The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen: Maya

I spend an hour alone while Caleb organises to become my mentor, as well as staying my guardian. In that time, I grieve for the loss of Andy, whom I still love. Why did I do it? Why did I end it? Because of Caleb. I know it's because of him. Since the first day I met him, I haven't known what to do. He's become my best friend, and I'm so confused. I don't know how I feel about him, and if something happens between me and Caleb, how will I explain it to Andy? At least now he'll have time to get over me. Caleb returns, looking grim.

"Andy's going home to London," he tells me. "He intends to stay there. I'm also now your mentor. Come on, Maya. You have to sleep. Tomorrow you'll be watching an Initiation ceremony, and you do not want to fall asleep in there." Caleb lies down on the bed, and I once again curl up to him. This time, however, he is under the blanket with me. I feel my tears continue to run down my cheeks, and he pulls me to his chest, causing me to soak his shirt with my tears. Eventually I have no more tears to shed, and I realise where I am, and with who. He sits up, and I think he's going to leave me. However, he pulls off his shirt and throws it onto the ground, then lies back down. I try as hard as I can not to put any of my skin on his, because it will hurt him, but he rolls his eyes and pulls me close again.

"Maya, I can deal with physical pain. Emotional pain, however, is impossible to cope with. So, please don't get mad at me ever again." I nod, half asleep, and wait until the darkness of a dreamless sleep takes me away.

When I wake in the morning, my uniform is layed out for me to wear, and once again Caleb is up and ready to go. He watches me as I eat breakfast, but gives me privacy when I get dressed. I notice that the hem on my skirt has been taken up so that it sits halfway up my thigh, and I shake my head.

"I like it there," Caleb says from his room. "You look... nice." I leave my tie loose and undo my top two buttons, because it looks better. Caleb comes out and looks me up and down twice.

"Nice... alterations. Maya, don't wear the jumper. Just wear the blazer, okay?" he says.

"Why?" I ask him.

"Because you look so hot like that," he says, turning away towards the door. I hurry to catch up with him, and I follow him. He leads me down the hall to a set of stairs, and we descend into a stone hallway. We walk towards a large set of wooden doors, and then we're in a small crowd. There are ten people younger than me, and ten people in their twenties. I guess that the younger ones are students and the older ones are guardians.

"Yes Maya," Caleb says. "The guardians are the escorts until you are appointed a mentor. Which, for you, means nothing will change. Maya, it's extremely crucial that we do not touch in public. At all." I sigh.

"Fine. I was so looking forward to making everyone think we're dating." I give him a look, and once again he laughs beautifully, making me gaze above me in wonder.

"Hey," a voice says, making me jump. I turn and find a boy of sixteen checking me out. "I'm Joshua. Obviously, you're Maya, and I know Caleb, your guardian." He says Caleb's name as though he thinks I don't know it. Suddenly I'm liking the idea of making people think I'm dating Caleb. I mean, at least he's hot. He laughs again behind me, and I marvel at the sound.

"Did you know we're going to watch a ceremony today?" Joshua asks me.

"Do I look like a total idiot?" I reply, turning to Caleb. "Cal, isn't my guardian supposed to protect me?" I hear Joshua laugh nervously and back away. Caleb shakes his head at me, then looks up and gives Joshua a warning look. I know that Caleb isn't really worried, but I also know that if Joshua lays one finger on me, he'll pay for it. For once I'm glad that Cal is so protective of me. You're awesome Cal, I think. He looks down and smiles brightly at me. I stumble and nearly fall, except he catches me.