CHAPTER 7
1556 Words
Blinking away the shock, Antonia forced her face to remain neutral.
“I'm not…” she answered, her voice shaking slightly.
Snapping her head down, she glanced down at herself– the white shirt wasn't fully buttoned, so her singlet was peeking out.
Luckily, her chest was covered, and the swell of it, wasn't noticeable.
“Doesn't seem that way,” the boy remarked.
“What's it to you?”” Charles spat as he stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the red-haired boy.
Taking one step to the side, the boy was back in her line of sight as he looked at her, “Are you Nikolas' pair?”
Her brows furrowed at his question.
“Why?” she asked.
“Just answer the damn question!” he hissed.
“I don't have to tell you who my buddy is.” Antonia fired back, “And you answer my question first,”
“Tsk,” the boy hissed as he looked her up and down, disgust flashing in his eyes. “I don't think you're the one.”
“Whatever, we'll find out soon enough!” His gaze shifted to Charles, his eyes narrowed as he turned away from them.
Pausing his steps, he turned and locked eyes with her.
“You squeal like a g*rl, by the way,” he commented, his tone harsh.
Antonia's heart pounded as she watched him walk away.
Releasing a sigh, she looked at Charles, “He said 'we'. Who’s we?”
“It seems like people are interested in that buddy of yours,” Charles replied, his gaze still on the boy. “You should be careful.”
“I already am,” she answered.
Shifting her gaze to the trousers in her hands, she let out a defeated sigh.
“It’s obvious this won't suit me,” she raised her hand.
Charles furrowed his brows as he looked at her, “Look, let's just…”
“Hey!” a voice called from beside them.
Turning, they saw another boy standing by the barricade.
“Sorry about that,” the boy started, his fingers pointing to the back.
Antonia narrowed her eyes as she watched this new intruder, “Do you know that boy?”
“It's just…” he shrugged as he shook his head.
“Never mind that,” shaking his head, he stated.
“See,” he stuck his jaw out, signaling to her hands, “I noticed your uniform pants don't fit,”
“So? What about it?” she asked, crossing her arms against her chest.
“Check this out,” he stretched his hand, offering another uniform pants. “I’m looking for someone to switch with. I think yours will suit me better.”
“I think so too,” she muttered as she eyed the one in his hands– they were smaller than hers. .
“Good, let's exchange then.” he suggested.
Placing his hand on his chest, he announced, a smile on his lips, “I’m Chen, by the way.”
Glancing at Charles, Antonia replied, “I’m Anton.”
Taking a step closer to Chen, she continued, “I guess I will –” before she could complete her words, a hand came from nowhere and grabbed her outstretched hand.
“You again?” she spat, her voice laced with disbelief as her eyes landed on the boy from earlier.
His jaw clenched as his fiery gaze settled on her.
As she moved to yank her hand from his, his grip on her tightened for a moment.
Something unreadable flashed in his eyes before he let go of her arm, shoving her backwards as he did so.
“Whoa,whoa–!”Antonia’s feet tangled as she stumbled back, trying but failing to catch her balance with her flailing arms.
Crash!
Her butt landed on the floor, causing the surrounding stuff to fall to the ground. Heads turned towards her direction at the loud noise.
“What do you want with my buddy?!” The red-haired boy fired at her.
“Elijah!” Chen shouted, pushing at his chest, “What did you do that for?”
“Anton!” Charles shouted, rushing to her side.
Looking at Charles’ outstretched arm, she took hold of it as she stood to her feet and dusted her butt with her hands.
“Buddy?” she mumbled.
‘The red-haired had a buddy? Then, why was he concerned about Nikolas'? She wondered as she looked at the two boys before her.
“We were just exchanging uniforms, it's not a big deal.” Chen explained, his voice low.
Glancing her way, Chen gave her an apologetic look, his face red before focusing on his buddy.
“Really?” Elijah asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
“Sorry again,” Chen muttered as he grabbed her uniform pants from the floor, leaving his own behind.
“I hope the one I gave you fit,” he whispered as he turned to his buddy.
“Then change right here.” Elijah stated, his eyes on her. “Isn't it better to make sure it fits?”
Gulping, Anton's eyes widened a bit, her heart pounding before shifting her gaze to Chen.
Chen grabbed Elijah’s arm, shaking his head. “It doesn't matter!
“Let's just go!” He let out, his voice laced with frustration as he pulled Elijah away.
“I don't want the instructor to…” their voices faded as they walked farther from them.
“Are you good?” ” Charles asked.
Glancing around, Anton caught some stares directed her way as she nodded to Charles. “Yeah. Let's test this out quickly.”
Her heart raced within her chest as she felt the gazes of some students still lingering on her.
Shit. They probably thought there would be a fight breaking out. Walking back behind the barricade, she shook her head as she looked at the pants— she couldn't risk taking off her own trousers.
Pulling them up, she wore the uniform pants, and they fit– almost. Still, it was better than the first one.
“Let's get out of here,” she muttered.
Packing her stuff, she hurried to the front with Charles behind her.
Her steps froze mid-step as she caught Nikolas' cold gaze on her.
His face was red, his jaw clenched tightly as he crossed his arms against his chest.
Gulping, she resumed her steps, still aware of his gaze.
With the way his gaze followed her, it seemed like his anger was directed at her.
But why?
As she got closer to the podium, Nikolas shook his head, said something to the instructor before jumping down the podium and walking away.
If he was going to act like he didn't know her, so was she.
Facing front, her feet almost stumbled as her gaze landed on Alpha Edwin, his eyes in her.
Swallowing, she looked to the instructor, “Sir, I'm here for the uniform assessment.”
Narrowing his eyes, Instructor Sam started. “You're quite small for your age group. Are you not eating properly?”
Antonia’s cheeks grew red at his words.
“Stop it, Sam,” Alpha Edwin rang out, causing her to look at him.
“I was expecting a pushback after the fall you had there,” he added.
Clearing her throat, her hands clenched together as she answered. “He wasn't worth it.”
“Are you sure?” Alpha Edwin eyed her, then looked at Sam. “Maybe I'll add this topic to my speech tomorrow." The importance of fighting back. What do you think?”
Turning to focus on Antonia, he added, “It should give you a better understanding of what is worth fighting or not. You will be there for my speech, right?”
“It's mandatory for all fresh meat,” Instructor Sam cut in, his voice full of boredom as he eyed her. You pass. Get going and tuck in your damn uniform properly.”
Nodding, she stepped to the side and waited for Charles to get assessed.
“Pass.” Instructor Sam waved him off, his expression full of boredom.
Antonia's skin prickled as she felt Alpha Edwin stare on her. But, her gaze remained on Charles until he caught up to her.
Then, they both headed for the exit door.
“Wait a minute!” Alpha Edwin's voice boomed as they took two steps forward, making them stop.
Turning around, she saw Alpha Edwin jumping down from the podium and approached them– his eyes were still on her.
‘What was his problem?’ she wondered as she struggled to keep still.
“Do I know you from somewhere?”
The question threw her off guard. Her heart rate spiked as she shook her head.
“I don't..” she swallowed, steadying her voice. “No sir.” She answered, her gaze on the floor.
“That's funny,” he mumbled, leaning towards her as he eyed her, “Your scent reminds me of someone.”
A gasp left her lips as she snapped her head up. Her heart pounding as she stumbled back.
Tilting his head to the side, his studious gaze still on her, he added. “Why is that?”
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