Читать книгу The Falling of the Stars - Lina Fischer - Страница 17

Inseparable

I woke up with a bad headache and saw that last night left a mark; my wrists were bruised, and they hurt a little bit. I couldn’t seem to remember how I ended up here in bed.

The last thing I remembered was Nathaniel saying something to me as I blacked out. What a douchebag, who does he think he is? It made me angry how he thought he could get inside my head and manipulate me, but I promised myself it wouldn’t work with me.

I wanted to take a shower and wash last night off of me. I will get my revenge and find out what his deal is with me. I showered and got dressed. The reflection in the mirror showed a girl who looked perfectly fine and strong, with her hair falling perfectly upon her shoulders.

I decided to put on a skirt and a short blazer which fit perfect together and put on my necklace that my mom gave me. I made my way to the desk to find my things that I had laid out last night.

I heard that Hera was waking up and she murmured something as she stood up and yawned.

“Good morning, are you ok? I was worried when they carried you here last night,” she said as she was getting dressed.

“I’m fine, Hera, what happened last night?” I asked her.

“Don’t you remember? You blacked out in the corridor, Nathaniel and Ash brought you here last night and said that I should keep an eye on you,” she said, confused because I couldn’t remember anything.

“He said that? Oh my god, I cannot believe him,” I said frustrated as I gave up searching for my bracelet.

“Why, what happened?” she asked again.

“It’s a long story and I don’t feel like talking right now,” I said, trying to change the topic.

“Well then, are you ready so we can head down to eat?” Hera asked as she checked herself out in her mirror.

“I don’t feel like eating, but I will keep you company,” I said as we left our dorm and made our way to the dining hall.

As I was walking down the corridor a memory came back from last night.

I felt terrible and my chest was hurting, I felt someone carrying me gently as I murmured something. I heard two people arguing, but I was too tired to catch what it was about.

“What did you do to her Nathaniel?” I heard Ash call out.

“Just help me get her to her dorm,” Nathaniel said hastily.

“Not before you tell me what’s going on and if she’s alright,” Ash said, even more pissed off.

“Look man, either help me or get out of my way, she needs to rest,” Nathaniel gave back. “I didn’t mean to hurt…” was the last thing I could hear before blacking out again.

“Astoria, are you alright?” I heard Hera say, bringing me back to the present.

“Yeah, I just felt a little light-headed, but I’m fine now.”

“Thank god, I was worried about you! Remember you can always talk to me,” she said with a genuine look in her eyes.

“Yes, thank you, now let’s go on in,” I said.

In reality, I was scared to go in there, knowing that I would have to face Nathaniel. How do you even act after all of that? People were already looking at me when I entered the room. What did I expect? It’ll get better eventually.

It was a big room and there was a buffet spread across the whole room, it smelled delicious. We both took a plate, but I decided that I just wanted an apple and some orange juice. Truth is, I didn’t feel like eating because I was still in shock about what happened yesterday.

As we were about to sit down, I heard someone yell “Astoria, Hera, come sit with us!” It was Ash, and Hera was already making her way over to them. I took a seat next to Ash and saw that the seat across from me was empty.

“Hello everyone,” I said, greeting them in a tired voice.

“Are you feeling better? You looked terrible last night,” Ash said in an undertone.

“Yeah, I feel better, thank you for bringing me to my dorm,” I said with a slight smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes.

“Nathaniel found you, you’d have to thank him – he insisted on bringing you back to your room,” he told me, and I just couldn’t believe this boy. Nathaniel is such a goddamn liar.

“Ah, here he comes, the man of the hour,” Ash exclaimed, as the one person I didn’t want to see walked up to us.

“Good morning everyone, Astoria,” he greeted me, as if nothing happened.

He looked more handsome as ever with his suit on, and his hair was fluffier than yesterday. How can someone so cruel look this good? It’s a crime.

“What were you whispering about?” Nathaniel asked with a grin.

“I was just telling Astoria how you saved her last night,” Ash said proudly, obviously not knowing what really happened yesterday. I saw Nathaniel stiffen and clench his jaw.

“That he did, thank you for that, I appreciate it,” I said with a smirk on my face, knowing that I was getting under his skin.

“What happened yesterday anyway? I didn’t really understand,” Ash asked suspiciously.

“Yeah, why don’t you tell them Nathaniel?” I said with an even wider grin.

He put his hands on the table as if he was about to start praying. “Well, I left the party and wanted to go to my dorm, but then I saw her lying there on the floor unconscious, and even if I don’t like her it would be cruel to just let her lie there, so I decided to take her to her room, where I met you Ash,” he said with the most calm voice.

He was good and he knew what he was doing – he almost fooled me as well with that story. Hera saw that I was getting uncomfortable with the situation, so she changed the subject.

“Tell us Astoria, do you know any of our teachers yet?” she asked me, and honestly I hadn’t had any time to even think about school, which was about to start.

“No, I have absolutely no clue,” I replied.

“We’ll give you a crash course. Where do we start… Do you see the man over there talking to Mr. Fray? That’s Professor Mitch,” Ash said while pointing to a young man in a white shirt, the type of professor you’d have a crush on, “he teaches–”

I interrupted him. “He obviously teaches history.”

“You got it, now the women over here,” he said, pointing towards a middle-aged woman who looked like a librarian. “That’s Professor Campell, she teaches the use of light,” Hera continued.

“See this bulky man over there, that’s Professor McGrew, he served in the war against Aaron and his allies, and teaches defence against darkness,” Hera said, pointing to a man who looked powerful and wise; he was probably around 45, but still in a great shape.

“And, of course, study of ancient runes with Mrs. Fray,” Nathaniel added.

“Wait, that’s it? There are only four subjects?” I asked them.

“Yes, they take it seriously and only teach the stuff that you need when it comes to magic, everything you learn here is important and could save your life,” Ash explained.

I couldn’t help but look over to Nathaniel now and then, only to catch him staring at me already.

I can’t believe that he lies like it’s nothing serious, I thought while clutching at my wrist, which still hurt.

“What’s your first class, Astoria?” Hera asked me as class was about to start.

“Um wait let me see… My first class is history of magic with Professor Mitch,” I said, looking at my timetable.

“Wait, Nathaniel, you have that too am I right? Why don’t you accompany her?” Ash said, nudging Nathaniel. He gave me a poisonous look.

“Of course I can,” he said with gritted teeth.

“We’ll see you at lunch, have fun!” Ash and Hera said before leaving the dining hall.

“Now there’s only us left,” he said, and I couldn’t quite place his tone. I packed my things and left without saying a word, but there was one problem: I didn’t know where I was supposed to go.

“Astoria wait, don’t be like that, I’ll show you where the classroom is,” he said.

“No, I don’t want to be near you, you fucking liar!” I said angrily. “What’s your problem with me? What could I have possibly done to make you hate me so much?”

He chuckled. “Oh god, please, you couldn’t keep your pretty mouth shut and decided to tell everyone that I was at the ball,” he said, now getting angry as well.

“Why wouldn’t I? Are you that ashamed? I just really can’t understand you, what’s your deal?” I said, raising my voice.

“What’s my deal? Funny, what’s your deal?” he gave back sarcastically.

“You are unbelievable! I will not come with you, and don’t you dare talk to me again,” I threatened him.

“Stop being a brat and follow me, we’ll be late for class,” he said impatiently.

“Stop telling me what to do! I’m tired of getting told what to do!” I said even louder as our argument got more heated.

“Come with me now or we’ll both be late!” he said. When I didn’t obey, he took a step towards me and grabbed me by my wrist. I hissed at his grip on my bruised skin. He looked down at my wrist and for the first time I saw that he was shocked that he had hurt me. “I didn’t mean to I swear–”

I interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any of your dumb apologies. Let’s go to class,” I said hastily.

He looked troubled, as if he didn’t know that he hurt me. Was it his intention to hurt me, or not?