The Family Secret

CHAPTER 5

Katerina:

The morning light brought about the start of a new era. Esme had arranged school clothes for me that thankfully fit well enough. I dressed in the high navy socks and a navy uniform with gold and white details that were the school colors. After packing a gym bag, I grabbed my book case and headed for the front of the house. I skipped breakfast on purpose after what happened with the brothers. I didn’t want to see them but that wasn’t really possible. I could only delay the inevitable. However, only Jayden was waiting for me, standing in front of a silver four door jeep with its roof down.

I tried to act normal as I approached him, “Morning, are we early?” I asked, wondering where his brothers were.

Jayden must have picked up what I meant because he opened the front passenger door while saying, “Jordan and Julian have already left.”

I frowned as Jayden rounded the front of the jeep and got behind the wheel. “Did I get the time wrong? Are we late?” I asked, suddenly worried that I was late for my first day.

He laughed as the warm early morning wind danced through our hair and the shadows of trees ran over us as we went along the smooth gravel road, “No don't worry. Julian prides himself on his academics and always leaves for school early and I believe Jordan had to go in early for practice. Usually we would go together since we are both on the team, but he couldn't get off - being the captain and all.” Jayden smirked, "And someone had to give you a lift, so here we are, all things considered.”

My heart rate sped up, “Considering what?” I hesitantly asked, wondering if he was referring to what had happened last night.

He grinned like he was thoroughly enjoying this very awkward conversation, “Relax, city girl. Considering I promised to show you around school, remember?” He had weirdly perfect teeth, all straight and super white. The only thing that really tugged at my attention was that two of them, the upper canines were overly pronounced - more so than I recall seeing on anyone else beyond the island and yet, I am sure Esme had a similar thing going on, and her husband Sebastian and come to think of it, so did super model, Emma. I don't remember seeing Jordan or Julian smile wide enough for me to have noticed such a thing for them. How strange… Especially because they weren't related. Maybe it was an odd custom to sharpen or tamper with a person's canines or something like that on the island. Who knew? I certainly wasn't asking, not today anyway. I hadn't realized how long I had been staring at him until he gave me an odd look.

“You're quiet.” He stated.

“Yeah I'm normally reserved. Madelyn, my friend that I was on the phone with, she's the outgoing one.” I decided to tell him as we took the turn before the block to the airport. The roads were much busier this morning than they had been late yesterday afternoon. The town didn't seem so small when looking at all the movement.

“Are you nervous?” He asked and I was surprised that he cared.

Then I reminded myself that I didn't really know him. He had that look, He was someone accustomed to being wanted. An effortless magnetism in the way he held himself, even in the way he spoke. He’d probably grown used to the weight of longing glances that I had no doubt he received often - used to the chase that always ended with someone else falling and him never catching, unapologetically. Last night though, he had taken responsibility for his actions, he had accepted the blame for what he had been doing when his brother had come across us kissing - well, actually, it had been a little bit more than just kissing. That should have shown me something about him.

“I guess I am. I've always struggled to make friends and fit in so Madelyn was a God sent.” I laughed lightly, kind of questioning my good sense. Who tells a gorgeous guy that they are basically the ‘not cool’ friend? Gosh, I mentally cringed, I really was lame. “That was of course when I was younger and I guess I just got comfortable around the people we were close to and now everything is new again.” Yeah, that sounds a bit better. Not so nerdy and pathetic.

“You shouldn't be nervous.” Jayden said with a confidence that I lacked as we pulled into the most old school oxford looking high school I'd ever seen. Jayden suddenly grabbed my hand, bringing my fingers to his lips and pressing a kiss on them, “You have me. I'll be your new Madelyn.” He said sweetly, fixing his gaze on me, “Stay close to us and you’ll be fine.” I didn't have words and he didn't seem to be expecting any because just as quickly he released my hand and drove into the parking lot. We both grabbed our perspective bags and headed towards the entrance.

“I just need to go put my kitbag for training in the locker room. Come with me.” Jayden said, not leaving much room for arguing. As we walked around the building towards the fields, I couldn't help noticing that while every single student was in prestige condition, be it male or female, they weren't the Caspian sons and I couldn't quite explain why except that they fell short of their exceptional looks. And believe me when I say, I was the last one running. All these girls were taller than me, fitter than me, more put together with fancy accessories, painted nails and styled hair. I sighed, my last school didn't let us do such things, I thought as I let my hair out of its pony and it fell around my waist in waves. One thing I did have was beautiful long and thick hair. Jayden glanced in my direction, smirking immediately when he saw my loose dark hair. “You know, I never really got a chance to knot my fingers in…”

I could guess where he was going with that train thought; however, a whistle blew sharply and loudly in the direction of the sports field as the coach marched our way.

“Why the hell weren't you at practice, Caspian!” The coach demanded to know.

The coach stopped in front of Jayden who raised a brow, yet did not shrink under the narrowed stare that he was receiving from his superior. Probably, I realised, because Jayden didn’t view him as one.

In fact, Jayden seemed as self assured as ever, even while he was addressing his sports coach who should have held far more authority, “Ahh Coach, no need to get worked up now.” He smiled, so silly smooth that I grinced, He went on, “I have a valid and sanctioned excuse. Besides, Jordan should have excused me.”

Just then the players came trotting along to the showers up ahead. Among them were Jordan and Julian. Both dirty and sweaty. I dropped my gaze, half to keep my composure and half to avoid Jordan’s notice.

“Coach Jackson,” Jordan said, and I saw him slowing down with Julian beside him on the edges of my peripheral vision. “Jayden was excused from practice.”

“And what was so important that he had to miss my training time?” The coach asked and I finally looked up.

I got the distinct feeling from the look on Jordan's face that he wasn't questioned often. Then his eyes slid to mine and I swear it was both electrifying and terrifying being the focus of his sudden attention. I had never felt more intimidated and suffocated in my life. Jordan's gaze was so intense that he made you feel like you were struggling to draw in air with malfunctioning lungs.

“Not what, Coach, but who.” Jordan lifted his hand up to gesture towards me and my heart accelerated in record time. “Please allow me to introduce Katerina Collins. Our cousin and legal godchild of Lady Esme.”