The cafeteria buzzed with excitement, students gathered in groups, sharing laughter and stories, while the smell of various dishes filled the air. Saint sat at her usual table, surrounded by her teammates, but her mind was elsewhere, still reeling from her earlier encounter with Noir in the garden.
“Have you seen him?” Mary whispered, glancing over her shoulder as she nodded towards a table across the room. Saint followed her gaze, spotting Noir seated with his friends—Sebastian, Alaric, Damon, Lucien, and Vincent.
“Who?” Saint feigned indifference, though her heart raced at the sight of him.
“The god in black. He’s like a walking masterpiece,” Mary said, rolling her eyes. “I mean, just look at him! And to think he’s got a mysterious air about him. It’s ridiculous.”
Natasha scoffed lightly, nudging Mary with her elbow. “You’re just jealous, Mary. Besides, have you noticed how cold he is? It’s like he’s carved from ice.”
As the discussion continued, Yeddah leaned in, her voice low but excited. “Speaking of Noir, his female friends are here today! They’re both absolutely stunning.”
“Really? Who?” Saint asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Luna Sinclair and Celeste Draven,” Yeddah replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Luna has this mesmerizing dark hair that falls in waves and piercing green eyes, while Celeste is striking with her pale complexion and long, silky blonde hair.”
“Yeah, and I heard they both have a thing for fashion,” Johanna added, grinning. “They’re basically royalty here.”
Before Saint could respond, a sudden commotion at Noir’s table caught her attention. A girl had approached him, her cheeks flushed and her hands nervously twisting a strand of her hair. Saint felt a knot form in her stomach as she watched.
“Um, Noir,” the girl stammered, her voice wavering slightly. “I just wanted to say that I really, really like you. Like, a lot.”
Noir looked up, his expression unreadable as he met her gaze. For a heartbeat, the cafeteria fell silent, every eye drawn to the scene unfolding before them. The girl’s friends held their breath, anticipation hanging in the air like a tightrope ready to snap.
“Thanks,” Noir replied coolly, his tone devoid of warmth. He didn’t elaborate, just turned his gaze back to his friends, leaving the girl standing there, embarrassment flooding her cheeks.
A few snickers erupted from nearby tables, and the girl’s shoulders slumped as she hurried away, humiliated. Saint felt a pang of sympathy for her. She knew what it was like to lay your feelings bare, only to be met with indifference.
“Awkward,” Yeddah commented, shaking her head. “Poor thing. You’d think he could at least give her a better response.”
“Honestly, he’s such an ice king,” Natasha chimed in, crossing her arms. “You’d think a guy like that would have more tact.”
“Maybe he’s just not interested in girls,” Johanna suggested with a teasing grin. “What if he has a secret boyfriend?”
Saint chuckled, but her heart was still heavy for the girl who had just confessed. She turned back to her food, trying to focus on the lively chatter around her, but the image of Noir’s cool demeanor lingered in her mind.
Just then, Mary leaned in closer. “You know, Saint, if you ever want to get to know one of his friends, I’ve heard Damon is super nice. He’s got this playful charm that’s hard to resist.”
Saint shrugged, feeling a mix of confusion and irritation. “I don’t know. I’m not looking for anything right now.”
But Natasha leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Who knows, maybe Noir just hasn’t met the right girl yet.” She paused, glancing back at Noir’s table. “Or maybe he just prefers the mystery of it all.”
At that moment, Yeddah couldn’t contain herself. “I think I like Sebastian!” she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. “He’s so charming, and I’ve heard he’s super smart too.”
“Good luck getting his attention,” Mary teased, but there was a spark of sincerity in her voice. “He’s definitely got a lot of girls swooning over him.”
As laughter erupted around the table, Saint found herself drifting in and out of the conversation, her gaze wandering back to Noir and his friends. They appeared unfazed by the commotion, their presence exuding an air of mystery that made them all the more intriguing.
“Hey, Saint,” Yeddah said, snapping her fingers to get her attention. “Focus! We need to keep our eyes on the prize. We have a game coming up, remember?”
Saint nodded, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Noir. “Right. Volleyball first, everything else later,” she reassured herself, though her heart raced at the prospect of facing him again.
As lunch wound down and the bell rang, signaling the end of the break, Saint stood up with her friends, the heaviness of the cafeteria’s atmosphere lifting slightly.
“Let’s head to practice! We need to show them what we’re made of!” Yeddah declared, her competitive spirit shining through.
Saint smiled, pushing aside her distractions. The game ahead promised to be more than just a challenge; it was an opportunity for her to prove herself, to carve her place in this new world.
But deep down, the allure of the shadows and the secrets they held lingered, waiting for the right moment to pull her back in.
YOU ARE READING
When Shadow Feeds
VampirosWhen Shadow Feeds Transferred to a prestigious school renowned for its competitive volleyball program, she thought she was ready for a fresh start, focusing only on the game. But this school hides dark secrets, and the mysteries lurking in its shado...
