She sneered up at me. “Don’t sit here, you homewrecker.”
My eyes went wide as I looked at her in surprise. I plucked my bag from the floor as she stared daggers at me.
“Slut!” Came a masculine whisper.
I whirled around to see a dark-haired boy with hooded eyes, a smirk on his lips.
Apparently, I had no allies in this classroom.
What had I done? Was this about Ashe?
Both the boy with the hooded eyes and the girl wore red and white ties... Eton house. Like that of Miss Bryant.
Scanning the room, I searched for an empty desk away from anyone from Eton house.
What a shit show! I thought to myself.
They’re jealous… purred my dragon.
At another empty place, the girl behind pushed a notebook onto the seat.
I raised one eyebrow as if to say, seriously?
She smiled sympathetically and shrugged, mouthing the word sorry.
Puffing out a breath, I made a beeline toward the only other open desk which sat in the front row.
I glared at anyone who dared put me off this seat and tried to relax into the chair.
After tucking my coat beneath my desk, I felt a sharp nudge in my back. This school was getting tiresome.
“I’m not moving,” I growled over my shoulder in low tones.
The middle-aged blond teacher had already started her lecture barely feet in front of me.
I pulled out a notebook and a pencil. She was talking about the book Anna Karenina. A sign of relief flowed through me. I’d seen the movie.
Sitting there ruminating on my situation, I tried to take notes.
Nerves filled me, but so did confidence, or maybe it had been hubris. After all, I took notes almost every day—on our samples on experiments, on what we did.
Shaking my head, I wondered if my dad was right. Was real-life experience better? After all, I’d already watched the movie Anna Karenina with Dr. Emery while we’d been in Alaska last year.
Now that had been interesting… my mind wandered back to the melted permafrost samples.
Then, something hit the back of my head and tangled in my hair. Without turning, I plucked the object and placed it on my desk. Lined notebook paper had been folded into a neat triangle.
Looking up at my English teacher, I tried to follow her words but found myself lost. And just as I’d figured out what Ms. Popov was talking about, something prodded me in the back again.
Whipping around, I glared at the boy behind me and whispered, “Stop it!”
He looked confused and chagrined at the same time. His tanned complexion blushed a bit, but I couldn’t be sure.
“Miss Miller?” Ms. Popov’s heels clicked over to me as she spoke in her Russian accent. “Is there a problem?”
My classmates tittered at me being singled out. Their voices boomeranged back and forth, talking. The slut. The homewrecker.
Something burned inside my chest, and my cheeks heated.
“No. I’m sorry for interrupting.”
She stared at me for several ticks of the clock then at my tormenter, who sat behind me. “Mr. Carrack?”
At Ashe’s last name, I whipped around to look—half expecting my soldier to be in the room. Instead, it was the dark-haired guy who answered.
“It was my fault, I was trying to get more comfortable and accidentally pushed her.” His eyes darted between the teacher and me.
Arms crossed, Mrs. Popov considered his explanation before motioning to him. “Well, apologize to Miss Miller.”
“Uh, I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. There was definitely a family resemblance. Was this Ashe’s brother? I didn’t think so. Cousin? Maybe.
Our teacher grunted a delicate sound before making her way back to the chalkboard. Eyeing us one more time, she pressed a manicured nail to the top word and began lecturing again.
My eyes strayed to the triangle and the writing inside it that sat on my desk.
Ms. Popov continued with her lecture, and I tried to pay attention, mark bullet points, and focus. However, everything about this situation was a distraction.
A brunette girl was huddled over her desk, texting. Another few kids were typing their notes on shiny laptops. And if I glanced at anyone from Eton, I got mouthed a foul word or given the middle finger.
Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes at them. Twats.
A few years ago, I begged... I mean, really begged, with prayer hands and on my knees to go to school. I’d seen all these American television shows about teenagers. And I longed for what I didn’t have. In the end, my dad said no, like he always did. Giving me his standard, “The grass is always greener,” excuse.
My mind wandered back to all the middle school books I read, about the wonder of boarding schools and real magic.
The irony!
That’s how life worked. I’d realized that I’d never quite get what I wanted—it would always come out tainted like a genie’s wish.
So, when did I rub this lamp?
Filled with anger now that I’d worked myself up, I fiddled with the triangle of paper until it came unfolded.
Ready to read some nasty remarks, I steeled myself. But as soon as I spotted Ashe’s name written on the paper, the breath I’d been holding whooshed out.
* * *
I’m supposed to look out for you. I know, I suck at it. Ashe is my uncle…
* * *
I glanced heavenward and had to stop myself from groaning. Ashe was someone’s uncle? Oh my god! I turned back to the messy masculine script.
* * *
Ashe is my uncle, and we’re pretty close. Actually, everyone is pretty close in the Dragonborn community.
He said that you know nothing about us. How is that even possible? Anyway, I was super surprised to see you and even more surprised to see the Eton house being asshats to you—but I kind of get it. Ashe and Lacy have been together for a long time. Everybody loves Lacy, and she’s pretty popular with the professors and the students, so I guess it makes since.
* * *
I crinkled my nose at his misspelling and used my pen to correct the “c” to an “s.”
Sense, I whispered.
I began writing where his note ended abruptly.
* * *
What’s your name? Ashe is right. I wasn’t raised knowing about all this.
* * *
Sucking in a breath, I glanced around the classroom again. The phone girl, still on her phone. Typing kids, still tapping away. Etons being asshats.
* * *
Why did he leave? Do you know?
* * *
Then I carefully tried to refold the triangle back into shape. And acting like I was adjusting my ponytail, I dropped the note on the desk behind me. I heard rustling as the paper was unfolded.
As for Ms. Popov… I sighed. I wanted to do well in my classes, but I hated reading sad books, and from what I remembered, this was not a happy story.
When Dr. Emery and I watched the movie, she’d said to me, “This is the greatest novel ever written.”
I didn’t agree.
There was cheating and betrayal. Not for me... besides it was depressing, even more, depressing than Wuthering Heights, which I’d actually liked.
I tensed when the triangle hit the side of my neck with a sharp point. Clasping the note, I unfolded it quickly.
* * *
I’m Eli—it’s short for Elijah. As for why Ashe left? He had to.
* * *
I blew out a breath and scrawled out one word before handing it back.
* * *
Why???
* * *
This time I didn’t need to wait very long for his response. He hadn’t even bothered to fold up the paper but handed it to me on the side away from Ms. Popov.
* * *
OMG!? Why? You’re like what—15? And he’s 23! If they left you two together, you’d do it, and then someone would get in trouble, prob
ably Ashe. He’s a good guy, he’s worked super hard to get to where he is now. He had his life all planned out. He has to be freaking out. I mean, you’re a Lambert—an Orthodox!
Fuck that. I’d leave too.
10
The back of my eyes burned, and chills ran through me after reading his words.
His angry words.
Even the people who were supposed to look out for me hated me. A tear fell onto the note as it lay unfolded before me.
Wiping my eyes and swallowing, I wrote back.
* * *
Do you think I wanted any of this?? No.
Let me give you some facts before you begin making them up.
My name is Sydney MILLER.
I'm NOT 15, I'm 16 and a half.
I'm not Orthodox.
I didn't even want to do that stupid ritual! I still have bruises all over my body from Eondian! Have you ever seen him? Yeah, that asshole threw me against the ground until I went unconscious!
I didn't choose it!
Good for Ashe that he's able to leave. I would go too if I could!
This entire thing is bullshit. My dad's injured, and I should be with him.
* * *
I crinkled the paper into a wad, which earned me a weary look from the professor. Then not so carefully, I handed it back to Eli.
He let out a heavy sigh before smoothing the note.
When a warm hand rested on my arm over my sweater, I nearly flinched. He'd leaned forward onto his crossed arms over the desk, and I could feel his breath on my neck. He smelled like spearmint gum.
"Look, I'm sorry," he whispered.
The bell rang, and I turned toward him to answer, our faces too close. Eli had dark hair like Ashe and a long lanky body, but the similarities ended there. Whereas Ashe had calm, pale eyes, Eli had warm brown. Ashe would tense his stubbled jaw, whereas Eli's face was smooth and boy-like with a friendly smile.
We stared at each other.
I wanted to trust him. I wanted to ask him to help me leave, but I had no idea where his true allegiances lie. For all I knew, he would run his mouth and get me in trouble or worse.
Breaking our weird silence, Eli reached out and tapped my green and blue tie. The knot hung low over my breastbone, around my unbuttoned shirt.
"You'll get in trouble for wearing your tie like that," he told me, still too close for comfort.
I shrugged.
"Miss Miller?" Ms. Popov called, clearing her throat to catch my attention.
Most of the students had already left, and the rest weren't far behind.
Turning my attention away from Eli, I saw him dart for the door.
So much for allies… I said to myself.
Aaraeth snorted inside my head.
Ms. Popov raised her eyebrows, irritated at my lack of attention. Holding out a few books to me, she lay Tolstoy's Anna Karenina on the top. "Here are the books you'll need, the second one is a workbook. I've marked where we're at, try to catch up by next week, we're not too far in."
I examined the two paperbacks, my mind still pondering what Elijah had said.
The teacher's warm hand clasped my shoulder, and her blue eyes narrowed in concern. When Ms. Popov spoke, it was barely above a whisper, "You'll be okay."
I nodded, emotion bubbling up inside me at her warmth.
"Things will calm down, and you will find friends," she told me.
I sucked in a breath and felt like screaming. I didn't care about the others. I didn't care about making friends. I cared about my sanity, and I needed answers.
Instead of speaking, I nodded and collected my things.
Walking down the hallway, I studied the school map and made my way to my next class.
Like my literacy class, the desks were already filled with chatting students. I immediately recognized the professor of this class. Mr. Daniels was the glasses-wearing, bearded hipster from my horrible ritual.
Unlike Ms. Popov, he motioned me to approach before I stepped foot inside the classroom. "Miss Miller?" Boomed his deep, slow draw.
Pulling up a seating chart on his tablet, he showed it to me. "There are assigned seats, you're here—the third row back, by the window. Our books are all online, check your school email for the links."
This classroom was full, except for my assigned seat. I spotted Olivia, a wide smile on her face as she waved at me from the far side of the room. She meant well, but I wasn't sure I could handle her level of enthusiasm right then.
A few whispers were tossed around as I settled into my desk. Keeping my eyes down, I pulled out my phone, hiding it under my desk and opened my email.
I tapped out a quick message to Ashe.
* * *
Why did you leave?
* * *
I deleted it and began again.
* * *
I met Elijah.
* * *
Smoothing loose strands from my ponytail, I inwardly groaned. I knew this guy intimately, yet in most ways that counted, I didn't know him at all.
What was I supposed to say? I couldn't just jump right in and question him about everything. I needed to be careful.
Dragon bonds are forever, Headmistress Angeven had said.
Pursing my lips, I tapped out the email.
* * *
Tell me about yourself.
Also, I felt you leave, and I understand that you have responsibilities, but it really hurt that you didn't tell me yourself. The headmistress said you left on your own, but Elijah said that you had to go. When I felt the tug of the bond, it felt like a heart attack. Also, I'm literally in the dark. You saw my life, I know nothing about the Dragonborn, and yet I've been thrown into the deep end. I'm a reasonable person, and I just want answers.
-Sydney
* * *
Biting the inside of my cheek, I sent it. Glancing up, I took a stack of papers from the girl ahead of me and passed the rest behind.
"Listen up!" Boomed Mr. Daniels. "I just posted an article titled Global Trade and Commerce in your online classroom. Read it and answer the questions."
I glanced around as all the other students began typing away or pulling out laptops or tablets with keyboards.
Professor Hipster stood and made his way to my position. "Do you have a laptop already?"
I nodded and pulled it from my bag before typing in my password.
"Go online... here…" He opened my web browser and quickly typed in the school site. It opened to a login. "Enter your student ID."
I glanced at my schedule and entered it and was prompted to create a password. My computer filled it in, and I was into the Balaur system.
Mr. Daniels quickly navigated the menu until the article he'd mentioned filled the screen. "Read this and then click on the link to the questions below. Answer, and you're done."
He meandered back to his desk at the front of the class.
The article was interesting, and I read it quickly. When I finished typing out my answers, I glanced around the room and noticed that I'd finished ahead of the other students. The questions were pretty easy, and I was proficient with a keyboard, thanks to hours of Mavis Beacon on my dad's ancient laptop.
Sniffing, I thought of the time I'd spent in places with no internet.
I loaded up my laptop and gathered my things, earning a few irritated glances from my fellow students.
I couldn't help it that I was head and shoulders above them. Standing, I made my way toward the door.
"Excuse me, Miss Miller?" My professor's voice boomed.
All eyes were on me as I stood near the door, shouldering my bag. "Yes?"
"Where are you going?" He asked, a strange expression on his face. Titters of hushed laughter and whispers rang out through the classroom.
"Oh? I'm done."
His brows came together, and he smiled incredulously while shaking his head. "No, you're not done. We still have thirty minutes of class."
I straightened my spine. "But, I'm done with my work."
Sucking in a breath between his teeth, he motioned to my desk. "Please, take a seat. We're going to discuss the article."
I felt my cheeks heat, but I nodded and croaked, "Okay."
Sliding back into my assigned desk, I rested my head on my folded arms and squeezed my eyes shut.
Whispers and giggles could still be heard around the room, but I tried to block them out.
Finding myself in the cafeteria at noon, I grabbed a tray and selected my lunch from one of the buffet stations before settling at one of the Drake tables near Becca.
She chatted away with two other girls that she introduced as Esther and Mai while I zoned out and checked my phone.
Ashe had written back.
Sitting there, staring at his reply in my inbox, I hesitated.
After several moments, I forced myself to tap the screen and open his email. The world faded away as I read his words.
* * *
I'm sorry that I hurt you, but I can't apologize for leaving.
I had to go.
I don't trust myself around you, and it scares me.
There's a part of me that wanted to grab you and take you with me.
But I can't.
Too many people depend on me.
And I still owe another year of service to the Dragonborn Guard.
You asked about me?
I'm the youngest of 2 older sisters and 1 brother. I'm 23, and I'm from California.
I have a bachelor's degree in Business and a master's degree in Business Analytics.
I know you don't want to hear this, but I was only at Balaur Academy because I was going to propose to Lacy.
But now, Lacy and I are over.
So, you'd like to know about our bond? I think I would too. Honestly, most Primes don't have a dragon bond, so I never really paid attention when people talked about it. It was like a myth to me. I'm laughing right now because I bet you thought dragons were a myth also.
Cracked Open: The Dragon Born Academy Page 9