silence

twenty eight

Athena

He grabs my left hand in the air and pulls it down to my side firmly. His hands find my back and he pushes me in front of him, walking like that all the way to the locker rooms again.

"Stop trying to show off." He grits at me. A firm hold is kept on my arm and he glares down at me angrily.

"I didn't fucking do anything. You blow everything out of proportion Phoenix. It's not fair."

He clenches his jaw. "Watch your mouth Reign. I'm trying to protect you. What's not fair, is that you're making it hard. We let you train, why are you still acting out?!"

I mentally roll my eyes. "I'm not acting out. I'm following teachers orders. What's so wrong here?! Is it about the locker room guys?"

His eyes widen before he quickly masks his shock. He stares back at me for a moment before answering.

"Who told you about that?"

"I have my sources. It doesn't matter. I asked you a question Phoenix. Answer it."

"I'm this close to calling Atticus. Watch your fucking tone with me Reign," he holds up two fingers very close together. "The guys in the locker room were assholes. They don't get to say that shit about my little sister."

I stare up at him kinda understandingly. They were being assholes. He's just standing up for me. But it didn't need to go as far as violence.

"Whatever. Can I leave now?"

"I'm driving you home today, Reign. Where could you possibly need to go right now?" He asks sternly.

"Fine. Can we just go to the car then?"

"Change."

I furrow my eyebrows. "No." I start walking in the direction of the parking lot. "If you don't come with me I'll flash the football team tomorrow."

He catches sup to me in long, fast strides after my threat. "You do that and I'll tell the boys. You wouldn't be let out of the house ever again."

"You guys weren't that bad with the music video."

We reach Phoenix's car in the parking lot. "Your friend talked us out of the consequences we originally had. You got lucky. I never wanna see you that close to a guy ever again. Understand?"

I roll my eyes.

"Athena."

"Yes Phoenix," I sigh. "Where's Khai?"

"Hitching a ride with one of his friends. It's just us," he answers and we hop in the car.

•••

I spent the afternoon in my room. Currently, I'm looking for a dress for the gala that Khai briefly mentioned a while ago. I still haven't had any luck.
It's pitch black outside by now, I skipped dinner with my brothers, which they weren't too happy about. I said I was too tired so they let me off.

My wandering thoughts are quickly interrupted by a noise coming from outside.

"Ruff! Ruff!"