The Unbreakable Lily Rain

Chapter Four

I might not have liked Cassius, but I knew I would have to put up with him for the next year, at the very least. In the minutes following his attempt at giving me the cold shoulder and trying to make me feel worthless, I lowered my pride just enough to come to the conclusion I would be much better off during plebe year if I had him as an ally.

Or at least not an enemy.

So, naturally, I decided to make peace.

“Well, thank you for showing me to my room, sir.” I stuck my hand out for him to shake. “Hopefully I’ll be seeing you in the mess hall, at some point.” I shot him a fake smile that probably turned out to look like more of a grimace.

 

He frowned down at me.

 

“What’s this, Kellen?”

 

“I- Uh…” I looked down at my hand.

 

What was wrong?

 

“It’s… just a handshake, sir.”

 

Cassius turned from me, ignoring my outstretched hand completely. I let it fall to my side, feeling somewhat dejected.

 

“Not until recognition day, Kellen.” He laughed, walking away, and I could have sworn I heard him mutter.

 

“If you make it that far.”  

Now, I sat on my already-made bed. The mattress was paper thin. I could feel the springs digging into my back as I flopped backwards onto my pillow.

Running his words through my head, I sighed.

My alarm clock sat on the small bedside table next to me. I had pulled it closer when I first entered my room. Bright blue lights flashed on and off, insisting that I pay attention to them.

17:30

I still had two hours until dinner. Then, I would have a half-hour to digest, and we would meet in the quad for our first workout. I heard from one of the other plebes as I was walking in that our workouts were called “sweat parties.” I scrunched my nose in disgust. Even the name sounded gross. I could only imagine what it would be like to be a part of one.

I guess I would find out in a few hours.

I rolled to my side, still staring at the clock.

Where were my roommates?

I yawned, suddenly aware of how tired I was. Travel day had been more taxing than I expected. Soon, I began to have to fight against the weight of my eyelids, and I drifted off to sleep.