Dellings Secrets of The South

Chapter 14

Sakura

I finished tying my hair up when there was a knock on my door.

In an instant all the little noise I was making went dead silence, as I strained to hear. I was not expecting anyone this early in the morning and if my hunch was right about it being a commander, I was not looking forward to it.

But either way, I hurried to finish, plastered my best impassive face and opened.

I almost scowl when I saw Tom standing like a statue in my doorway. He sent a tight smile my way that was neither true nor convincing.

"What do you want?" I checked around him to make sure he was alone and sure enough everyone else in the halls were busy with their morning routine.

"I thought we'll try something different today." He took in a deep breath, released it then took in a closer step to lean down as he spoke low in my ear.

"We're skipping." He whispered, "I planned a day in a clearing in the woods for us and if we leave right now we can make it before anyone steps on the field."

I pushed my head back, wanting a better look at his face to make sure this was really my friend talking.

"You. Tom, who is scared of a commander even looking your way, wants to take the risk of getting caught skipping?" my voice rose to a high pitch at the end with scepticism and he waved for me to quiet down. Taking an even closer step to where I could smell the lemon scent of his soap near his neck.

"It's just one day." He reassured but I could tell it was more to himself than me. "We could use a day of pure fun and relaxation."

But even with hesitance written all over his innocent looking face, and the doubt that he would actually go through with the plan, I nodded.

"Alright."

He waited for me to grab my blade - orders of the general – on my bed then walked pass him towards Dimitri's room.

To think of it a day of relaxation wouldn't be so bad. Actually it wouldn't be bad if every day was like this. All I've known since I've got here was training, meal times and the ugly faces of commanders if I was lucky enough to not witness a grim scene.

I could use a day of relaxation. A day of distraction.

It took just two knocks on the black door at the end of the hallway, for Dimitri to open up.

He was already dressed for training, shoulders back with the perfect posture but none of that hid the dark circles puffy under his eyes.

He looked exhausted. Whatever battle he fought last night, it looked like he lost, and with the memory of the deafening silence at the dinner table, I knew better than to say anything.

So I pretended not to notice, trying my best morning smile and so did Tom. A slight blush fanning his pale skin as he fixed his glasses out of nervousness.

"We're skipping." I told him, earning myself a nudge from Tom. He motioned towards a group of girls standing nearby in deep conversations and I had to stifle an eye roll. He was lucky I woke up on the right side of the bed otherwise it would've been a punch I had to stifle.

I looked away as he leaned closer to Dimitri like he did to me earlier. "If we leave now we'll be able to escape without anyone noticing."

"Is this a trap or something? Did James put you up to this?" I heard Dimitri asked and turned just in time to see the same sceptic look I had earlier on his face. His eyes were slightly squinted as he scanned Tom's expression for any sign of deceit.