Blue Skies Academy

Chapter 5

I'm once again with April and Sarah. We're walking on some gravel path towards the meeting point for our sportive activities. This school is far from done displaying its infinite amounts of riches and facilities. The students here have access to Olympic pools, a riding academy, tennis fields, golf courses, and even a private mountain where they can ski or climb. And that's just a few of the facilities that concern the physical activity of the students. We're required to pick up at least two activities to practice every week, alternating them throughout the month. Mrs. Sillion, the head of the sportive association, handed me a piece of paper listing all of my options. Boy, were there options. I chose to pick up horse riding and some kind of battle course that April suggested, but whose explanation I didn't fully understand. No matter since Dominic was supposed to be in both, and my schedule depended on him.

The girls and I head to the stables for a private class that I must take so the instructor can assess my level. From what I've heard, the group isn't big, but we're about ten people in total, nonetheless. I used to practice riding a lot while I was young, but things got more complicated with school, so I just stuck to one riding camp per summer. I have no idea who Dominic is, but I love him for having this as his course. As soon as I set foot in the barn, I'm whisked away by the instructor. Grooming, tacking, cleaning, I had to do all from A to Z. During the lesson, time flew by, and before I knew it, I was back on foot, horse in pasture.

"Your level isn't too far off from that of the other students, Ms. De Verre." The coach says.

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson-"

"But you're definitely out of practice, and it shows."

I shut my mouth as Mr. Anderson readjusts his glasses. Rude much? He leaves mumbling about how much work there's still left to do and about some issues with the feed delivery. I didn't bother asking and just joined Sarah and April, who so politely waited for me all throughout the lesson.

"You were great!" April says.

"So? How do you like it?" Sarah adds.

"It was amazing. I missed being around horses." I smile back at them. I'm happy that they're here with me.

"Let me show you where we'll train combat!" April exclaims, all giddy and grabbing my hand.

Sarah shakes her head but doesn't manage to hide her smile and follows along. We arrive at a wooden platform in the middle of a green field. All around are archery stands, punching bags, targets, and whatnot. The platform has padding, so I suppose that's where combat happens. Next to it is an imposing collection of all sorts of weapons: bows and arrows, swords, even axes, and crossbows. April can't stop herself from telling us all about the fights she had, how she won, how she lost, how she almost got shot by a reckless kid in the firearm class... As we get closer, though, we see two silhouettes already there: a red-haired boy and a blonde one. A blonde one. Just my luck. I don't have the chance to turn around.

"Mrs. De Verre! What a pleasure to see you here today!"

I sigh. "I thought a man in such a high position of the food chain, so well-off, so rich would never do so much as look my way!"

"Well, you did tarnish my clothes with your poverty yesterday when you collided with me, might I remind you. So, I'm looking for some kind of compensation. Like making fun of you!" He smirks, I frown. "Don't be so sensitive, sweet pea. I'd think that since you're from... the country side, you'd be tougher. And hey, you already look like a clown, might as well save yourself the trouble and do your job: be a laughingstock!" He smirks.

This little-

"Cut it out, Dominic." Interrupts April.

I give a grateful look before the color drains from my face and my stomach drops. Dominic. No way. No, no way. There's no way that I'm that unlucky. I look back at the blond.

"My family owns this school!"

Of course. How could I miss it? The lack of sleep is more serious than I thought. De LaRoche family owns the school. This little- This prick is Dominic, M. De LaRoche's son, the one I vowed to protect, the one I'm putting my life on the line for. No wonder someone wants him dead with the way he's acting.

"Come on, April, she's a grown lady. I think that she can fight her own battles."

"And I don't doubt that, b-!"

I lightly touch April's arm while staring into Dominic's eyes. "I'd sit here and chat, but I think I'd rather spend my time on something that doesn't make me want to slam my head against a wall."

"That was a pathetic attempt at insulting me." He smirks.

"I don't think I can insult you more than Mother Nature already did. Let's go, guys."

As I start walking away, Sarah joins me while April stays a few seconds more to glare at the two boys. I can't help but look over my shoulder. Dominic winks at me. Can this guy take anything seriously? But then my eyes travel to the redhead next to him. He looks oddly familiar. What a weirdo, to just stand there and watch while his friend makes fun of others. I sigh and look back at where I'm going. Fine, whatever. I'll protect that child. But that doesn't mean that I have to stand his crap. I shake my head and keep walking.

***

As nighttime rolls around, I find myself yet again unable to sleep. I sigh. I thought that the whole adrenaline of being in a new place would drive these midnight bursts of energy away and replace them with the tiredness of the day. I guess not.

Before I know it, I'm already moving towards the gardens. As I open the glass doors leading to the gardens, I feel the cool breeze on my skin. This time around, I did bring a jacket. I sit down on the concrete border of the patio. The moonlight is a tender touch of comfort. I ponder on the events that happened these past few days that I've been here. April and Sarah are truly doing their best at trying to accommodate me, and they've been of so much help. Fabiana hasn't stayed with us much. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen her ever since she introduced herself. And I haven't heard anything from De LaRoche.

Speaking of, I still can't believe that his son is such a snobbish child. If I thought that this whole thing was going to be exciting and adventurous, I feel more like a babysitter more than anything right now. But at least now I'm actually helping my parents with something instead of solely being an academic failure and a disappointment. A branch cracks. I look in the darkness in front of me.

"We meet again."

I stand up fast and turn around. My eyes meet Dominic's.
"You can't be serious..." I mutter.

"What was that?"

"Are you wildly obsessed with me, or is following people around your niche hobby?"

He laughs. That hearty laugh again. "Don't flatter yourself, love! I'm not here for you."

He's yet again dressed in anything but pajamas. "Do you ever sleep?" I ask, eyeing his outfit.

"I do. Why, are you concerned about my health?"

I roll my eyes. "I barely know you, my guy. And more than anything, I'd wish not to see you every time I want to have some alone time. And your face is nightmare inducing, so you're tampering with my sleep schedule."

"Aw, you're so smitten with me you even dream of me! That's flattering. But no matter what immense love you feel for me, I'm sorry, but I can't say that the feeling is mutual." He makes this aggravating sad face.

"Can you not give yourself so much importance? It's maddening." I look away from him and at the garden.
I hear him snort, then the sound of clothes rustling as he steps closer to me. "Look. This is a once in a lifetime chance to talk to me in real time without having to fight my other fan girls. I say you make the best out of it instead of trying so hard to be that one different main character girl."
I shoot him a look, and he smirks. "I'll see you around." He says.

I stare after him as he walks away. These interactions are so confusing. He makes fun of me, humiliates me, yet somehow... I'm going insane. And what's driving me even more insane is this question: What on earth is he doing all dressed up in the middle of the night in the gardens?! I stand up. One thing I held back from mentioning was that I did actually see a figure before he spoke. That was what made the cracking noise: a dark, hooded silhouette running away. A shiver runs through me as I hurry back inside. I don't know what exactly is going on, but I may just have had a first taste of one of the many assailants targeting Dominic. And something about it is very, very odd...