I never mention how much I train. There I go again, just tell her your life story now, get it out of the way, I scold myself.
“Oh good, I just wanted to make sure in case you needed to buy anything here. Although, make sure you carry some make-up supplies around with you, because they expect it reapplied after physical activity,” she advises.
Great, just what I wanted. At least she’s given me a heads up, because I definitely wouldn’t have carted it around with me otherwise.
“It’s fine Red, don’t worry over it. Are you ready to eat?” I ask.
“How does Italian sound?” It’s the most confident she’s been all day.
In just a simple question. I can see she’s not trying to please me or tip toe around me and it makes me smile.
“It sounds like the way to my heart Red, lead the way,” I respond.
Fuck she’s trouble, pity I’m not into women cos she’s got me wrapped round her finger. If anyone saw me from back home they wouldn’t believe their eyes.
*****
Red leads me to an authentic little Italian restaurant instead of the main eatery, and we decide to sit on the patio outside with the sun still on us. Large red, white and green canopies shade us as we sit at the classic wrought iron table and chairs, looking out onto the square.
She’s grinning ridiculously, more than usual if that’s possible, and it has me curious.
“What’s got you grinning so wide?” I ask, and that just makes her giggle.
“You didn’t deny I was your best friend, and it’s too late for you to argue it now.”
She sticks her tongue out and picks up the menu attempting to end the conversation there. I’m trying not to laugh at her antics but it’s hard and she knows it. I don’t know how to argue with her statement, so I don’t answer at all which just makes her grin more.
The waiter approaches, he looks to be around our age, does he go to school here too? I don’t ask as it seems rude to intrude. So we place our orders, an iced tea each and she orders a pepperoni pizza while I order spaghetti carbonara, my favorite.
Once we’re alone again I try to categorize the questions I have, about this place, about her, about everything.
“So, how did you end up here, Red?” I start, wanting to know more about her first.
“Well when I was 14, my dad sat me down and told me I wasn’t going to school with all my friends anymore. I was to attend Featherstone High. He told me the week before I was due to start, and just like that I was thrust out of my comfort zone and thrown into a world I have no clue about,” she says, running a hand through her hair, her eyes downcast.
“My dad’s not a major part of the underworld but he’s made technology and devices for Featherstone. He says it's so I can have the best education, and nothing is expected of me, but honestly, I think they forced me here. To hold me over him because I learned a lot at Featherstone High, about this world and the people in it, and I don’t like it. They placed me in Diamond as a goodwill gesture I guess, but I’m not a true bloodline which means nobody wants anything to do with me because my name does nothing for their status.” She sighs.
God that’s a lot. A lot for her to say and a lot for her to deal with especially because it’s clear she doesn’t hold venom in her blood like the others, like me.
“That must have been tough for you.”
I don’t apologize for her circumstances. It's not my fault but I feel the need to acknowledge her feelings.
“Yeah, it was. Mostly because it was a boarding school, I’ve already spent four years stuck with these people, and now I’ve got another. Can I be honest with you?”
The sadness in her voice has me nodding my head instantly.
“I’m petrified, Luna. Featherstone High was just that, a high school with a standard education plan, but here? Here, I’m expected to learn how to fight, and I was forced to take L.F.G too. I’m thankful I was able to take Science, it’s my dream, and business isn’t too bad. Then they force us to take History, learning their past and dragging us into their fold,” she says, misery floating in every word.
I glance around the square, taking in a few people wandering around, as I consider her words. I made sure to take the seat in the corner so I could see all our vantage points, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Rafe's lessons stay with me, even now, making sure I can see all of my surroundings.
“Have you any experience with combat?”
She just shakes her head, looking down at her hands.
“None at all, not even a self-defense class?”
She shakes her head again, fuck.
“What about the others here?” I ask, leaning in closer.
She shrugs, “There were fights all the time at Featherstone High, and for some it’s their bloodline so it’ll only get worse here. Especially for those with access to their family vaults.” She sounds defeated.
Holy shit, she’s left herself at a disadvantage. I was fine with the combat classes, but that’s because I enjoy it. For someone with no experience, it’s going to be a shock for sure.
“Okay, well we will start training you then. I’ll help you and we can use the gym at Ace for privacy. I know it might not be something you want to do, but it's important we can get you to defend yourself.”
I’m not taking any messing around with this. I reach out and squeeze her hand in reassurance.
“Thank you Luna, I can’t tell you how much that means to me,” she says softly.
I nod, “We will need
