Page 43 of In Between Darkness
“You really are a nerd,” she laughs. “Can you believe two classes, and he still doesn’t know our names. He doesn’t deserve your extra credit.” She gestures to Mr Vivian, who is now wiping his chalkboard with a stained cloth.
“It’s true. I’ll probably be known as ‘the girl with the eyes’ for the rest of the year!” Laughter breaks out between us as we wade through the tables and chairs scattered around the room.
The castle’s bell rings loudly.
“Come on, let’s go get some food! Got to have a full belly for taming class.”
This will be our first taming class since we almost became dinner. Nala seems so unfazed. She was born to be a tamer, but not me. I’m only here because of the incident last time. Nala convinced me to take the class after seeing the way that elion reacted to me. If it knows my mother, then I suppose it’s one way to feel closer to her. Maybe it can tell me about her. He clicked at me before, but I couldn’t decipher what he said. Maybe I can ask Veronica or find a book on their language.
“How could I forget…” I trail behind Nala, who is skipping down the hall. She really is crazy. I feel a presence behind me and turn to confront it. I suspect who it may be.
“Are you following me?” I torment River, and he raises his hands in a surrendering motion.
“You caught me.” He grins, his blonde hair swaying with his words. “But seriously, I’m glad I found you. There’s a games night tonight in the archives, shall I put your name down for strip poker?” he jokes and bites his lip. I fight the urge to smile.
“As much as I love seeing you and the guys arguing over childish games, I’m gonna have to pass,” I say, turning on my heels and continuing my way to the dining hall.
“Oh, really…” He catches up with me again.
“I’m getting my Gifts tonight. Got to be in bed early for when my God visits.”
River steps in front of me, his eyes bright as he begins walking backwards.
“Oh, that’s tonight? Well, we’ll have to do something tomorrow to celebrate.”
Oh, I get it now. He wants to take me on a date. This may be a good distraction from Ryder. I mean, River is lovely and gorgeous, and he likes me a lot. I think back to Professor Vivian’s words; there’s no way I am going to risk me or Ryder becoming exiled.
“Yeah, that sounds nice.” I send him a warm smile, and his eyes smile back at me.
“Brilliant!! I mean, okay, yeah, cool.” He tries to suppress his happiness, and I let out a small giggle.
“Okay then, cool guy.” I raise my brow and let out a chuckle; his hazel eyes sparkle under the warm lights in the dining hall. He throws his hand up to his head and tugs at his sandy curls, his cheeks warming slightly.
“See you then, princess.” He blows me a sarcastic kiss and smirks as he heads over to the far table where Ty and Jaxon are sitting. I can feel Nala’s eyes watching me, I walk towards the table of first years and perch myself next to her.
“You are that boy’s Achilles heel.” Her grin is wide as she playfully nudges my arm. “I’ve never seen him so giddy.”
I look back at him laughing and joking with Ty and Jaxon, and a smile plays on my lips.
“He wants to take me on a date tomorrow to celebrate getting my Gifts.” I pull myself in closer to the table and pluck a cheese and ham baguette off one of the many trays of food laid on its oak. I place it on my plate and pick up the jug of orange juice, filling up my glass and taking a swig.
“A date in Sun Sovereign? Where’s he gonna take you? The library?” she jokes, picking up her chicken and bacon roll. She plunges it into a glob of mayonnaise and takes a large bite.
“I don’t know. Knowing River, it will probably be down the archives again,” I chuckle and take another mouthful of my orange juice.
“As long as none of that pink liquor is involved.” She raises her eyebrows, and my laughter catches me off guard, spraying my orange juice out of my mouth.
“I will not be touching that stuff again.”
I think about my interaction with Ryder that night, how his touch made me quiver and his smirk weakened my knees. I take another large bite out of my baguette to distract myself from the sensation.
“Really? I was considering taking potions just so I could make my own batch,” Nala jokes, which brings me back down to earth. I laugh hard and squeeze her arm.
“Does Charlie know about this?” I retort and laugh harder.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She pauses. “But it might make him super horny for me.” She gives me a playful wink, and I can’t control my laughter. We’re both giggling till we are red in the face and have to remind each other to take a breath. I finish my baguette and pinch the remaining crumbs from my plate into my mouth.
I look at Nala concentrating hard. Her face is shaking slightly, and her eyebrows are furrowed. I watch as the jug of orange juice vibrates clumsily, and Nala’s eyes narrow in on it. Sweat drips from her brow as her focus increases, and the jug begins to levitate a centimetre or so above the table.
