Phantom Thunder

Chapter 6

By the time lunch came, I was starving. The old church bell rang twelve times to signal noon, but by the fifth ring everyone had returned their things to the woven baskets and the gym was empty. I unwrapped my wrists, and then followed the group to the banquet hall. Some went up to the dorms, but most went straight to lunch.

I plopped down beside Lilian at the end of the table with my plate piled high with food. She looked over at me. "You smell great" she teased.

I managed to smile. "Shut up."

"You could come sit over here" Seth said to Lilian. "Next to Blake." His eyes twinkled. Lilian shot him a murderous look, and I had no doubt that if there wasn't a table between them, she'd definitely punch him, maybe with a fork.

They were saved from an awkward moment by two girls that came over and asked if they could sit with us. "Sure" Lilian said.

"It'll cost ya" Seth said. One of the girls threw a grape at him.

"Hey Ghost" one of the girls said. She leaned forwards so she could see me passed Lilian. "I heard you got the empty palm exercise first try."

"Yeah" I said. I felt slightly uncomfortable with the attention. I was already the new girl. I preferred to keep my head low, instead of having the entire school whispering about me. At least it was for a good reason.

"Nice!" She smiled.

"Thanks."

The two girls began their own conversation.

"You got it first try?" Seth ask.
I nodded.

"Weren't you paying attention when like everyone was talking about it?" Lilian asked.

"No" Spark grumbled. "He was trying to steel my stuff."

"Yeah and you punched me in the face."

"It was an accident!" Spark protested.

"That doesn't change that you punched me" Seth said. "I'm gonna have a black eye tomorrow."

"I'll lend you some make up" Lilian teased.

"I think he has his own stash under the bed" Blake joked.

"My manliness is insulted." Seth looked offended.

Lilian choked on her sandwich, and her shoulders began to shake with laughter. Even Spark looked amused. I bit my lip to stop from laughing out loud.

-

"Everyone quiet!"

I looked up and saw the man who had yelled. He was tall and muscular, with eyes like a hawk. The way he glared around the room reminded me of a commander surveying his troops.

"Don't worry" Spark whispered, "he's chill."

We'd returned to the gym after lunch break. Spark sat next to me on the floor, while Lilian braided her hair and Seth wandered around flirting with girls. The room had been bubbly and full of life seconds before, but the man's presence did just as much as his voice to hold the silence.

"Well be fighting material today. You all know where your weapons are. Start which the basic defend, disarm, disable. I'll take the new chick. Talaya will make sure you all don't kill each other while I'm gone. I'll call it at an hour and a half to go and we'll do something special."

Spark got up and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet. "Well new chick" he grinned. "Have fun."

I punched him in the shoulder as I passed.