Secret Society

Chapter 4 - A Proposition

Thankfully, my morning classes ended in a good note without having to bump into Zeke. The best part is meeting Sera every lunch period. 

As I found my way towards the dining hall, my eyes rested on the Welser brothers, on Danny in particular. I know he likes Cassie but it's not like feelings die after knowing the one you like, likes someone else. It dies when they express a change, a quality you like in them disappearing along with your feelings. Something like the Zeke-Katya exchange back in fifth grade. 

Sera grabbed my shoulders to remove me from my trance. When I turned to look at her face, she had this smirk going on. I forced a smile for a second before she interjected, "I know you have the hots for the younger Welser, along with 30% of the female population here. But I don't think your crush can feed your hungry stomach."

Finishing her statement, she grabbed me wrist and pulled me along towards the growing line of getting the food tray. I'm not bragging or anything, but the food here is unlike everywhere else. They don't only cater to our nutrition, but to our tastes as well. It's probably because many rich families send their children in this academy. It's not only for training, but also for protection.

Handing me a food tray, she started, "There are rumors flying lately about you and Zeke having a dispute in Weaponry class. Why's that?"

We moved forwards towards the food  dissemination and a food helper gave me a smile as she placed a plate of veggie burger patties on my tray. After thanking her, I faced Sera, "He threw a spear my way but I managed to dodge it. If I hadn't, it would have hit my side. I then decided to shot an arrow, pinning his school pin on the wall."

"And you got sent to the Headmaster's office with him?"

"As per protocol, yes. Although he claims that he only did that because he knew I could dodge it and that he was only trying to get my attention," I responded.

This made Sera form a wrinkle on her forehead as she furrowed her eyebrows, adding, "And Headmaster Moore believed that?"

We were down to the last food personnel during this interrogation period. Grabbing a banana, I stepped out of the line, waiting for Sera to get hers. 

I saw her grab a pear as she made her way towards me. Working her way to walk beside me, she followed my pace. I continued, "I'm not sure. He sent me out after knowing my side. Maybe Zeke's still there. I don't see him anywhere." With that, I tried searching for him in the crowd. No such luck though.

"I'm pretty sure he's just blabbing his way through. You know how rich his family is," she rolled her eyes at that. Funny how her colorful hair is distracting my train of thought. Too bad she interrupted me yet again, "That reminds me. Aren't your parents good friends with his? Won't this put a strain to their friendship?"

This topic again. I'm not even sure how to respond to this. Thankfully though, we can talk about this while sitting because we found a table near the dining hall's big door. Carefully peeling my chosen fruit, the banana, I said, "They're good friends, yeah. Neither one of us had been home since starting High school though. And we seldom get visits from them. I don't think they like," before finishing my sentence, I wondered if it was better to censor it. After thinking about a good explanation, I finished it with, "being with troubled kids. Both of us had been giving our parents headaches over the years."

I knew she had a lot of questions in her head but she didn't bother to voice them out just yet. My afternoon classes consisted of normal High school subjects, adding ofcourse a special chemistry class for special students. I have Sera in all my afternoon classes, including that because she actually has a knack for chemistry.

Right before lunch ended, Zeke  entered the hallway doors and made eye contact with me. This stopped me from whatever I was doing for a moment. Then as he made his way towards the Welser brothers, I let out a sigh of relief. "Do you think he's out to get you for troubling him?" Sera asked.

"He started the fight with me. I only rebutted."

"Let's hope you're right," she sighed. 

I then tried to dismiss her worries by telling her it's probably just a small thing out of all the shitastrophe he's done over the years. Good thing I was able to convince her though. But just as we left the dining hall, the Welser brothers, Zeke, and April bolted out the door. It was Danny who caught up to me. 

With a serious look on his face, he said, "Katya, we need you." That sure does the trick. I tried playing it cool by giving him a nonchalant look, "There are better people who can help you guys. I'm not really cut out for the job."

Even though I know Sera will probably question me about all this, I tried to pull her away with me, but Zeke got in our way by sending a glaive two steps ahead of us. When we turned to look at him, he spoke, "I don't care what kind of payment you want from this but we need you Katya. You can even pull in your friend with you, I know she's special like us too. I have a proposition for you."

I dismissed the thought of wanting to know what he knows of Sera; this isn't the time for that. Letting go of Sera's arm, I proceeded to walk towards them. I continued walking until I was face-to-face with Zeke. "This better be worth listening to, Zachary Davis."

He then started with a smile that looked sinister to me after letting out the words, "Join my circle. I talked to Headmaster Moore about it and he let me form a group. I'm naming it 'Secret Society.' What do you think?"

Giving out a grim expression, I replied, "You didn't even think about the group name. But send me a detailed e-mail of your plans later and I'll think about it when I go home. Is that enough for you?"

"Deal," and he ended it with a grin that reminded me of the Grinch of Christmas.