Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (36 page)

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“What the hell was the about?” Dean asked, leaning
over with his hands on his knees and gasping for breath.

“Are you okay?” Cameron asked, surprised by my sudden
outburst.

I couldn’t even speak which was probably a good thing
considering every time I opened my mouth I said the wrong thing.
“Look, not that I’m not grateful for you ending this torture
session early, but damn Ella that was harsh, even for you.” Dean
straightened up and walked away from me disgusted.

Cameron looked conflicted, unsure what to do. I was
sure she agreed with Dean, but didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.
“Hey Ella –”

“I really don’t need one your smartass commentaries
Cameron so spare me.”

“Wow, Ella, really?” She stormed off. I tried to call
after her but she ignored me and I didn’t blame her.

How did I keep managing to piss people off? Oh yeah,
because I kept opening my big mouth.

I took my time walking back to my room. When I
reached my hall the only sounds I heard were the squeaking sounds
my sneakers made as I dragged my feet. I was starting think it
wasn’t necessary for them to put me in a hall all by myself. The
way I was going I would probably have run off everyone all on my
own. At first I thought the solitude would be great, but lately
being alone wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

I decided to skip breakfast and head to my first
class early. I thought maybe if I arrived before everyone else it
would ease the shock of my return.

I so desperately wanted to throw on one of my hoodies
and hide but it was the middle of June and almost ninety-eight
degrees out. I opted instead for hiding under a hat and plugging my
ear buds in. After I healed the tree, I had received several – not
just one – new blue streaks. I was hoping that was the end of the
streaks. I didn’t think it was possible I could get anymore. The
entire underneath of my hair was now streaked with blue and a few
on top.

I was first to arrive as planned. I took a seat in
the back and took out my notebook. I had no idea where we had left
off or what we were working on so I just doodled in my notebook
until class started. No one noticed me as they shuffled in and took
their seats. Cameron walked in last and ignored me, sitting as far
away from me as she could.

“Hey Cam, so I heard you took off to get rid of your
bastard baby. I just want to know, are the rumors true?” Some
snooty blonde who I didn’t know asked Cameron.

“Oh Misty, you should really be careful. From what I
heard your indiscretions are definitely more scandalous. So maybe
next time you should take the dick out of your mouth before you
speak,” Cameron said, smiling sweetly. Cameron got a few snickers
from our classmates and made a very unhappy Misty turn red.

I smiled at Cameron’s retort, happy that she put that
girl in her place. Mr. Hendal showed up shortly ending anymore
discussion of rumors about Cameron’s illegitimate baby. For once I
was glad I wasn’t at the root of the rumors but not happy that my
friends were.

Mr. Hendal paused for a moment when he saw Cameron,
but then continued as normal. “Class, take out your books and we
will finish the chapter on the royal lines. I will be collecting
your timelines at the end of class today. Cameron you can share
with Misty,” he said, causing Cameron to roll her eyes at her
sudden misfortune.

Mr. Hendal turned to the black board and proceeded to
write the names of the royal families they had been working on.
“McKinnon,” he started and my head shot up. “Is the last of the
royal lines –” he stopped when he saw me. “Well class, it would
appear we have a new student,” he said, looking directly at me and
smirking. I knew he knew it was me, but felt the need to make an
ass out of me. “Will someone please inform her of what the dress
code is?”

Misty raised her hand. “Yes Miss Greer,” he pointed
to her.

“No hats allowed during class,” she said, sitting up
straight and pretending to be an astute student.

“Thank you Miss Greer. Now, will you kindly remove
your hat,” he said to me, still smiling like an ass. Everyone
turned around to look at me as I took off my hat and shook out my
hair. They gasped as the realization of who I was became known.
“Miss McCallister, it is so nice for you to grace us with your
presence. I trust you had a nice little vacation.”

I decided to keep my mouth shut. I was in enough
trouble already. Automatically the whispers started. “All right
that’s enough,” Mr. Hendal said, shushing the class. “Chloe, will
you please share your notes with Ella.”

Chloe looked less than thrilled, but complied
anyways. I didn’t really remember her much. She had soft, wavy read
hair that fell just short of her shoulders. Freckles covered her
cheeks and nose. She kind of looked like little orphan Anne which I
was sure she got teased about a lot when she was younger. She had a
cute little purple beret in her hair to hold back what looked like
bangs she was growing out.

I commented on her beret hoping to lighten things up,
but it just made it worse. She pulled away from me and looked as if
she was about to make a run for it. I guess with all the rumors
going around about me she thought I was a loose cannon. I didn’t
have to hear the rumors to know people were talking about me. I
could hear their thoughts. I wasn’t spying on anyone like I
promised, but their thoughts were so loud I couldn’t help but hear
what they were all thinking. Some thought I planned the whole
attack on the school as a decoy for my escape. One thought I ran
away because I was too afraid to face Mackenzie after ‘stealing’
her man – that one made me laugh. Some thought I left because of
the stress of everything or because I was too ashamed of myself for
what happened. That one wasn’t far from the truth.

Other thoughts I heard were just ridiculous and I
wondered where the hell they came up with this stuff. I heard
excuses like – plastic surgery, my parents were broke and couldn’t
afford to send me here anymore, sex change operation, I joined a
cult, I moonlighted as a prostitute to pay for my drug problem, and
so on. All interesting if I did say so myself, but the one that
hurt the most was the one about me being to coward to break up with
Roman in person. I didn’t know who said it or how they even knew
something so private, but it was enough to make me slide back down
in my seat and try to disappear.

Not being able to sit there for two hours and listen
to all the gossip about me, I put in my ear buds and turned the
volume down so I could still hear Mr. Hendal if necessary. I
learned I could hide my headphones if I pulled them up through the
back of my shirt and let my hair fall forward in to my face. No one
ever noticed.

After royal politics, I didn’t even bother to go to
my next two classes. I knew I would get in trouble, but really,
what more could they do to me? Plus it wasn’t like I was missing
anything important either. My next two classes were art and dance
and they were electives. So instead of going to class I went back
to my room and slept.

I didn’t get the sleep I so desperately wanted. I
tossed and turned. Visions of the night Tristan and I spent
together flashed in my head. My heart clenched as visions of him
kissing me sent me into a spiraling downfall. Oh how I ached to
feel him in my arms, to feel his lips on my skin, and his touch.
Soon the visions swirled and I was in my dorm and it was Roman who
was kissing me. My heart twisted inside my chest. Roman, Tristan,
Roman, Tristan. I jumped back and forth in my dream between Roman
and Tristan and before I knew it I could no longer tell who was
who.

I gasped when I woke up. I sat up in my bed and
gripped the sheets tight forcing myself not to cry. I cried enough
already and all that did was give me a headache and red puffy eyes.
I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. Then I looked over at the
clock. It was lunch time. I got up and put my hat back on and then
I headed down to the cafeteria where I ran into Roman.

“Hey…last night,” I said, fidgeting with my thumbs. I
looked up at him from underneath my hat.

“Was a mistake,” he said, clenching his jaw. “I
thought you were different, but I guess I was wrong. You’re just
like all the rest and you’ll never change.”

I looked at him wondering what he was talking about.
I felt that somehow I missed something in the translation.
“Roman…I’m not sure…what?”

“Of course you wouldn’t. You’re too self-involved to
care about anyone but yourself.”

I gawked at his comment. “Excuse me?”

“I should have known you were nothing more than a
spoiled little bitch. When things don’t go your way you tear people
down and act as if they’re beneath you.”

Okay, that hurt.
“First off –” I tried
defending myself but he continued.

“You know Gabe has used his spare time to help you
out and all you do is treat him like someone who’s easily
disposable.”
Ah, so this was about this morning
. “I’m just
glad I found out who you really are before it was too late,” he
said, storming off and letting the door slam behind him.

I stood there with my mouth open, staring at the big
black doors to the cafeteria. I was in total and utter shock.
How dare he say those things to me? He had no idea.
I
reached for the door ready to bust through and give him a piece of
my mind when a couple of girls walked by whispering. “I can’t
believe she has the nerve to show up back here,” “Especially after
what she did to Roman,” “And all the trouble she caused at the
dance,” “They should have sent her away to one of those
institutions.” They acted like I couldn’t hear them.

I turned to glare, making them flinch, but only for a
second before they started giggling again and pointing. “God, she
is crazy,” the brunette with bad bangs said.

I decided I was no longer hungry and instead of
letting my anger get the best of me I thought it best to go back to
my room. I counted backwards from ten like Ms. Kraft had told me
once before to do to help calm me down. Then I took some deep
breaths to keep myself from turning back around and pummeling those
girls.

I walked past the fountain and all the new trees and
flowers we panted back in march. They were blossoming beautifully
and full of life. I wandered, not paying attention to where I was
going, until I realized I was at the entrance of the maze. I
stopped and stared at the entrance. There was something about this
maze. I always felt drawn to it but I had no idea why. I took a
step closer and I was suddenly hit with images from that night. I
closed my eyes and saw the nightmare all over again.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Being on edge, I
grabbed the hand, spun around and flipped them onto their back.
They landed with a loud thump. I took my stance ready to attack
again. He groaned and rolled over to his side allowing me to see
who it was. “Justin?”

“Damn Ella, if I would have known you were so
touchy,” he said, groaning and rubbing his back.

I put my hand out to help him up. “Well what are you
doing sneaking up behind me?”

“I called your name but you didn’t answer and then I
saw you were about to go into the maze and I was not about to go in
there and find you...again.”

“Sorry, I had my headphones in.” I gestured to my ear
buds and pulled them out. “And I wasn’t going to go in there.”

“It didn’t look that way to me.”

“Look, is there something you want?” I said annoyed.
I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.

“Riley wanted me to find you to make sure you were
alright since you weren’t at lunch.”

“Where is she?”

“In class.”

“Oh, why aren’t you in class?”

“Why aren’t you?” he retorted.

I eyed him a minute wondering what was going on
underneath all that pretty blonde hair. “You can’t get in my head,”
he said.

“I…wasn’t,” I stuttered. “Why not?”

He smiled. “It’s a wolf thing.”

I nodded. When he didn’t say anything else I asked,
“Is that all?”

“That’s all. I guess I’ll be sure to tell Riley
you’re fine,” he said, rubbing his shoulder for emphasis. I gave
another slight nod and he walked away. “And hey Ella, do me a favor
and stay out of the maze. Unless you plan on carrying a box of
Oreos with you,” he winked, jogging off.

To be on the safe side and avoid any more run ins, I
decided to head back to my room, hoping to avoid any unpredicted
detours. When I returned I found Gabe outside my door sliding an
envelope underneath. I wanted to say something to him, but
chickened out and held myself back until he left. When I knew it
was clear, I went to my room, and opened the envelope. Inside was a
note.

After this morning I feel it best that I no longer
train you. You lack discipline and concentration and I feel someone
who can work with you one on one would be better suited for your
needs. I have set up a schedule with your new trainer who will work
with around your classes and other activities. You will meet with
him promptly after dinner in the gym and start your sessions
tomorrow. His name is Zane.

And that was it, the end of the letter.

I didn’t want a new trainer. I wanted Gabe, but I was
a fool and I acted childish and I didn’t blame him for not wanting
to train me anymore. I managed to dig myself a hole that I couldn’t
get out of and that was because I just kept digging it deeper. I
didn’t want to be the outcast, but lately everything I did put me
at top of the list for number one weirdo.

I checked my watch and saw I had a while before
dinner. I thought about meeting Zane before dinner, but I had no
idea where he was or what he looked like. I wanted to call Gran,
but I knew she wouldn’t answer – too busy traveling – and I didn’t
want to leave a message on her answering machine. I offered several
times to get her a cell phone, but she refused. She said the whole
purpose of traveling alone was to be alone and with a cell phone
people would bug you for nonsense all the time. Then she went into
a story about people survived perfectly fine way before cell phones
were invented and blah, blah – I dosed off somewhere in the middle
of the conversation.