The Silent Assassins

Chapter 2

VALERIA'S P.O.V:

I climbed out of bed, heading immediately in the direction of the bathroom. After blearily brushing my teeth and washing my face, I headed back to my bed area and picked up my phone.

"CHIZ!" I shouted. "IMMA BE LATE!"

"Language!" responded Gloria, one of the other orphan girls, from the bed area next to me.

"Love you too!" I responded sarcastically, as she stuck her tongue out at me.

Once I realized that, I rushed to throw some clothes on, then ran out the door, grabbing a breakfast bar on the way out. Well, I almost made it out, but the headmistress, Mrs. Wellby, called out to me: "You better not be late just because you decided to come home late!" I winced, thinking to Athena That lady hears EVERYTHING! And just when I thought we had gotten away with it too! Athena responded with: Did you REALLY think you could get away with it even after the, what was it, 20th, 25th time you got caught? I was about to respond, but then I thought over her response. Alright, I relented fair enough.

I darted outside, then ran at top speed to the cafe down the street, skidding to a stop outside the front entrance. I rushed in, grabbing an apron from where they were hanging from the rack, and then darted around the counter, glancing at the clock. 8'00 a.m. I breathed a sigh of relief. Right on time.

"Cutting it a little fine, are we?" I whipped around, only relaxing when I saw that it was only my best friend, Alya.

"Jeez, you scared me!" I exclaimed, giving her a playful shove.

"Hey, you scared all of us yesterday, remember?" she responded, raising her eyebrows at me. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, knowing that she was going to want answers for my behavior yesterday. Alya tapped her foot impatiently, clearly waiting for an explanation. I sighed.

"Look, I have no excuse for my actions." I said, holding my hands up in the air in surrender. "But, well, you know my history with...him, so you know why I would snap." I pointed out.

Her eyes darkened, dark red flecks appearing inside of them, clearly thinking about him, and what he had done. I sighed once more, before dropping the conversation and turning around to help the first customer that had arrived for his morning coffee. The cafe that Alya and I worked at was quite popular, and as the morning rush was just beginning, I needed to focus on the coffee, nothing else.

3 HOURS LATER:

VALERIA'S P.O.V:

The bell rang, but I didn't look up from the chai latte that I was making, that was, until Alya mind-linked me. Guess who decided to start the lunch rush. I looked up, and immediately had to suppress a growl at the person who had just walked in. His nasally voice snapped an order at Alya, nearly spitting in her face, making it even harder to contain that growl.

Alya turned to me to tell me the order, and I could see her eyes were slowly turning red, as she tried to contain her annoyance at the idiot standing in front of her. Mr.Idiot followed her gaze, upon spotting me, he broke in to an evil smile. "Well! What a surprise, the beast has actually found a job!" he exclaimed, feigning surprise. "Wow, whoever hired you really must be an absolute idiot!" My head snapped towards him at that comment. Mrs. Weatherby was a sweet old woman, the kindest in the town, and like a grandmother to me. She was the owner of this cafe, and because she was so freakin' kind, it made Alya and I fiercely protective over her.

"Mrs. Weatherby is the sweetest woman I know. Don't say anything about her or I'm warning you, I will retaliate, Brendon West." I retorted through gritted teeth.

"Oh what? Going to beat me up in an ally?" Brendon spat at me "Please. If you're so confident, beat me up right here! Maybe your violence is the reason your parents left you in the dust!" Brendon spat out. The cafe went silent,every eye focused on me. Alya looked ready to snap, her fists clenched and her eyes almost completely a dark red. I knew she was fighting with her wolf, because she knew I liked to fight my own battles, and I only asked for help when I absolutely needed it.

I opened my mouth to respond.

Only I didn't have to.

Because Mrs. Weatherby beat me to it.

"OH NO YOU DID NOT!" she screamed, charging in with her purse swinging. "VALERIA IS THE SWEETEST GIRL I KNOW! AND IT'S HER PARENTS LOSS FOR LEAVING HER! SHE DID NOTHING! YOU HEAR ME?! N.O.T.H.I.N.G!" She whacked Brendon everywhere she could reach as she said her piece.

I stood there in shock, not sure if I should step in or not. For that matter, not sure if I wanted to step in. Nah, she's got it. Athena and I thought together. For now anyway, I think I'll just enjoy the show.