Wicked.

Chapter 5

We were finally done with my last lesson for the week. Everything Nick says has a double meaning as far as I can tell and he’s been walking on eggshells since he kicked me out of the top class with all the boys.

“Are you alright Ashby?” Nick asked. He took his eyes off whoever was on the mats for a second to look at me but I continued to walk away. He looked back at the fight, “Quinn,” he said carefully, I stopped, “I’m giving you private lessons to make you better but you will be doing the final exam with them. You know, since you are a girl and all.”

If I had fangs I would hiss it him. But I don’t. And I never will. Fang-hiss him that is. Because I’ll never have fangs.

I went back to giving him the cold shoulder and grabbed my things and tried to leave when Nick called caught up with me. “Quinn, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I’m always fine.

He rubbed his temple then waved me away. Natalia was waiting outside to door for me and suggested we go to the river. So we did. I watched her practice freezing water. I splashed water at her and that escalated to her chasing me through the river trying to drown me. “Come here you stupid pineapple!”

“No!” I laughed before I tripped over my own foot and fell face first into the water. I came back up half drowning, half laughing. “Are you dead?” she yelled out to me while wadding towards the shore.

I ignored her question and walked back to the shore my own way. “I can’t believe you left me there all by myself! I was surrounded by immature and sexist boys!” I dried my hand and checked my phone. There was a missed call from Jackson and a few texts and a message from Damon. *Your boyfriend is looking for you*

I replied saying *I don’t have a boyfriend.*

A few seconds later I got a reply: *He doesn’t seem to think so…*

“Natalia come on. Let’s go beat up Damon. He’s being a mean!”

No answer.

I turned to look at the water but she wasn’t there. I waited for a little splash or some movement but nothing happened. I turned towards the bush and tried to look out for her. “Talia?” I yelled. No answer.

I picked up our things and started following her wet footprints I finally noticed. “Natalia? Talia? Where did you go?” I started getting worried.

“Oh my God! Shut up! I’m coming.”

I released a breath I didn’t realise I was holding and sighed in relief. “Come on, let’s go” I handed her, her stuff and we headed back to the school. “So how many vampires go to this school now?” I asked. Natalia shrugged, “I don’t know.” She seemed distracted but in a different way from her usual way. “You okay?” I asked.

“Do you want to go to the Westhound party with me?” she kind of blurted it out. “The Head Mistress is letting them have it at the swimming hole. Fourth and fifth years only. There will be alcohol, dancing and music. It would be a lot of fun. It’s in a few weeks.” It seemed robotic, like she was reciting what someone else had told her.

“Since when do you go to parties? Does Ian know you’re going to this?” I asked. “Who cares about Ian. The important thing is that you’re coming.”

What?

“I never agreed_”

“You’re coming with me. I can’t take no as an answer.”

“Talia, are you sure you’re okay?”

She blinked at me a few times like she was clearing her vision and shook her head. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She rubbed at her eyes. “I made it on the track team!” she beamed at me. She put her hand on my shoulder excitedly, “I am so happy! Mr Smith is doing the coaching as our fencing instructor again this year but apparently, that’s not starting up for a while. Did I tell you about the thing_”