The Lion's Den

OUCH!

CHAPTER SEVEN

The bell rang and most people started leaving their classes, going to their various place of interest since it was recess time.

Most were going to the cafeteria to have lunch. But Anika sat in her classroom trying to read a novel she had borrowed from Belle. But it wasn't working because it was impossible to read in such a noisy class. So she thought of going somewhere quiet. So far, she had only been able to know three places in this large school.

Apart from the classroom, she knew the cafeteria, the girl's restroom and the pool.

The girl's restroom? No, she couldn't read there. It was neat and all, but staying there for a long time was unhygienic, right?

The cafeteria was another no.

There had to be a library somewhere in this large school, so Anika made a mental note to ask Bella when she returned from her lunch break about it.

The pool. She was almost sure there would be no one there.

So, yes.

Walking towards the pool room, she hoped that nobody would be there as usual. But when she got inside, someone was standing facing the pool, stretching and stance active, ready to dive in.

She moved closer and realized that it was Vincent Danielson. Something seemed off because he was topless and what attracted her to discovering who it was, was that there was a tattoo at the person's back.

A large one.

Vincent had a tattoo?

It was a really magnificent one that Anika could not take her eyes off. A running lion was drawn and it covered almost all the parts of his back. With the inscription 'VIN' underneath.

Out of curiosity and amazement, Anika moved closer to have a better view. But, Vincent, who was oblivious of her presence, dived into the pool. He was swimming with pleasure and freedom thinking no one was there.

But was almost shocked to death when he rose in the pool to catch his breath and sighted Anika standing there staring directly at him. He felt like the ground should just open its mouth and swallow him. Or the water, in this case.

Anika must have seen his tattoo!

He looked around to check if any other person was there, but there was none. Thank goodness! He sighed, grateful.

Then he directed his gaze back to Anika, whose cheeks were so red it made him smile.

It's no big deal since she's the only one here. After all, she doesn't know the significance or meaning. He tried to console himself. Then a funny idea dropped in his head.

He went back into the water and swam towards where Anika stood. Standing in the water again, now closer to Anika, he stretched his hand to Anika. And she somehow understood what he meant.

"I won't. I don't want what happened before to repeat itself." She said shaking her head and looking everywhere but her face.

"I won't. I promise." Vincent tried to persuade her, his hand still outstretched.

He could see her thinking about it. She stared at him as if trying to discern if he was lying.

"Promise?" She asked eyeing him suspiciously.

"Promise." He smiled.

As if confirming that he was serious, she took his hand and pulled him out with effort. When he got out of the water, his other hand went round her waist. And before Anika cold understand what was going on, Vincent fell back into the water with her.

It happened so suddenly and she was stunned because she couldn't breathe in water, talk more of swimming.

In the water she kept on struggling and all she could say was 'I can't swim!' Vincent took that as a joke and started leaving the pool with a large smile. But when he noticed that she continued struggling he was left with no other choice but to go back.

When he got to where she was, he lifted her as if she weighed nothing.

When he placed her on the tiled floor by the pool, she started coughing uncontrollably. She had almost drowned.

She kept on coughing so hard he thought her throat would fall out, so he sat closer to pat her back.

When the cough stopped, she shot a scary look at Vincent who stared back innocently.

"What?" He looked so innocent you would think he did nothing wrong.

"Hey! You promised you wouldn't do that!" Her eyes were still red.

"Hey babe calm down. I'm sorry, okay? But are you serious that you can't swim?"

"Yes I can't swim. And please don't call me that," she warned, but now on a lighter note.

"Alright...But babe it's hard to believe that you can't swim since the first day you came to on getting to this school, was here, which is the pool so babe I thought you were an experienced swimmer."

"Firstly, I followed Belle here that day because I was new and didn't know anywhere else to go. And secondly, I said don't call me that!"

"Okay babe, I won't. It's just that I have gotten used to calling you that." He explained.

"You have gotten used to calling me that? Have you forgotten that this is first time of me talking to you. And beside you don't even know me well." She didn't know why she felt calm talking to him despite the heat she felt on her cheek. That was strange.

"Well that's true. I don't know you too well. All I know is that you are Anika Michelson, whose house is situated exactly beside mine, whose room window is just two feet opposite mine, attends the same school I go to and is in my class. That's all I know. But you can let me know more." He said jovially.

"Stop the joke." She stretched and touched her sneakers. They were absolutely wet and she was dripping wet from head to toe.

Silence fell between them and Vincent ached to break it.

He was surprised at that fact. He was a person that enjoyed his peace and quiet. But now he found himself racking his brain for any topic to start a conversation.

Something dropped in his mind. It was something the principal had told him earlier on. But as he made to speak, he realized that he was still topless so he took his shirt that was close to where they sat and wore it.

"Babe, the principal told me earlier on that our class would be going on a three days camping. He said that it was suggested by Mr. Dan that we should all go to camp together and do things that would build up our team spirit. He would come later in the day to give the announcement. The trip and everything is free. All we have to do is just bring our clothes and stuff along." He stopped to let the words sink in before he continued.

"And I realized that camping would be real fun if you are around, so I decided to let you know before others. Would you go for the camping?" He looked directly at her waiting for a response

But he didn't know that his stare made it harder for her to respond. Of course, she would like to go, but what she found strange was that he specified camping would be fun with her around. Did he already think of her as a friend?"

What does he mean? She didn't understand. But, anyways, she really felt like going, so she would go. She had decided in her heart to go, but as she opened her mouth to talk, she was interrupted.

By Milly.

Milly stormed into the room, towards them and Anika quickly stood up as if she had committed a crime.

"Hey Milly! Is it alre..." She was cut short by a slap from Milly.

"So it's true? How dare you! Do you think you can just come to this school and start getting close to my Vincent? You insolent fool!" Milly barked loudly, making the room echo.

Anika shot her a straight look.

"Listen, Mill or whatever you call yourself, I know I might have talked with your so-called boyfriend, but that didn't have to result to you be behaving like a mad dog. After all you are matured so can you behave like it and stop acting like an overgrown baby that wants a guy that doesn't like her?" Anika spoke back with anger laced in her voice and this shocked Milly. No one had ever spoken to her like that in a long time.

"Oh! So you still have the guts to talk to my face? I promise you that if you say another stupid word, I would hit you again." Milly boasted feeling powerful.

"Pray that wouldn't be the last thing you do with that hand of yours, you mad dog", Anika shot back in anger. She hardly got angry, but when she did, she put her all in it and fought for herself.

And as if to prove her point, Milly rose her hand to slap Anika again but Anika caught it and retaliated by giving her a dirty slap. Milly was stunned and she turned red. It was never expected. Milly released her hand from Anika's grip and rose it again in an attempt to give Anika a slap. But this time Vincent, who had been watching them, intervened.

He caught Milly's hand in midair.

"Stop it." Vincent ordered in a chill voice as he dragged away.

In the process, Milly turned back and gave Anika a funny look before Vincent took her to a corner of the room, leaving Anika to stand alone. Surprisingly, Anika felt bad she felt her eyes burn and felt a lump grow in her throat.

And I thought we were already getting along as friends. And is this all he could do? I must have been an i***t to think he was a nice guy who is friendly.

Geez Anika what were you expecting?

She thought as she stormed out of the room. It was more of a run than a walk.