Hostility
Macey's POV:
Rachel arranged for us to fly to Blackthorne to the get full details of our mission. We didn't have that much to pack except for one of those sleek, mini shotgun and a copy of our legend. I was suppose to be Bex's and Liz's sister. Cammie's cousin. My 'boyfriend' happens to be one of Zach's best man, not Grant or Jonas. A new guy to Blackthorne name Jason Maise. I've seen him before and one word that automatically run through my mind: Hot. He could be an underwear model for Calvin Klein. I don't doubt that that was his part-time job before he joined Blackthorne.
The view was floating by. Tiny people that looks like ants. Mini yards and houses. I turned and looks at Cammie, her head was against the window and she looks so depress. I feel really bad for her. Maybe Zach still likes her or maybe not. I knew she was devastated that he hadn't called or contact her in any way. It would've killed me. Obviously I'm not the patient type.
She really loves Zach. I could see that much through her eyes. She tries to cover the hurt and the pain by acting like nothing's wrong but I could see through that facade. I would know. I've been living in a shell, faking it for the past seventeen years of my life.
I moved out of my seat and carefully scooted to the empty seat next to Cammie. She smiled weakly at me. Her legend says that she's Zach's cousin. I knew it was killing her. "It'll be okay you know?"
"I know." She whispered.
"Liar." I answered, giving her a slight smile.
The jet lurched and I gripped the seat in front of me. The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, "Please turn off all electronic devices and put your seat belt on, we are descending."
I snapped the little buckle and leaned back, glancing over at Cammie. "Have you heard anything from Zach since this...mission?"
"Um, no." She sighed and cleared her throat, forcing a smile. "But I don't really care. You know? I'm over it."
"Liar." I repeat.
"Stop saying that!" She said with a little more force than necessary.
"Sorry." I held up my hand in surrender and stayed silent.
The jet descends with a bump and we exit. Looming over us is a huge mansion twice as big as Gallagher. It has wrought gates with clipped, mowed lawn. The top floor has turrets just like in the old days. A cobblestone walkway lead up to the enormous set of Oak doors. Trees lined the curb, creating a leafy canopy, overhanging our heads, providing shades.
One of the Blackthorne security walked up to us, speaking briefly in the comms unit in his ear before greeting us, "Welcome to Blackthorne, Cameron Morgan, Rebecca Baxter, Elizabeth Sutton and Macey McHenry. We've been expecting you."
Two more security guys retrieve our bags and walked ahead. Bex, Cammie, Liz and I formed a little group and walk up the gentle slope leading up to the entrance. Dr. Steven rushes out, sweat beading his forehead, and grins when he saw us. "Ladies! Welcome to Blackthorne! Come in, come in." He hustled us inside the building and our jaws literally dropped to the floor.
It was similar to the academy yet it wasn't. This was more modern; so was ours but their interior is more mordern with elevators and dim light bulbs instead of grand stairs and chandeliers that look like they might squish you to death whenever you walk pass.
Straight ahead was the doors leading out to the field we saw from the jet. Branching off to the left and right were corridors leading off to God-knows-where. A large bronze plate nailed to the wall showed us where the library, cafeteria, dorms, offices, classrooms, etc. It was like one of those things you see at the mall with the You are here.
The floor is reflective tiles. The walls were covered with plain white wallpaper. Boys milled everywhere, giving us cocky and arrogant smiles when they walk pass. I bit my tongue to stop the long line of obscenities from leaving my lips.
"I'm sure you've heard about the wedding." Dr. Steve said, breaking our hazy inspection of the school. "You have...haven't you?"
Cammie answered, her voice forced and steady. "Yes. I receive the invitation."
"Great." Dr. Steve nodded and stroll to the two elevators adjecent from each other. "This way please." He ushered us in and punch in the button to Level three and horrible elevator music from the 80s fill the small, compact space, making me want to hurl myself off a ten story building. It ding! and we file out. More boys filled the area. You know, seeing this much boys might be able to put off my obsessive addiction to them. Almost.
He open a plain peach-painted door and sweep his hands in a grand gesture. We peered in. There were four beds, two on one side, two on the other. Four desks stood in the corner with four Sony laptops on it. Windows covered any available space, and that's saying a lot. The floor is plushed carpet with tickled our bare feet since we were forced to take off our shoes.
"Dinner is in a two hours. You'll receive a call. I'll make an annoucement. In the meantime, explore and enjoy yourselves." He gave us a salute and close the door.
"Well, ladies, let's explore the unknown territories of which we call boys." I said, mocking Dr. Steve's formal tone.
...
Dinner was at exactly seven o'clock. That was when the phone sounded, diverting our attention from the extraodinary view out the window. The sun was starting to set and orange lights fanned on the sky, creating light waves.
I could hear the excited chatters behind the double doors as the guys paid for the food and interact with each other. Dr. Steve held up his hand for us to stay where we are until he gave the signal, which I have no idea what it is and marched in the room defiantly, with an air of authority around him we hadn't seen during the exchange at Gallagher.
The room quieted and, I honestly don't know, the doors flew open, exposing us to the boys' territories. Nevertheless, I spotted Zach, Grant, Jonas and the new guy, Jason cluttered together but once they saw us, they froze. Yep, they too had been working with the Institution. They had graduated the same year as us but remain at the institute to teach. Until further notice, anyways.
"Please welcome from the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, Cameron Morgan, Rebecca Baxter, Elizabeth Sutton and Macey McHenry!" Dr. Steve's voice rang out in the too quiet room, bouncing off the corners and reverberating back to us.
We, somehow, gain back our senses and compose our nervous expressions. We glided smoothly down the aisle created by the two rows of tables and climb the short steps to the raise dais off to the side. I'm not sure what we're suppose to do but Cammie apparently does because Dr. Steve moved away from the mic and Cammie took his place. Her voice rang loud and clear, full of confidence and determination. "Thank you for accepting us and teach us your ways. We graciously thank you and hope that this will turn out...fantastic." She smile as the guys erupt into applaud while I snorted. She sounded so preachy just then not to mention old school. I saw Zach stare at her with adoring and attracted eyes and came to the conclusion that he still have feelings for her. Why he didn't contact her all these years, I didn't know.
But judging from Cammie's sudden hostile expression towards him, I'm guessing she's not too happy to be here.
"Crap." I muttered to Bex, who was observing Cammie.
"I know." She murmured, bouncing her eyeballs from Zach to Cammie. "This will not end well."
My thoughts echoed hers.