CHAPTER NINE

Ron was driving Kyril to school that Friday. The car was silent as the two thought of the argument they had the day before. The car stopped, but neither made a move to get down. Kyril looked at the rearview mirror to meet Ron's eyes.

They both started to speak,

"I'm ..."

Ron shook his head, "You go first."

Kyril frowned and looked out the window at the students milling around.

"I know you're worried about me, but I'm the afentikó now. I'm the head of this fraction. And I'm nothing like my father. Please try to understand that my decisions are mine to make. But I really like this girl, Ronny. I think she's the one."

Ron smiled and nodded, "You could never be like that piece of shit. And you deserve to be selfish once in a while, Kyril-sama. I was just going to say that I'm sorry for doubting you. I and the others will protect her. Stin timí mou." (On my honor.)

Kyril smiled, "Stin timí mou, Ronny. You know I love you, right?

Ron laughed and got down to open his door, "And we're done here. Get out of the car, Baka-Kun. Or you'll be late to see your lady." He snickered as Kyril hit him upside the head. "Don't tempt me, Ron. I still want to shoot you, kólos."

Ron laughed and dramatically placed a hand on his chest, "Me? An asshole? You wound me, boss." He looked behind him and smirked, "Here's your lady now. Have fun at school, Kyril-sama. But not too much fun."

Kyril's widened, and he turned excited. Catherine was coming up the walkway with Emmy by her left-hand side. Kyril's jaw dropped.

Catherine had done something to her hair that made it bouncy and shiny. It flowed down her shoulders to move seductively around her wide hips. Kyril's hands itched to run his fingers through it all the way down. Her off-the-shoulder top was a pale pink lacy confection that exposed her collar bone and cleavage. Kyril's mouth began to water. The bottom of the lace stopped right below her belly button showing flashes of a piercing. His eyes widened as she turned to greet someone, and the fabric of her high waist jeans pulled tight against her bottom.

Wait, she has a piercing? Damn, her ass looks good. Was it always that big?

"Hey, Kyril!" Emmy hurried to his side while Catherine walked at a sedate pace. It's like she didn't even notice the stares.

"Are you okay, Kyril? You're looking a little flushed?" Suddenly, Emmy grinned. "She looks good, right? The clothes are mine."

Kyril's brow rose. He'd have to take her shopping.

Catherine had reached them, and she blushed, "Shh, Em! He didn't even notice."

Kyril shook himself out of it and gently held her hand. She looked up at him through the cover of her lashes as he smirked down at her, "Trust me, I noticed. You look beautiful, Gatáki."

Catherine blushed and looked away, "You know, one day you're going to tell me what that means.

Kyril smirked and slid an arm around her waist, "Maybe."

"Okay, love birds. That's enough." Emmy said, smiling at the two of them. Her ship was sailing, and she is very pleased. "Let's get to class before we're late."

They walked into school and stopped at each of their lockers. People were looking in shock at Catherine as she passed, and she didn't seem to notice.

Kyril leaned down to whisper in her ear, "People are staring, you know?"

Catherine looked up, and their lips almost touched. Blushing, she looked away and met the eyes of some jocks that were blatantly staring. She waved and smiled politely. The boys grinned and waved back.

Kyril leaned down, and locking eyes with them, traced her neck to the shell of her ear with his tongue. Catherine shivered at the cold feeling of his piercing, and the jocks immediately looked away.

She slapped a palm over that spot and glared at him, "What was that for?"

Kyril smiled boyishly, "Just marking my territory."

Emmy laughed and nudged Kyril's arm. "If that's the school's reaction, just imagine her aunt's when she sees her."

Kyril's dark pierced brow rose, "Her aunt's a teacher here?" Emmy snorted as they took their seats in Math class. "Try principle."

"Emmy!" Catherine hissed. Her brows were furrowed as she glared at her best friend. Emmy rose her hands in surrender. "What? I didn't do it."

Kyril chuckled and pecked her cheek. "Well, that explains a lot."

Catherine arched her brow at him, "And what does that mean?"

Kyril simply shrugged and turned to the front as the bell rang and the teacher stepped into the class. “Good morning, class. I know you’re all excited about the weekend, so I’m not going to be that guy who ruins it for you. So, instead of homework, we’ll be having that quiz I told you about last week.”

The whole class groaned and complained. Catherine sat up straight in her chair. She was here last week, but she would write the test with everyone else. Her aunt makes no excuses. Neither would she. Kyril looked at her perfectly blank face from the side of his eyes, but he said nothing.

The class was hushed as the test was distributed, and, in a minute, everyone was quietly writing. Within five minutes, Kyril had finished his quiz and was looking at Catherine’s. She had answered everything but got all but two right. I thought she was the smartest girl in school?

Kyril nudged her, “You, okay?”, He whispered.

Catherine shook her head and looked at him, and just like that, his heart seized. She had little tears at the end of her eyes.

Kyril grabbed her paper and corrected it, immediately standing and pulling her along to the front of the class, where the teacher sat. “We’re done. Can we leave the class?” The teacher looked at the huge teenager and meekly took the test, “You’re free to go.”

Kyril nodded and pulled Catherine along until he found an empty classroom. They entered, and Catherine sniffed. “Why did you do that? Now I have to retake that test. I can’t cheat on a test, Kyril.”

“You didn’t cheat. I did.”

Catherine gave him a look, and he looked away. She sighed and sat down. “I’m sorry I made you do that for me.” Kyril shook his head, “It’s fine.” She frowned and placed her face in her palms, “No, it’s not! I made you help me cheat just because I’m such a failure at math. I’m really sorry, Kyril.”

Gently, Kyril placed his hands on her face and lifted it to meet his, “Listen to me, Catherine. It hasn’t even been a week since we met, but I can tell you this right now. You are not a failure. And I'm not just saying it to make you feel better. I genuinely mean it. I watched you face every challenge thrown at you with intelligence and logical thinking. You are a smart, nice, and beautiful person inside and out, and I can’t wait for you to surprise me tomorrow, the way you surprise me every day.”

Catherine’s eyes filled with tears, but as she cried, she smiled and hugged him tightly. After a few moments, they separated. “You, okay?”, He asked worriedly.

Catherine laughed and lightly punched him, “I'm fine. Thank you, Kyril.”

“Kyril, huh? First time you've called me by my first name. ”, he said grinning.

“Shut up.”, her face lit up in blush, and Kyril poked her cheek teasingly. “Hey, no. I like it, honest. Plus, I would really like it if you let kyril tutor you in math.” Catherine gave him that look. “Yes, really. I'm pretty good. “

“Shut up, Calix. My aunt would never let you come over. She still didn’t say anything about the party, by the way.”

Kyril smirked as the bell rang. “Don’t worry, Gatáki. I got you. Trust me.”