Page 27 of Reborn in Flames (Reborn 1)
“Maya,” Ledger snagged me gently into his arms. I blushed as the eyes of students still waiting in the hallway bore into us, so I turned into his warm chest. His hand came under my chin.
I noted softly, “I just met Jordan.”
“That’s good,” He flashed a smile before his expression turned serious, “but I need to apologize.”
I frowned, “why?”
“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable earlier, firefly,” he whispered. “I would never try to embarrass you or make you feel bad.”
I pressed my lips together but my words came out anyway, “I wasn’t embarrassed, I just couldn’t think around you, my heart was beating super fast.”
A warmth spilled into his eyes as he tilted his head, “so youwerelooking at me.”
Something occurred to me and I spoke freely, trying to distract myself from the butterflies, “Jordan said some things and I’m a bit confused. She said she was the daughter of an alpha and part of these ‘shifter communities.’ She said Lorn was a bear and that Becky was ‘gunning for you guys’ because you’re rich. What does she mean by all that? And after hanging out with Jordan, I really don’t think the group of us are acting like friends. I’m just confused-”
“Maya,” Ledger put a thumb on my lips, “breathe.”
I inhaled and nodded before he answered, “for now, let’s wait on the shifter aspect until home, okay?”
I nodded.
“As for the friend thing, you’re right. Friends don’t act like us.”
I knew we would be late to class, but I leaned into him for comfort anyway as I asked, “how are we different? Why?”
Ledger swallowed while worrying his lip, “I think we should talk about this later. Just know that most people don’t act like this with their friends.“
“So this isn’t how I should act toward all my friends?” I rose a brow.
“Absolutely not,” Anani growled softly from behind me. I jumped a little, but his large warm hands smoothed my waist. My ribs were still tender, but honestly, it wasn’t terrible and his hands made it feel better. Those embers grew hotter inside of my stomach. Why did I only feel like this around them? It was like my chest was warming and a voice inside of me was humming happily.
“Huh?” I asked confused. “So how do I know then?”
Henry chuckled, walking forward with his hands in his pockets. “Yes Anani, how does she know who gets this special treatment?”
Ledger smoothed my hair thoughtfully, “only us six, firefly.”
Anani nodded. “Yeah peanut, just us six.”
Henry frowned. “But you can make more friends, sweetheart.”
Ledger grunted at the same time Anani made a distressed sound. Henry rolled his eyes and tugged me into his side. “Don’t listen to them, you can be friends with whoever you want. Just,” he hesitated, “maybe keep touching them to a minimum.”
I nodded and admitted, “I don’t really like touching other people, but it’s different with you guys. Plus, I sincerely doubt anyone else will want to be friends with me. Don’t worry.”
We walked into the door late as Henry made a concerned noise. I wasn’t positive what it was in reaction to.
“Class has started, please be seated.” Our professor raised a dark brow. The four of us scuttled to sit down as I found myself wedged between the twins once more. I shivered under the coolness of the window that was thrown open. A damp wind pushed through the room with a vigor that reminded me of my nights in the basement.
“Sinner.”Hit 1 from father.
“You kneel on the floor because you’re a sinner.”
“Sinner.”Hit 2 from mother.“Beat the devil from you.”
“Sinner.”Hit 3, father again.“On the floor like the beast you are.”
“Sinner.”Hit 4, mother again.
