Chapter Two : Fearless

I wake up in the morning feeling my body burning up. I am all sweaty and it hurts when I breathe. Pushing the covers off of me, I run to the bathroom and vomit everything my stomach held.

After that, I turn on the shower, hopping in, letting the cold water calm my inside fire. I stay in there for quite a time. I feel better. Still dizzy, but better. I walk out and get a big towel to whip the water off of my body.

Making my way to the bedroom I glance at the clock. Six thirty am. I have plenty of time to kill until I go to school.

Once I'm all dressed up, I go to the kitchen. I take out Dante's food and place it in his bowl; I change his water and go pour myself some coffee and take a sit at the table. Dante is marching towards me with his long and fluffy tail. He jumps and puts his front legs in my lap. His little nose touches my arm and I lean in to kiss his head. He's trying to comfort me. I pat him behind the ears, thing which seems to give him joy. I swear he is the most precious thing!

When I'm done with my coffee it's almost seven. I better get going. I rush to my room, take my backpack and put on some black heeled boots. I get my jacket and my keys, kiss Dante goodbye and open the door.

On my way downstairs I call a cab. Once I'm out in the cool air, I plug in my earphones and place one in my ear. Soon, a cab stops in front of me. I get in and tell them the adress of Primdale Highschool.

I can't say I have many friends there, because I don't usually do friendships. Friends are overrated anyway. Most of them will stab you in the back when they have the chance. So why risk it, ay? I do have some people I hang out with sometimes, but they don't know me very well. I've always been alone, by choice, because it's for the best. I always dealed alone with my problems especially when others made it white clear that they don't care. I decided to do the same.

When the cab parks in front of my school, I give the money to the driver and get out. My first class is English. It's one of my favourite subjects beside History. The English teacher is a good man, around his forties, who doesn't have favorites and treats everyone equally. He understands that the students don't always enjoy literature and it's not punishing them for that. Everyone has different tastes anyway. Mr Hawk is pretty easy-going, therefore everyone respects him.

I get in class and go to my usual spot. The teacher is already in, even though the class didn't start yet. Some students are in, and some are probably out, smoking and gossiping.

"Hey there, Ms White." Mr. Hawk salutes me.

"Good morning, professor." I respond with a smile.

"Any good books you've read?" he knows I have a passion for reading, but I read more Sci-Fi and Fantasy instead of English Literature.

"Well, I've just started The Red Rising thrilogy. It's really good and captivating." he smiles at me knowingly, but asks me anyway.

"Sci-Fi or Fantasy this time?" I let a little laugh escape my lips and answer him.

"A little bit of both. It's a good combination of words and details, ones that claim your full attention." He and Mr. Ruth, the history teacher, are my favorites. I think my higher grades are in their classes.

"Very well then." Mr. Hawk says when the bell rings.

I take out my book and read a little until everyone gathers in. After the fuss is over, I take my eyes off the book. I see Layla, a petite girl with black hair, sitting in front of me.

"Hey Cathia." she says with a smile.

"Hey there Layla. What's up?" I ask her. She, as well, has some troubles at home. She is very smart, one of our top students, but her mother is a nightmare. I once went to visit her a couple of years ago and her mom pushed me outside saying that she can't let Layla have friends when she needs to study and something about her future being destroyed if people get to know her. It's crazy, but it still didn't stop me from helping her or hanging out with her from time to time. She is kind and trust-worthy.

"Oh, nothing much. I wanted to know if you'd like to hang out today? Maybe have a sleepover?" Layla asks me with hopeful eyes.

"Sure. Why not? But what about your mom?" Even if I like Layla, her mother would strangle me if I befriend her. Obviously I don't care too much, because Layla is young and needs a little bit of fun and distraction from all those math formulas and Shakespeare dillemas.

"Well, she will be gone for about two days. The only free time I have." she laughed it off, but I know she was dead serious.

"Well anyway, that sounds great. At my place then?" I ask her.

"Sure. After school it's good?"

"Sure." I tell her.

I look in front at the desk, but there was no one. When did Mr. Hawk left? Only seconds after that, the front door opens and in walk the teacher with a familiar guy. It's the guy from last night. Cassius. I didn't realise he was my same age.

"Hello kids. I'm glad to see you all here. While you are all present, I'd like to introduce you Cassius Kane. He is our new student and I'd like to think that he will be very welcomed here and there won't be any problems." Mr. Hawk tells us. Cassius seems like a very laid-back person, so I'm sure he will intergate here easily.

As he introduces himself, his eyes land on me and I give him a little wave as he salutes me with a nod of his head. When the techer tells him to take a seat, he makes his way towards the empty desk near me. I smile at him, glad that he acknowledged me. I already like being in his company even if the feeling might not be mutual. But he smiles back and I don't worry.

"Well hello there, Mr. Neighbor." I salute him. With the corner of my eye I see Layla watching him furtivly. I smile a bit at her shyness.

"Hey Cathia." he says. "Are you feeling better?" I can see a lot of eyes on us, but I don't care. They can flip off.

"Yeah, kind of. Thanks to you and your mom." I tell him sincere and then I turn my head to watch the teacher, who already noted on the board some books to read until the Christmas break.

I note them down as well and I see Layla looking at me, then silently asking me "Do..do you know him?" and pointing to our new classmate who is busy writing down as well.

"Yeah." it's my response. "He's my neighbor." I enlighten her. She seems to go pink as she looks at him and then she catches my small smirk and turns away with a smile. Someone's having a crush already. I smile.

After English class is over, I gather my things and prepare to leave the classroom.

"Ms. White!" Mr. Hawk stops me. "The third book I have chosen for you." he says and I looked at the board, not realising what he was talking about. I, then, saw that the third book was Fantasy. 'A Draco's Rewards'. About dragons. Hmm, that should be interesting.

"Cool, thanks Mr. Hawk." I tell him and walk out the classroom.

I get to my locker and take the History book for my next class. I catch Layla coming my way.

"Soo.." she starts, "I finish my classes at two today. What about you?" was her question. She looked slightly excited and I couldn't help but smile.

"At one o'clock, but I could wait for you if you'd like." I can wait for her in the park in front of the school. Maybe have some nicotine.

"Oh that would be great. In the Park?" she asks slowly.

"Sure." I respond and close my locker.

"Now I've got to go, but I'll catch you later." Layla says and then vanishes onto the full hallways.

I hear the bell ringing and I make my way to the next class. As I start to walk, I see Cassius catching up with me.

"Cat!" I hear him half scream. Cat? I turn around to wait him.

"Cat?" I ask him. "Why Cat?" I laugh. Nobody calls me like this. Not since I was a child.

"Yeah. You don't like it?" Cassius looked at me and I saw his black pupils dilatate a bit.

"Nah, it's cool." I tell him and then look at him waiting to continue.

"Oh, right. Do you know where is the History class?"

"With Mr. Ruth?" I ask and he nodded. "Right then. We have the same class. Come with me."

We walk in silence until we get to the classroom. Mr. Ruth was sitting at his desk, giving us a small nod as we enter. Me and Cassius make our way in the back and again this time, he sits next to me.

"This teacher scares me." Cassius commented slowly. I let out a small laugh and ask him why.

"I don't know. He has that serious face and a greenish aura around him." he says wrinkling his nose. He has a cute face when he does soo.

"An aura, you say?" I arch my brow and watch him skepticaly.

"Yeah. It's a muddy green. You don't see it?" Cassius asks and seems a bit surprised.

"No. I don't think I do." I answer when I look up at Mr. Ruth. He has a serious face, but no aura.

"How old are you?" Cassius seems curious.

"Almost eighteen. You?" the look on his face gave me the impression he knows something I'm supossed to know, but I don't. A mix of confusion and fear brushed his features, but then was replaced with an understanding face.

"I turn nineteen next month." he says softly. His lips curved into a shy smile and his eyes were cautions.

I want to ask what it's wrong, but the teacher's voice cuts me off.

"Good morning, students." Mr. Ruth says. I look around to see the classroom now full with many faces.

We salute him as well and then he starts talking again.

"As you many know, I am a History teacher who is supossed to stick to the material the minister tells us to teach you. I have noticed that some of you are bored, some of you don't pay attention and some of you ditch this class often." the classroom stays silent, encouraging Mr. Ruth to continue. "I figured out that the style other teachers use when the students are not giving their interest or time, was to punish them by giving extra homework, paper tests or not passing their classes. This is not right, I know, because even though you are forced to assist this class and learn about history, you are not obliged to like it, therefore you will not remember anything. This being said, I want to change the method, my method of teaching. I want to ask you, what do you like about history? What do you remember, or is there something you enjoyed?" Mr. Ruth walks to his desk and hopps on it. His eyes are roaming the room, observing everyone. Nobody says anything. They are shifting in their places. I see Mr. Ruth making a disapointed face.

When I think he is about to give up, I raise my hand. I catch a glimpse of hope in his eyes, so I decide to talk.

"My favourite part of history is mythology, sir." He acknowledges my answer and nods his head.

"May I ask why, Miss White?" he smiles at me and I start talking.

"In my opinion, mythology makes history more interesting. It does not make me curious to find out who killed who, and who fought against who, but I love finding things that for our mind are too hard to conceive. The Gods, the stories about the moon and the sun, the demi-gods heroes. All of this bursts a curiosity in me and when it comes to mythology, I'm passionate about it and I always want to find out more." I tell him, already feeling butterflies in my stomach as it happens everytime I talk about something I love.

"This is a good answer, Cathia. I know you've always been intrigued by fantasy and mystery, as well as is mythology. Can you name a character or more, that you like?" he asks and my mind is working on finding a proper answer. Many things rush in my mind, about Gods and magnificent creatures.

"There would be some." I started and then decided my character. "The Minotaur would be one of them."

"Good, very good." Mr. Ruth interjects. "As you will probably be the only one to answer today, what can you tell me about it?"

"Well, first of, he is mythical, hence the story behind it. The Minotaur was the born of Pasiphae with the Cretan Bull." My response sounded vague, soo I decided to add more color and details on it when I see the teacher looking at me with expectation. "The Cretan Bull was a gift from Poseidon made for King Minos. Minos was supposed to sacrifice the Bull, but he did not. So as punishment, Poseidon made Pasiphae fall in love with the Bull, and so, it took life the monster known as The Minotaur." I say all this and Mr. Ruth seems pleased.

"Can you answer to the next question? If your answer is correct, you will get an A in history today." he says and I hear a few whispering around me. If I can get a good grade by telling things I like, I'll take the shot. Who wouldn't?

"What question, sir?"

"Tell me if you know with what was the Minotaur feeding?" I don't know if he knew that I know the answer to this question and he wanted to give me that A or not, but the answer was quite obvious and simple.

"As creepy and strange as this might sound, he was feeding with humans, sir." I say and he nods his head as saying I am right. I see a little smile on his lips and his eyes look proud.

"Congratulations Miss White, you've earned yourself an A." the professor says and notes down my grade. I hear a few comments in class, but Mr. Ruth shushes them and starts talking again.

"This is my method." he says. "I will teach you history, but I will also give you the chance to repair your grades by letting you talk about something you like and have learned by yourself. I believe and I hope that every and each of you will be pleased to have a chance to obtain this by yourself. I let you choose what subject you like and hopefully, you will start enjoying history." he finishes and goes back on his chair.

The kids are talking to each other, making sugestion and sharing thoughts, while Cassius looks at me with a pround face as well. I smile at him and he smiles back.

I can't say I am a though learner, I don't use my spare time to study and I don't freak out over an exam. Even though I am not, what is to say, 'a nerd' or 'a model student' I still pass my classes like an average person without even trying too hard. I don't really like studying, but unfortunately, I don't give my best either.

When the bell rings, everyone salutes the teacher and walks out. I do the same, but when I step aut, someone tries to trip me. I drop my books on the ground and put my hands in front of me to prevent hitting my face.

I feel my blood rushing and a furious feeling passes through me. I look up and see a few boys and girls laughing, as well as the one who tripped me. He was smirking and that made me even more angry.

"You are his favourite and now because of you he will have expectations and we will have to learn even more. You little nerd. You should have kept your mouth shut." he says with spite, his smirk never leaving his face. I start to get up and someone helps me to do so. Cassius. He starts marching towards that dumb-stick, but I stop him.

"Oh look. The new little brave hero wants to help his princess." he tells to Cassius. "And you stopped him so I wouldn't hurt him too bad, right?" he now talks to me. I give him a calm smile and I take my books off the floor, placing them in my bag.

With no other words, I get him and I take his shirt in my hands threateningly. The others stop laughing, all watching me with curious eyes. I look into this boy's eyes and I see fear in them. It's my turn to smirk as I question him.

"You have no words left, pretty boy? Or are you scared?" I ask, playing with his mind only because I like it.

He stumbles upon his words and tries to escape my hold.

"And for the record, I don't need saving. I am good at it myself. Now do me a favour and shove your words up your ass before I lose my calm and punch you in the guts with all the force inside me." Maybe this is why everyone is scared and doesn't bother me. I can be scary sometimes with the ones who deserve it. He swallows a couple times and then I let him go.

I turn over to see Cassius standing there, once again confussed. I smile and motion to him to come. We pass over the crowd that weren't capable of laughing anymore. They stare at me as I go and I've never felt soo good by giving someone what they deserve.