Phoenix

Chapter 5

Night owls

Phoenix's POV
My father's words seemed to have left an impact on Essence. She lowered her head, concealing a smile, whilst her raven hair like curtains, shadowed over her face. Once she looked back up, the tiny dimples which dug into her flushed cheeks were now gone, as she took in the stares of the rest of the students, still studying her.

_ "Alright everyone, we don't have all, unless you wanna spend the rest of your afternoon here, start huddling up."
I clap my hands, a new habit from giving combat classes. She simply turns her back to them, bitting the inside of her cheek.

_ "Thanks" She whispered, lightly elbowing me. I nod at her in reply.

_ "Hey sweet cheeks!" commented Grayson winking at Essence.

_ "Bye asshole" she shot back, moving away from him, which brought her closer to me.

_ "We got the fire cracker. The so called 'Special girl.' What are you good at? Flinging your ass in mens faces like the others?" Snickered Marino, his heavy accent seeping through. Ooohooo... I wanted nothing more than to dislocate this fuckers jaw at the moment. I raise my fist slightly as I took a lunge towards him. My face inches away from his pug looking one, Essence grabbed my hand, and with a swift motion, she pulled me back, stepping in-front of me.

_ "Are you hard of hearing ?" She laughed. He looked at her with a wild expression, his face scrunching up in retort. "The dean clearly mentioned that I am good at every skill in the book, unlike you, you narrow minded self centered bird brain. And yes, maybe one of those many skills may happen to be flaunting my body at men, but it's only for professional causes. Unlike you desperately flaunting your dick pics at unfortunate girls, and always ending up rejected anyways..." her tone was ever so calm and casual, only the sarcasm behind it dripped out of every word like venom. Grayson and I barely kept our cool and composure, as we felt the urge to burst into laughter. Marino's face turned bright red, while Essence observed her manicured nails.

_ "I was just joking geez" He retorts with a moue in his face.

_ "Not something to joke about in a sexist world." She snaps at him, turning back to us. "Hi, I'm Essence Heisler, 19, as you already know. Pleasure to meet you."

Essence's POV
_ "I like her" finally composes himself, my other male teammate, who was laughing at my speech. "Grayson Moretti, 21, pleasure's all mine." He reaches out for my hand, and places a kiss on the back of it. I guess he isn't bad. Marino joins us once again, having shook off his embarrassment.

_ "Marino Velasquez, 19" he grumbles.

_ "Okay great, now that you all know each other, I'm going to give you all burner phones then you're dismissed." Hastily wraps up Phoenix.

_ "Wait, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Interrupts Grayson.

_ "My name is Phoenix... happy?"

_ "No; like introduce yourself as your profile would." continues Marino. I just stare at him in anticipation.

_ "Fine" he sighs, as he blows a strand of marmalade hair off his face. "I'm Phoenix Roosevelt, 21. My parents are Georgio and Florence Roosevelt. I'm 187 cm and my speciality is..." he pauses for a second and looks me in the eyes. "Unspecified"

My eyes widen in shock, but then again... he is the dean's son. I wouldn't expect any less.
The other two boys blinked at each other in realization, and Marino even seemed to be uncomfortable and apologetic for his previous behavior, now that he knows that Phoenix was the dean's son.