by KC Kean
*****
Red leads me to an authentic little Italian restaurant instead of the main eatery, and we decide to sit on the patio outside with the sun still on us. Large red, white and green canopies shade us as we sit at the classic wrought iron table and chairs, looking out onto the square.
She’s grinning ridiculously, more than usual if that’s possible, and it has me curious.
“What’s got you grinning so wide?” I ask, and that just makes her giggle.
“You didn’t deny I was your best friend, and it’s too late for you to argue it now.”
She sticks her tongue out and picks up the menu attempting to end the conversation there. I’m trying not to laugh at her antics but it’s hard and she knows it. I don’t know how to argue with her statement, so I don’t answer at all which just makes her grin more.
The waiter approaches, he looks to be around our age, does he go to school here too? I don’t ask as it seems rude to intrude. So we place our orders, an iced tea each and she orders a pepperoni pizza while I order spaghetti carbonara, my favorite.
Once we’re alone again I try to categorize the questions I have, about this place, about her, about everything.
“So, how did you end up here, Red?” I start, wanting to know more about her first.
“Well when I was 14, my dad sat me down and told me I wasn’t going to school with all my friends anymore. I was to attend Featherstone High. He told me the week before I was due to start, and just like that I was thrust out of my comfort zone and thrown into a world I have no clue about,” she says, running a hand through her hair, her eyes downcast.
“My dad’s not a major part of the underworld but he’s made technology and devices for Featherstone. He says it's so I can have the best education, and nothing is expected of me, but honestly, I think they forced me here. To hold me over him because I learned a lot at Featherstone High, about this world and the people in it, and I don’t like it. They placed me in Diamond as a goodwill gesture I guess, but I’m not a true bloodline which means nobody wants anything to do with me because my name does nothing for their status.” She sighs.
God that’s a lot. A lot for her to say and a lot for her to deal with especially because it’s clear she doesn’t hold venom in her blood like the others, like me.
“That must have been tough for you.”
I don’t apologize for her circumstances. It's not my fault but I feel the need to acknowledge her feelings.
“Yeah, it was. Mostly because it was a boarding school, I’ve already spent four years stuck with these people, and now I’ve got another. Can I be honest with you?”
The sadness in her voice has me nodding my head instantly.
“I’m petrified, Luna. Featherstone High was just that, a high school with a standard education plan, but here? Here, I’m expected to learn how to fight, and I was forced to take L.F.G too. I’m thankful I was able to take Science, it’s my dream, and business isn’t too bad. Then they force us to take History, learning their past and dragging us into their fold,” she says, misery floating in every word.
I glance around the square, taking in a few people wandering around, as I consider her words. I made sure to take the seat in the corner so I could see all our vantage points, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Rafe's lessons stay with me, even now, making sure I can see all of my surroundings.
“Have you any experience with combat?”
She just shakes her head, looking down at her hands.
“None at all, not even a self-defense class?”
She shakes her head again, fuck.
“What about the others here?” I ask, leaning in closer.
She shrugs, “There were fights all the time at Featherstone High, and for some it’s their bloodline so it’ll only get worse here. Especially for those with access to their family vaults.” She sounds defeated.
Holy shit, she’s left herself at a disadvantage. I was fine with the combat classes, but that’s because I enjoy it. For someone with no experience, it’s going to be a shock for sure.
“Okay, well we will start training you then. I’ll help you and we can use the gym at Ace for privacy. I know it might not be something you want to do, but it's important we can get you to defend yourself.”
I’m not taking any messing around with this. I reach out and squeeze her hand in reassurance.
“Thank you Luna, I can’t tell you how much that means to me,” she says softly.
I nod, “We will need to compare timetables and figure out a plan after we’ve eaten.”
She smiles in response.
“What’s L.F.G?” I ask.
“Oh, it stands for Laundering, Fraud and Gambling,” she grimaces.
What the fuck, how are there even classes on that? That’s worse than B.I.C.E, but I don’t say that. I can tell she’s struggling enough.
“Well, that’ll be an experience I’m sure.” I grin, hoping to lighten the mood, and it does make her smile at least.
This whole chat is completely off course. She has me wanting to help her. I don’t help anyone, and I certainly don’t care for others, yet here I am. My gut loves her and that apparently means I now have someone else to worry about.
The food thankfully arrives, and we begin eating in comfortable silence, watching the square around us.
“So Red, is there anything important I need to know?” I ask, once I’ve finished eating one of the best carbonaras in existence.
“What do you know already?”
I shrug, “Honestly? Very little. I didn’t know this was a thing until I was being dragged here.”
I don’t miss the surprise on her face, but then her brain is working overtime trying to gather what information she thinks I may find useful.
“Okay. Okay, so, this whole place is run on hierarchy. The six dorms, even the way the rooms are allocated are based on it. Jokers are at the bottom and Aces are at the top. That stands in the whole underworld too, they have you learn your place at Featherstone. That way no-one steps out of line and causes chaos.”
She barely catches a breath, taking a sip of her drink and carrying on.
“Everyone fears those in Ace. Roman Rivera, Parker, Kai Fuse, Oscar O’Shay and Wren Dietrichson. You had the pleasure of meeting Wren on Saturday and Oscar was the one with your I.D. box. I don’t know if you’ve crossed any paths since, but they say jump, and everyone asks how high. Now you, you’re in Ace based on bloodline, but with you also being a new face I don’t know where you will stand to be honest. If anybody in Ace shows further conflict with you, after the other day, it’s slim they’ll side with you. It’ll likely put a larger target on your back,” she cringes.
The waiter interrupts us as he collects our dishes and leaves us the dessert menu.
Like I’ll be upset to be a lone ranger, that’s all I’ve ever been. I say as much, and she simply shakes her head.
“You can’t be a lone ranger now you have a best friend, Luna.”
She lightens the mood and makes me smile. It’s clear we are both out of our depth at Featherstone, just in different ways. With neither of us actually wanting to be here.
“Did anyone at the High school decide they didn’t want to be there, and just left?”
Her face instantly pales, and she shakes her head frantically.
“No Luna, never, you either leave as part of Featherstone in some way or in a body bag. I saw too many of those in the past four years, Luna. You play by their rules or you die, there’s no in between,” fear etched in her voice.
I don’t know how to get her to tell me more without her breaking down, but it doesn't matter anyway, as a guy scrapes a chair over to us taking a seat at our table with the chair backwards.
“Now, this is a three way I can get behind.”
He meets my eyes and grins.
“I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself properly the other day. I’m Oscar, but you can call me whatever you want, baby.”
CHAPTER TEN
(Oscar)
Finally man, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for this girl everywhere since Saturday morning with no luck until now. If you’d have told me a week ago I’d be hot for a girl with no make-up on, wearing combat boots with shorts I’d have told you to fuck off. When she pushed Wren in the water so casually it got my dicks attention and I haven’t stopped jerking off to her since.
I just want to jerk in her now, although she doesn’t look impressed with my arrival.
What’s that about?
Everybody loves me, especially the ladies. She’s clearly not heard about my impressive features and refined skills yet.
“Can I help you?” she asks me shortly.
“What’s your name, baby? I only managed to catch your bloodlines the other day.” I counter, but she just rolls her eyes.
I can sense that she wants to tell me to fuck off. It’s a foreign feeling for me, but it only seems to make me more determined for a change. Usually if you’re not an easy target, you’re not a target at all. She must be able to see it in my face that I’m not ready to give up just yet and relents.
“Luna. Now can I help you or are you leaving?”
Hmm feisty. I like it. My cock definitely does. Luna, I like the sound of that in my head.
I can’t help but swipe my tongue over my bottom lip as I take her in. Pink pouty lips, emerald green eyes and soft brown hair, long enough for me to wrap around my fist a time or too.
There it is. I saw it. That little sparkle in her eye, only for a moment but it was there. She likes what she sees, now for me to figure out how to get her up to my speed.
“Baby, I can’t leave yet. I don’t know enough about you. I practically know nothing,” I purr, but like a lion because I’m a beast.
She glances away from me and looks at her friend raising an eyebrow. How is she not putty in my hands right now? My purr always lures them in without fail. A giggle to my right has me glancing at her friend, is she laughing?
At me?
I look back to my girl of the hour and she’s smirking.
“Okay, party boy, you're hot I’m not gonna lie, but your usual charms mean nothing here. So it’s best if you run along, nice to meet you though.”
She relaxes back in her chair and gives me a half smile.
What does that even mean? I sweep a hand through my hair, confused with her reaction.
Damn right I’m hot.
I know I am. My looks and my charm are what get me things. Fuck I sound like a girl, but nobody says no to Oscar O’Shay.
Glancing at her friend again, I recognize her from Featherstone High. I couldn’t guess her name, although I’m quite sure she’s in Diamond. At least I haven’t slept with her, that helps my chances with Luna.
“Luna baby, I want us to be closer. How about you let me walk you back, we’re heading the same direction anyway.”
Fuck her name really does sound good playing on my tongue, I give her my signature grin and ... she just sighs.
“Oscar, right?” she asks, and I nod, as she leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Oscar, you are most definitely my type, but right now isn’t a good time for me. I’m trying to have a private conversation, I’m sure you get it. It’s just not the best idea for me to lead with my pussy right now.”
Oh my days, my heart is beating uncontrollably at her closeness, her voice is intoxicating this close up. She gently places her hand on my thigh. I’m wearing shorts so the skin on skin contact burns me up.
“I like no strings Oscar, and when the time is right I’m sure you’ll be around, but for future reference don’t lead with your mouth. I’m not your baby. You are hot as sin but as soon as you open your mouth it goes to shit,” she says with a grin.
With that she stands and grabs her bags as her friend is paying the bill. I was so lost in Luna I didn’t even notice her leave the table, and then they’re sauntering off, like they haven’t just left me sitting here.
Me.
Oscar O’Shay.
An Ace, what the fuck?
I storm my way back to Ace block, taking the shortcut through the trees instead of the path, making sure I don’t bump into her again whilst I feel this confusion. She’s already got me acting like a horny virgin and I’m the king of sex.
I head straight for the gym praying my boys are there, I need to vent. Fuck, I’m growing a vagina over all this.
Slamming the door into the gym both Rome and Parker look up immediately.
“Fuck sake, Oscar,” Roman grumbles.
I start to pace in front of the weights where they’re training, unable to keep still or sit down.
“You ok, Oscar?” asks Parker, always the caring one.
If it was just Roman here he’d leave me to fester.
“I don’t know Parker, I don’t think I am,” I respond, but I don’t slow my pacing.
“Is anything different about me? I feel the same but am I missing something? Check me over Parker.”
He looks at me funny then looks to Rome, who also looks at me confused.
“What the fucks wrong, Oscar? I haven’t got time for this,” Rome sighs, wiping his face with his towel.
Why is everyone sighing at me today?
“I think I just got turned down man,” I mumble.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Rome groans.
“I’m talking about the fact that I just approached a girl, laid on the charm, gave her my grin and my full watt purr, and ... well nothing, nothing at all. My dicks weeping here guys, he really wanted in that,” I can’t help but whine.
They’re silent, staring at me like I’ve grown another head or something. Then Roman bursts out laughing, like full belly laughing and he braces himself on his thighs to contain himself. Bastard, what the fucks he laughing at? This is serious. I glance to Parker for help, and he’s biting his bottom lip trying to hold himself back from joining Rome in hysterics.
“It’s not funny guys, I’m serious. It works every time like a charm, and she brushed me off like I was a nobody. Well she did admit I was her type, but then told me to keep my mouth shut, because it ruins what I have going for me. I’m lost here guys, what’s wrong with my mouth? I’m genuinely at a loss here guys.”
This just makes Rome laugh harder, and Parker fucking joins him.
My hands are clenched at my sides as I stare them down, anyone else at this school would have shit themselves at the sight, but it takes these assholes forever to fucking calm down.
“You done?” I growl.
“Yeah, calm your shit Oscar. So you got turned down? It does happen, well not to me but I’ve heard it does, get over it. Go and use your ... purr on someone else,” he chuckles.
“Fuck you guys, I wouldn’t be riled up if it was that easy. I just know she’s gonna have the sweetest pussy man. I mean she barely put her hand on my thigh, near the fucking knee I might add, and I could have jizzed in my pants right then,” I state.
It’s the god's honest truth and I’m not ashamed of it.
“Man, calm yourself down, go run some circuits, take a cold shower or take care of yourself. I don’t care but stop acting like a bitch.” He grins, as he takes a seat at the weight bench, seemingly done with me.
“Fuck you Rome, I’ve been jerking off to her for days and it isn’t enough. Parker, help a guy out, I need some advice here,” I beg, whipping around to focus on him, hopeful he will be gentler with me, but Parker looks helpless.
“Err, I’m sorry Oscar, nothing I say is going to make you get the pussy, bud. I thought you always said you were the king and I needed to take lessons from you? Now I’m confused,” he splutters.
I’ve clearly tripped a wire in his brain. They’re no use to me at all.
“Fuck you guys,” I yell, and storm out of the gym heading straight for my room, because my cock needs some attention. At least I have a name to scream in the shower now.
Luna.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
(Luna)
Looking at my reflection in the dressing table mirror I hardly recognize myself. Using a little hairspray, I add extra volume to my standard ponytail, seeing as I’ve had to apply heavier make-up, to follow their stupid guidelines.
I read the handbook that was in the I.D. box a few times, to make sure I’d complied with all the make-up do’s and don'ts Featherstone had blessed me with. I’m just glad it doesn’t force us all to go for the caked-on cement look Wren is rocking. Going with my foundation, a little bronzer and blusher and a lick of mascara. I’m ready. No full eye make-up or lipstick is required so I’ve skipped that, just using a little lip gloss.
The fact that this is a requirement at all disgusts the feminist in me, but it also gives me an insight into where women stand in their world.
Standing from the dresser, I look over my uniform in front of my floor length mirror, it’s more of a tailored business suit that flaunts all the goods.
A pearl white blouse without the top three buttons, purposely puts my cleavage on display. My black blazer is edged in gold embroidery and has a blood red emblem on the left breast. The emblem matches the red logo that was on the guys hoodies from Friday night, when I was dragged to this hellhole, with F.A. etched into it in gold. A matching black skirt sits just above my knees hugging my hips, with a dangerously high slit up the back. The whole ensemble is finished off with some four-inch heels with red soles.
How the fuck am I supposed to wear these all day?
I’m not materialistic, but Red promised me it would be noticed if my shoes and bag were basic. I guess my mother’s good for something with the amount of designer items in my dresser.
As much as this is not a true form of me, I can already feel that a lot is based on appearances here. So for now, I’ll join the masses and play along.
Red mentioned yesterday that you are taken over to the lecture halls, so I don’t have to worry about walking there in these heels. It does mean I have to be subjected to the assholes from Ace though.