Chapter 7- You're Kidding me

She was more surprised it was Derek. It had been almost three weeks since she started attending the class, but no one said a thing about the person who was supposed to sit behind her. She'd thought that maybe the person got transferred, or something so she didn't ask.

Cautiously, she went over to her seat and tried to ignore the stares coming from the whole class, including Derek.

The teacher came to class some few minutes later. An old man probably in his sixties that reminded her of Joseph. He started his lesson in earnest and the class moved smoothly. Maybe that was the only time she really enjoyed Greek class. But this was short-lived when the teacher started moving towards her table. She became uneasy till he passed hers to stop right in front of the person behind her.

She sighed in relief and turned when she heard him speak,

"Mr Gallagher, I believe my lessons aren't as boring as they sound",he said, "so maybe you could do us all a favour and try staying awake till the end of the class",he finished still looking at the young man. Natalie looked at Derek who had dark circles like he didn't sleep at night. She didn't know what happened but she found herself trying to stifle a laugh. The next thing she knew, the whole class was looking at her like she'd gone crazy. She regained herself when Derek shot her a deathly look. Immediately she turned back to listen to what was being taught.

She was quite relieved when the bell for recess came. She was so tensed that she didn't think the lesson would end. She packed her books and left the lecture room.

Derek watched the girl rush out of the class like she'd waited for ages to do so. She actually had the nerve to look him in the eye, stifling a laugh which he knew was directed at him. He'd stayed up all night playing watchman, trying to see if he'd get a hold of any soul sucking creature and that, he knew, took a toll on his body. His hair was ruffled as he didn't have the time to look at his appearance and he needed sleep since he didn't get one for close to three days. He still had a human body after all.

Soon he left the lecture room and went out to take some rest before he'll search for Davies. They needed to come up with a plan on the next hunt or Odette would be over their heads if they didn't get him a rogue demon by the end of the week. Not that he cared about what he'll say, but he sure wasn't a fan of Odette's long speeches.

* * *

Natalie was pleasantly surprised to see Kira sitting at their table eating. She looked really tired and had dark circles under her eyes like she didn't sleep the previous night. Her expression became grim as she remembered what had happened in the lunchroom.

"Kira! where have you been?", she drew back a seat beside her and sat on it, "you had me really worried and your phone... the line wasn't going through"

"I'm sorry about that. You shouldn't worry too much". Natalie looked at her for a while then heaved a sigh. She wouldn't force Kira to tell her. She was happy knowing she was alright. Maybe looking weary, but okay.

Natalie looked around and saw some girls walk past her with a sneer. It couldn't get any worse.

Apparently, Kira had seen the two girls that had given her a bad look

"Forget about them... so tell me, what's up with you and McKenzie?"

"You heard already"

"Come on! Mourline feeds on gossip, sweet heart. So make up your mind, you've been an object of it... for the weeks you've been here.

" I... guess so". She told Kira everything that had happened with Leila. Including her encounter with Derek in the morning.

"You mean like... Gallagher?"

"Yeah. And I forgot...",she then told her of the lunch Conner proposed. By the time she was done, Kira's eyes were already wide with bewilderment.

"Leila's boyfriend? Graham?"

"Yeah too", Natalie was beginning to think Kira was overreacting

"Kira, it's not that bad talking to him, besides he's nice".

"You've got to be kidding me" she looked around, tucking her red hair behind her ear. Little strands still stuck out stubbornly.

"My hair's a mess" she muttered, trying to push it back.

"Let me tell you something about Mourline. This place is filled with crazy and half paranoid rich kids and McKenzie... is one of them. If not crazier"

"So you're saying..."

"I'm saying... I can't help but get worried for you .You seem to attract the wrong kind of people so far",she used her fork to dig into her spaghetti.

She stopped to take a glance at Natalie who seemed a bit distracted," you're not gonna eat? "

" Uh... right, I'll just... "she cut short her talk when she saw Conner wave from his table. He and his little group were seated at their usual spot, the far end of the lunchroom. She wondered if reserved, exclusive space was part of the whole package, being the school top hits.

"Natie, I was thinking, what if..." her voice trailed off at the sight of her wide eyed friend. She followed her line of sight and was taken aback.

"oh boy, this doesn't feel good" Kira stated as they both watched a smiling Conner advance towards their table.

"Hi, ladies",he beamed.