Alek
"Hey! Zionian freak, you're in my seat."
After weeks of the name calling and insults, I should have gotten used to this by now. However, as I stood to confront my newest tormentor, the all too familiar anger and annoyance filled me.
I turned to face yet another human twerp. I was taller than him by an easy foot. Also,where I had honed my body to perk fitness with daily workouts at the compound. It was clear that the most exercise this guy got was when he got up from the couch to get food from the fridge.
If I were human this guy would be pissing his pants right about now. Better yet, if I were human he never would have had the guts to say anything to begin with.
But I'm not human.
And that meant that even the weakest of the pack could say whatever they wanted to me. They knew there was nothing me or any of the other Zionians could do in retaliation.
It was starting to really piss me off. And I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep the others in check. These humans didn't know the bear they were poking at.
"Well, I'm sitting here now." I managed to keep the malice to a low threat in my tone. "So I suggest you find another one."
"Yeah and with the stench coming from you, may I suggest one on the other side of the room." Zeena crinkled her nose in disgust from the seat next to mine. "Or maybe in another building."
The kids newfound bravery wavered quickly as his face turned as red as a beet and he turned tail.
"Really?" I quirked an eyebrow as I returned to my prized seat.
"What? He smelled like he hasn't showered in over a month." Zeena shrugged a shoulder and turned back to the paper she was doodling on. The picture looked suspiciously like an Amber/devil combo. Truthfully, pretty accurate.
If I thought for even a second that things would change were she was concerned after the beach near drowning accident, I would be sorely disappointed. She acted like any Zionian was completely invisible to her.
Where before I may catch her sneaking glances my way, now she acted like we were beneath her notice. And the rest of the school followed her example. With the few exceptions, like the 'chair boy', who were trying to prove something by bullying the 'aliens'.
"And here comes the Princess herself." Zeena muttered drawing my attention to the classroom door.
I couldn't help myself, no matter how much I disliked her, I still found my eyes drawn to her when in her vicinity. Which unfortunately was a lot since we were in almost every class together. She was everywhere, with her bright smiles, and stunning eyes. Smiles for everyone, that was except the Zionians.
It was as though the incident on the beach had never happened.
As she entered the room I wasn't the only one taking her in. She was dressed in a short sundress today and her long mane of hair was pulled up in a high ponytail showing off her slender neck.
She looked gorgeous... and she also looked like hell.
She had bags under her eyes that I hadn't seen since that first day of school and she was moving as though every step caused her pain.
I wasn't the only one that noticed this. Her boyfriend, whose name I had learned was Brad, jumped up quickly to relieve her of her backpack and took her arm in his, leading her to their seat directly in front of my own.
"What's going on?" I could hear him muttered, too low for human ears. "It's not time for your treatment again until next week."
What treatment? Was she sick?
"My dad said my blood work came back 'concerning'." She made air quotes with her fingers, looking like she wanted to be annoyed but didn't have the energy. "He upped my dosage and schedule to every third week."
I looked over to Zeena, to find that she was just as tuned into their conversation as I was. She arched an eyebrow at me and leaned subtly closer.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with your blood work?" Brad looked about ready to lose it and his voice raised drawing the attention of some of the humans seated closest to them. "There's never been a problem before."
"Brad, stop it." Amber's best friend, Lindsey, leaned over and hissed in warning, before placing a comforting hand on Amber's tensed up shoulders. "You need anything?"
"I need to get out of here." Amber looked anxiously at Mr. Hapright who was preparing to start lecture as soon as the first period bell tolled. "Can you guys cover for me?"
"You got it."
"You need me to come with you?" Brad was already halfway out of his seat.
"No, I'm good." Amber insisted before making a hasty escape.
I'll never know what possessed me to follow her. All I know is, seconds later I was muttering an excuse of needing to use the restroom and following her retreating form.
I entered the main hallway just in time to see her bobbing ponytail disappear around a corner in the direction of the gym. The halls were now empty with everyone in their first period, so there was no one to question a Zionian following in the footsteps of the head cheerleader.
She disappeared into the ladies locker room and I settled back against a wall to wait her out. I was really hoping I hadn't wasted my effort just for this.
After a few minutes I was considering cutting my losses and heading back to class. She could just be camping out in the locker room to hide out. I was pushing off my wall post to leave when she reappeared.
She had ditched the sundress for a towel wrapped around her, I assumed hiding a bathing suit underneath, as she turned for the exit that lead to the schools indoor pool. She didn't see me as I started to follow.
Amber
Sweet, sweet relief. That's all I could think about as I dipped my warn, beaten body into the cold water of the schools indoor pool. I wasn't thinking about how much trouble I would get in if I got caught. Not only for skipping class, but for using the schools pool without proper supervision.
I didn't care.
I needed the water, like a junky needed drugs.
My dad had surprised me the previous night. After a tense dinner, most of which he spent with his head in his laptop, emitting occasion sighs and worried glances my way. He had sat me down in his office and explained the need to up my drug schedule and dosage.
I hadn't understood all the medical terms that he sprouted at me. All I knew was that my dad was more worried than normal, and that had me anxious. So I had agreed. I had sat there for hours as poison was pumped into my veins. As the nausea and overwhelming weakness invaded my body.
I should have stayed home when my mother suggested I take a sick day today. I could have spent the whole day in the lake rejuvenating. But we had homecoming coming up next week. I needed to be at school for dance preparations and cheer practice. I didn't have time for sick days. Not my Senior year.
So here I was. Sneaking into the schools pool. And I really wished I could say this was the first time I had been forced to pull this stunt. But it wasn't.
I sunk to the bottom of the pool, allowing the water to work it's magic. To relieve the crushing pain in my temples, and the twisting nausea in my guts.
I closed my eyes and just floated. Willing away the thoughts that twisted in my mind. What if I was getting worse? From the worry in my fathers voice, it could be bad. What if I was dying and he just didn't want to worry me?
Should I ask him? Did I really want to know?
I was too young for these questions. Too young to have to worry about this sickness. But obviously my disease didn't care about age.
I wanted to grow up. I wanted to graduate and go to college with my friends. I wanted to fall in love and get married. Have a family of my own some day. What if none of this was a possibility for me?
All these thought were pushed from my mind when I sensed him. There was someone in the pool room with me.
My eyes snapped open.
There above the surface, standing by the side of the pool was a form that hadn't been there before.
My heart started pounding. I was caught. Just how much trouble would I be in when they yanked me into the principles office? And why was I more annoyed with the thought of having to leave the water than anything...