Bleed Black: An Academy Novel

Chapter eight

Katie trudged behind the group of friends to embarrassed to speak. Her green eyes kept wandering to the soon to be scar on Sam's leg. It stretched from her thigh to her knee and had obviously caused her to lose blood. Though she walked and acted as if it were nothing more than a small paper cut. Katie's blonde tangled hair swept up as the wind picked up causing fallen leaves to rise and fly. The cold air sent small shivers down Katie's spine. The others did not seem to mind the cool air around them.

"So I'm guessing you're excited for visitors' day?" Nicks voice pitched up as he turned to look at Katie, seeming to just remember her being there.

"What's that?" Katie asked watching her feet as she walked.

"It's when the families of the members here come and visit." Julian said with a tone in his voice to where he should have just added "duh" to the end.

"Julian, please try and be nice. She isn't one of us yet." Lilith said to Julian elbowing him in the side playfully.

"She never will be." Julian mumbled under his breath. Katie felt a sharp pain stab through her like a knife. Not belonging had always been a fear she carried with her since she started middle school. Lowering her head Katie nodded her head and decided it would be better if she did not speak.

"I'm excited for vi-visitors day." Blake said with a small smile in Katie's direction, as if he was trying to tell her it was okay.

"Your parents are awesome of course you are." Sam said with a slight angered tone coming out of her thick accent.

"Sam-" Blake started to say before Sam stopped him.

"Don't." She snapped and glared at him. Katie figured visitors day was not a day Sam enjoyed at all. After what seemed as hours of silent walking the group reached the dining hall for lunch. The friends all piled into the line to get food in and started talking, leaving Katie behind.

"Katie, may I talk to you?" A voice said making Katie jump slightly. Turning around Katie saw Athena standing smiling at her.

"Of course." Katie said following Athena to the outside of the dining hall.

"How was your first day of training?" Athena asked facing Katie. Her heels clicking on the wood floor.

"It was okay I guess, hard but okay. I didn't do very well though." Katie said looking down at her feet.

"No one does great o their first try, but they always get better." Athena said comforting Katie.

"Ma'am I don't think I'm cut out for this, I'm not brave." Katie said her voice shaking from embarrassment. Athena placed her hand on Katie slouched shoulder and squeezed softly.

"Katie no one thinks they have the power to do this, but they always can. As can you." Athena said sounding almost like a bad fortune cookie.

"I guess but what if I fail?" Katie asked looked at Athena's small smiling lips.

"No more questions like that okay. You will not fail. Now go eat." She said sharply as she turned and walked off. Katie's eyes widened and she walked back into the dining hall. The line was now practically nonexistent so Katie took two minutes to get her salad, cheeseburgers, and diet soda, and shuffle her way to the table. Though she knew she was not wanted she sat down and stared at her food and listened to her peers talking.

"Katie? Wanna go get tattoos with us?" Lilith asked pointing a French fry at her.

"Oh um sure, I don't have money though." Katie said, realizing she had none of her money.