GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT

My pulse gas gone all high, and I pant heavily. I’m scared, for Brit, for myself. We have to get out of this.

I can still hear Brit crying in the background, trying to scream for help. The helplessness is suffocating. I blink twice and struggle back up on my feet, with my head in my hands.

I walk out hurriedly in search of some tool to assist me. I reach the garden area, my legs slightly unbalancing my body. I hold my head in anguish, and just on cue I spot what I needed.

I pick it up by the handle and run back into the classroom. I see the guy all over Brit as her flushed and tear stained face still attempted to shout.

I make quick strides towards them and with every might of my body, I hit his head with the shovel. The metallic bang echoes all around as the guy, clutching his head falls down, hopefully just passed out.

I drop the axe and set Brit free, while removing the gag and she instantly hugs me tight, sobbing uncontrollably.

I hold her close, taking deep breaths myself and she sinks to her knees dragging me down with her.

“It’s… it’s okay, Brit.”

*

I sit, clutching the sides of the bench, a wet cloth gently dabbing my forehead, where I have been hurt. Brit has been taken to the infirmary, right after she threw up and the school staff found us.

The guy, Dan was now in the next room, with campus security and I am currently waiting to meet the dean who had summoned me. I just desperately hope I am not suspended, or worse, expelled for violence.

It’s totally dark by now and all I can see are the small stars gazing back at me, assuring me that everything was alright now.

I can’t even imagine the state Brit would be in. I really hope she’s not much trau-

“Miss Callister. You have been called in.”

I remove the clothing from my forehead and stand up slowly walking in the cabin.

The spacious, and comfortably cool room is all white with light blue curtains. Trophies, framed certificates and photographs hang on the wall I am facing and just below it, is an oversized cushioned chair, with an old man, approximately in his fifties, looking up at me.

The man, though old, seems to have quite a smartness and an intimidating aura. The rimless spectacles partially veil his otherwise sharp, yet kind eyes. I wouldn’t call this the typical old bushy dean.

“Miss Callister. Sit down, have a seat.” I take the unoccupied seat in front of him and wait for him to continue.

“You do know, that for attacking a fellow student and on campus, I can rightfully expel you, yes? Anything in your defense?”

Just what I had feared. Celia is going to kill me.

“Uh, sir, I don’t happen to regret my actions. What Dan did was legally and morally unethical.”

“And did you think it was your place to act?”

“I did, sir. I couldn’t possibly stand there and have Brit, as well as myself, getting wronged or hurt. And I’m sorry if self defence does not really fall in line with your school discipline.” And there you go, I said it. Why can’t I keep shut for once? I was supposed to get out of trouble, not more into it.

The dean looks at me with a straight look and it’s so difficult to predict his reaction.

“Miss Callister, your course of action has been highly impulsive and rash.” I look down at my hands, waiting for the storm to fall upon me.

I will miss this place. In spite of all its drama-

“Though it was spontaneous and quite brave, at the same time.” I raise my head up in a sudden jerk and my eyes widen as I register his words.

“Security of my students is of paramount and indispensable importance to me and to this institution. And what you did, ensured just that. I’m glad we could save a lot of trouble and pain that might have been caused, thanks to you.”

A small proud smile rests on his face and I like him all the more as I hear his words. Now that’s a dean. I dab internally.

“Britannica’s family has been informed and they’re on their way here.

As for you, I might suggest you visit the infirmary once, and I’ll look to it personally that this incident makes it to your letter of recommendation.” I barely contain my smile as I erupt with joy at the new revelation.

“Dismissed, Miss Callister. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the Revealing.”

He knows too. Duh.

My face falls and I turn around slowly to make it out of the cabin. And just then it strikes me. Should I? Uh might as well.

“Sir, if you don’t mind me asking what the compulsion was, under which this had to be named ‘the Revealing’ of all things, that too in this era?” The dean chuckles lightly while looking up at me, a small amused humour in his eyes.

“Well I guess that could be the first in a line of things you might change as chairperson.” I walk out silently, still brooding at how cool my dean really is.

He didn’t expel me, or suspend me. Rather he appreciated me. But then of course, why would he? I did what I had to. And for Brit.

Which reminds me of her family. She had told me about her disliking them and I don’t know what would happen once they reach he-

“Where is he? I swear I’m going to kill him?” The loud yelling makes me jump in surprise as I spot a familiar figure entering the next room, with raging steps.

I follow him to the room and I am left jaw dropped as I drink in the scene inside.

He is holding Dan by the collar menacingly and all of a sudden drops an aggressive blow to his jaw.

The loud blow makes Dan fall all the way down and he stands him up again to land yet another punch on his face. And it all happens too fast.

“How dare you? How the fuck could you even touch her?” He grits his teeth and I can literally soak in his anger that has filled the whole room by now.

“I’m going to kill you, Evans. How the fuck could you so much as lay a finger on my sister goddammit!” I stand, stupefied, eyes wide in shock.

Zach is Brit’s brother?

*

I stand, rooted to the ground, quite stunned by the recent unfolding of events.

Zach is beating the living hell out of Dan in front of me and two security guards have been trying to stop him in vain.

I try to move but my legs just won’t co-operate. I can hear the vague sounds of beating and shouting fall on my ears and it takes a moment for me to register the red on his knuckles, which is when I force myself to move.

I rush towards him and grasp his hand firmly trying to balance myself due to his constant struggling to be released.

“Za-, Zach – stop it.”

“Alanna, stay out of it.” His loud voice reverberates inside me as I get a look at his venomous eyes.

“Zach, you’re going to get yourself expelled, or worse, injured.”

“I’m going to kill him, I swear.”

“Just leave him. He’s not worth it.” I’ve been trying too hard but he just won’t loosen his hold on Dan, let alone calming down.

His fist is all bloody and too strong for me to hold on any longer. But I know, that he’ll get into trouble if I don’t.

I place a hand on his shoulder and try to separate him from Dan, but he doesn’t even budge.

“Just let him go Zach. You should go to Brit, she needs you right now.” I shout out at him and feel his hold loosening a bit.

He slowly lets go of Dan and the security guards take him instead.

Zach looks at me. His eyes are bloodshot and his face is all red and sweaty. I can feel blood between our hands from where I’ve been holding him.

I hold his stare and I have to admit, I don’t like angry Zach, one bit.

“Infirmary.” I whisper lightly, while releasing his hand from my hold. He looks at me a moment longer and then brisks away, raking a hand through his hair.

I turn around to see a badly bruised Dan, his face all bloody and wounded. I wonder if Zach would have stopped had I not interve-

“Alanna ! Hey, are you alright?” I turn my head to find a worried Nathaniel walking up to me. He reaches me and engulfs me in a tight hug, taking me by surprise.

He interlocks his hands around me and I inhale the fresh musk fragrance. I rest my cheek on the soft fabric of his t-shirt and close my eyes momentarily.

Every shred of panic evaporates away and I find myself calming down.

He leaves me all too soon, and I release the breath I didn’t even know I had been holding. I see lines forming on his forehead, which I really get tempted to smoothen out.

“You’re not hurt, right? I was with Zach, and – and Brandon calls – and I hear this absolutely crazy thing about Brit. We came as soon as we could and he just told me all you did. Are you okay?”

He has been rambling non stop and running his hands and face all over my arms, searching for signs of any injury.

“Nathaniel, breathe. I’m okay.”

“That was stupid, Alanna. What were you even thinking? But then right, when do you ever?” He says, with a fearful, loud voice. He face palms himself and I am overwhelmed by this unexpected concern from him.

It tugs at my insides and I feel a small smile erupting. He looks at me, and widens his eyes.

“It’s not funny, okay? It’s not funny one bit.” I chuckle lightly, and lower my head. He sighs.

“Let me just check over Brit okay, and then we can get you home.”

“It’s fine, I’ll take a cab.”

“Oh no, no. I think we’re done for today. No more stunts. Stay.”

I don’t spot Zach after that and I silently wonder if he’s alright. I definitely had not seen this coming.

I look out the window at the passing trees in the dark and my mind wanders off to the earlier moment with Nathaniel.

He has been a friend, a terrific friend, but I had never thought he would be this worried.

As always, I am overthinking everything but then Nathaniel and that moment gave the comfort and safety I had long been in the pursuit of. And when he left me, I would lie if I said I didn’t feel bad.

As for Zach, I never knew he had a sister. And that she was Brit. He had been in a trance, while hitting Dan. Even though, it was scary, some crazy part of me is happy that he is capable of loving someone so fiercely.

I close my eyes with an inward sigh and rest against the headrest. I’ve had quite a day and I don’t want to overthink about Nathaniel. Zach, neither.

“You do know you need a dressing right?”

I close the door of the car and raise my head to a standing Nathaniel with his door half open.

And he looks mesmerising in the dark starry night standing with a soft smile and radiant blue eyes.

“What?”

“For the cut on the head…,”

And once again, I find myself drifting due to the unbelievable niceness of this human. He just knows what and how much to say, and when to say them.

“… and the hand.” I look down and find blood stains. Just not my blood, and I wish this fact made the pain any less.

Chocolate brown eyes flash before me and I raise my head to see him briefly, before making the way to the door.

“Goodnight, Nathaniel.” What the hell am I doing?

Author's note:

Brit is Zach’s sister. Bam.

Alanna saved the day. Bam again.

And Nathaniel. Bigger Bam, and for the third time.

Who else loves dean Brandon, by the way? Like not LOVE love, just… love love.

(Start making sense, or shut up.)

I’ll shut up.

But like, vote, comment.