Page 19 of Burdens
Until now.
I sighed and kept myself from rolling my eyes at him. “I have to go,” I said and brushed past him, walking away.
“One day, I’ll get you to say yes,” he said right as I closed the door to my quarters behind me. I dropped my head against it, looking up at the ceiling.
To whoever’s up there, keep him away, please.
“Sounds determined,” a voice chimed, startling me from my supplication.
I looked over to find Stella sitting on her top bunk, already dressed with her laptop opened in front of her.
I shook my head and gave her a small smile. “You could say that.”
She returned her attention to her screen and said, “You should get ready. We have to be in room 34B by eight a.m.”
I looked down at my watch to notice that I only had fifteen minutes to shower and change.Fuck. I didn’t realize I’d been gone for so long.
I tossed my headphones and watch on my bed and rushed to my dresser to grab our uniform—black cargo pants and a gray T-shirt. Stepping into the bathroom, I locked the door behind and climbed into the shower after throwing my workout clothes into the hamper in the corner.
After quickly washing my body, I dried myself off and changed into my clothes for the day. I brushed my teeth and washed my face before applying my skincare.
After looking at myself in the mirror and noticing the sleepless lines covering my features, I brushed a small coat of mascara over my long lashes and swiped some lip balm over my lips. Then I pinched my cheeks to give myself a bit of color to my cheeks and stepped out of the bathroom to find Stella already gone, a steaming cup of coffee sitting on my nightstand in her wake.
I might grow to like her.
I chugged a few sips, ignoring the burning sensation from the steaming liquid, rushed to slip on my sneakers, and scrambled out the door with five minutes to spare.
“Happy to see that I’m not the only one who’s about to be late on their first day,” a voice chimed next to me as I pulled a small satin headscarf past my forehead and fastened it to keep my wavy hair out of my face.
I looked to my right to find a pretty tall blonde with dark blue eyes smiling at me. She was wearing the same attire as me, her long hair pulled into a ponytail.
“I hope for both of us that’s not the case,” I responded as we rounded the corner and walked down the corridor that would lead us to room 34B.
She extended her hand and introduced herself. “Isabella Smith. But my friends call me Bella.”
I took her hand in mine. “Amalia.”
She let go of my hand once we got to the door and opened it for me, letting me in. Chatter echoed in the large room and I looked over at all the recruits forming a group in the middle of the room. “Oh, I know. Top of your class at Navarra and most coveted recruit this year. Your reputation precedes you,” she said as we walked into the crowd to stand amongst them.
I scrunched my nose and glanced at her, letting out a small laugh. “I hope that’s not a bad thing.”
I’d spent the last few years training for a spot at the Academy and I’d worked hard to come here, but I didn’t want the attention that came with it. Because attention meant expectations, and with expectations came the burden to be flawless.
I was far from that.
She gave me a small smile. “Not at all.”
The conversations suddenly grew dimmer when the door on the other side of the room opened and a pair of footsteps grewcloser to where we all stood. I couldn’t see who it was yet in the midst of the sea of people standing in front of me.
“Also,” Isabella continued as she leaned down closer to be at my ear level. “You should hide that,” she whispered.
I glanced at her to find her pointing at my neck. Heat rose up my chest and I brushed a hand against the side of my neck, remembering last night. I was in such a hurry this morning that I hadn’t noticed if the stranger from last night left any marks on my body.
Despite my secretly hoping he did.
She let out an amused chuckle. I tugged my shirt up, hoping to somehow hide whatever mark she was referring to, and turned my attention to the front.
Nerves slithered through my veins in anticipation of meeting our new instructor. His name preceded him and he was a legend here. I rarely admired anyone, but his accomplishments alone made me want to make a good impression.
