked away quickly, scratching the sudden itch on the back of my neck before finding the chain of my necklace and curling it around my finger.

Matias took a long look over his shoulder before turning around, the hint of a frown tugging at the corner of his lips. His eyes glanced at me, capturing mine. In that brief moment, I caught emotions passing through him, but I couldn’t make them out. Chelsea bumped his shoulder with her own, snapping his attention back to her. She shot me a sideways look, and if looks could kill, I’d already be dead.

“So,” Edith cut in, “What’s the scoop? I knowWessyfairly well, and I’mveryfamiliar with all his little stares and glares.Thatone doesn’t match withnot great.”

I faced Edith. “Why? What does that mean?”

An impish grin crossed her lips as she shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m just saying…”

“Well, I don’t know what youthinkhappened, but it was pretty awful.” I turned my attention back to my bowl, poking the mystery chunks with my spoon.

“Why? What happened? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Matias reached his hand out and placed it on my wrist, stilling it.

I looked up, caught sight of his deep brown eyes, and my heart pranced. He really was so cute. He might have been about my age, but those big brown eyes and dusting of freckles gave him boyishly good looks. I took a deep breath, trying my best to clear my head to think.

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