It felt like we were walking for miles before the Ares house came into view. The house of Zeus is a lot closer to the train station and the main school building than Ares, but I guess the exercise is good.
Carrying the luggage all this way is definitely not. I have to admit that the house is far more beautiful than I thought it would have been. The brick work is a deep red, contrast to the white brick of Zeus, however it is more beautiful than terrifying as I thought it would have been. The colour would usually remind me of blood, but looking at the three story house, it just looks amazing, magical almost, and, not that I would tell anyone, but it is a lot better looking than that of the Zeus house. Big mahogany doors stand guard at the front of the house, stopping anyone from entering who shouldn't. In perfect gold calligraphic letters reads the word ARES. Although it is the same style as the letters on the Zeus door, it seems so much more impressive on this house and I don't know why. Maybe because I am used to the letters on the light wooden doors, instead of the contrast of the mahogany.
"Are you coming inside or are you just going to stare at the doors all day?" Millard asks, waving a hand in front of my face.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," I blush, embarrassed at being caught staring at the house of my enemies.
The inside of the house is even more amazing than the outside. It is so modern. As soon as you walk into the house you have a choice of three options, walk up the spiral staircase that leads up to the second and third floor, go straight a-head and into the kitchen, which then leads onto the patio and garden, or go through the door on your right which leads into the sitting room and dining room.
Although the lay out is exactly the same as Zeus, it seems so much more interesting. The hall is lined with pictures of the founders and past headmasters of the school; I notice only the ones who favoured the Ares house are up there though. The walls are white, along with the marble flooring which makes the house look sterile and pure. Two things that I would not associate with the house of Ares. The carpeting on the stairs is black, a deeper black than I thought possible, almost seeming like if you step onto the carpet you would fall into an abys. I can't help but stare around this time, watching everyone move around each other so easily, laughing and chatting. Some staring at me as I stare at them. I notice that the house is all boys, apart from two girls who come running down the stairs, as if knowing that Jayson is here somehow.
"Jay!" they scream as they reach the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning girls," he smirks as they run into his arms, hugging him and clearly worshipping the ground that he walks on. I roll my eyes and move further into the house, leaving my suitcase and bags at the door to take up later.
"What is she doing here?" one of the girls spits out bitterly at my back as I move into the kitchen. The kitchen is exactly the same as the one in Zeus. A little island stands in the middle of the room holding bowls of various snacks, a usual sight for the start of year. The cupboards lining the back walls are a deep mahogany, much like the doors at the front of the house. It makes the kitchen look so much more inviting than the white cupboards in the Zeus house.
"Don't you worry your pretty heads about her," the obnoxious giggles of the girls make my head ache already. You can tell that they hang on every word that comes out of that monster's mouth, no matter what he spits, they will love it, especially if it's about me no doubt.
The glass patio doors catch my attention, the sight of the garden being the only thing that I can see. I speed towards the doors, flinging them open and stepping out into the cold breeze. I have never seen a garden so beautiful before in my life. The Zeus' garden is nothing compared to this one. You can see the glistening lake from the small balcony that has steps leading down to the grass which has a net set up, probably for volleyball in the summer. The lake is my favourite part about the school. It's so clear and silent at all times of the year, the water always inviting and calming.
I could never see it from the Zeus house, so this is a lovely surprise. I go to walk down the steps but a hand on my shoulder stops me from moving any further.
I turn around to see Jayson staring down at me, a weird shine in his eyes as he looks into mine. I furrow my eyebrows at him in question before shrugging out of his hold and stepping away from him. He shakes his head, closing his eyes as if trying to wash something from his mind, before opening them again and looking at me with an emotionless glare.
"Blaise is going to show you to your room, so if you could refrain from wondering off, that would be great," he walks back into the house, his back stiff and body rigid. I stare at his retreating form in hatred. Is he going to be treating me like a child the entire time that I am in this house?
I look out at the lake one more time before going back inside of the house to where I left my bags, where Blaise is waiting. Blaise is much like Jayson, tall and muscular, short brown hair and stunning green eyes. The only difference is that Blaise is a little nicer than the other boys, he doesn't show it often, but I have caught the sorrow in his eyes when he sees Jayson being mean to someone who is defenceless and doesn't deserve it. I don't think anyone else has noticed though.
"Hurry up, I have things to do you know," his tone is forced, as if he is making himself be rude to me, and it confuses me, Does he really believe that he has to be mean to me just because everyone else is? If that's not peer pressure then I don't know what is.
Silently I walk up the staircase after him towards my new room. He's grabbed my bags, which I didn't think he was going to, but it makes me smile slightly. We walk to the very top floor of the house, and come to a stop at a room with a white door, and when it opens, I can't help but gasp at the beauty of it. The entire left side of the room is made of glass, with heavy white curtains to drape across. In the centre of the room there is a huge king size bed that is placed upon a platform, covered in black bedding, which makes the room look all the more inviting. To the right hand side, there is a massive walk in wardrobe, which is bare of any clothes or belongings, which I find weird, I thought I would have been in Ben's room considering he's the one that I have swapped with, but this room looks to be untouched.
"Is this not Ben's room?" I ask absentmindedly going up to the windows and feeling happiness build inside of me at being able to see the lake from the room. I think I could get used to that sight every morning.
"No, Jay thought you would be more comfortable in the spare room that we have here, instead of having to be in a guy's room," his words confuse me. Why would he do that for me?
"Oh, well that was very kind of him," my voice betrays me and shows my confusion towards Jayson's actions. It would make sense for him to want me as uncomfortable as possible whilst I am here, to drive me out and make me lose so he can have control of Zeus.
"You know, there's more to Jay than you know. He may act like a monster, but he has a heart," I can feel Blaise standing right behind me now and it makes me stiffen, not used to him being so close. I turn my head slowly to look at him to see that he is already looking at me with such an intensity that I can't help the shiver rolling down my spine.
"Just remember that everyone has their secrets," and with that he leaves the room, closing the door behind him softly. I want to tell him that no one knows that like I do, but I couldn't find my voice. I look back out at the lake, the sight calming me a little but my mind floods with questions. Why would Jayson want me to be comfortable in the house? Isn't he supposed to make my life terrible whilst I'm living here? Isn't that the whole point of the game? To make me want to move back into the Zeus house so that they can have control over us? and what did Blaise mean by he has a heart?
Is he hiding something that no one else knows except Blaise?
Walking around the room my mind starts to wander to my father, he is not going to be happy with this game that we are playing when he finds out, and he will find out. He will go to the Zeus house tonight to get me for our usual training session and he will realise I'm not there. I know what you're thinking, and yes it is weird for a father to give his daughter training sessions, but he is the headmaster of a highly prestigious school for talented and strong athletes, this means that I have to be at my best performance 100% of the time, so every night we have a training session. It's been that way ever since I was younger. My father never really wanted a girl because they are 'weak' so he used to train me to be stronger and more 'appealing'. My father has never really liked me, and my mother would never allow him to hit me, so I think this was his way of letting his anger out on me, but when my mother died, that all changed.
Before I am able to think any harder on that thought, I hear my name being called from downstairs. I silently thank them for preventing me to think about my mother. I make my way down the stairs slowly, wondering what anyone could want from me, most people in the house don't even know that I am here. As I get closer to the bottom floor, I can hear the loud hum of many people talking at once, the chatter is all low except for two high pitched giggles and I know that Jayson has called a house meeting, something that isn't uncommon within the houses.
As soon as I step into the room the chatter stops, and a hundred pairs of eyes snap to me, some questioning, some judging and some hungrily taking in my figure standing by the door. I glare at the guys staring at me before walking over to Jayson, who is waiting in the middle of the room, looking at me expectantly, the strange shimmer returning to his eyes when he looks into mine.
"Do you like your room?" he asks quietly, leaning closer to me so he is right next to my ear, almost like he is hoping that none of the boys will hear him. I nod my head, losing my voice at how close he is to me. He stays close to my ear longer than necessary, the warmth of his breath on my neck making me shiver involuntarily. Seemingly pleased with himself, he pulls back smirking at me, making my hatred for the boy return with a vengeance. I glare at him, stepping back from him, but never breaking eye contact, not wanting to be the first to back down.
"So, there are a couple of rules that you have to follow to win this bet," he addresses the whole room and not just me, making sure that everyone knows the rules so that I don't cheat. I roll my eyes at him; this display of leadership doesn't really seem necessary. "Rule one is that you must obey any task or request of any member of Ares," I scoff loudly as the boys whistle lowly and cheer, probably thinking some perverse task that they can have me do. "Rule two is that you will have no contact with anyone from Zeus, whilst living in this house, you must live as if you are one of us, meaning you do not interact with Zeus or do anything from your usual routine."
"I have a few conditions to those rules, if I may," I say loud and fierce enough so that everyone in the room hears me. Jayson nods his head for me to continue, a gleam of something shinning behind his eyes that I don't quite catch as I turn to address the room.
"As majority of the room is male, I make the condition that no member of Ares is allowed to make me touch them inappropriately or undress myself, or anything perverse thing that your sick minds can think of," a low rumble of disapproval follows my request, making my assumptions known. I turn back to Jayson to see him glaring, not at me though, at the members of his own house, as if disgusted that they would think such a thing in the first place.
"Those conditions are fair, and I will agree to place a rule of Ares themselves, that they shall not touch nor give you the task to touch them whilst you are living in this house. If I find out that any of you have treated her in any way like this, then you will wish that you never knew what pain was," everyone cowers away from Jayson, clearly knowing that he is being serious, all accepting and understanding the consequences of such actions instantly. "Okay, now if anyone notices her breaking any of these rules, then they will inform me immediately, you may all leave," quickly, everyone leaves the room, pushing to get out of the doors first and be as far away from Jayson as they possibly can.
"What are you playing at Millard?" I say strained, hoping that none of the wondering ears will hear my conversation.
"What do you mean Wood?" the fain of innocence seeps out of his every pore as he begins to circle me slowly, his eyes scanning the room, looking for any prying eyes or ears that are hanging back to hear our exchange.
"You know what I'm talking about. You gave me a spare bedroom that has never been slept in before, you're allowing me to make conditions to the rules, you're threatening your own house for the sake that I don't get sexually assaulted whilst being here, why? What is your aim here?" I question him, all the while spinning my head so as to follow him as he continues to circle me, measuring me up.
"That spare bedroom just so happens to be next to my room. That room has stayed vacant for the last five years, I do not care for noisy neighbours. As for the floor that we are on," he moves closer to me so that he is standing right behind me with his mouth to my ear, taking a deep breath of my hair before he talks, "we are the only two people up there. And if you think for a second that that will be easy living, you have another thing coming," the words are full of threats, but his tone lacks the emphasis, putting a hole in his credibility and his threat.
"You're full of shit Millard," I manage to whisper back, my voice being stuck behind a lump in my throat. I cough quietly, hoping to dislodge it, but another follows as I feel a little laugh breeze past my neck, making it hard to breathe.
"Evangeline?" I jump at the sudden deep voice ringing throughout the room, breaking the trance that me and Millard were stuck in. I turn to see my father standing in the door way to the room, his eyebrows raised in question at both me and Millard, he eyes narrowing at the latter.
"Father," I greet, my voice tight as I use the title loosely. He steps further into the room, his eyes turning angry and I can't help but shrink away slightly, knowing that his anger is pointed at me and no one else.
"I went by Zeus to pick you up for our training session, you can imagine my surprise when I saw Benjamin Neaker in your room, on your bed. Did you think I wouldn't find out about this little game that you children are playing?" his voice is tense, like he is trying to hold himself back, something that he hasn't done since my mother died.
"Sir-"
"No, I don't want an excuse, I want to know how you thought that this would be acceptable, not only with the school but with me. You should know better than to join in with these childish antics, but clearly you are no more than a child yourself," the disappointment is practically coming off of his body in waves; it's lucky that I am used to it.
"It was my idea, Headmaster Wood, Eva didn't even want to participate because she knew you wouldn't approve but her house mates forced her," I look back at Millard, shocked that he would stand up for me, but also angry that he has probably now made my situation even worse by coming to my aid.
"I don't need you to answer for my daughter, she has a mouth of her own and she can spout her excuses herself," Jayson's eyes widen slightly at the dismissal of his answer, but I knew it was coming, knew he wouldn't let anyone answer him except me.
"Have you unpacked yet?" my head turns back to look at my father, confused by his question, but I shake my head, not being able to answer him verbally.
"Then you will go and grab your bags and I will help you take them back to the Zeus house before night falls," he looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to move towards the stairs and grab my bags, but then that would mean that I lose the bet, and I can't do that to my house, we would be tortured all year. I shake my head again and will my voice to come out strong.
"I wish to complete the bet, sir, if I fail then I will fail my house and I wish not to disappoint them," my voice wavers slightly at the end but I keep my head high, showing him that I am not willing to back down so easily from this. I know that I shouldn't be fighting this due to the school rules, but I can't let my house down; I can't give Millard the satisfaction of knowing that he beat me because I obey every order that my father gives me.
"You believe that this is up for discussion? I didn't leave room for negotiation now go and get your bags, I don't have all day," I swallow hard but stay where I stand, lifting my head higher, silently letting him know that I am not going to do what he wants this time. The look of fury returns to his eyes and he stalks up to me with long, purposeful strides. I try to step away from him before he can reach me but he has a hold of my upper arm faster than I can move. He pulls me to him with a death like grip on my arm making me wince and try to pull away but he grabs me harder as I struggle against him,
"You think you can disobey me in my own school? You think that you can break the rules that my family placed hundreds of years ago because of a silly little game? You dare to embarrass me in such a way you worthless girl!" I flinch back from the booming words spat in my face, the grip on my arm hardening with every question. I can feel tears soaking my cheeks as the pain becomes unbearable, my arm feeling like it's about to snap in two.
"Father, please," my words are choked as I beg him let go of me, to release his grip just a little so that the blood can return to my aching limb, but it does the complete opposite. He grabs my face painfully so that I am now looking up at him, my blurry vision taking in his angered frame. I flinch away from just the look in his eyes.
"You are pathetic, crying from a little pain. You disgust me, your mother would be sick at the sight of you right now. It should have been you that day," a little sob escapes my lips before I can stop it, making my father's hatred filled eyes darken more, his grip on my face tightens until I am sure it is bruised and I try to pull away but it doesn't work. He looks into my eyes for one more second before pushing me away from him by my face, making my head snap back painfully causing me to stumble, but strong arms catch me before I hit the cold floor.
"You can play your little game, but if I hear that you lose you will wish that you were with your mother. I expect you to be at our usual spot for training in an hour, if you are late, I will get you running laps all night," with that he walks out of the house with a resounding slam of the door. A sob racks through my body, my knees giving out, not being able to hold all of the pain that is building up inside of me. The arms around me holds me up, stopping me from hitting the floor for a second and I mentally thank them.
"Wood…" the voice belonging to the arms snaps me out of my pity party for a small second, enough to gain some energy and push away from the warm body. I spin around and see Jayson staring at me, anger and worry written all over his face. But who is he angry at?