Truth- Shadow goddess seris(COMPLETE)

Chapter Five

Monday came around a lot faster than faster than I had hoped it would. I still didn’t feel ready to face everyone. Especially after what happened in the dining hall earlier this week. Amy has seemed to have it out for me ever since. Not that it mattered, I could handle her without any problem. But she has been aggravating me daily. I try to be the bigger person, really I do. But walking away from someone like that is like admitting defeat to them, and that I wouldn’t do. 

My schedule arrived sometime last night while I was at dinner. There were some weird classes here. It’s almost as if I were still back at home learning from mom. Instead of history, well normal history. The class was history of the supernatural world. I was in a regular calculus class. But what was supposed to be science was natural mixtures and herbs. Then there were procedures of supernatural government, combat and weapons training and defensive magic. Whatever was going on with this school, I now knew why mom had wanted me to come here. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with all the information mom had taught me, but seeing these classes I figured they would be a breeze. Not that they made any sense though. I mean defensive magic? Who believes in magic anymore?

I scowled down at the uniform my uncle wanted me to wear. I looked like I was about to go role play in some weird guy's wet dream. The short sleeve button down shirt was too tight and my boobs were all but spilling out over the top. The vest wouldn’t even button all the way up. The skirt was too short, not able to cover my rounded butt. And I just could not get the damn tie to corporate. So overall this uniform was a bust, it sucked and it just didn’t fit. But I had no choice, not until I could get to Uncle Jack and talk to him about ordering a larger size. 

I was however grateful the shirt covered everything but my neck. I pulled my long hair down over my shoulders to cover the portion of my neck I didn’t want anyone to see. No one knew, not even my uncle. But I had a long and jagged scar spanning from the middle of my neck and rounded down my torso to stop at my hip bone. I never wore tank tops or bikinis. Never wore a bathing suit of any kind. 

Mom was the best. She loved me, and I loved her. But she had a mean streak, and if I didn’t get something exactly right, exactly the way she wanted I was punished. Not nearly as bad as this scar. When I was little it was taking my toys, not letting me go outside. A little older and she took my phone, took meals. She would lock me in a closet for hours on end. But one time when I was around sixteen, I skipped an entire day's lesson. I talked back, even screamed at her. She acted, I don’t even think she meant to. But she grabbed a dull poker from the fireplace and slashed me down my torso. 

I almost died that day. She had hit an artery in my neck and it gushed blood, completely soaking the floor. There were still stains in the house to prove it. She was terrified to take me to the hospital, terrified I’d be taken from her. So, she let me heal on my own, knowing I healed faster than most. And I did. Not even a day later my body was healed, but there was now that scar left behind. The blood loss had me bedridden for a few more days before mom decided enough was enough and hauled me out of bed. Not one of the best memories of her I had. 

“Girl what are you wearing?” Lexi giggled from the doorway. 

“I know.” I sighed, dropping my head and scowling at the skimpy outfit. “It’s too small, but I don’t have anything else. I’ll have to talk to my uncle about it today.”

“You know they have black pants instead of skirts.” Laxi told me with amusement. 

“Really?” My eyes widened and I shot towards my closet in search of the pants. 

She was right. Back behind the too-small skirts was a line of black pants. They were tight , had no back pockets and were straight legged. And I mean pencil straight. It was the type of pants someone might wear to a CEO meeting. They weren’t exactly my style but were better than me walking around with my butt hanging out, so I changed. 

“That’s so much better.” Lexi said bursting into laughter. “That skirt made you look like you should have been dancing somewhere.” 

“Gee, thanks.” I rolled my eyes, smiling. 

“What’s your first class?” Lexi asked as I threw my book bag over my shoulder. 

“Uh, history of the supernatural world. Then I have whatever the herb class is. Then calculus, lunch. After that is hand to hand combat and weapons back to back. And defensive magic."

Lexi winced. “I don’t envy you on that.” She said, “But we have first and third period together.” She beamed. 

I smiled over at her but said nothing. I actually didn’t mind having combat and weapons back to back. I enjoyed sparring and playing with weapons. In a weird way it calmed me down. Yeah, I know how that sounds, but I’m not a violent person, really I’m not. I’d much rather use pressure points to win other than fists. But training was different. It was fighting in a controlled environment. 

Lost in thought I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and walked head first into a wall. I stepped back groaning as I rubbed my forehead. But that’s when I noticed strong hands clutching my upper arms, and a large chest in front of me. Not a wall, a chest. I ran into a damn chest that felt like a wall. What the hell did he bench, a truck? 

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” I groaned looking up into stunning but off putting red eyes. And not just any red, no. But a dark burgundy red, like a fine wine. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like this, and something told me I wouldn’t find them on anyone else. 

“No worries.” The guy smiled sadly down at me. He was one of the guys from Mr. Tall, dark and handsome’s table. One of the ones that looked like he could be his brother. His skin was just a shade darker than the other guys making him slightly but not overly tanned. He has high cheekbones and a straight nose. His squared chin had a five o'clock shadow. Like Mr. Tall, dark and handsome he had black hair but his was short. His hair made his eyes stand out more than they already did. And here I thought no one could compare to Mr. Tall, dark and handsome. I was so wrong. 

“Your eyes are amazing.” I told him. I was never one to beat around the bush. I spoke my mind almost all the time and had no reservations about how the other person would take my words. 

But what I didn’t expect was this guy's eyes to widen in shock. “What?” I asked.

“They don’t bother you?” He asked carefully. 

“No. Why would they? I think they are beautiful. Unique.” 

“Why?”

“Why do I think they are beautiful?” I questioned, making him nod. 

I shrugged. “I just do. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like yours. And red just so happens to be one of my favorite colors. Except I prefer more of a scarlet red. But the burgundy of your eyes? Well I just think they are beautiful. Does there have to be a reason I like them?” 

“You're outspoken aren’t you.” The guy said, not saying it as a question. 

“No need not to be. It won’t help anyone if you keep your opinions and thoughts to yourself. If the other person doesn't like what you say, then oh well. That would make it a them problem, not a me problem.” 

“I like you.” The guy beamed at me. “My name is Ryker.” He stuck his hand out to me.

“Rose.” I smiled, shaking his hand. Which swallowed my own by the way. 

A tug on my shirt pulled my attention from Ryker back to Lexi. She was trembling behind me, making sure not to be seen by him. Her eyes were wide with fear as they darted back and forth between me and him. “What’s wrong?” I asked turning to her. She let out a little high pitched squeak, whimpering as she looked over to Ryker. 

“Uh…” I turned to Ryker questioningly only to find him scowling down at Lexi. 

“She’s afraid of me.” He said flatly

“Why?” I looked between the two, definitely seeing the tension in the air around us. 

“Same as everyone else.” He said, his tone flat, but also held a tinge of hurt. “My eyes.” 

“Your eyes?” I was surprised. “What’s wrong with them?”

“They are red. It’s not normal. People tend to give me wide berth, keep at a distance.” 

“You sit with a whole group of people.” I pointed out. 

“People I was raised with. Two of which are my brothers. And even they are wary of me.” 

“Well that’s just dumb.” I snorted. “It’s just an eye color. It’s not like they’ll pop out of your head and attack someone.” 

Ryker looked at me, before bursting out laughing. And I’d be damned if it wasn’t one of the most wonderful things I’d ever heard. I could listen to him laugh all day and never get tired of it. And the way his entire face lit up. It was the single most beautiful thing I’d seen since I got here. 

“Lexi. There is no reason to be afraid of him because of his eyes.” I told her in a soft voice as I gently pulled her from behind me. She whimpered but allowed me to move her until she was standing beside me. “See.” I smiled. “He’s not the boogeyman.” Lexi snorted, a tiny smile lifting the corner of her lips as she kept looking between the two of us. 

“Can I walk you two lovely ladies to breakfast?” Ryker asked with an over exaggerated bow. 

“Of course.” I said, trying and failing to use an old English accent. 

“That was terrible.” Ryker laughed as I hooked my arm through his. 

“I know. I’ve never been good with accents but they are fun to try. Plus my southern accent makes it hard to fake anything else.” 

“True. You do have a thick southern drawl. It’s cute though.” Ryker said with a smirk. 

I cut my eyes over to him. “Are you flirting with me?” I drawled, purposely making my accent thicker and more pronounced. 

“And if I am?” He questioned, his eyes sparkling. 

“Hmmm.” I exaggerated, tapping my chin. “I might just allow it.” I said with a small laugh. “Oh, and by the way. What the hell do you bench? Running into you made me think I ran into a wall. My forehead still hurts.” I pouted rubbing the sore spot.

Ryker threw his head back and laughed. “That’s a first.” He managed to get out between laughs. “I’ve never been told I felt like a wall. Should I take that as a compliment or not?” 

“I’m not sure. You’ve definitely got some definition to you. You’re not overly bulky which is good. But damn is it hard.” 

“I would apologize, but I’m not going to.” He chuckled 

“I would never ask you to.” I said in all seriousness. “You should be proud of it. Embrace it and never let anyone tell you otherwise.” 

Ryker looked down at me, his brows drawn together as he studied me. I bet no one has ever told him that. No one has ever thought to tell him to be proud, to embrace himself. And for some reason it broke my heart. He seemed like such a good man. Happy despite the rejection he received daily. I pulled him to a stop and looked up at him. 

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer.” Ryker just nodded. “Has anyone, anyone. Ever told you that? That you should be proud of yourself?” Ryker shook his head, pain filling his red eyes before he looked away from me. “Hey, look at me.” I implored, gently placing my fingers under his chin and drawing him back. “Don’t let them tear you down. Don’t let them make you second guess yourself. I may not know you from Adam, but I do know how hard you try to fit in, how much their rejection hurts you. Don’t let them do that to you, you hear me. Be yourself, don’t let them take that away from you. You are unique, there is nothing wrong with that. It makes you special.” 

Ryker looked at me like he didn’t know what to do or say. He was just staring. I smiled and stood there as I let him absorb my words and let them sink in. He needed to understand, needed to accept  it. He couldn’t let people keep walking on him, hurting him. A gasp escaped me as Ryker reached out and pulled me into an embrace. He squeezed me to the point I swear he would break me. 

“Can’t breathe.” I gasped out. 

Ryker chuckled. But put me down keeping his hands on my shoulders. “Who are you?” He smiled down at me. 

“Uh...Rose?” I questioned. 

“No.” he shook his head. “I mean Who are you? You don’t see me as the Academy freak, or the dude with red eyes. You’re not afraid of me, you tell me to be proud of who I am. No one, no one has ever tried to make me feel good about myself.” 

“Then you’ve been around the wrong people.” 

“Hey, Ryker.” Lexi whispered, her head bowed. “I’m sorry I judged you. I shouldn’t have followed everyone else.” 

Ryker, looked at me, then back to Lexi with a triumphant smile. “Hey, it’s alright.” He told her lightly as he pulled her in for a much gentler hug. “All is forgiven.” 

“Really?” Lexi’s head snapped up and she beamed. She started hopping foot to foot in excitement. 

“Yes, really.” He laughed. 

“Hey, can we go eat now please? I’m starving.” I pouted. 

“Sure, come on.” Ryker said, taking both our arms and leading us to the dining hall. 

I shook my head and laughed at his excitement. It was heartbreaking to see someone so happy about something so small. A few kind words, the smallest act of friendship. A little joking around and harmless flirting. And now, this guy is a completely different person. He is happy, buoyant even. A determination washed over me as I looked over to him, a beaming smile still on his face as he grasped my arm tightly, like he thought I would run or change my mind. And I vowed here and now, to do my best to keep him smiling. Because it’s such a shame the world lost that smile. And now that it’s back, the world would be much dimmer without it.