Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 22: So Hot (13 years, 4 months)

Raven zipped up his last suitcase and took a deep breath. It was really happening. He was leaving home. He'd be all alone. His chest tightened at the thought. No, he was going. Midfield was a top school, and the sub only campus was just a perk. Smiling to himself, he felt his excitement grow. He wouldn't be the only one for once. Raven wouldn't be the one left to the side because he wasn't strong or fast enough to keep up.

Rising to his feet, he walked over to the doorway and pulled back the curtain. "I'm done packing."

His mother forced a smile, though she looked close to tears. She waved him over.

Raven went and sat beside her.

"How about we stay up late? We can watch a movie. Will you let me play with your hair?" She tucked a section behind his ear. "Just like old times."

"Mom," he hugged her and kissed her cheek. "I'm going to miss you too. You can come visit all you want, and we can watch movies and you can play with my hair."

She wiped her face. "Always?"

He nodded.

Storm laid her head against his. "I didn't think it was going to be this hard." Letting out a sharp breath, she stood. "I'll go get my things. Get the laptop. It's our last night as a family, so we're going to make it last."

Grabbing the laptop and an old crate, Raven set up what they need for their movie night. He ran the extension card over and plug everything in. His father and brother entered the room as he was finishing up.

Storm came out of her bedroom with her bag of hair supplies.

"Girls' night," teased Daven, sticking his tongue out.

"Dad," whined Raven.

"Be nice." Darius ruffled his oldest son's fur. "It's his last night here."

Daven flopped down in the furs. "Running off to live with the domestic," he muttered.

Raven glared at him. "Say whatever you want, I liked it there."

His twin chuckled. "Weirdo." Rolling over, he looked around. "Where's Jagger?"

"He ran off with Saigon and Archer earlier." Storm piled up some pillows and sat on top of them. She patted the spot for Raven to sit between her legs.

The sub wrapped a blanket around his waist before shifting.

"Why is being a dominant so much work?" breathed Daven.

Storm ran a brush through her son's long white blond hair. "You were the one wanting the rank so bad. This is part of it."

He groaned. "Hey, Rav, let's switch ranks for a week."

Raven rolled his eyes.

"Why?" said Storm. "Do you want to go to Midfield so badly? They do have a campus for you as well."

"No way in hell," he said under his breath.

Storm tossed a small pillow at him and pointed. "Watch your language."

"Yes, ma'am." He raised a brow at his little brother. "Are you sure you want to go?"

Raven took a deep breath. "Yes." He smiled at his parents. "I'm ready."

***

The sub wrung his hands together. He peeked out the window and saw the front gates of Midfield Academy. This was it. He swallowed hard. The gates parted, and the car moved forward. The dominant campus had more people outside than last time. Raven watched the boys pass by all in the same uniform of light brown pants, a white button-up shirt, and a dark blue blazer. They stopped again outside the sub-campus gates. It looked even more like a prison, then again he wouldn't be allowed to leave.