Miracle (boyxboy)

Chapter Thirty

"You have everything?" Ezra asked, eyeing my mostly-empty backpack as I climbed off the back of his bike. I didn't have any textbooks, and the school dining hall took care of meals, so I was mostly packing first aid supplies and pills that Ezra had instructed me to take at ten and two.

"Everything I need," I confirmed. The only other required items were what I had on—a green tracksuit with navy blue athletic stripes, and the Brides of Heaven crown logo silk screened on the back of the jacket. It was the school's gym uniform, and the closest thing to a unisex option that they had.

"Take your medicine on time. Don't wear your backpack on your shoulder, or sit with your back against the chairs. If you get tired, go to the infirmary and rest on your stomach. They can change your bandage there too. Don't—"

"I'll be okay," I said. "You don't have to worry, just go to work."

"Stay close to Madison."

"I will."

"Keep the watch on. Pray if you need me."

"I will."

His thick black brows were still pulled together, making deep wrinkles across his forehead. He'd been fussing over me all morning—at least, as much as a guy who talked so little could be said to fuss.

My burns had healed enough that they were drying out, so he was now applying a mix of moisturizers and antibiotic ointments so the skin wouldn't split when I moved. He'd debated all morning about whether to lower my dosage of pain medication, so I'd be able to feel it if I moved around too much. But he was also afraid I'd be hurting. After thirty minutes watching him frown and count pills in his palm, I'd proposed a lower starting dose, and reminded him that I could bring extra pills in my backpack in case I needed them later.

He'd sent me with twice as much as I was likely to use, and set alerts on my watch for the times I should take more. But even so, he was clearly anxious about leaving me on my own for the day.

I went up on tiptoe and kissed the end of his nose. His features softened with surprise, his black eyes searching my face.

"I'm gonna be fine. Have a good day, okay?" I turned and flashed my new temporary key card in front of the badge reader by the tall metal gates. They slid back. A paved road bordered by big trees led to the front of a white-columned building, which I recognized from the school's welcome brochures. Excitement took over as Maddy came running toward me, with three girls in matching school uniforms following behind.

"Connor!"

I waved, then turned to Ezra as the gates were gliding back into place. He'd lowered the visor of his helmet so I couldn't see his expression, but I held a hand up anyway. See you tonight.

Maddy grabbed my arm. "You're here! Come on, I want to give you a tour before the first bell. These are my dorm mates, Stephanie, Zoey, and Grace."

I heard Ezra's motorcycle hum into the distance as I faced the people Maddy wanted me to meet. I was immediately reminded of the discomfort of being in the presence of a bunch of Elioud at once. Oh, damn, I hadn't thought of that. What was it going to be like sitting in a classroom full of them? Was I going to have to keep my backpack in my lap all day?

Stephanie was tall and thin, with light brown skin and dark hair that was artfully highlighted. Zoey was full-figured, pale, and blonde, and was the only one wearing a full face of makeup. Grace wore glasses and had a streak of blue in her long black hair. Physically they were all very different, but they were giving me the same speculative once-overs.

Grace was the first to speak to me. "You're Eljo, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"Girls are expelled from BHPA for being Eljo." From her tone I gathered that my presence here was enormously unfair.