Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 48 - If You Must

For my first day back I'd chosen skinny jeans, a fitted T, and a short cropped jacket. I had Lissa's necklace on with my shield, my nazar and my promise ring attached. Not that you could see them – in fact, all that could be seen was the gold chain disappearing into my cleavage. Oh well – I could live with that, although Dimitri might not enjoy the additional attention it drew to that area of my physique! I had been going to wear something a bit more discreet, but in the end, it was Mom who'd helped me choose my outfit.

I was able to conceal one of my stakes in my jacket, but the primary was out for all to see, strapped just above my right knee in a standard leg holster. I'd worn knee holsters briefly in training before, but Dimitri had carefully fitted this one for me this morning, explaining it would probably be irritating me by the end of the day. He assured me that over time I'd become desensitized to it - however both he and Mom felt I should be obviously and conspicuously armed.

As we were heading across from the dorms to the teaching area, Mom was honestly doing a shit job as near Guardian. She spent the whole time flicking through a Guardian policy and procedures manual, looking for a particular passage. Finding what she was after she chortled, committing the chapter, section and passage to memory before adding the book to the pile in the backpack I was carrying.

We were halfway between the two areas, and there was no-one in sight when Dimitri said quietly "I'll be with you all day milaya. I might not be able to show you that I care, but I'll be right there, ok?" Smiling, I just nodded. Even hearing that reassured me.

We walked into Stan's classroom as the bell rang. Neither early or late. From the way he swung around, I could tell he was expecting me. In fact a rude comment was on his lips and about to escape his mouth when I saw him take in first my mother and then Dimitri. He looked shocked. Incredulous, even. Seeing first them, and then noting their different uniforms, you could literally see realization dawn. While my teachers had of course been informed I'd be returning today with a guard, Kirova had faithfully promised not to disclose who my Guardians were. And if Stan's face was any indication, she'd proven she wasn't a liar.

Looking at him, I approached with a sweet smile "Hi Guardian Alto – I've not seen you since the reserve, but it's lovely to be back in your class" I said, walking over to my usual seat beside Eddie. Mom nodded to Stan, taking the near guard position to my left, standing to attention against the wall. I didn't dare turn to see where Dimitri was, but from my training, I knew he'd be to my rear right-hand side, probably beside the door.

Stan looked furious. I was studiously avoiding looking at him, instead focusing on getting my text and my notepad out of the backpack sitting on the floor beside me. My damned holster was already itching, so I slipped my hand down to discreetly rub that area when I saw Stan's eyes light on my stake with glee.

"Hathaway!" he shouted joyously. "Step forward." Of course there was immediate confusion when both my mother and I stood to attention.

Realizing his mistake when he took in my mother's face and slightly raised eyebrow he corrected himself. "Novice Hathaway."

"While I understand you've had another unexplained absence from school and have today graced us with your presence, what I can't comprehend is how, as a Novice, you dare to attend a class staffed by a GUARDIAN armed without authorization?" Looking at my right knee in delight, I could see my fellow students looking at my stake with surprise.

Mentally running through the speech Mom and I had prepared as we'd crossed campus, I quickly said "I'm so sorry Guardian Alto! I should have let you know - I was recently gifted stakes."

Nodding to him as though that explained everything, I quickly sat down as a surprised murmur spread throughout the class.

"Novice Hathaway," he roared, "stand to attention!"