We were in the hall within seconds, Arc’s arm around my shoulders again while he hummed. Kyler called my name, and I almost stumbled since I didn’t think he knew it. However, I continued down the hall towards calculus. Still, everyone watched while Arctic and I passed, which made me cringe. I have never been comfortable as the center of attention.
I barely made it into my next class when I was ambushed. Chuckling, I returned Zach’s hug with fervor, my arms tightening when his dark jumble of emotions were replaced by calm happiness that warmed my heart. Mrs. Young welcomed me back to class, telling me I could make up the test I missed when I was ready, and I nodded. I could pass it today, but I’d look over the rest of the chapter first. I didn’t want to seem cocky or make anyone think I believed I was great. No, I didn’t want to step on any more toes.
Smiling, I accepted the study packet she gave me and took my seat with Arctic grinning because I remembered to let him push my chair in. We had an extra chair in this class, so Arctic hummed while sitting between Zach and I. Once we were done taking notes and had a few minutes to work on our homework, I was surprised to discover Zach and Arc in an in-depth discussion about who knows what. So far, everyone else avoided Arctic, but I wasn’t surprised Zach was the one to throw that out. After all, he was the first person who spoke to me too. I must have made a noise or projected my emotions because they stopped talking to glance at me. Arc quirked his brow while Zach tilted his head to the side like a curious puppy.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, my cheeks heating, “I’m just happy to see my first friend getting along with Arctic.” I kept my eyes low, not knowing how Zach would react, albeit I wasn’t surprised when Arc laughed under his breath.
“He’s all right,” Arctic commented with amusement filling his voice, “for a dog.”
“You’re just jealous because I have beautiful fur,” Zach scoffed.
“And fleas,” Arctic added cheerfully, and I fought a smile. Once Zach playfully scowled, however, I laughed. The bell rang before Zach came up with a retort, which was a shame. I had a feeling it would have been epic. Still. Zach grinned while I put my stuff away, his smile becoming pleased when Arc took my backpack. Geez. I can carry it, they realize that, right? I understood in Arctic’s eyes it was the gentlemanly thing to do, so I inwardly sighed instead of trying to take it back.
Char waited outside Honors English for us, grinning when he saw Arctic’s arm slung over my shoulders. Dakota joined him before we entered the classroom, and I was startled when he pulled me into a tight hug with a mock glare for Arctic. “Hogging my cousin, are we?” Dakota accused with a laugh.
Sighing, I rolled my eyes and muttered, “look, Kota, just because-”
I never got the chance to finish what I intended to say. Dakota hugged me so tight that if Ryker hadn’t healed my spine, I would have squirmed to get away due to the intense pain. My breath escaped my lips as a gasp, and I stood silent while trying to understand why I was mauled by my cousin.
Ghostly laughter filled my ears, and a soft voice explained, “that’s what I often called him. Especially if he needed a good scolding.” Ah, so I reminded him of Jaxy even more than I already did. Poor Dakota. Although his emotions weren’t sad. What he felt was relief. After a moment, I returned Dakota’s hug with just as much strength, and he sighed in my ear. Tears burned my eyes while I wondered how long he suffered in silence. Dakota struck me as someone who swallowed their misery, smiling and lying to say he was all right while he fell apart behind his mask. Jax always saw through it since he perceived his emotions. Thus, Dakota wasn’t left to wallow in his pain in the dark.
“I’m sorry that you’ve suffered so,” I whispered past the painful lump in my throat. “I won’t let you banish yourself back to the dark, I promise.” A nearly soundless sob told me I was right. Dakota needed Jaxy far more than anyone realized. He informed me that Jax behaved like he was his older brother before he died, so I could only imagine how lost he felt once Jaxy died. What I found amusing was Dakota remembered my spine because he sprang away as if I burned him. “Ryker fixed it,” I told him with a shrug and a laugh. “It hurt like a bitch, but it doesn’t bother me anymore.”
Dakota’s relief was so intense I tasted it on my tongue and rolled my eyes while indicating the class we loitered beside. Arctic nodded to Miss Kida, who apologized about the lack of a chair for him, but he shrugged and leaned against the wall once I took my seat. I knew the instant Kyler walked into the classroom because Dakota, Zach, and Char stiffened with animosity pouring off them, while amusement rolled off Arctic in waves. The rest of the class tensed while he walked past the row of desks to take his seat behind me.
Without realizing it, I tensed, waiting for him to kick my chair like he
