B1)A Wanted Love

7) Provoke

Salome-

Salome rode her bike to school with Sebastian beside her. She had to ride fast to catch up to him.

At the front of the school, they met Christian, who looked terrible. It's like he hasn't slept in hours. His hair was sticking in all directions, and he wore wrinkled clothes.

"Sebastian," Christian narrowed his eyes. "You should've told me you were leaving me behind. I hate you for it."

"Sorry, I forgot," Sebastian sighed. "Friends?"

Christian pouted. "Salome, Sebastian is so mean, he abandoned me." He crouches to her level. "I'm sad."

Salome smiled. "It's okay, don't be sad." Salome patted his hair. "Nice puppy."

Christian smiled. "I feel better."

He stood. "Friends."

Sebastian smiled.

After dropping off the bike, Salome went to the cafeteria. Sebastian and Christian follow her. Everyone stares and whispers about Sebastian leaving the Pine clan to be Beta to the Dark clan. Salome ignored them, and she was happy to have Sebastian home. Salome grabs a bowl of yogurt with blueberries, strawberries, and granola chunks. She grabbed orange juice and regular milk.

She sat at the tables by the window; it was a two-seater. Christian had to drag a chair over. It was so loud, but he intentionally did it to shut everyone up.

"Eat this too," Sebastian set two sausages on a napkin. "Balance breakfast."

She smiled. "Thank you."

While she ate, Sebastian and Christian whispered among themselves. She didn't bother snooping. She read a book and ate her breakfast.

Afterward, Sebastian and Christian dropped her off at her classroom. She waved at them and went inside.

Once the bell rang, she was already seated.

Two hours into class, there was a storm outside, and because of it, the principal suspended all outdoor activities. It sounded awful; it was a bit cloudy this morning.

Salome ignored it and worked on her math work. She wiggles in her seat. "Miss Tory?"

"Yes?"

"I have to use the restroom," Salome shouldn't have drank that second juice box.

Miss Tory smiled. "Go ahead."

Salome set her pencils down and walked to the bathroom. The class had a private bathroom that was soundproof. She doesn't want anyone to hear her business. Salome sighed out of relief.

While washing her hands, the lights went off, glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the ceiling, and walls lit up. She heard the kids whisper. Salome emerged from the bathroom and entered the classroom, illuminated by an array of captivating glow-in-the-dark stickers. Even the alphabet and number carpets lit up. Miss Tory had battery-operated mini lanterns, which she placed on the desks.

"The lights will come back on; continue with your work," She locked the doors and closed the windows.

Miss Tory must follow protocol when the lights go off without warning. It's in case of an attack.

Salome sat back down and continued her work. She wasn't afraid of the dark.

By lunchtime, the backup generators came on. Salome sat away from the windows this time for safety reasons.

Sebastian picked a table near a wall.

She twirls the pasta and slurps it, getting sauce on her face. She didn't care. The chicken Alfredo is good.