21 Whispers

I wake up to hushed voices and a door shutting. I frown and turn over but all I see is an empty room. I guess Thane just left... I roll over on my back and stretch, enjoying the way my muscles feel. That was a good nap!

I push the covers back and freeze when I see that I'm still in the dress. I smack my forehead before quickly running over to my dresser and pulling out my clothes. I quickly run to the bathroom and lock the door before cleaning up.

An hour later, I walk out looking more like Valen again. I walk over to my bed and slip on my boots. I'm starving and in dire need of something to drink. When I hear the door unlock, I look up to see Thane walking in.

He looks me over and nods before saying "You look much better after sleeping a bit. Are you hungry?" I nod as I finish tying my shoe and say "Yeah, I'm starving." Thane places a few things on his desk before saying "Good, I am too. I'm going with you."

I give him a smile and nod my head before saying "Don't you have class today?" Thane shakes his head and says "I was given the day off like you. Let's go." I nod and follow him out. As we get to the Mess Hall, everyone starts looking at us and whispering.

Thane ignores them so I try to do the same thing until someone whistles. I turn around with a frown but Thane quickly hands me a tray and says "Ignore them." I want to argue but Thane starts loading food on my tray.

As we find our table, a few guys give me looks but when one blows a kiss at me, his lips suddenly freeze! The whole table breaks out into laughter as the guy starts to panic. I grit my teeth and turn back to Thane before asking "What the hell did I miss? Why are they acting like that?"

Thane sighs and says "Just ignore them and eat." I push my tray of food away and say "Either you tell me what the hell is going on or I'll go find someone who will." Thane sighs again and pushes my tray back to me as he says "Someone leaked pictures of you dressed as a girl. The only ones that could have done it is me, Conner, and Troy. My money is on Troy."

I clench my fists in anger as Thane says "Calm down. Titus has already been notified and is dealing with it. Eat." I scoff at him and stab my food as I say "Doesn't matter now. Everyone has probably seen it and others have probably even made copies! I'm going to kill that little prick!!"

Thane stops cutting his food to look at me with worry and quickly says "Even though he's a prick... you can't kill him for this. That would be considered murder and you'd go to prison." I give him a dry look before shoving food in my mouth.

You kill a couple of bad people and everyone suddenly thinks your kill-happy. I ignore the rest of the comments and laughter but as we're leaving the Mess Hall, I hear "Valen Adler!!!" I jump and turn to see a guy with dark brown hair running my way.

Halfway to me, he comes to a stop with a look of confusion. I stare at the guy with wide eyes and a racing heart. Who is this guy and why did he call me out like that? The guy suddenly smiles and starts looking me over from head to toe before saying "Wow, I almost didn't recognize you VALEN."

He smirks from ear to ear and says "I think you've... changed a little since the last time we saw each other, isn't that right?" He gives me a knowing smile that has my heart nearly beating out of my chest. He knows my brother! HOW!?

I awkwardly smile and say "Yeah... you did too. I almost didn't recognize you..." Shit, I don't know his name. The guy's smile grows even further as he says "Not as much as you." In a state of panic, I reach out and pat the guy's shoulder and whisper "Let's talk in private."

The guy's eyes twinkle in delight as he says "Of course! You won't mind if I borrow... him for a bit, right?" Thane is clearly picking up on my unease but he slowly nods his head and says "I'll wait for you outside."

I give him a nervous smile and nod my head. As soon as Thane is gone, I look around to make sure it's clear before asking "Who the hell are you and how do you know my brother?" The guy chuckles again before saying "The name's Cruz and I met your brother about a year and a half ago. He even showed me a cute picture of him and his little twin sister. So, Valerie? Was it? What are you doing here?"

I grab his shirt and push him back into a wall, far away from anyone else and look up to him as I say "DO NOT, say that name here. I'm here because my idiot brother signed up before taking the money and running away. I'm here because I don't want my parents to go to jail."

His hazel colored eyes twinkle with delight before he looks down at my hand. He looks back to my eyes and says "Don't worry, Valeeen. Your secret is safe with me." I narrow my eyes on him in confusion before he says "You're the first entertaining thing that's happened in the... three years? That I've been here. I'm actually thrilled you're here and not your brother. I did always want to meet you."

I release his shirt and step back with a look of suspicion plastered on my face. Cruz chuckles in delight and throws his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to whisper "It'll be nice to have a female in this sausage fest."

My face heats up before I push him and stumble away. I bring my hand up to my ear as he doubles over in laughter. "What's wrong?" Thane asks from right behind me. I quickly bring my hand down and turn around to give him a strained as I say "Nothing! Just kinda... catching up."

Cruz gives me a knowing smile before turning to Thane and saying "I feel like this year is going to be so much more entertaining. Don't you agree, Thane?"