Dragon Rider

Chapter 11

"Hey, I, uh, thought over your offer," I quietly tell River when I see him during my workout after classes finished the day before my birthday. I, uh, I would like to spend the time with you and Instructor Weston on my birthday when I am not with my family. As long as this is not a pity offer?"

River quirks his right eyebrow at me; "I am glad you are taking me up on my offer, Larken. No, my offer is not a pity offer. What time are you having dinner with your family?"

"Um, papa said we are having dinner at six with my grandparents, and that he expects me to be home by five when my grandparents arrive," I answer with a furious blush covering my skin.

"We will definitely make sure you are home on time," he assures with a grin and a wink. "When is your last class finished?"

"Um, 2 p.m.," I reply with a small smile, feeling excited and nervous about our time together tomorrow.

"Then we will leave shortly after that," he replies. "Meet me at the transporter pad by two-fifteen?"

Nodding at him; "That works for me, and thanks, River."

"Any time, Larken," he replies with a wink. "See you then."

"Bye Instructor Vincent," I murmur, returning to my Saber practice.

Finishing my practice and workout, I clean up everything that I took out to use before heading to my rest quarters to grab clean clothing and my shower supplies. Heading to the shower room, I take a quick shower, and return to my quarters to take care of my stuff before heading to the cafe to grab something to eat for dinner.

"Hey, you are Larken Sawyer, correct?" some male ask, standing in line in front of me, blocking my access to pay for my food.

"Why do you want to know?" I reply, not actually answering him, but if he can listen between the lines, he will know that I am who he is looking for.

The guy stares at me in irritation; "I have a warning for him, so are you him or not?"

"I am Larken," I shrug, not giving a shit about his "warning." "What is your warning?"

Walking around him in annoyance to pay for my meal, the guy silently follows behind me, and does not speak until I am settled at a table. I stare at him, wanting him to either talk and go away, or to just go away.

"Stay away from Instructor Vincent," he says, making me raise my left eyebrow at him. "You are not good enough for that amazing man. If you attempt to have a relationship with him, I will expose your relationship to the school. This will get you expelled and Instructor Vincent fired."

"You do realize that an Instructor and student are allowed to date as long as the student is eighteen, and not in that Instructor's Instruction, right?" I reply in a flat tone, and neutral expression.

He frowns at me, stomping his right foot at me like a damn child while whining; "He deserves someone like me, and not a worthless piece of shit lie you."

"You can go away now," I flatly reply, picking up my silverware to start eating. "I am not interested in your opinion, or idle threat."

"Ah!" he hollers with another stomp of his right foot, and crosses his arms over his chest in defiance.

Raising my left eyebrow at him again without comment, and deciding to ignore him to eat. He stands there staring at me for a couple of minutes before loudly huffing, and stomping off in anger. Huffing at him and his stupidity with a shake of my head as I continue to eat.

"Larken, are you alright?" Laria worriedly asks as she and Mercy sit down at the table with me.

"Yeah, I am fine. I just had some random guy try to tell me how to run my life," I vaguely answer, not wanting to be fully honest to what just happened.

"That is horrible, I am sorry that happened, Larken," Mercy replies, and Laria verbally agrees with Mercy's comment.

Shrugging my shoulders as I continue eating, I say before taking another bite; "It is what it is, and I am over it already."

They look at me in concern, but thankfully let the conversation drop. Mercy and Laria talk between themselves about whatever, and I silently listen to them, not really paying attention. When River and Instructor Weston enter the cafe, I avoid looking at them because I do not want to be caught by anyone looking at them, and starting any rumor about me and them. I am not worried about any rumors about me, but I worry about River and Instructor Weston's reputations.

Even though I am turning eighteen tomorrow, I now truly wonder if accepting this outing for tomorrow with them was a good idea. I know I will no longer be in River's Instructional when the three of us are out together for my birthday, but I am now concerned for their reputation if the guy tries to lie. Perhaps I should speak with River about what this guy said to me, and the concerns that I am now having for his reputation and Instructor Weston's.

Now, I have to wait for both of them to leave, or for at least River to leave, so I can speak to him about my concerns, and figure out how to approach the topic with him, too. I tune out Mercy and my sister's conversation while I contemplate how to approach this conversation with River, and my concerns, and I want to approach this in a respectful manner with him because I do respect him.

I watch River and his friend sitting together at a table across the room as they eat and chat. River throws his head back in laughter at something his friend has said. I enjoy seeing the happiness rolling off him, and seeing his face crinkle in joy