Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7 I was awakened by the loud noises in the room. Opening my eyes slightly, I see a ceiling with carved angels and demons. The picture above me is unsettling. How very… Gothic. And very Springwood Academy. “Listen, don’t you think you are overreacting here? Maddie…” a familiar male voice sounds nervous. “Just mention her one more time and she will be banned from the school and the pack.” I recognize the second voice at once. When did I get so familiar with Xavier? “Xave, I get it – she is a cute girl and all, but you are going a little overboard here,” I raise my head and see Greg trying to persuade Xavier. He looks troubled, to say the least. “Stella!” Xave notices me and runs over to me, ignoring his friend. “How are you feeling?” “Fine, I guess.” I look at him rubbing my forehead. “Considering the circumstances.” He sits on my bed and squeezes my hand. We are not that close yet, but it feels nice to not be alone right now. I look around and see that the room I am in is big with loads of windows and rows of beds just like mine, perfectly done. It’s cold and whatever we say here echoes through the dark halls. “Where are we?” I ask after registering that this is nowhere close to being my room. Greg seems stressed out by my question. “The infirmary,” Xavier answers. “How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?” “Just about everything.” I snort because it’s true. I am feeling incredibly sore. I can feel huge bruises forming all over me. I look at my hands and there are some cuts on them as well, but it is clear that all of them have been treated. “What do you remember?” Greg asks, and by looking at Xavier, I can tell that he is not happy about the question. “That field hockey is a brutal game that I am never playing again?” I chuckle and they both look relieved. “You won’t have to. Because of the incident, all hockey games and training have been cancelled,” Xavier glares at his friend at first, but then turns to me and smiles. “You were lucky to not get any serious injuries. Someone as clumsy as you shouldn’t take part in these kinds of games.” “Really not my fault this time,” I say defensively, and they both become tense. “Maddison pushed me. I remember that clearly, but not sure how she did it. The girl has the strength of a bull!” “Well, you won’t have to worry about her anymore,” Xavier says firmly and Greg flinches. “As of today, she is no longer a student here. She’s been expelled.” “Wow, that was quick!” I am a bit shocked to hear how quickly everything has been resolved. At my previous school these things took days. “Zero bullying policy,” Xavier says and squeezes my hand gently. It feels nice and I bite my lip on a reflex. “I'll be leaving now.” Greg doesn’t seem happy for some reason. “See you, Stella.” “Bye,” I say awkwardly. Now, only Xave and I are in the room and it makes me a bit worried. We are sitting on the same bed and holding hands. The realisation hits me and I pull my hand away. He looks disappointed and I almost regret my action. I mean, the guy is hot. The guy is nice. What is wrong with me? Maybe I am rude to him... He tries to take care of me even though we barely know each other. “The doctor says that it would be best for you to stay here for the night,” he says with a vague smile on his lips. “God, no!” I shudder at the thought of spending the night alone in this creepy room. “I'll crawl to my room from here if I have to!” “No need,” he smiles. “If you want to go back to your room, I’ll take you there.” “Um, thanks. Is it really okay for me to leave like that?" Somehow, I feel that he would know what to do better. “Yeah,” he snorts. “She said it might be good IF you stayed, not that it was mandatory. You just need some good rest and if you prefer to do it in your room – why not?” “Great! To spend a night here is almost the same as doing it in a house on a haunted hill. I’ll pass,” I giggle, but when I try to stand I flinch from pain. “Ouch!” Xavier is up on his feet in no time, catching me once again and helping me stand. “Wow, I am seriously becoming dependent on you here!” I laugh and his expression changes from concerned to happy in a blink of an eye. Now that I look closer at him in daylight, he looks even more handsome than before. I’ve never met a guy who was this good-looking. His eyes are not just dark blue – they are the colour of the sea during a storm. Such lovely shades. And he has dimples on his cheeks when he smiles. This is one gorgeous piece of a man. He looks at me with a clear interest in his eyes. I am not made of stone, but I swore to myself not to get involved with anyone at this school. I need to leave it as soon as possible. “Xavier,” I whisper, turning my head away from him. I'd probably better tell him now that nothing is going to happen. I open my mouth to say those words, but at that moment, he sweeps me off my feet and holds me in those strong arms of his. “No worries, little bird, I’ll take you to your room safely,” he smiles and flashes his perfect white teeth at me. “Put me down! I’m so heavy!” I literally feel my cheeks flush red. Is he crazy? “I think I can manage,” he chuckles. “You are as light as a feather. But it would help me if you hold on to me.” He looks so mischievous when he says that, giving me a feline grin, that I almost burst out laughing. “Well played,” I praise him because he earned that as I wrap my hands around his neck. “Thanks,” he smirks and starts walking. He doesn’t look troubled in the least. I guess I am not that heavy for him after all. I am 5’7 and he is about 6’2 or 6’3 and all muscle. Thinking about it, I relax in his embrace a bit and he looks pleased with that. I like to see him satisfied, but I don’t know why. My I did hit my head after all... “Do you often go to the gym?” I ask him after a while. Who knew that the infirmary was so far away from my room? “Not really, but I do other types of training,” he admits. “Like what?” I tighten my grip on him and I see that his ears are turning red. Is he shy or something? “I play rugby, run, swim, do combat training…” “Wow, combat! Really? I’d like to watch…” I find myself saying and bite my lip. Just why would I say that when my plan is to avoid the guy? “I’ll take you when you recover,” he smiles, and his dimples become more prominent. “Now that I think of it, you might need a self-defence lesson or two.” “No thanks.” I shake my head. “I am not the fighting type.” “You are not,” he agrees. “You are sweet and gentle... Like a spring morning.” His words do something to me that I don't want to name, but I don't say anything to that. We reach my room in no time and the door opens before we get the chance to knock. “Oh, thank God you are here!” Elle looks worried at first, but her expression changes when she sees the whole picture. “Sweet heavens! I never thought I’d see a day when my brother carries a girl in his arms,” Carter laughs, and Xave groans at him while walking in and putting me down on my bed as if I am a porcelain doll. “Shut up,” he says firmly as he looks around the room, his eyes fixating on my half of it. “It’s okay, bro,” Carter chuckles. “I understand. I am one of the very few… people in our… erm…family… who can understand.” Those words sound as if they have some hidden meaning, but I am not sure what that might be. Elle hugs me. “I can’t believe that b***h did that. I am so sorry I didn’t protect you. You were on my team.” “It’s okay. What would you do? Fly across the field instead of me.” I let out a little laugh to reassure her. “I still can’t believe that girl managed to do it! What does she eat to be this strong?” “Steroids probably,” Carter chuckles. “But do not worry. We’ll keep a good eye on you from now on.” “You’ll be safe here.” Xavier kneels before me and looks me in the eyes. He looks kind of cute. “That’s what you said yesterday and look what happened!” I giggle, but his expression changes rapidly after my words. That rollercoaster guy... “She won’t bother you anymore,” he says seriously, and it seems that his eyes get darker again. “No one will. I promise!” “Relax!” I pinch his cheek and can tell that he likes it. “I am not made of glass and I don’t break easily. What happened, happened. Let it go. I was just joking earlier, it’s not your job to protect me or anything.” There is silence in the room. Xavier smiles at me, but I can tell that it's not genuine. Something upset him again. “Well, I need to go. I’ll see you guys later.” He storms out of the room. Elle eyes Carter and shows him to the door. “I forgot,” he starts mumbling. “I have that… thing I am late to. Bye.” He leaves and Elle rolls her eyes. XAVIER Carter catches up with me in the corridor and stops me. I am not sure it’s a good idea right now. I don’t want to accidentally hurt my brother. “Are you okay?” my brother asks me. “I am dying,” is all that I can say.