Monday

Monday…

The following day, she was up early with Kai. He was going on an hour-long lecture about rules and safety.

Always stay in sight of the guards

Only to school and back

Later in the evening, you will have tutoring in the castle’s library

Make sure you eat yada yada yada

Juniper only half-listened as she sipped her coffee and ate her breakfast. She was too busy watching the maid nervously fiddle from left to right. She was preparing everything Juniper may need for the day.

The maid had her all ready to go by the time Kai stopped his lecturing. He stood and kissed the top of her head. It was soft, and she couldn’t help but think he was worried about letting her go. She stared at him, watching the swirls of fire dance in his hazel eyes.

She noted his steady breathing in and out. She welcomed his attention. Yesterday had felt so odd having him be stand-offish. Then last night, she wasn’t given a chance to talk to him. He was gone nearly half the night, no doubt trying to find out more about the incident. The bags under his eyes were proof.

“Please be safe today,” He stared back into her eyes as if he wanted to say more.

As soon as he left, Juniper began her interrogation. “What did you mean I have a friend in the scale?”

The girl froze in her place. “Lady of Sala…I do not know what you mean.”

“Tell me this...am I in endanger?” Juniper search the girl’s facial expression for any signs.

The silence between them was long. Teresa seemed to battle within herself, like a part of her wanted to tell Juniper everything, and another part wanted to run. She grew more anxious by the second.

“The scale is of no harm to you. I must go. Master Dayton will expect me,” she blurted out, nervously wiping her hands on her dress.

“So you know what I am talking about! Who are they?” Juniper excitedly asked.

The maid’s voice seemed to be stricken with fear. “Please, Lady of Sala.” And then she quickly ran from the room. Juniper went to chase her, but the guard greeted her as she reached the bedroom entryway.

“Shall I now escort you to class?”

She looked up at the guard and swallowed. “Yeah, let me just get my bag,” she said, knowing she could not chase after the maid with the guard following her every move.

...

At the palace entrance, she was passed on to two new guards, and they followed behind her as she walked to school. They were nothing like the two guards from yesterday.

The two guards from yesterday wore less formal attire. These two looked prepared to take on the group from yesterday, even if that group became three times the size. Despite the protection, Juniper felt safe regardless. Whatever the scale may be, she felt confident they weren’t out to harm her.

A preppy girl stood at the school gates, greeting people as they entered. When her eyes landed on Juniper, it was clear she was the welcoming committee.

“Hi! I’m Shaylee! I’m going to show you around the school!” Even her voice made Juniper cringe. This type of girl bullied other girls, and Juniper could tell. She put her guard up.

They passed the halls, eyes glued to Juniper like she was a walking butt pimple. Shaylee guided her into their first class. Juniper quickly noted there were no chairs, the dark wooden desks stood at standing height, and everyone leaned on them. There was a mixture of students, which she divided by their uniforms.

Clothes like Dayton and Stasia must be military students, and clothes like Juniper’s must have been the other high-class students. Thanks to Stasia’s rant yesterday, Juniper knew that the school had no lower-class students attending.

The professor walked in wearing an academic robe. He was the only one not awkwardly staring at her.

“So,” Shaylee’s voice chimed in a whispering tone. “Have you slept with Kai yet?” Her excitement at knowing such secret details was evident on her face, and it caused Juniper to tense up. She was faintly aware of the professor calling role.

His voice stuttered as he spoke, “Oh, I see we have a new student… let’s see. Oh, my!” He seemed to suddenly become excited. “It’s Lady of Sala! We haven’t had a lady at this school in a long time!”

He turned to find Juniper staring back at him, already feeling off because of Shaylee’s direct questions.

He slowly wobbled to her desk to stare into her eyes. She stared back into the most memorizing blue eyes with the same fire swirling in them. It was the first time she had seen the flames inside blue eyes.

“A human?” He uttered, almost confused. “Tell me, are you a lady of King Sala or Prince Sala?”

“Prince Sala,” a voice at the entryway echoed into the room. The room was so silent one could hear everyone’s head turn to see Dayton standing in the archway, seeming very pissed.

“Sergeant Dayton, forgive me I-”

“These are not questions that should be held during class time, though I would advise that all questions be kept to yourself.”

Dayton turned to Shaylee, glaring at her as if he knew she also had asked Juniper something she shouldn’t.

She let out a gulp, but her eyes did not leave his body. She gaped at him like he was her soul’s purpose for living.

“I’ve come to inform you, professor Morris, about our lockdown meeting at lunch. Since you are the only one here who seems unable to keep up with the times.”

“Yes, Sergeant Dayton, thank you.”

Dayton scanned the room, and his eyes landed hard on Juniper before he gave a nod and turned to leave.

“Did you see that look he gave me? He’s so into me,” Shaylee whispered into Juniper’s ear. Juniper rolled her eyes, knowing very well the deep glare was nowhere near intended for Shaylee.