Day Break Academy Series book 1

Chapter 11: Humiliated but Vindicated

"Oh f**k. I'm sorry to make it worse, but yeah. You just amped the target on your back up a few hundred notches." Torri said, looking at me pitifully.

I had just finished telling her what happened at the end of last period.

"It can't be that bad, right? They aren't even dating! Nothing even happened, we flirted like the tiniest bit!" I rationalised nervously…truth be told I was scared shitless.

Seriously though! If smiling at a single guy was enough to make an enemy out of her, why didn't Twyla just mail out a list of rules for the whole student body to follow?! I'd been here less than a week and already started s**t between two, let's be honest, very fuckable guys, and now I was on the queen bees hit list.

I groaned and flopped back onto my bed.

"She's obviously threatened by the possibility he could like you back though, or else she wouldn't be so mad right? That's a plus" Torri grinned.

"Really? That's what you say to be helpful? Ugh, Tor! I don't want my eyelids burned off!" I whined

"Give me a break" she rolled her eyes, "you're a Venus! Everyone at DayBreak knows where your lineage comes from. Even if she hates you, I seriously doubt she'd try and f**k with you."

"My lineage? So what! Just because my parents did great here doesn't mean I will. You should have seen me in gym Tor, it was honestly pathetic." I picked at a piece of lint on my pants before continuing, "everyone here is going to see I'm a notch above human and that's it. You can read minds, trance people! All I can do is make it across a set of monkey bars, before falling." I retorted, flopping back onto the bed in angry self pity.

She stood up and threw a throw cushion at my face. The irony not escaping me. I tried to catch it, and failed.

"Enough of this pity party, damn! You're right. You've been here less than a week. You've had no prior training, and you're starting midterm. So pat yourself on the goddamn back, get up and put everything you have into being the most powerful vamp you can. You're supernatural, that alone means you're going to have enemies, but if you whine about how weak you are and don't fight to get stronger, then that's all you'll be. A human with sharp teeth." She stated pointedly at me.

As much as her words stung I had to be grateful. She had known me a handful of days, yet had the balls to put me in place nonetheless. She was a true friend. I sniffed away my nerves, and stood up.

"There she is!" She Beamed at me.

"Thanks Torri, I mean it, tough love was needed." I chuckled humorously.

"I'm feeling testy if i'm being honest, could probably use some blood, I skipped lunch. Cafeteria?" She asked.

After that workout I could probably use a pick me up too.

"Absolutely." I said, following her to the door.

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.

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When we arrived the cafeteria was packed. Apparently evenings were a popular time to hang out here, even though less than half the tables had actual food at them.

Despite not knowing anybody, I felt like all eyes were on me.

Torri led the way to the lines and handed me a tray and blood box from the bin.

"Thanks" I mumbled, still aware I was a beacon in a dark room.

I grabbed a bowl of hot minestrone, skipping the buttered rolls that went alongside them.

Torri piled her tray high. A huge portion of Louis style ribs, cornbread, macaroni salad, and Belgian style beans took up her plate. Despite how delicious it looked, particularly the beans, my stomach was too fluttery to ingest anything solid.

I followed close behind her as she walked towards her and Blake's usual back table, when suddenly my foot caught, careening me face down to the floor.

Scalding soup ran the length of my neck and chest. I shrieked, and instinctively scuttled backward from the mess, while a high peel of laughter rang out.

Twyla and her group.

The stupid b***h had tripped me.

I was hyper aware of the sudden silence in the cafeteria, and tears threatened the corners of my eyes as I glanced around.

"Watch where you're going skank!" She shouted through a teasing grin as if any of this was somehow an accident.

I stood to my feet, and siruptisiously glanced around. Everyone was gawking eagerly at the altercation before them.

I felt a pasta shell roll down my cheek ,and realised it had gotten in my hair as well. The four of them burst out laughing in response.

Memories of the last 3 years surfaced like an erupting volcano. The senior girls who dumped food in my hair while I waited in line, tripping me in the library, spilling coffee on my homework…

Twyla's shrill laugh reverberated through me, and something foreign made its way up my spine, and down my limbs.

I'd hated the bullies of my past, but I'd always managed to keep my cool.

This time was different. My vision took on a tinge of red, and I barely noticed the strong tremor wracking through my hands before one clenched fist came up smoking Twyla dead in the jaw.

If the cafeteria was silent before, this rocked the boat. Screams of encouragement rang out through the walls as I felt power surge in my chest. They wanted a fight. The shock on her perfect face ignited my fire, and I dove forward again intent on ringing her boney neck. I was cut off when two strong hands wrapped around my upper arms, and yanked me backwards towards the doors.

Kicking and screaming I was dragged away, as Twyla's mask of rage flew forward towards me, her hands extended before her with what appeared to be purple electricity. I didn't see who, but a boy jumped the gap between us and blocked her from pursuing me.

On the other side of the cafeteria doors, my back was slammed.

"The hell are you thinking?! Are you trying to get killed?" Jet roared in my face.

The anger melted away instantly. Embarrassment, regret, and now shame were taking the front stage.

I shoved back against him angry that he would take her side.

"She started it, she tripped me!" Tears threatened to spill and I internally punched myself for crying every time I got angry.

"I don't care who started it, you still took the bait Ava! She could have blasted you across that room with one hand! Twyla comes from a line of incredibly powerful mages!" He fumed.

Even though he was just stating the obvious, I felt as though his description of her prowess was backed by some concealed admiration over her, and again jealousy clocked me.

His hard eyes penetrated into mine, and a muscle in his jaw ticked.

I fought the urge to run my hand along and smooth it out. Hot as he was, I was still pissed off at him.

I shook his hand off my shoulder, and began to walk away. I needed to go before the tears began fully. It was always an embarrassing downfall of mine... Crying when I got mad.

"Ava, stop." He ordered.

I whirled around, as the first tear deceived me.

"What?!" I challenged him angrily.

His face softened as he watched it trail to my jaw, and he let out a sigh.

Reaching up he wiped the solitary tear from my cheek, brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it. As gross as I would have considered that before, my breath got heavier, and my eyes hooded as I watched the foreign movement.

My heart sped up a touch, and confusion flooded inside me.

"I have to go," I choked out softly, turning and walking away quickly.

This time he let me.