Chapter 11 CUTE

MICHELLE's P O V

‘‘You can take each half...’’ Gian tossed a few snack bags across the table with a careless gesture. ‘‘I'm full…''

As I accepted Gian's offer, I noticed that the tightness in my shoulders had melted away, and I had to fight back a smile. Maybe his teeth weren't that sharp after all.

When the time came for us to part ways and go to our subsequent classes, Kaden and I were surprised to find out that we shared a Physical Education class. I was thankful for the companionship, and especially since it relieved me of the stress of having to worry about finding my way around the campus because Kaden knew exactly the way to go.

‘‘Let’s go!’’ he waved his hand, motioning for me to follow him.

I tried to match his long strides as I walked alongside him through the courtyard, but Kaden's large frame made it difficult for me to do so. As he walked, he pounded his long fingers against his thighs and bopped his head along to an imaginary rhythm that I was not aware of.

I gripped to my backpack straps, and resisted the impulse to scratch my chest bindings as they brushed across my underarms as they continued to irritate me. I really can’t wait for the school to end, and remove these chest bindings around me.

I could feel the warmth of the breeze on my face, and the Goldstein courtyard was brimming with all kinds of trees and vibrant flowers.

We were climbing the steps of the building when a boy emerged from the double glass doors in a hurry. If it weren't for Kaden pulling me closer against his chest, I would have collided with the lad, and fall down.

‘‘I'm sorry...,’’ the boy bowed his head and raced out of the room without so much as a backward glance in our direction.

‘‘Are you okay?’’ My face was still pressed up against Kaden’s hard chest as his deep voice vibrated through his body. I inhaled deeply, smelling his masculine scent of moss and pine. ‘‘Michael…?’’

‘‘Oh…’’ I promptly stepped back, readjusted my blazer, and repositioned my body in a manner befitting a gentleman before running my fingers through my hair mimicking how Devon always did it. ‘‘Appreciate it, bro, thanks...''

He nodded and tapped my shoulder, before he continued walking down the corridor, which caused me to sprint in order to keep up with him. I stayed in close proximity to Kaden's heels, my face still red-hot from being too close with him earlier, and I followed him about like a young chick following its mother.

After turning down the next hallway, Kaden entered a gymnasium that was completely empty. When I saw how high the ceiling was, my mouth dropped open. It had to be at least four stories tall.

The walls, which were decorated with championship banners, were lined with royal blue bleachers. A formidable basketball hoop was suspended from the ceiling rafter, and the entire room was immaculately clean. I couldn't bring myself to touch anything.

Kaden let out a gratified whistle as we continued to walk inside, the sound of our steps reverberating off the white walls. ‘‘This gym is quite impressive. This flooring alone must have been extremely expensive…’’

I focused my attention on the polished floor and saw that the shine of the wood had glimpses of my own reflection. I couldn't help but wonder whether the boxing room was just as elegant as this one. ‘‘Do you know where the boxing room is?’’ I asked Kaden, and he looked up from staring at his reflection on the floor.

‘‘Third floor at the next building…’’ he said. ‘‘Why? You want to join DK and Gian’s gang? I think… you are not strong enough to win against your opponent. You’ll just make them destroy your cute face, little guy…’’

Cute? Me… cute?

Of course, my face turned beet root again. I was hoping to hear that word coming out from Devon’s mouth, though...

I was able to catch a glimpse of Kaden chuckling as he made his way to the opposite side of the gymnasium.

‘‘Wait, where are you going?’’ only now that I noticed that the gym was oddly deserted.

‘‘To change into gym clothes, of course! Come on!’’

My hold on my bookbag straps became so tight that it was nearly painful, and I had no idea where the strength came from in my leg to follow after him.

As soon as Kaden opened the door, the odor of stale sweat and old socks blasted into my nostrils like a brick wall, and I slipped silently behind him into the unknown. ‘What the hell is that smell?’

It was far terrible than I'd feared it would be. Dozens of boys were moving around only partially clad while conversing and slamming their lockers shut. My eyes darted in every direction in an attempt to avoid making direct eye contact with anyone while I was confronted with miles of exposed skin.

‘What the fucking hell?’

The flush that had been taking over my face had reached a whole new level, and I was unable to determine whether the steam in the room was coming from the showers or the heat that was emanating from my cheeks.

While I concentrated on my breathing, Kaden located a bench that had a pile of clothes on it. At the same time, his heavy brows began to draw down. ‘‘I guess we'll just grab whatever fits us the best. These appear to be the more petite ones; I think I'll stick with my size...’’

The prospect of plucking garments from a shared pile filled me with dread like a flash of lightning; had those clothes already been worn by someone else? But I wanted something to focus on besides the bodies moving around in only half-clothed.

As I carefully extracted a shirt that appeared to be on the smaller side from the stack, Kaden vanished behind a row of lockers. It had creases, and the white cloth seemed like it had been worn a lot. The pair of athletic shorts I grabbed next in a royal blue color, weren't in very good condition either.

I’ve got no choice but to wear this. I don’t want what happened in the Chemistry class earlier, happen again at my P.E. class.

I shook my head, thinking where should I change without someone noticing me, when a group of boys who were similarly undressed rounded the corner, and through my unnaturally shallow breaths, I was able to identify one of them as the person I had seen yesterday in the corridor of the dorm as I was making my way towards the restroom.

As soon as our eyes connected, he had the same impact on me as before; a surge of nervousness swept over me like a train. He appeared to recognize me by the expression of amusement that appeared in his eyes as he readjusted the gym shorts that were around his waist.

He was shirtless, exposing his bare chest, and there was more hair on the exposed area of his body than there was on his head. My eyes widened at the sight of it. Devon was the first boy I'd ever seen without a shirt on, but he hadn't been quite as hairy as he was.

‘‘Hey, little boy, what’s wrong with you always staring at me, huh?’’ His voice was rough and low, and it had such an air of menace that it sent shivers up and down my spine. ‘‘Never seen a real man before. dude?’’

I could only do my best to keep from rolling my eyes, and another lad laughed next to him. ‘‘He most likely attended one of those Quaker schools. It wouldn't shock me if he's never seen the back of another person's legs before...’’

The scary guy laughed, and his wide lips curled into an evil grin that caused a knot to form in my stomach. ‘‘Guess we'll have to catch up with you out on the court...’’

He walked past me, brushing up against my shoulder harshly as he went by, and I was rammed into one of the lockers as a result. As the pain increased, I grimaced and sucked in a short, sharp breath through my teeth.

Oh, God… what was I thinking by coming here? It was only my first day at Goldstein Academy, but I was already being picked on by other students. My eyes started to brim up with tears, but I quickly blinked them away.

I remained down against the lockers and watched their shoes as they walked by while the other members of the scary guy's gang followed their leader. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground and held on to the gym clothing with both hands as I weaved my way through the crowd in order to reach the washroom stalls.

There was no one else in any of the stalls, and I rushed inside the empty cubicle that was closest to me and locked the door behind me with trembling fingers.