George
"I have to go," I say to Mr. Tuna. He looks at me and nods. He casually sits on the window beside my bed facing the open field.
Clarkson left early. It's my first time going to training by myself and I'm running late. As I make my way to the field, I wear my cape and metal elbow pads. All of the students are in the field. Some are practicing. Some are waiting for Fatima to come. Some are sitting on the field, probably conserving some energy.
"Oh gosh," I say and take a deep breath.
"I thought you'd be absent again," Sophia says, standing behind me with her arms crossed on her chest. "I've heard Clarkson is not with you anymore."
I didn't answer. Instead, I shift my gaze away from her. Fatima comes with two female and two male werewolves with her, probably around their twenties.
"Everyone!" Fatima yells while clapping to gain our attention. All of us form our formation. Sophia bumps my shoulder and stands beside me. I look at her and squint my eyes. She didn't look at me, acting as if nothing happened. Her gaze is watching Fatima.
"I have my apprentices here," Fatima says. "This is Theo, Lily, Bella, and Carter."
The four werewolves wave at us and greet us.
"They'll be your instructors. They are in the third phase of training. I'll be guiding them. Do not worry. I'll group you in four. Theo you're assigned to this side of the class," Fatima points at our side. "Lily, Bella, and Carter," she says while pointing to which side they're teaching.
"Theo, be more alert to your students. Some of them end up pointing swords at their pulses," Fatima says eyeing the two of us.
Theo roams his gaze, probably figuring out who that could be.
It's us, Theo.
"The task for today is to show us what you've learned in the past classes. Defense and offense," Fatima says.
The four apprentices walk in front of us. Fatima takes a few steps back to see a fuller view of the whole class. She crosses her arms on her chest and watches us.
"Any volunteers who want to start?" Theo asks. "If none, we'll gonna start from this pair toâ"
"We're going to start," Sophia cuts his word. She grabs my wrist and drags me with her.
"Sophia, No," I whisper to her.
"Georgina, yes," she whispers back.
"Okay then," Theo says. "You may start."
My gaze lands on Fatima who is quietly watching the two of us.
"Who'll be performing defense?"
"Georgina," Sophia answers.
Theo nods.
I'm still processing what's happening when Theo says start. I'm glad my reflexes are quick and I reacted immediately when Sophia attacked me. Our swords clash. My feet instantly step back
"The fuck is wrong with you?" I say through my gritted teeth. "Are you trying to kill me every time we're in this class?"
Finally, I've said it.
"I don't," she answers. I feel the chills when someone is lying.
"You know I can feel if someone's lying now, do you?" I frown.
"It's worst when you hear it from my mouth," she smirks.
Her attacks continue. I did my best to dodge every attack of her sword. I'm slowly getting annoyed. I decided to slam her sword with mine which caused the blade of her sword to be broken.
"Nevigera," she curses.
I grip my shield and push her with it. It caused her to fall on her back. I plant my sword on the ground and look at Theo.
"Both of us performed offense," I say.
My gaze shifts back to Sophia. She rolls her eyes in annoyance. She kicks my shield. She kicks my leg and gets up. I fall on my back. She grabs my sword and points it underneath my chin.
"Never let your guard down, Georgina," Sophia warns.
"Next time," I clenched my jaw. "I won't," I slam my shield to the sword.
Theo immediately stops the two of us. He stands between us. He holds Sophia's wrist while his other hand reaches for me to help me stand up.
"I guess it's the two of you that I have to pay more attention to then," he sighs.
"You are not yet told about hand-to-hand combat!" Fatima yells while writing on her paper.
"Hey," Camira says. "There won't be class this afternoon," she continues.
The class ends. I am walking back to my place to eat lunch.
"Really? Why? Where's Ellis?" I ask.
"I don't know. Maybe they have a meeting," she answers and shrugs. "Dahlia invites us to come to her place. Wanna come?"
"Sure," I quickly answer.
"You're always getting in trouble every time you're with Sophia," she said.
"Ugh, please. I don't want to hear that name anymore," I roll my eyes.
"She's annoying," Camira says. "Very annoying."
"You did great a while ago," I say.
"I know," she confidently replies. "Let's go?"
"Oh my! You're here!" Dahlia screams.
"Hey," I say. "I never expected you could scream."
"Oh, come on. She's very very loud," Camira says and sits beside Dahlia.
Her place really suits her so well. There are so many flowers around her room which gives a very fragrant smell. Everything is properly arranged
"Your place is so nice," I say and sit on the adjacent couch.
"Thank you! I cannot believe you are here! I've been asking Camira to invite you to come over. But then she'll reply to me that she's trying but she felt like you don't have time to come here."
"I didn't say it that way," Camira glares at her.
"How are you?" Dahlia asks.
"I'm still adjusting," I reply. "I'm used to the village now."
Dahlia stands up. "You want some tea?" she offers.
"Pass," Camira answers.
"How about you, George?" she looks at me with a welcoming gaze.
"Yeah," I reply and smile.
"Tea, again," Camira complains. "Every time I visit this place, she'll offer me tea. Tea. Tea. Tea," she continues and lies on the couch.
"Then why do you keep visiting me?" Dahlia asks while preparing the tea. "You could've just stopped if you don't like it here."
"I didn't say I don't like it here," Camira replies.
"I don't have friends in the village," she answers in a muffled voice.
"So we're friends?" Dahlia continues.
Camira doesn't answer and only replies with a muffled groan.
"Why didn't you visit me?" I ask, pretending to get sulky.
Camira quickly lifts her head and looks at me.
"Aren't we friends then?" I continue.
"No, that's not the reasonâ"
"So we're also friends?" I grin.
I hear Dahlia's soft giggle.
"Camira is like that. She always acts so cold," Dahlia says. She serves our tea and sits at the edge of the couch. She pushes Camira's legs behind her so she can sit properly. "But she's not."
"I've heard about your Mom," Camira says. "How is she?" she asks.
"She's still in the dungeon," I reply and take a deep breath.
"Why do you have to bring that up?" Dahlia glares.
"What? I'm worried," Camira frowns.
"No, it's fine," I say and take a sip of the tea.
"If you need help, we're here. Okay?" Camira says. "Just yell 'Camira' . I'm the only Camira here."
"Should I get them involved?" I whisper as I walk back home, thinking if I could fully trust Camira and Dahlia.
I said to myself to never trust any werewolves except the three, Clarkson, Liev, and Saber, until I figured out who the enemies were.
"Not now. I guess," I say and enter the house.
Surprisingly, there's no one here.
"Tuna?" I call the cat's name.
I go run outside.
"Tuna!" I yell with my hands and the side of my mouth. "Tuna!"
Where on earth are you?
If I'm Jared, where will I go?
My gaze immediately looks at the top of the cliff.
"Tuna," I whisper. "Yoohoo, Tuna? Are you here," I continue to whisper.
He's so obsessed with this part of the village.
"Damn it Jared, where are you?" I ask with gritted teeth.
"How is she?" I've heard male voices talking. I never meant to eavesdrop. It's just that my sense of hearing gets way better than before.
"She's stronger compared to other werewolves."
Who?
I frown.
"The fact that she's only more than a week old werewolf is threatening."
"According to her records, she is one of the low-ranking students."
I'm sure it's me.
But they said stronger though.
"Forget the rank, she's still fragile that's why."
"Miss, what are you doing here?" a familiar male voice asks.
I startle and turn around.
Elis.
"Meow," I hear the cat's voice.
"There you are!" I carry the cat who is standing behind Ellis. "I'm looking for my cat, Sir," I say, and show him Mr. Tuna.
"You have found it now. Why are you still here?" he raises his eyebrows.
"Right," I nod. "I better go."
"Sir," I add.
I go down the staircase and leave.
"Who is that, Elis?"
"One of my students," I hear Elis reply.
"Why do you have to go there?" I whisper to the cat's ear.
"Later."
Jared's voice echoes in my head but he never opens his mouth. I am sure I heard him. With furrowed eyebrows, I look at him.
"Meow," he says while looking around the village.
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