Chapter 2: Better Late Than Sorry
1336 Words
Stephanie and I slipped into the school hall and silently slid into the chairs at the back. We didn’t want to draw any attention to ourselves.
“Don’t you think it would have been better if we never came. We’re late,” I whispered, making sure my voice was low.
Stephanie shook her head, disagreeing with me. “It’s better that we came,” She whispered. “They might be taking attendance. It’s better to be late than sorry.”
Before I could get comfortable and listen to what was being told to the students, Stephanie tapped my thigh. “The guy talking is the student president.”
I stretched my neck to see a blonde guy standing with the mike in his hands. “How do you know who he is?”
“I just know.” She smiled and flipped her hair to the side.
I nodded and went on to pay attention to what was said.
“You all should have fun and don’t forget the rules. Especially the first rule which is…”
“Do not shift within the University ground!” Everyone in the hall said in unison.
“And the second rule?”
“No pack wars.” They answered aloud.
Stephanie and I had no idea about all that was said before we arrived but we pretended to be following.
“Isn’t that the jerk that ruined your mood?” Stephanie pointed towards the stage.
“Who?” I asked, looking where she pointed.
She lowered her voice even more. “You said he didn’t want you to refer to him as your bro…”
“Gilbert!” I narrowed my eyes, looking around for him. “Where is he?”
“There. Seating behind the student president.”
I stretched my neck to look where Stephanie had said. It was easy for Stephanie to see him because she was taller than I.
I stretched my neck a few more inches and there he was seating and laughing with his colleagues. Seeing him made my blood boil. A low growl escaped my mouth. If he knew he was going to be here, what will it have costed him to drag me along with him.
He didn’t want people seeing us together.
“You all are welcome to Denver Elite University,” Gilbert said immediately he collected the mike from the student president. “The president has told you all that you need to know. We are here to assist you, so feel free to come to us when you’re in trouble.”
There were murmurings. A soft feminine voice asked. “What sort of trouble?”
It seemed to be coming from one of the girls seated in the front.
“Any trouble you have, my lady,” Gilbert replied with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen on his face. I’ve never seen that side of him before.
“Will you be available whenever I come?” she asked in a seductive voice.
“Just call and I’ll be right there, love.” He winked. I nearly gagged when he did that.
Now everyone’s attention was on Gilbert and the girl. They were flirting with each other and this confirmed my suspicion when the guys in the hall began to whistle and the ladies cheered them on. It was disgusting to watch.
“Your brother seems to be enjoying the attention he’s getting from the new student. Or should I say she’s enjoying the attention she’s getting from him.”
“His smile says everything.” I shift in my chair, irritated by their display of immorality. “He has never smiled with me like that.”
“Why should he? Brothers don’t smile with their sisters like that.” Stephanie rose up from her seat.
“Hey, where are you going?” I asked before she could slip away.
“I’m getting out of here. Come on, let’s go.”
“Wait, this is a bad idea. The meeting isn’t over yet?” I slipped from my seat to follow her out. “What about the attendance?”
“I will find a way to put our names,” she replied. “A senior student is flirting with a newbie which isn’t cool to watch if you ask me. And the student president is stupid to entertain such.”
“Stop right there! Where do you two think you’re going?’’ The deep voice reverberated through the hall making us stop in our tracks.
I whispered to Stephanie before we spun around. “I told you it was a bad idea.”
My heart raced knowing that Gilbert would be mad to discover that it was me and my roommate who tried to walk out while he was speaking.
As soon as his stare settled on my face, a frown appeared. “Come over here,” he ordered.
I hesitated but Stephanie was already walking towards him. All eyes were on us. When we reached him. Gilbert glared at both of us. “Where are both of you going to?”
“We’re going out,” Stephanie replied fearlessly. She stared at his face and didn’t waver. I admired her courage but I feared for her. She didn’t know who Gilbert was or what he was capable of. Living with Gilbert for a month has shown me the beast that lay beneath.
“And you couldn’t take permission?” he asked with a menacing tone.
“There was no need to.” Stephanie answered. “You were too busy wooing a girl to have our time.”
A few laughter cut through the silence in the hall and this only made Gilbert more furious. We had disrespected him before all the new students and Stephanie didn’t even care.
I quickly hit Stephanie’s hands and whispered. “You’re are going too far. Don’t mock him.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this,” she whispered back.
Wasn’t she scared of what Gilbert will do her? I thought. He is our senior and can punish us for being disrespectful to him in front of everyone.
“And who are you to talk back at me?”
“Just a new student.”
I liked that she wasn’t going to let Gilbert order us around but I was concerned for her safety.
A hand pat Gilbert’s shoulder. It was the student president. He emerged from behind Gilbert with a sigh. “Let me handle this.”
“No, I will. They disrespected me, not you,” Gilbert sneered.
“I’ll handle it. The one with the sharp tongue is my sister and she’s a pain in the ass.” The student president revealed.
My mouth fell open. I looked at Stephanie. I didn’t know how to feel; feel betrayed or feel stupid. Stephanie didn’t tell me she had a brother here.
The student president stood in between her and Gilbert. “Stephanie, I should have known you were going to cause trouble when I didn’t see you seated at the front.”
“Well brother, I was late.”
Gilbert cut them off. “You didn’t tell me that your sister is part of the freshmen.”
“I didn’t need to. Stephanie is a trouble maker,” he replied. It was funny how I could spot the same pattern in the way they speak. I knew before the end of the day she was going to get involved in a trouble that would reveal who she is. And I was right.”
I had to smile. Why didn’t I see this? Stephanie was so confident and comfortable. An d I was beginning to admire her boldness. She wasn’t acting in anyway like a newbie. It was a relief to know that the student president is her brother, which means she’s safe from Gilbert.
When I looked up at Gilbert, he was looking at me with blood shot eyes. His eyes glowed a bright yellow. “You’re dead,” he whispered.
- Writer
