Threats- A House of Night story

Chapter Four

It turned out Cross was in my next three classes as well. Isn’t that just thrilling. My nerves were slowly becoming a jumbled mess as he spoke to me of the daily night life here at the House. All I could do was nod along with a couple of ‘mhmms’ and ‘ahas’, afraid of saying anything that could embarrass me. He was a really nice guy though, that’s saying a lot since most of the hot guys I knew were jerks.

“And then, my friend Mike grabbed the bat and…hey, you okay?” Cross’s expression changed from light to concern as he looked at my face and in return, I gave him a quick smile.

“I’m fine, just looking around. Don’t worry I was listening to your story believe it or not.” It was lunch time so we were in the cafeteria. Oh no, excuse me, the ‘mess hall’. It was a very lovely place to look at. All crystalline with whites and blues, it looked like it would belong to a winter palace. One half led to the small courtyard that connected to the double doors at that end and on my end were comfortable, stylish blue tables and chairs where I happily ate my lunch. It was a little weird to eat lunch at this hour though but I adapt quickly.

Cross smiled in relief and was about to continue until Purlue bounded up to us and slid in the seat beside me with her spaghetti. She hugged me quickly with a breathless hi and began to eat. It didn’t look like she noticed Cross though until he shifted in his seat. She looked up and her eyes widened slightly, sitting up straight.

“Okay, in class, it’s cool to talk to the new kid yeah, no biggie. But here? Aren’t you supposed to be chilling with your buddies ova there?” she pointed her fork to a group of laughing guys at the other side of the mess hall,” Let’s not get started on your girlfriend pal.”

Girlfriend? That was a slap in the face for me and why wasn’t Purlue being the cute, talkative one? Why was she being mean, talkative Purlue? And as for Cross, his mood seemed to drop slowly,”She’s not my girlfriend. We’ve never gone out so I don’t see why she-“His words were cut off when two people slid into seats beside Purlue. One was a short haired brunette with a curvy body while the other was also a brunette, only he was male and tall. They seemed oblivious to the fight that was about to occur, or maybe it wasn’t going to. Purlue looked relieved and she gave them bright smiles, ignoring Cross,”About time you guys! Oh this is Frost the new girl! I just had to be her friend first before anyone brainwashed her. Frost, this is Erica and her twin brother Thomas. He goes by Tom though. Have you guys heard of the new store opening at-“

“Girl, hold your horses! You didn’t even give us a chance to say hi. Ahem. Like Purple here said, I’m Erica, the coolest person you shall ever meet.” The curvy brunette gave me a sweet smile and a nod, making me smile in return. She seemed nice, very confident but nice.

The brother, Thomas, gave me a similar look with the same air of confidence,”She wishes. We all know who the coolest is.”

“Me!” concluded Purlue, throwing her hands up in the air and followed it with a dance. Thomas gave her an are-you-serious look and put his face in his hands. Meanwhile, Cross was looking at me with an unreadable expression. I stared back at him, chewing on my bottom lip unconsciously. He said this girl and he never went out so what’s the big deal? Oh gawd, one of those annoying you’re mine girls? Nope, don’t want to deal with that. I sadly began to banish thoughts and fantasies of me in his arms.

I sighed and that’s when I began to come back to Earth, realizing that Purlue and the others were trying to get my attention. But Cross was no longer sitting at the table. Jeesh, was I that out of it? I mentally rolled my eyes but smiled to my new friends, or well, about to be new friends. “What’s up?”

Erica gave me a pitiful smile. Was it really that uncommon to be so spaced out? “Oh honey, we were wondering if you wanted to come with us shopping this weekend. I know you just got here and all but it’d be fun.”