Helanie:
My blood ran cold, and my eyes fixated on her face. I was terrified for myself. What if she saw the test? I will be in so much danger.
There was no way she wouldn’t tell the other top seniors. I already had a bad start with them, and this news would be used against to kick out of the academy. And Norman would love that very much.
"Co on, show what you’ve got there," I wished I had rembered that the hostel wasn’t just for juniors but also for seniors.
"You’re not allowed in this corner," Sage folded her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing at .
"Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll leave," I attempted to sidestep her, but she blocked my path, making wonder what she was up to.
The beautiful red silk gown she wore made her look like a goddess, but the malice in her eyes ruined her purity.
"Now, co on, take it out. Let see what you’ve been hiding back there," she insisted. Finally, when I refused to show her my hands, she stretched her arms behind my back and forced my hands forward. That’s when I felt another pair of hands grasp mine, prying my fingers open as they brought my hands fully into view.
Now my hands were in Sage’s sight, and her eyes fixated on how empty they were.
"Where did it go? I know you were hiding sothing. Tell , where did it go?" she demanded angrily, glaring at .
I turned to my side to see who else had arrived and who could have taken it from . My heart sank when I saw Jenny standing beside .
"I got it for you," she said, a strange smile on her lips.
"Show . What was she hiding behind her back?" Sage demanded from Jenny, and I started to panic.
"This!" Jenny stretched out her hand, and I began shaking my head.
"It is none of y--" before I could finish, Sage’s angry grunt silenced .
"Such an expensive chocolate bar. I wonder how you could afford it. Oh, I see! You were eating it here so you wouldn’t have to share it with your roommates," Sage’s laughter echoed as my head turned toward Jenny, who held a chocolate bar in her hand.
"Anyway, I’m not interested in this. I wonder how many calories it has. But that doesn’t an you can roam the hallways at this ti. Now, go back to your rooms," she said, pointing towards the staircase. Both Jenny and I nodded quickly before running towards the stairs.
I didn’t even think about using the elevator in the mont. We hurriedly began climbing the stairs together.
"I know you have plenty of questions for ," I said as we walked up the stairs, no longer rushing.
"Yeah, like, why are these top seniors so rude?" Jenny’s nonchalant tone caught off guard, and I slowed down even more.
"I an about--what I was hiding behind my back," I said, watching her pause with before biting her tongue.
"Oh, sorry. Here," she said, handing it back with a smile.
"You’re not going to ask any questions?" I wondered if she knew it would make uncomfortable or if she simply hadn’t noticed the positive lines.
"About what?" she asked with a casual shrug.
"About the test," I said, finding it hard to bring up the topic with anyone.
"Oh, I an, we have ovaries; we get pregnant. What’s so shocking about it?" she said, giving a warm smile before reaching out to gently hold my hand between hers.
"I just want you to know that I’m in full support of you--" she started, but I interrupted her, needing to tell her the truth.
"What if I don’t want this baby?" I said softly, watching her nod with understanding. She didn’t look shocked, not even for a mont.
"Then I’m here for you. I can arrange everything if that’s what you want, and no one will ever find out," she said. There was sothing so calm about her deanor that it made wonder if anything ever surprised her.
"You don’t want to hold this leverage over ? To get to do sothing for you?" The words slipped out of my mouth reflexively. Too many people in my life had used my vulnerabilities against , and I assud she’d do the sa.
"I don’t think people who take advantage of soone’s misery are good people," she replied, giving a sad look.
"I didn’t an to question you--" I sighed, feeling guilty.
"It’s okay. I understand why you wouldn’t trust anyone. As a rogue, life must have taught you a lot. Do you live alone?" she asked, sitting down on the staircase and patting the empty step beside her.
I sat down with her, staring off into the distance. "I have no one who wants ."
I didn’t want to overshare and risk regretting it later, but I didn’t want to lie either. So, I chose the middle ground.
"Where do you stay when you’re not at the academy?" Of course, that question had to co up. No one could survive these mountains or woods alone without a roof over their heads.
"I--" I filled my mouth with air, trying to think of a lie. I didn’t even know how I’d managed to survive this long. I guess I had Kaye to thank for giving a suite to stay in.
"I’m only asking because the academy hostel closes during vacations or holidays. Do you have a place to stay then?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern as she sat before , looking so genuinely innocent.
"I don’t," I admitted, this ti being entirely honest.
"Oh, well, no worries. You can co stay with in my pack! I have an all-pink bedroom. We can share it or--wait, what’s your favorite color?" she asked enthusiastically, but I just stared at the wall.
She was kind, and her offer seed sincere, but the answer to her question felt different now.
"I like black. It represents strength and power. Darkness and mystery," I said, unable to think of rainbow colors in my current situation.
"That is so cool!" she grinned widely. "You’re the badass type, I get it. But hey, I’m taking you with during holidays and vacations, and I won’t take no for an answer."
Her pout was so adorable that it made laugh a little.
"By the way, what were you doing out of your room at this ti?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of .
"I was getting bored in my room. Gavin was leaving, so I left too, but then he went outside, and I decided to wander around when I heard your voice," she explained. Then she pulled out a chocolate bar from her side bag.
"I carry chocolates. Don’t ask why," she said playfully. Her way of talking was so comforting, and she didn’t seem judgntal at all. As she insisted, I accepted the chocolate with a small smile on my lips.
"Hey, I’ll be there with you when you make a decision, okay?" she added.
It was ti for us to leave. I gave her a nod, and we both got up from our spots. She pointed to the elevator for , and I guessed she didn’t mind using it.
"I’ll see you in the morning, and please don’t worry too much. We’ll figure sothing out, okay?" she said, patting my shoulder and helping into the elevator.
As the doors closed, I sighed in relief. She could be faking her kindness, and maybe she would go around telling others. I couldn’t be sure.
At least her initial response helped calm down. Otherwise, I would have completely freaked out.
I made my way to my floor and briefly stopped to look out through the large open corridors. It was so foggy and peaceful outside, even in the dark.
Hugging myself to shield against the cold, I walked steadily to my room door and opened it. But the sight before my eyes was sothing I swear I had never expected to see.
Lamar was in his bed, on top of so girl. He was naked, with a blanket covering his lower body.
"You’ve got to be kidding , Lamar! This is not a room for your *fun activities*! Why the heck did you bring soone here? What if the warden sees her--" I started ranting, not caring that I was ruining his so-called fun ti.
I was beyond furious, already upset about the pregnancy test, and now this.
My voice startled them, and Lamar instantly rolled to the side while the girl sat up, holding his sweater to her chest to cover herself.
"What the--" My hands flew to my mouth as I recognized her.
Lucy.
She stared back at , her eyes wide with shock.
"Lucy! What the fuck!" I yelled.
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