Elemental Children

Chapter 7: Paralyzed

After lunch, Brittani directed me to Coach Donovan's class. It was held at the gymnasium of Everglades. The ceiling was paneled with glass, filtering the room with rays of sunshine. I sat at one of the bleachers as Brittani said,

"T-T-F-N!" She said and was about to skip out of the room when I grabbed her wrist.

"You're leaving me here? Haven't you noticed that I have a bad reputation?" I said.

"Haven't you noticed that I'm not your babysitter? I got other things to do."

Brittani had filled me in about how classes work around here. Monster slaying with Miss Sarah goes first, then Miss Tamara's wind manipulation lessons. After them follows Coach Donovan's hand to hand combat training (or PE in regular human translation) and last is Eric's weapon mastery. Trainees that are behind others on a particular subject spends one more hour in school than those who aren't. Which made me wonder if cutting classes was an option.

"Like what, Hide in bushes and stalk on boys?" I said.

"No! I need to do a make up of a make up. It's the second time that I failed on Miss Sarah's test, I'm still confused which monster spits poison..." She trailed off. "Anyways, I need to go. You'll be fine." Brittani patted my shoulder.

"Okay. Be back as soon as you can," I told her. "It's just... I don't know anyone yet."

"Then you might be surprised who's sitting, hmmm... a few bleachers away." She said.

Before I knew what she's even talking about, she was already halfway to the exit.

I scanned the room, my eyes searched the seats for a familiar face. On the other side of the room, Lauren was seated on the bottom level. Her dark hair was braided, she had the same silver laptop perched on her lap. She was sporting a preppy look, black mary-janes, a knee length white skirt and a long sleeved button-down shirt topped with a nylon vest. If she was the person that Brittani meant, then she is making a big deal at pissing me off.

But no. Lauren was not the only person in the room that I'm acquainted with, because Daniel just sat beside me.

"Loner much?" He teased.

"I guess so. Brittani told me she needs to do something else." I said.

"Then how about I'll be your tour buddy while she's out? It wouldn't hurt."

I immediately wanted to say yes, but the rational part of me kept screaming no. This would just confirm the rumors about me and Daniel being a couple.

"I think I'll get by," I didn't want to brush him off but it was for the best.

"You sure?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I think it will be crazy if I kicked a battalion of Haiak asses yet I can't get through one school day without a baby sitter. So, yeah. I'm sure."

"Alright," He shrugged. But he didn't left my side. Another awkward moment for me, I thought. We just sat quietly as we watched kids spar with others. Lauren was still unmoved by what she was doing.

"What are we waiting for?" I asked.

"Coach Donovan. If we're late then he makes us; drop and give me a twenty!" He did a poor attempt to copy Coach Donovan's ear twitching voice.

I laughed at the way he mimicked the buff guy. I inhaled a lungful of air to stop cracking up.

"About earlier-"

"I need to apolo-" He said at the same time I did.

"Ladies first," He nodded.

"I didn't wanted to make you look bad. I'm sorry for what happened back at the lunch room."