CHAPTER 10

For the rest of the introduction week we spent our time exploring the archipelago. Elisaveth showed us the training fields, botany greenhouse and fighting arenas.

It was a bit terrifying to see what they expect us to learn.

Ok, like, archery I get, martial arts, too. Combat fighting- ok. Fencing? Weird, but acceptable.

But I have to learn to deal with firearms and how to throw knives? What exactly are we supposed to become after we graduate? Black widow?

Don't get me wrong, this is all very cool and I kind of can't wait to begin the training, but it is kind of scary to realize just how much or lives are going to change. But still all I can think about is how fun is this going to be, especially with Sanem by my side. And of course Rosy and Naomi, too, although my relationship with them has been a bit shaky since that paryt. But we're going to get past that.

On a beautiful sunny Saturday morning I was awaken by the ringing of my phone.

"Rina, turn it off!" Sanem said with raspy sleepy voice. I picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.

Mom.

Great, what a nice way to start your weekend.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Kathrine, it's mom." The other side said.

"Yes, why are you calling me this early?" I said after I checked the time on the phone. It showed almost ten, so that means in Portland it must have been around what? Two in the morning?

"Early? It's almost eight in London." She said a bit indignant. "I checked."

Eight in the morning? She would've woken me up 8 in the morning, knowing damn well I like to sleep late on the weekend?

This made me angry. How many times have I asked her to let me sleep at least to 10 on the weekend, since these are the only two days I can actually get some good sleep. But, no.

Yes, ok, it's 10 a.m. here. But she doesn't know that!

I took a deep breath and pushed the anger aside.

"Why are you still up?"

"Don't worry about that. So?" She asked.

"So, what?" I was confused and getting more and more irritated. It's too early to have a conversation with my mother, it's hard to talk to her even with my brain working fully.

"What have you decided? About school?" She asked nervously, some hope still evident in her voice.

"Oh. I'm staying here. It's amazing and they offer way more than UP." I said firmly. I knew that if she were to detect any doubts in my voice, she would've tried to talk me to come home. "But didn't I already told you that last time?"

"No, last time we talked you were still pretty indecisive." She made a small pause. "I still think University of Portland is a better option for you. You have everything here, home, friends, family…"

"Mom, I have decided to stay."

"Besides, English people are so uptight, it would be hard to make friends for you there. You know how you are."

"Actually, mom. Most people here are not from England and I have already made friends."

"And what are they like? Where are they from?"

"They are amazing, lots of fun and are-"

"They smoke weed, don't they?" She interrupted me.

"Of course not! Weed is for the week. They are doing cocaine." I teased.

"That's it, you're coming home." She said firmly.

Ok, I guess joking about drugs wasn't the best idea. "Mother, I was joking. They are all good girls and dedicated students."

Sanem scoffed in the background and I had to suppress a chuckle.

"Look, sweetie I trust you. I'm just scared for you, the world can be a cruel place."

"Everything is going to be ok. The institute has very strict policies and is also pretty secluded." I tried to calm her down.

"Ok, fine. Just promise you won't do anything stupid and call me if you need anything, I can mail stuff it to you or come get you." She continued softly.

"I'll be good, I promise."

"Ok, then. Just send me the link to the institute so I can check it out myself, ok?" Her voice sounded all strict again.

"Yeah, sure. Bye."

"Are you already trying to get rid of me? Don't turn all smug on me now. Remember who is paying for this."

Ugh. How much I hated this kind of talk. Yes, I was a bit rude, but honestly the conversation was over, it doesn't give you the right to threaten me.

I decided to keep quiet. Nothing I could say would get me out of this.

"Stay safe, ok?" She said again.

"Yes, I will." I said, irritation probably clear in my voice.

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye."

"'I promise I won't do anything stupid mother dear,'" Sanem started mocking me, "'I'm a good girl, you can trust me, I will definitely not go to Vegas just to have sex with a guy I just met.'"

I snorted: "Oh, shush."

"Yeah, that was really stupid." Rosy said when she entered the room. "I heard you two talking."

"Where's Naomi?" Sanem asked.

"Oh, she went out. On a date I think." Rosy replied.

"On a date in the morning?" I asked, half stunned.

"Not everyone is as crazy and horny as you, darling." Sanem joked.

"Like you're any better." I teased back.

"She really isn't." Rosy joined in. "She's breaking hearts for a hobby."

"I prefer the term 'revealing people they inner rainbow'."

I chuckled: "And how many rainbows have you revealed?"

"In this two weeks?" Sanem sked. "Let's just say that if it's going to go this way, Proelefsi will be the new Lesbos."

I couldn't help but laugh at this statement and neither could Rosy.

When we recovered Rosy offered to make some breakfast: "But don't expect much from me, this is not really my strongest suit."

I chuckled: "As long as it's edible, I won't mind."

Rosy smiled, but there was something restraining in it.

Sanem seemed to notice it, too: "You can't be that bad. What's wrong?"

"I was just… um… thinking to invite Rennee." Rosy answered shyly.

Sanem and I looked at each other and wiggled our eyebrows.

"You mean your boyfriend? Sure, he can come." Sanem teased.

"He's not my boyfriend. Pancakes?" She said nervously.

Sanem and I shared another meaningful look.

"Sure." I replied and Rosy quickly exited the room.

After the door closed I pointed out: "Someone really wanted to change the subject."

Sanem chuckled and nodded: "Ah, young love."

After we got dressed, Sanem and I helped Rosy with the breakfast.

"I'll make the table," Sanem offered.

"Ok, then I'll make some tea and coffee."

As I was getting the dishes I couldn't help but say: "You know Rosy, for what it's worth, I think Rennee really likes you."

"Do you really think so?" She asked shyly.

"Are you crazy! He's absolutely smitten with you." Sanem said.

"He just never does anything romantic and I don't want to ruin our friendship. So please don't tease us today. Let's just let the things go their own way, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." I agreed and Sanem nodded.

Not much later we heard a knock on the door. "This must be Rennee." Rosy said and went to open them.

"Hi." Rennee said shyly, "I brought muffins."

I couldn't help a smile when I heard his awkward talk, I really don't get how Rosy doesn't see it, he can barely breath around her.

"You've already met Rina and Sanem," Rosy said while showing him inside.

"Hi." He replied awkwardly, although there was some confusion seen on his face.

"Don't worry," I said, getting a sense of what was bothering him, "Sanem and I will be leaving soon."

"What?" Sanem said confused and her expression matched Rosy's.

"Yeah, come on Sanem, let's get ready." I tried to send her a not-so-noticeable look and she seemed to get it: "Oh, right. Just a moment."

Me and Sanem hurried out of the apartment: "Ok, I get that you wanted to leave them alone, but you cost me pancakes." Sanem said slightly irritated.

"OMG, Sanem, he obviously wanted to be alone with Rosy, we were in the way, that's why I got us out."

Her irritation was slowly wearing out as she sighed: "But pancakes…"