Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(9)
Lucienne
Breathe, Lucie, breathe. I continued to repeat the mantra until I found the line leading to the table for last names starting with D-F. Logan was just startled, you're alright. Slowly, I loosened my grip on the strap of my messenger bag to where I was no longer strangling it. My eyes were focused on the far wall, purposely avoiding any contact with the crush of students surrounding me. Deep breaths. Thankfully, I was next in line. Almost done.
"Name?" The woman at the table asked without looking up when the man in front of me stepped aside.
"Envie," I responded, "Lucienne Envie." She dug through her file box and pulled a folder with my name on the tab.
"Here you go, your schedule, map, building hours, and other important information," she handed me the manila folder with an irritated look on her face before immediately moving onto the girl behind me. I wove my way in and out of students in the lobby and out into the quad clutching the folder to my chest that way I didn't lose any papers. Once I moved away from the doors towards the edge of the building, I pulled out my schedule:
Core Schedule:
History Building Room 103
Professor M. Hans
Monday and Wednesday 0900-1045
Introduction to Supernatural Society
Music and Arts Building Main Auditorium
Professor T. Rasmussen
Monday and Wednesday 1300-1425
Debate
English Building Room 418
Professor W. Crest
Tuesday and Thursdays 1000-1145
Introduction to Mental Shielding and Defense
Power Building Main Auditorium
Professor N. Dorsial
Tuesday and Thursday 1200-1345
Additional Requirements:
Power Building Main Gymnasium
Monday, August 27th 0800
Power Placement Testing
Power Building Practice Room 1
Professor B. George
and Student Assistant Hudson Nguyen
Mondays 1100-1200
Not so bad, I thought to myself, at least it's mostly entry-level classes. My mom’s forethought in working with the school to get my schedule in order filled me with relief, there’s no way I would have been able to focus on it at the time. I stuck the sheet back into the folder deciding to read the rest of the information back at the dorm. I’d already tucked the folder carefully into my bag, trying to choose between exploring on my own or going with a group when I heard a familiar voice call out my name.
I looked up to find Logan and Landon standing in the quad waving at me, surrounded by a group of guys. I reached up to return the wave when I felt the breath leave my lungs. Holy shit, that’s Mr. Nguyen and the cutie from the library. Again. Not sure what to do with my hand, since it was still in the air doing absolutely nothing, a painful reminder of how much I suck in social situations, I settled for tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. A grunt and responding laughter from around the corner of the building pulled my attention away from the group of guys starting towards me.
"Well, what do we have here, where's your little boyfriend?" A cruel voice sneered, echoing off the stone structure where the walkway split into a small path between buildings. I slowly edged towards the corner when I heard a thud and another grunt, followed by more laughter.
Poking my head into the alley, I saw a small, chestnut colored fox huddled against the stone building and three guys sneering down at the cute animal. The one closest to the fox was clad in a red sleeveless shirt and black basketball shorts, while his minions stationed behind him wore similar clothing and matching smirks.
"What? Nothing to say, faggot?” The asshole in red prodded. The fox gave a tiny shrieking bark as it curled into itself, attempting to shy away from the bullies. I felt my hands curl into fists when Mr. Macho pulled his foot back to kick it. How fucking dare he. I couldn't stand by and let this piece of crap harm an innocent animal, drawing my shoulders back, I moved away from my spot on the corner and into the altercation.
“Hey assholes, leave it alone,” I bit out, positioning myself between them and the injured animal who remained in its balled up position, squeaking in fear. I squared up to Mr. Macho in red, nails biting into my palms.
“Oh, look boys, the little faggot has a fairy godmother,” the bully chuckled as he looked over his shoulders to his friends. “Hm, what do you say little girl, want to play with the big bad wolves?” His dark brown, almost black eyes turned back to me with a feral gleam, lips pulled into a cruel smile. I felt my panic try to claw its way up my throat, but the whimper from the animal behind me pushed the fear of the past down. My bag slid from my shoulder and hit the ground with a thud.
“You want a fight? How about you pick on someone who can actually fight back?” I countered as I threw my arms wide with a crazed smile of my own. The bully eyed me as he stepped into my personal space, crowding my face as he responded.
“I wouldn’t start a fight when it’s three against one if I were you bitch. Why are you standing up for this fucking fag anyways?” His eyes dropped to my necklace that had shifted out from under my tank top, eyebrows raised at the gold coin. “You think you’re such hot shit with that fucking thing, don’t you?” He asked, reaching out to touch the pendant nestled between my breasts. Before he could do or say anymore, I felt my fight instinct kick in, shoving him as hard as I could, tired of him practically looking down my shirt. I won’t ever let anyone treat me like that bastard again, my lip pulled up into a snarl.