“You do realize the target you put on our backs right?
I don’t know how the family stuff works, but they are going to make Sierra’s and my life a living hell.”
“Let’s be honest, you can take them all blindfolded with one arm tied behind your back, but at least you would have a reason to fight back. I also
believe you are currently working your way through hell, I don’t think any of them could actually make what you are going through worse. She can’t
get to you, and she knows, or at least grasps, what you mean to us. She’s not dumb enough to go after you again.” He raises his eyebrows letting me
know he and Sierra discussed me at length.
I found that making up with, or I guess, acknowledging Mateo and Sam was more punishment for the other three than ignoring them all. I have never
heard more growls and incoherent mumbling from any of them before. I still wasn’t saying much to anyone, they all still have to figure out I’m nota
china doll, but that won’t be a reality until we are all in an actual situation that involves me saving myself and not needing them in the slightest. I still
chose the corner table at lunch to just have some breathing room. I have to figure out this balance between socializing and having personal space. It
feels like I went from one end of the spectrum to the other and then back again. It gives me a headache.
I’m completely lost in my own thoughts when a flash of yellow sits down beside me, Marnie, followed by Jeanie in bright blue and they both lean into
me, but looking around skittish like they don’t want to get caught talking to me. Which is probably true.
“We cannot fail the patrol thingy. What do we need to do? Today was awful, but I can’t have a bad report and if Kaley’s dad can’t rig it for us, you have
to help us.” Marnie™s eyes look almost wild in her real panic.
And they keep looking around to see who’s watching us, not actually making eye contact with me.
“Umm.”
“Please? We know we are terrible and we are the last people that you should help, but we can’t fail again.”
Jeanie pants at me. “We don’t even care about Kaley, she set us up.”
“I guess, I could give you some pointers, but it’s really hard since you guys don’t actually participate in regular training. Your conditioning isn’t where i
should be.”
“We will literally do anything.” Marnie flashes her hopeful crazy- looking smile at me. “Like show dress to get guys to notice you or how to get them
excited or you the best way to go down on…”
“NOPE! Nope, nope, nope. Stop right there. I have no idea what your skills are, but I want none of that.
Make sure you get a good night’s rest, drink water and eat well today. That should help with the fatigue I saw in Marnie this morning. Wear dark
colors, the idea is to not be seen in that situation. And show up and participate in training every day. After that it’s about being consistent in your
training. You need your cardio and strength to get through this.” This is so weird, I have no idea what to make of this situation at all. I’m talking fast, I
just want them to get away from me.
“Okay, Thanks!” They say together, popping up from the seats next to me and leaving just as quickly as they came.
“What was that all about?” Oliver’s timber growled behind me. I stiffen, but don’t look up.
I can’t deny the calm that washed over me as he came closer, and of course the irritation that followed at the realization. I took a deep breath, taking
in the honey scent, resisting the urge to roll my eyes and turned to him. It’s so strange that such a sweet smell comes from such a menacing person.
If I didn’t know him, I wouldn’t want to cross his path on a good day with the way school his face into an indifferent mask that borderlines hostility.
