Just as our stomachs started to grumble in unison, our order arrived at the table: a simple yet satisfying serving of crispy fries alongside chilled glasses of water. The girls couldn't help but sneak glances at our plates, their eyes practically feasting on the sight. Leah's hunger betrayed her with a stomach growl, her cheeks flushing with a bashful shade of red. Alex couldn't contain his amusement and let out a chuckle, sliding his portion toward her with a casual grace.
"Don't sweat it, I'm all for sharing. Plus, you'll need the fuel for the tryouts," he said, his voice light and encouraging as he effortlessly kept the conversation flowing. Meanwhile, I caught Rose's gaze locked on me, her eyes sharp with the silent plea of sharing. Oh, absolutely not! I treasure my food, and I'm not about to part with it... Well, I might be slightly stuffed since I'm not accustomed to eating this much, but that's beside the point, right?
With a grumble of resignation, I finally caved in. "Ugh, I'm only doing this because I've hit my limit," I muttered, more to myself than anyone, as I pushed my plate towards her before standing up. "I'll be back in a flash, Alex. Hold down the fort, will you so don't move! I'm not convinced these ladies can keep you under control without me," I added with a heavy sigh, trying to mask my concern.
As I turned to leave, Rose was already on her feet, pushing the plate back with a mix of pride and defiance. "I don't need your pity food just because I'm starving," she retorted sharply. "And for the record, we can handle him just fine. I may be petite, but I'm tougher than I look." Her words caught me off guard. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I was offering my food out of pity.
"ok listen here bitch i dont give out sympathy and i was only, and i mean ONLY doing it cause alex did it and i was full so shut up and be grateful i even offered". her face turned red out of anger as i said this but then she held a mischievous smirk.
"fine use the restroom", she said as she sat down which kinda put me on edge...what is she planning? What was with the sudden demeanor change?
i walked off to the bathroom stalls and as soon as i walked in, there was this blue haired dude?? soon as he saw me his eyes lit up with joy and he began making his way to me...what in the actual gods name is this.
"oooooo so young and cute oh i love the mysterious type", he said as he winked at me.....my blood ran cold as he began to get closer to me.
and with that i immediately turned around and began to walk out.
nope.
not today.
I was just about to get out of there, to leave this weird vibe behind me, when suddenly, he made a grab for my wrist, halting me in my tracks. "Don't leave me, we're just getting started," he said, with a tone that was trying to be charming but just came off as creepy.
Angrily, I snapped, "Let me go," not daring to look up. But I felt it, that familiar sensation creeping up on me, that eerie feeling like an electric charge building within. I could sense a faint glow from my veins, a soft luminescence that I knew all too well. When I finally raised my eyes to meet his, they were filled with revulsion.
"I'm only fifteen, you're like twenty," I told him firmly, yanking my wrist back hard enough to make him stagger back a bit.
"Ohhh, that fierce spirit, it's intense, kid," he groaned, making another grab for me, but I wasn't having any of it.
"Get lost, you creepy!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with anger and frustration as I swiftly broke free from his grip. This time, I made sure not to let him get to me…. Why would I allow a creep like him to rile me up so much? With a sigh of relief, the glow in my veins subsided, returning to its normal state as I made my way back to the table, my face pale with the lingering shock.
"What happened to you, Ash?" Alex asked, clearly confused by the sudden change in my demeanor.
"I don't want to talk about it," I responded, my voice heavy with unease as I rested my head on the table, trying to process what had just transpired.
"I'm guessing you ran into Professor Liam," Leah chimed in, her voice filled with knowing.
"Professor? He didn't seem like one. He acted like a complete creep," I shuddered at the memory, the events still fresh in my mind.
I couldn't help but notice the sound of stifled laughter coming from next to me. As I turned around, there she was—cue the drumroll—Rose, trying to look innocent with that mischievous glint in her eyes.
"..."
"You knew, didn't you?" I accused, narrowing my eyes at her, sensing her prior knowledge of the weird encounter I had just escaped from.
"I honestly have no clue what you're talking about," she replied, her smirk widening, clearly enjoying the moment.
With a scoff, I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't resist a smirk of my own. "Well, speaking of clues, it seems like someone's been raiding my plate. Those fries didn't just sprout legs and walk away. You've got quite the appetite, Rose. Even the cows would be jealous," I said just to piss her off, gesturing to the now-empty space on my plate where my fries used to be.
Rose's cheeks flushed a bright crimson as she punched my arm, her embarrassment bubbling over as she retorted, "Well, you said you weren't h-hungry, and I couldn't let it go to w-waste, you jerk!" She stuck her tongue out at me in a defiant, yet endearing gesture.
"Child," I muttered with a theatrical eye roll, feigning exasperation at her antics.
Just then, a timid voice broke through the banter. It was unmistakably the same kid from earlier, the one who had been on the receiving end of the bully's taunts. I lifted my gaze to meet the sight of the familiar bright blonde-haired kid, his head bowed in an apologetic gesture towards Alex.
Nate's voice held a tremor as he spoke, his words laced with genuine remorse, "I didn't mean to bump into you earlier... Oh, um, I'm Nate... nice to meet you," he offered, his smile kind but carrying a tinge of nervousness.
Alex responded with an understanding nod, "Don't sweat it, Nate. I was about to step in and help you out, but then, well, my situation got a bit heated," he said, a subtle nod to the incident where his powers flared up, inadvertently searing my wrist. We're not exactly masters of our abilities yet, but hey, we're giving it our best shot, and that's got to count for something, right? At least, I hope so.
Seeing an opportunity to make Nate feel more welcome, Alex gestured to an empty spot at our table. "Why don't you join us?" he invited, pulling up an extra chair with a casual ease that seemed to instantly put Nate at ease, his smile broadening at the friendly offer.
Nate beamed with gratitude, "Hell yeah, thanks," he said, taking a seat among us. I couldn't help but sigh internally. Alex, why do you have to be like this?
Almost as though he had a direct line into my thoughts, Alex turned to me with a knowing smirk.
"Come on, Ash, chill out. We're going to need allies down the line, and making a few friends here and there can't hurt," he enthused. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, letting him engage in conversation with his newly acquired 'friends'... This guy really does trust people way too quickly.
"yeah having a friend wont be bad right ash".Nate's smile quickly faded and my eyes bore into his with a menacing glare. The tension in the air was palpable, and even Rose and Leah seemed taken aback by my sudden aggression.
"I'll hang out with you because of Alex, but don't you dare say that nickname, got it, kid? Only one person can, and I still hate it when he does. I don't know you, and I don't fucking want to," I growled, my words dripping with a mix of anger and frustration. Rose's expression turned into a frown, clearly concerned by my actions.
Alex hissed my name, Ashton, as a warning for me to calm down. I scoffed, brushing off his attempt to intervene. "Tch, whatever. I'm gonna go find out who our battle school teacher is, the one who's gonna judge us," I declared, eager to escape the uncomfortable situation. But before I could make my exit, a firm grip on my ear yanked me back to my seat, causing me to wince in pain. "Ngh, ow, ow, ow!" I protested, as I was forcefully pulled back into my seat.
"Are you really gonna bolt after giving Nate such a scare? Don't you have a heart?" Rose's voice was stern, her fingers still clamped on my ear.
"Ow, ow, okay, okay, I'm not going anywhere, just let go already, you strange woman," I conceded, the pain making me compliant. She seemed to accept my surrender, releasing my ear and casually helping herself to some of Alex's fries, completely ignoring my last remark.
Alex couldn't hide his astonishment. "Wow, I might need to keep her close to keep you in line," he mused, clearly entertained by the thought.
"Don't get it twisted, Al, no one's got a leash on me," I retorted confidently, but Rose was quick to prove me wrong, her fingers once again finding my ear.
"Okay, okay, just—stop, please," I managed to get out, my voice betraying a hint of embarrassment. Why on earth was I blushing?
Leah caught on quickly, her smirk spreading. "Seems like someone's not too familiar with a little human contact," she teased.
"Great," was all I could mutter, With a heavy sigh, I dropped my head onto the table, a mix of relief and confusion as Rose finally let go of my ear. Why didn't I mind it the second time? It didn't hurt like before; it was different—her touch was... deliberate. It's strange, isn't it? My body only reacts when someone touches me and I'm not aware of it or focused?? What can I say, I'm blessed with these traumas.