Dragon of Legend

Chapter 4 "Riders"

As soon as Seth opened the metal door, noise hit Akira's ears straight on. The source of this noise was a large hall like room, filled with teens. There were both girls and guys, though the majority were guys, all around Akira's age, some older, some younger. They were shouting and laughing in their different groups as they sat around wooden tables on which wooden bowls, of some green looking and very unappetizing food, sat.
At first when Seth walked in a few glances were shot at him and a few hellos shouted, yet when Akira followed, there was a sudden hush that spread across the large hall and every single eye in the room turned on her. Once again, Akira found herself the center of attention. Uncomfortable Akira shirted her position, wondering how long it would take for panic to take over.
That was when Seth spoke, "Guys, this is Akira." He nudged Akira, obviously wanting her to respond somehow.
"Um...hi," Akira said shyly.
That was when the room burst into complete and utter chaos. The talking from before turned to shouting as people began to get up and come over, all crowding around Akira, shouting questions she could make sense of. And that was when the panic hit her. Seth must have seen the look in her eyes because he grabbed Akira's hand and dragged her out of the crowd, pushing past people and ignoring them as they all tired to crowd closer. He led Akira over to a table where three guys and a girl who had red hair, sat, all watching calmly as they stayed seated.
The crowd followed but Seth turned to them. "Ask questions later people, she just got here. Jeez what's wrong with you?" he sounded annoyed.
The crowd got his point and reluctantly began to disperse, still shooting interested and excited looks at Akira but not coming to bother her as they all returned to their seats. Shaking his head Seth dragged Akira the rest of the way over to the table he had been heading to, and upon reaching it, dropped her hand.
"Hey guys," he said to the group.
"Hey!" the girl replied but the guys just nodded, their eyes on Akira, who felt more than uncomfortable. What was it with everyone always staring? Moreover, where was Redemption when she actually needed him? At that moment, she wished for nothing more than for her dragon to burst in her and take her away.
"This is Akira," Seth said motioning to Akira.
"Hi," the girl grinned, her green eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Hey," the three boys chorused as one.
"Hi," Akira replied her eyes darting around the room. Why was everyone practically staring at her and whispering?
"This is Gina," Seth pointed at the red haired girl whose grin only widened. "Drake," he nodded at a blond guy with messy blond hair and brown eyes. Drake nodded before going back to eating the weird green stuff. "Caiden," Seth motioned over to a guy with black spiky hair and gray eyes. "And Will," Seth nodded at the only guy left. He was a guy with blond hair and blue eyes and smiled a genuine smile at Akira. She shot a nervous smile back before glancing back around the room to see people still staring.
"You hungry?" Seth asked her.
Akira turned her head, took one look at the food, and instantly felt full. There was no way she was she going to eat that...glob or whatever it was. She shook her head to answer Seth's question.
"Okay, that's fine. I'll go get myself something. You can just sit here with the others," he told her before he turned and walked away. Sighing Akira complied and sat down at the table across from Gina, who had gone to slurping her food.
"So," Gina began as she put down the wooden spoon she held and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "How are you feeling?" she asked Akira.
For a moment, Akira stared at her, confused. Then she remembered that she had been injured. It all seemed so long ago, she wasn't even sure if the incident in the village had happened or if it was all a dream.
"I'm fine," Akira said, her voice low as she stared at the table wishing she was back with Destiny and Redemption. Back out in the woods where they had nothing to do but spend the day entertaining each other.
"So how did it happen?" Will asked interrupting her thoughts.
"Huh?" Akira looked up to meet his eyes. Will motioned to her right shoulder. "Oh," Akira could see that she had he whole tables attention, great, just what she didn't want. "I ignored the advice of a good friend," she said not feeling in the mood to talk about what happened. Her memory was foggy anyway.
"Oh," Will said and the others looked slightly disappointed that she didn't say more.