Welcome to the City of Lancaster

Chapter Twenty-Six

It has been nearly two weeks since I have moved into the apartment and if I am going to be honest, I have never felt more at home. I spent the week getting settled and focusing on my studies as I wanted to stay true to my word when Sam and I spoke when I was first moving in, I didn't want to be some weakling that constantly needed protection or an someone that needed to have things explained.
No, I will make an effort. I can't return home yet and it looks like it may be quite some time and I was okay with it.
My fighting skills have improved a lot, Calum being my partner and I tell you what, the guy refused to take it easy on me but he did not go full out either which was good, I needed it.
I found myself thanking Mr Turner for making my class and I run so many laps as I was one of the best runners, hell I was better than Sam.
"Damn girl," Sam laughs whilst trying to catch his breath. "How are you not dying."
"Oh I am but I am sort of used to it," I smiled sheepishly. My real goal was to beat Calum and Ben since they were the faster runners.
I laid on my bed enjoying a book about vampires - yes they are real in this world as well as werewolves, fairies, wendigos and other creatures. It was truly fascinating and I found myself wanting to learn more.
My life has adjusted well and every day that passes, I find myself wanting to stay even though my heart aches for Kaiden, my friends, my uncle and my aunt, when the moment comes, would I even want to go back? No idea, the people I am currently living with, I cannot imagine my life without them. I sighed sitting up to place the book on the side table and turned the lamp off to sleep, it was almost eleven p.m, I sighed and welcomed to the sleep.
My alarm went off at 6 a.m and honestly was filled with regret. Every time I read, I always think to myself 'just one more chapter' and bam! Three chapters later and it's nearly midnight. I groaned slammed my hand hard on the alarm wanting just five more minutes.
"You're going to laaaaaate," Lynette calls out.
"Go away," I moan.
"I can see you falling asleep and not being able to get ready in time to have breakfast let alone classes," Lynette adds.
"Ugh," I roll myself out of bed. "Fine."
I grudgingly stripped out of my pyjamas and dressed in leggings, a shirt and a jumper, it was a little cold this morning. I walked out of my room and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Occupied," came Audrey's voice from behind the door.
"How long will you be?" I questioned, the urge to pee was growing with every second.
"Just hold on," Audrey called back. "Should get up earlier."
"I just need to pee."
"I won't be long," she promises.
A whole five minutes went by. I banged on the door. "If I sneeze, it is game over for me," I warned her.
She opens the door side stepping me. "There," she makes a face.
"Thanks!" I rush it closing the door.



I finished getting ready and gave myself one last check of approval. I looked good, I felt good and was ready for the day. I returned to my room putting my books into my shoulder bag and left the room, Lynette and Sam were the only ones waiting.
"You took your time," Sam laughs.
"It's only six-forty-five, breakfast technically starts in an hour," I reminded them.
"Yeah but all the good spots and food will be gone," Sam adds winking at me.
"What is so important about today?"
"We might get assigned a mission," Lynette says grinning.
"Aren't we going on a two week break?" I ask.
Lynette nods her head. "Yes, we will have a two week break but if we get assigned a mission, we start right away and afterwards, we get a two week break."
"So? What's the difference?"
Sam laughs. "We don't get missions that often, once a month they'll decide on who'll get a mission. It's been two months since Calum and I have been on one."
"It might be our turn," Lynette says smirking.
"You did not just ruin that for me," Sam looks at her shocked.
"Did I? Oops," she grins.
"You're so mean Lynette," Sam pouts.
I roll my eyes. "C'mon, let's go and you can explain what kind of missions we go on," I led the way out, Sam locks up the apartment.
"The missions aren't that hard but as the years progress, the harder they will get. At the moment, we're only seventeen and have been training for about a year so we have the easiest of all missions. Once we turn twenty, we'll be facing missions that actual rangers go on to show off our skills to see if we can make it as a ranger. Once we succeeded in missions, we graduate and able to join a guild."
"A guild?"
"Yeah, there isn't many around as they are usually located in bigger towns. We can form our own guild if we really wanted too."
"Sounds like fun."
"Calum and I have always wanted to join the Lancaster guild."
Lynette rolls her eyes. "That's the best guild and of course you guys wanna join that guild."
"Yeah, we do," Sam smirks. "What guild do you wanna join?"
"A smaller guild would be nice. We can help them build a better reputation," Lynette says. "Or build one. It would be nice to have our own guild."
Sam rolls his eyes. "That would be hard as hell."
Lynette shrugs. "I can't see that far into the future but nonetheless, it will be exciting no matter which path I choose."
I smiled at their banter and listened without saying a word until we reached the dining hall. Audrey, Calum and the others were already there laughing and eating their breakfast. I sat between Audrey and Lynette picking up a menu.
"About time," Audrey mutters.
"Sorry," I whispered selecting scrambled eggs, jam toast and orange juice and even though I have been here for quite some time now, I was still amazed at selecting what I wanted on the menu and it appearing before me. My stomach growled and I started eating.
"Lynette, what are our odds?" Liam asks.
"Why do you lot always ask me every single month?" Lynette sighs in annoyance. "Wait in suspense like everyone else."
"They won't announce it for another ten minutes," Liam whines.
"Oh, if it had been thirty minutes I probably would've told you but since it is in ten minutes, you can wait," Lynette says and starts eating.
"I wish my power worked on her," Ben mutters.
"Persuasion doesn't work on you?" I whisper to Lynette.
"Most things don't work on me," she whispers back. "It's like a defence mechanism."
"That's so cool."
"I know right?" She smiles.
I focused on my eggs and could hear Sam muttering to Calum from across the table. "Better luck next month."
"For real?" Calum mutters back, "bloody hell."
"Yep."
After ten minutes, the dining halls has been joined by more people, it was less then I expected followed by the headmaster and a couple of teachers and a few rangers walk into the dining hall, one of the rangers was that Ace guy, he noticed me looking at him and shoots me a look to which I responded with rolling my eyes.
"Damn, what did you do to piss him off?" Audrey asks.
"Besides the maze? Nothing."
She snorts.
"Attention all, I would like to start off by saying 'good morning', I hope you are all well rested."
"Good morning headmaster," we all respond in union.
"I can see by the excited faces that you are all quite eager to know who will be going on missions but I must remind you that these will be easier missions compared to your older peers. Soon, you'll be able to prove yourself when the harder missions come around but until then, remember these easier missions are just important."
"C'mon!" Ben mutters having his fingers crossed.
"I'll call your team one by one and once you have finished breakfast, you'll meet with me and my colleagues in my office to be briefed on your missions," the headmaster puts his glasses on and begins reading out the names. People cheered when their names were called, Calum went back to eating not showing an interest while Sam pretended to look interested but you can see that he was upset by his eyes.
"Audrey Christo, Lynette Jennings and Liam Matthews."
"Hell yeah!" Liam laughs.
Ben rolls his eyes and flips Liam off.
The headmaster continues before folding the paper. "Good job everyone. Finish your breakfast and meet at my office in twenty-minutes."
And they walked out of the dining hall.
"I'm going to be chilling with the ladies," Liam smirks.
"Gross," Audrey mutters.
"How is that fair," Sam whines. "Liam went on a mission last month."
"I'm just too good brother," Liam's smirk widened.
"Some people just have better luck than others," Lynette smiles.
"Oh shut up Lynette," Ben growls.
"Oh calm down Ben," Lynette laughs. "You'll get another chance."
I noticed that Calum had remained silent.
"You're not bummed out?" I ask pretending I did not hear his and Sam's exchange earlier.
"Doesn't matter," he says. "It just means that Sam and I get to chill at his place over the two weeks."
I wanted to ask more questions but he just got up with his plate and cup and walked away. As handsome as he was, he was definitely a weirdo.
"Well, since Calum so kindly mentioned it, it reminded me," Sam says turning his attention onto me. "I'm guessing you have no where to go for the two week break?"
"Uh... no?" Was this a trick question.
"Wanna come and stay at mine for the two weeks? My parents are well-informed about the situation and are really excited to meet you."
"You know what? Sounds like a lot of fun, count me in Sam!"
Sam grins. "Awesome!"
"When do we leave?" I ask.
"Sunday around lunch time."
"I'll be ready."