Sorry for the late update! School's been keeping me busy. I have so much things to do, and I can't update as much as I'd like – plus, the major writer's block I've been having, adds to why this is up so late. Again, I'm sorry, and I'll try and update soon. Any other suggestions for further chapters?
Nineteen –
The Mai Academy looked a lot scarier than it sounded. Along with the ten-foot tall gate with the barbed wire at the top, the building behind it was a least the size of the school, maybe bigger, and it looked gloomy and uninviting. Like an abandoned, haunted house. I got out of the car, and placed my suitcase and duffel bag on the ground. As soon as Alek and Jasmine joined me, the black car that dropped us sped off.
"What kind of academy is this?" Jasmine asked.
"One that needs a new exterior decorator," I replied. Alek laughed beside me. The gates swung open and two very tall men walked out of the guardhouse beside it.
"The San Francisco pride?" one of them asked. He had light blonde hair and blue eyes. His partner had the same blonde hair but green eyes.
"Yes."
The second one turned to me, "You must be the Uniter."
"That's me," I said. His lip tightened into a thin line. They turned away from us.
"Come with us," the blonde said. "The dean would like to meet you."
I grabbed my duffel bag, and as I reached for my suitcase, Alek grabbed it first.
"I got it," he said. He picked it up and all three of us walked past the gate.
I held onto Alek's sleeve. He shot me a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry," he mouthed. My grip on his shirt just tightened. The entrance doors slid open and we all walked in. The inside was plain, from where we were standing there were three hallways stretched out in front of us. The walls were a plain white, and only plants rested along the walls. No other traces of art. But the plants looked deadly, like if you touched it you'd drop dead in an instant.
"ANDREW!" the blue-eyed guard shouted. A very thin, skinny man ran down the right hallway to us. He wore glasses, and dressed in a sweater vest and jeans.
"Yes?"
"These people are from the San Francisco pride; take their bags up to their room."
He nodded, and grabbed all of our bags. He seemed to be struggling, but he didn't complain.
"Let me help-" I stepped forward to help him.
"Let him do it," the blue-eyed guard snapped at me. Andrew gave me a weak smile, and walked away. Alek wrapped his arm around my waist. The green-eyed guard turned to us.
"Go down that corridor, and turn left, it's the last door there."
He pointed to the middle hallway. Alek tugged at my waist, and forcing my feet to move, I reluctantly followed him. Jasmine was a few feet ahead of us.
"Jasmine?" I asked. She looked over her shoulder at me.
"Yeah?"
"I already hate this place."
Alek's POV
When we reached the deans office, Chloe leaned against me.
"I don't wanna go in," she mumbled. I kissed the top of her head.
"You think I want to go in?" Jasmine replied. "He's worse than my mom."
"Come on," I said. "Let's get this over with." I let go of Chloe and knocked on the door.
"Enter."
I walked in first, followed by the two girls. The dean was standing by the window, his back to us.
"Excuse me?" Chloe asked politely. The dean turned around to face us – he was young, about late twenties, with black hair and gray eyes. He stared at each of us, his eyes lingering a little bit longer on Chloe.
"Have a seat."
There were only two available chairs. Jasmine took one. Chloe looked at me.
"Sit down," I urged. She looked at me as she did. I placed my hands on her shoulders, and gave a light squeeze. The dean looked at us.
"Good to have you in our company, Uniter," he said.
"It's…nice here," Chloe said. He gave a slight chuckle, knowing Chloe was trying to be polite.
"Here are your room numbers. You ladies will be sharing a room, and Mr. Petrov you will be across the hall from them."
I nodded. He slid a folder across the desk to us. Jasmine reached for it.
"Your bags are already at your room, you are dismissed. But…Ms. King I'd like to have a word with you, alone."
I gave Chloe's shoulder another squeeze. Jasmine stood up and walked to the door, I slowly moved to meet her.
"Oh, and Dinner is at 7," the dean said. I pushed open the door, and closed it behind me as we left. Jasmine opened the folder and pulled out a map of the academy.
"That way," she said, pointing to my right. "Our rooms are all the way at the end." She walked ahead of me; I took my time, Jasmine glanced back at me.
"She'll be okay, Alek. She'll meet us when he's finished talking to her." I nodded but still felt worried. My phone vibrated in my pocket, I dug it out and read the text.
Meet you at Dinner. Don't wait for me, I'm fine xoxo Chloe
I texted back a simple 'okay' then put my phone back in my pocket.
"See?" Jasmine said, as I began to pick up my pace. "She's fine."
"I knew that."
"Then why were you walking so slow?" she countered. I sighed, and ignored her. Jasmine laughed. We had reached our rooms. Our bags were placed right outside our doors. Jasmine reached into the folder and pulled out two room keys. She handed me mine. As I was about to open it, I heard Jasmine say from behind me.
"Dinner's in thirty minutes."
"I'll meet you out here in twenty."
I slipped inside my room, taking my bags with me. The room wasn't small, but it wasn't that big either, there was a double bed, a closet, a computer desk, and a connected bathroom. I grabbed a towel, from the top shelf of my closet and walked into the bathroom, closing the door shut behind me.
Fifteen minutes later, I was finished and dressed. I ran the towel through my hair again, and then placed it over the computer chair. As it neared seven, I slipped on my shoes, grabbing my key and putting it in my pocket; I opened my door to see Jasmine already standing outside.
"Ready?" she asked. I nodded. After making sure my door was locked, we walked down the hall. We caught sight of a bunch of Mai walking down the hall, and followed them. By the time we entered the cafeteria, it was packed. A few people were staring at Jasmine and I. Ignoring them the best I could, I followed Jasmine in line and got my food. We picked an empty table and sat down. Jasmine rolled her eyes.
"What?"
"You, my dear cousin, are receiving a lot of attention from the female population in this room."
I rolled my eyes at her words.
"And I should care about this why?" I asked. Jasmine smiled at my words.
"You use to like the attention," she pointed out.
"And now I don't," I retorted. "I'm off the market."
Jasmine shook her head, amused. I checked the time on my phone. 7:10. Where was Chloe?
Jasmine and I mostly ate in silence, except for her remarks on the girls ogling at me. At 7:30. The entire cafeteria quieted down. I could hear the hushed whispers about the Uniter. I turned around, just as Chloe walked in. She glanced around, trying to avoid the stares and locked eyes with me. She smiled, and made her way to me. When she sat down, I leaned in and kissed her. After a few seconds, she pulled away. She grinned at me, which I returned.
"Why'd you do that?"
"I'm letting all the guys know you're mine."
"And letting all the girls know you're taken," she offered. She glanced around. "You're still getting a lot of attention. Should I be worried?"
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head.
"Because I'm so hot and good-looking?" I asked, "Yeah, you should be."
She smacked my knee. I laughed.
"Kidding," I said. "I'm all yours, you know that."
She leaned her head on my shoulder. "I do. I'm just making sure every girl in the room knows that, too."
Review.