The Khigir Hunters

11. Two Miles

"Here, add my number!" Charlotte chirped. We were nearing the end of lunch with only five minutes remaining. I nodded, and reached for my phone. I pulled the shiny device out of my pocket, earning a look from Brayden. "Wow, cool phone!" Charlotte genuinely exclaimed.

"Yeah, It really is." I smiled, glad I could have such a fancy thing.

"Is it new?" She took it from my hands and began to admire it.

"Yeah, my brother got it for me since I moved." I fiddled with my thumbs, hoping I didn't come off as posh and spoiled. It only took her a good minute to add her number to my contacts. Charlotte handed it back to me with a smile.

"Braydon and I signed up for book club after school, maybe it would be a good idea if you joined too!"

"Book club?" I repeated. Books; boring words on paper without any pictures. Definitely not one of my strong suits... Save for a few exceptions.

"Yeah! Marcy, Ben, Emily, and Georgia already joined, you would love them!" I attempted to follow Charlotte with her rant of people I wasn't familiar with.

"Um... I don't know, I'm not really into books..." I hesitantly told my new friend.

"Oh don't worry, it's the people that make it count." Charlotte suddenly leaned over the table, her braids swayed with the slight movement. "And to be honest," she whispered mischievously, "Emily only joined because of..." she jerked her thumb towards Brayden, who instantly reddened like a tomato.

"Charlotte!" Brayden snapped, now completely flustered. He held his arm close to his face in a vain attempt to hide his embarrassment. To put it simply, it was cute. Who knew such a reserved guy could have an adorable side? Charlotte playfully bit her tongue, an innocent action that I would later find out to be one of her many habits.

"You know it's true!" Charlotte giggled. I found myself chuckling silently to myself. It felt like I literally stumbled upon two old friends, and I was grateful.

"Can't a guy enjoy classical literature?" He asked.

"Sure, but it might be hard to focus with her sitting right across from you." Charlotte teased with complete thirteen year old innocence. Brandon groaned.

"You know," I started before I could stop myself, "book club might be more interesting than I thought." I flashed Brayden an impish smirk.

"Yulia..." He nearly implored me. For the first time we would finally have a semi proper conversation. "You wouldn't like book club, you can't pretend to enjoy something you don't." Hmm, he does have a point.

"Well, I enjoy seeing you in a state of peril." I poked. "And, I'd like to see who this Emily is." Braydon's cheeks reverted back to their rose like self at the mention of Emily's name. I wonder who this girl is, because she obviously has an effect on his unreadable exterior.

Just then, the bell rang, unleashing hundreds of teens back to their classes.

"Oh, we better hurry!" Charlotte quickly picked up her tray and we followed suit. Just as we were about to walk out of the lunch room, Jay's unnerving gaze drew my attention. He was walking out with Dimitri and two other guys who I wasn't familiar with. His eyes darkened at the sight of me, almost like a silent warning. What am I doing wrong exactly?

"Yulia?" Charlotte pulled me from Jay's focus. "We have PE next, so you better follow me and not get lost." She smiled kindly.

"Yeah, of course." I began to follow her and Brayden, but not before casting a look behind me. Jay was gone.

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When Brayden turned the other way to the guys changing room, I smacked my forehead at my stupidity. I didn't bring any gym clothes! Heck, I'm not sure I have any with me back at the house. Currently I had jeans, my blouse, and Karine's jacket. At least I decided on wearing proper shoes for the occasion.