It was eleven thirty five and we were still waiting for lectures to commence. By now, the campus ground was filled with students. Everyone was waiting for when lectures would start. Some had begun walking to their scheduled lecture hall, some were just entering the school gate. The boy and I were still seated on the bleachers, and of course, Aaron’s girlfriend was still with him. I could still hear snippets of their discussion and laughter. Well, maybe not snippets. I heard everything word for word, but no matter how hard I tried not to, I would still find my ears picking up every of their words and sounds.
“It’s almost time.”
Aaron informed the rest of us, checking his wristwatch.
“Maybe we should start going in.”
Zach suggested.
“We’re already in school, what’s the rush? Not like anyone would take our seats. Beside, we have twenty five minutes more. It’s like a five minutes walk to our class.”
Lucas put in.
“You’re right. No one would dare it though.”
“You guys have reserved seats in your classes?”
I was surprised. I mean, they did not have to fight over their respective seats being taken. That was new to me. Back in Moon Rock academy, everything was a struggle for me. I had to fight for everything. And even though people knew that was your favorite seat in class, they’d still take it just to spite you. I was used to changing seats all the time.
“Every single class, hot legs.”
Yeah, about that argument between Lucas and Zach. It was a tie. I did not know what to say and I chose not to say anything. I knew better than to have let myself choose a side and had just gone mute on them. At the end, nobody won and we were back to how it was.
“Oh, that must be pretty special.”
“Pretty special?”
Lucas snorted in laughter.
Zach chuckled.
“There’s nothing special about it, sissy. It is just the way it was. No one wants to cross the paths of the Salvatore brothers.”
This was from Lucas.
I only smiled and said nothing more. They would never understand what it meant to be in my shoes before now. They were born into wealth, everything came easy to them including respect. Their mere presence commanded respect and adoration. I felt small and insignificant amongst them and maybe it was better I remained that way. I might be part of the Salvatore family but I was never really going to be them. They knew their place and wasted no time securing it. I did not know where that left me. I had always preferred the quiet life, to be unnoticed. Maybe I needed not to allow myself live their shadow and just live on my own, but without being seen. It was not just about having seats no one dared occupy, but it was about my place here. How much I was beginning to see I might end up depending on them, living under their protection and comfort. They were the real heirs of Stone Shadow pack. I was like an additional package they had to take and care for, and it did not really sit well with me. Keeping a low profile was the best thing to do. I knew Lucas was ready to defend me, he had shown me he was always willing to stand by me but I couldn’t let him do that. It was both selfish and desperate. And Katherina May was anything but.
“That’s quite impressive. You’re lucky.”
“How?”
Lucas was genuinely curious. Exactly what I was talking about. He was so used to getting things easy that the very thought of others fighting for it seemed like a crazy, alien news to him.
“I was not that lucky.”
“Really? People took your seats.”
“Yes. If you don’t go on time, your seat will be taken.”
“That’s crazy. Why take someone’s seat when you know it’s their preferred position?”
“It’s crazy but some just like to be mean and torture others.”
“You mean the bullies?”
“Exactly, the bullies.”
“Those sorts are everywhere. Even here in Stone Shadow academy. But no one dares try it when we are around or to us. Hey, don’t let anyone bully you, okay?”
I stared at him, then nodded. “Yes.”
“Anyone who tries to bully you, come to me or my brothers. Even Trenton hates bullies so go to him, he might not talk to you but he’d make sure it never happens again.”
I was right about that too. He was ready to fight and probably the mother brothers too but that would be asking for too much. I was already partaking in a wealth I had no right to, and now they fight for me? No, I would not let it happen. They did not need to always be focusing on my life when they had theirs to pay attention to. Moreover who knows? I might be lucky here. No one would notice me or even if they did, they’ll not want to mess with the Alpha’s stepdaughter. Maybe that was enough. I could not let myself be carried away by the thought of having bullies always at my neck. This place was different. It was not my previous pack, so I was probably fretting over nothing.
“Maybe I would not need it.”
I told him, giving him an assuring smile.
He seem to ponder on it. “Yes, you’re right. No one would want to be crazy enough to cross a Salvatore even though she’s a step. You’re a Salvatore. Wear the name with pride.”
“Sure, I will.”
“It’s eleven forty eight.”
Zach announced.
Trenton carried his backpack and slung it across his shoulder and stood. I thought he was going to go in without us but he waited.
“We’ll see later, huh?”
“No problem, Kay.”
Zach and Lucas had came down the bleachers and waited too. I was with Lucas, he still had our arms hooked. He was behaving like my boyfriend, protective and possessive as if he was warning guys to back off. As much as I loved him for it, it was funny because no guy was ever interested in me. Like ever. Aaron and his girlfriend held hands and came down together, we waiter for them.
“Do you know your class yet, Katherina?”
I was not supposed to like the way my name rolled off his tongue, but I couldn’t help not liking it.
“I’m new, Aaron.”
“Second year, right?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
He turned to Katelyn. “You’re in second year too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Can you take her to the lecture hall with you?”
She looked at me then back at Aaron. “Sure, no problem.”
“Keep her safe and don’t let anyone bully her, Katelyn. I’m putting her in your care.”
Lucas gently pushed me to stand beside her. His words showing he was half joking.
“Jeez, Lucas. You sound like some protective boyfriend.”
“Well, she is my girlfriend.”
Lucas answered with a serious look on his face.
“Now who’s the pervert?”
Zach raised a brow.
“At least I don’t call her hot legs.”
“Guys let’s go in for lectures.”
Aaron interjected. He had just prevented another minor spat. Lucas and Zach behaved like twins, always at each other’s necks.
“Alright see you guys later.”
Zach bade us goodbye as soon as we reached the direction of his own lecture hall.
“I’m off.”
Trenton said seconds later, he had gotten to his too.
“Take care of yourself, sissy.”
Lucas gave me a peck and entered his hall.
“Bye Aaron.”
Aaron had stopped before a staircase. Maybe his class was upstairs. Katelyn hugged him and pecked him. I looked away.
“Take care, Katherina.”
I waved him goodbye.
It was me and Katelyn left.
“So who exactly are you Katherina?”