Chapter 7

After a few hours, I finally gained composure, collected myself and left the room. I was going to act like nothing had happened, because nothing did. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was almost 6, so I made my way down to dinner, avoiding most people's eyes but keeping my head up.

Act normal. Act normal was chanted over and over in my head, reassuring myself with each step. Tancred appeared to my left and accompanied me to dinner, as soon as we were in the room he turned to me.

"Athena, are you okay? I heard you were send to Manfred's office. "He asked, concern filling his eyes.

"Yeah, it was nothing. He gave me a warning and said next time it was detention." I replied looking away from his eyes and taking my seat.

"If it was just a warning, then why is he staring at you like that?" Emma asked, throwing me a dirty look.

I glanced up to wear Manfred was sitting at the high table, indeed he was looking at me, staring at me. And when our eyes locked, he quickly jumped to his feet and strode towards us with a cocky grin.

"What could he want?" Emma asked as Tancred stiffened beside me, he wrapped one arm protectively around my waist. My eyes had not left Manfred's, but it wasn't like he was hypnotizing me, it seemed that I did not want to look away.

"Athena. I wondered where you ran off you, seeing as we weren't done our discussion. Come back to my office directly after dinner. Do you hear me?" Manfred demanded as he stood towering over me.

"And what if I don't?"

All around me I could hear gasps, but I was too angry to care. Didn't he already have enough from me? Why is he demanding more?

"Detention this weekend for backtalk, and if you don't show up you'll have detention again, next weekend." Manfred stated simply, as he turned and walked back to the table. I glared at him.

"Thena! Why would you say that?" Tancred demanded.

"I…I didn't mean to." I slumped against Tancred; I did not want to be alone with Manfred.

"Don't worry. I'm here." He kissed my forehead, "I'll walk you up there if you want?"

As much as I did want that, I had to decline; I didn't want Tancred to be in trouble for being late to the king's room. So I silently made my way to Manfred's office, fuming in anger.

I quietly knocked on the door, hoping he wouldn't hear to I could leave.

"Enter" A voice growled.

I opened the door and slammed it behind me. The office looked exactly the same except the files that were tossed on the floor were cleaned up. I stood with defiance in front of his desk.

"What do you want?"

"I want to finish what we started." Manfred said stepping close to me, as I took a step back.

"I have a boyfriend."

"I can take care of that."

"I love him."

"I think I love you."

Our dance continued, with every statement I would step back and Manfred advanced.

"You don't know me; you can't love someone who you don't know!" I screamed, desperate, I was running out of room to step back.

Manfred paused. "Your right….leave now. I have some business to attend to."

I turned and scurried towards the door, "Oh and Athena?" I paused slightly and turned.

"I still expect you at detention on Friday."