The Leviathan's Rose

Chapter 2 - Haruki Hinamori Is a Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Saskia had a hard time suppressing the urge to throw her fork at Haru's shoulder when he talked to the twins and Percy like that. The absolute nerve of that guy! She knew exactly what he was trying to do. He was trying to act like a sympathetic idiot, an oblivious new kid who didn't yet know people's boundaries. Saskia knew that tactic, she knew other members of Leviathan who would use it to come off as though they knew less. That was how some of them operated. Act as though you were less than you really were. It had confused her the first couple times she'd heard it, but after seeing other people do it, make themselves come off as though their greatest strength was their greatest fault, she understood. 

Saskia could tell Lottie and Ellie were trying their best to act normal, and that Anastacia was fighting the urge to claw his eyes out with her freshly manicured glossy red nails. 

Saskia sipped some of her coffee before setting down the mug with a light thunk. 

"No thanks," she said, her voice as thick and sweet as honey. "We've already gotten our lunches, we wouldn't want to eat up all of your food." And you could've prepared your little sushi box with some slow acting poisons... or even the Hamelin Formula.

She picked up a blackberry from her plate and popped in her mouth. Her bee stung lips curled into a smile at the taste. 

Haru aimed another warm smile at her. "It wouldn't be any trouble! I'm happy to share food with my new acquaintances."

"Don't worry about us Haru, enjoy your lunch." Saskia swore her head was going to explode if she had to say one more nice thing to him. 

Haru shrugged before turning to Jamie. "How about you Jamie? You don't have much on your plate, would you like some?" 

Saskia saw the alarmed expression on Lottie's face, as well and Ellie's clenched fists. He can't get too close to Jamie, it's already bad enough. 

"Actually, Haru, Lottie's a vegetarian, and as her friend I'm trying not to eat foods that aren't vegetarian friendly around her. It makes her feel sick." Ellie said, her hand clasped on Lottie's shoulder. "And Jamie and I try not to make her uncomfortable."  

There was an unmistakable edge to Ellie's voice. Though it wasn't part of their act. Saskia knew that much, she knew that Ellie and Jamie did in fact strive to make Lottie more comfortable, they always wanted to find out what was wrong and how to fix it even when it wasn't their responsibility. Saskia took another swig of her coffee. 

Everyone at the table, besides Jamie, could see Haru's lip twitch. Saskia could almost laugh at how much he resembled Jamie. People click naturally with others who share similarities to them, even if it's small. She would have laughed if she didn't have the strong urge to right hook him. 

"I'm sorry Lottie. I should've thought about that. I'll make sure to be more attentive to that." Jamie said. His burnt hazel eyes held a mix of care and shame. But he quickly masked both of them before they became too noticeable. But Lottie saw it, so did Ellie, and Anastacia and Lola and Mickey. 

Saskia caught Anastacia nibbling on a piece of chocolate out of the corner of her eye. She nudged the brown haired beauty's foot under the table. Are you okay?  Anastacia tapped her foot against Saskia's two times. I'm okay, just nervous. 

Anastacia was never one to openly outwardly express how she was feeling. She'd always been like that. She was too stubborn to let her emotions show. She never wanted to be perceived as weak. But with Saskia, she was an open book, one that let Saskia flip through every page.

"S-so what do you think of Rosewood Hall so far Haru?" Lola asked. Her sugary sweet voice didn't seem steady. She's probably still shaken up from him bringing up what happened at her manor. 

Saskia sipped more of her coffee, her eyes shooting daggers in Haru's direction. Her usually warm eyes were cold and depth-less. An icy fire lingered within them. He didn't deserve her warmth. 

Haru smiled at Lola. "I'm enjoying it quite a bit. It's fascinating seeing kids from all over the world in one place. It's especially interesting to see the difference in traditions and customs between here and Japan. Being the teaching assistant for Professor Devine has been a pleasant experience so far." he said happily. 

"That's lovely! I hope you don't find Professor Devine too intimidating." Lola said. Mickey nodded his head in agreement. 

"Speaking of helping Professor Devine, shouldn't you be helping her organize things during lunch periods?" Ellie said, her eyes hard. Saskia noticed how her accent slipped through a little bit.

"Ellie's got a point," Anastacia said coolly, her French accent a bit more thick than usual. "Most teaching assistants do things for the Professors so they can have a break to eat and get other things done." Her bright blue eyes scanned Haru's face.

Saskia's gaze slid over to Haru. 

He sent yet again, one of those irritating smiles. The corner of his eye twitched. "Oh, Professor Devine has already introduced me to everything that I need to know." he said.

"Besides," His eyes went cold, vacant. He turned off his summer-breeze facade, turning to a more casual demeanor. "Professor Devine knows I am very capable when it comes to my job. Despite being her teaching assistant, I am still a student here. Don't students get to have lunch with their friends?" 

Within the span of a single word, he was back to his summer-breeze self. Friends. He was already calling everyone at that table his friends. Saskia nearly broke the handle of her mug with how tight her grip was. He's calling Anastacia his friend. 

Saskia knew the truth. He wasn't here to make friends. He wanted to find out more. Figure out who was a threat and who wasn't. He wasn't an innocent teaching assistant, or a straight forward transfer student who still didn't know what everyone was like. 

He knew very well what most of the people surrounding him were like. Haruki Hinamori was a wolf in sheep's clothing, and he was preparing to feast on the students of Rosewood Hall, until he got what he wanted. The desert, the icing on the cake. Jamie Volk. 

~~~

There wasn't much to say after lunch. By the time the bell rang Saskia had already made it her mission to get as far away from Haru as she could. 

"Saskia!" 

The golden haired girl turned to see Jamie approaching her. 

"Hello Jamie." she said. 

Jamie crossed his arms, his eyes stern and unyielding. 

"What was with the act you pulled at lunch?" he demanded. Saskia's blood froze. She schooled her features into neutral expression.

"Jamie I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

She crossed her arms across her chest, shaking her head lightly. Her curly mass of toasted blonde hair swayed with the movement. 

"You know very well what I'm talking about. I didn't miss the looks you kept giving him." Jamie's eyes narrowed in on her. 

"Listen, Volk, I noticed that Lola and Mickey were both uncomfortable when he was talking to them. He brought something up that I know they want to leave in the past. They're my friends, and I want them to be comfortable." she paused, taking in his irritated expression. 

"This is just like Lottie."

Jamie's eyes widened a fraction.

"This is situation is nothing like that-"

"Yes it is." she interjected. "When Ellie brought up Lottie being a vegetarian and that she declined so Lottie would be more comfortable, you took that to heart and apologized to Lottie for not thinking about that. You and I just so happen to handle situations differently."

Jamie's expression softened, the edge in his eyes gone.

"You haven't lost your friends' trust like I have, I'm willing to do anything to make up for the things I've done. Even if it means being a bit more severe than before, or a bit more harsh, I'll do whatever it takes to be there for them this time around. You're the same way. You care about your friends the way I care about mine."

And you look at Lottie the way I look at Ani.