Black Sun Academy: The Next Generation (book 1)
Chapter 14

Braeden

That bitch! I know Morgan is the one who placed that curse on Blaise. As soon as I realized something was wrong with her, I began to search the crowd for Morgan. Of course, the professor had to go and dismiss the class at that moment making it even easier for Morgan to slip away unnoticed.

By the time I made my way out of the academia building she was long gone. I was pretty sure she wouldn’t be in her room but thought I’d better check just the same. Nothing like wasting my time trying to locate her when I could be spending that time by Blaise’s side. So, I say again, that bitch! I growl out my frustration and then run both my hands through my hair yanking at the short tips because I’m so pissed, and I don’t have anything to punch!

Making my way back to the elevator I step inside and hit the button for the first floor. I watch as the doors close and then look just above them to where the numbers count backwards from four to one. After the doors slide back open, I walk out into the common room. With a tired sigh I walk down the west hall and take the elevator up to the third floor and then go to my room to await news from Carden.

∞

Blaise

Carden keeps his arm around my waist the entire walk back to building H. I’ve never wished more in my life that I were taller than 5’4 so I could rest my head on his shoulder. But at least I can tuck myself into his side and absorb his body heat as we walk.

When we reach my dorm room Carden takes my key card from my still shaking hands and taps it against the lock. As soon as the click is heard he pushes the door open and walks me inside. “Do you need help getting ready for bed or anything?” There’s no humor in his voice so I know he isn’t joking or trying to flirt with me which causes my heart to melt a little and those feelings Clover told me not to catch well, oopsie...

“No, I think I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow though. I probably won’t make it to breakfast.” I can feel my eyelids beginning to droop and I sway tiredly on my feet.

“Okay if you’re sure,” this time a flirty smile graces his lips and I give a little chuckle but shake my head no. “It’s just as well. I should probably get back to my room so I can update Braeden.” Carden takes a step towards the door but then stops and walks back over to me. He bends slightly at the same time placing his hands on either side of my face and presses his lips to mine in a gentle kiss. He leaves me standing in the middle of my room wide eyed in surprise. He looks over his shoulder just before he closes the door and gives me a wink.

A shiver travels over my body and I smile to myself for a second before going to the dresser and grabbing an oversized tee shirt to sleep in. I’m not a pajama kind of girl. Going into the bathroom I brush my teeth and wonder where Clover is. It hasn’t registered that because of what happened to me Professor Dearil had let our class out extremely early, and she was still in hers. Exhaustion hits me hard just as I finish brushing my teeth and I replace myself stumbling my way over to my bed with just enough energy left to climb in and wrap my covers around me.

“Hey Blaise. Blaise! You’re going to be late for class if you don’t get your ass out of that bed pronto!” Clover shakes my shoulder as she says this.

I groan, mumbling “not going,” while trying not to open my eyes. Clover, however, is relentless and I realize she doesn’t have a clue what happened to me last night. “I’m awake but I’m not going. While in my astronomy class last night someone thought it would be amusing to place a freezing curse on me.” As I tell her this, I watch her eyes go wide in shock. Since she’s too stunned to say anything, I add; “yeah it was hell. A healer came and was able to break it, but he has excused me from classes for the day.”

“Holy, wow! Who in the world would do that? We’ve only been in classes for a day. Not enough time to make enemies in such a short period of time...” Clover’s phone beeps and she sighs before glancing at the screen. “I’ve gotta go if I want to grab some breakfast. Text me later okay.” Nodding that I will I watch as she closes the door behind her and then flop my head back onto my pillow.

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fall asleep after having been awakened but apparently, I could because the next time my eyes flutter open the sun is hanging high in the sky. Lighting up my phone screen I see that I have managed to sleep for another three hours. I can’t believe I was able to sleep until ten in the morning. Getting out of bed because I have to go to the bathroom, I do my business, brush my teeth and then make my way to the dresser to grab some clean clothes.

Pulling out sweatpants that I had turned into a pair of shorts, I proceeded to grab a pair of panties and decide to wear a sports bra thinking that when I’m done visiting the healer I could go for a jog. Plucking out a pair of white cotton socks, I go into my closet and grab my obnoxiously bright purple trainers and meander over to my bed to get dressed.

A few minutes later I’m hopping in the elevator. I lean against the metal rail inside the metal box and wait for the doors to ping open on the first floor. Exiting building H, I feel the heat settle onto my skin immediately. I am surprised at myself though because I don’t feel the urge to whine about how hot it is outside.

At a leisurely pace I trek across the campus grounds to make my way to the clinic. The door is automatic and slides open when it senses me. Walking through the entrance I have mentally prepared myself to be assaulted by the typical hospital smells of disinfectant cleaner and bleach but to my surprise the scent is quite pleasant. Coffee and gingerbread or to me at least that’s what the air seems to be scented with.

Walking up to the receptionist, a nondescript bubbly person, I say; “hi. I was told to come by so Healer B could give me a checkup.”

The girl, probably in her late twenties smiles and then asks for my name. When I tell her it’s Blaise Salvino her eyes go wide for a split second, and I assume she recognizes my last name. Thankfully though she doesn’t question me and tells me to take a seat in the lobby and that I will be called shortly.

Saying ’okay’, I claim the first chair to my left and replace myself pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the grey colored seat is. I only have to wait about five minutes before the receptionist walks out of a door and tells me to follow her back into the actual clinic. Standing I do as asked and we walk into an open room with beds and whatnot. She tells me to hop up on one of the empty beds and as I do this, she says that “Mr. Brown will be by in a minute or two.”

“Hello Blaise. How are you feeling today?” Healer B asks smiling warmly in greeting as he strolled up to me.

I grin in response. “So much better sir. Thank you again for fixing me or whatever you did for me.” He waves my thanks away.

“Part of the job my dear. But you are welcome just the same.” He looks me over and nods in approval. “Well, your complexion looks good. No trembling limbs that I can see... So, I will give you a clean bill of health and you can return to your classes tomorrow. However, if you experience any headaches, sudden fever, dizziness or simply anything out of the norm for you, don’t hesitate to swing by.” He pats my hand and adds, “you’re good to go. Take care of yourself though, okay.”

“Sweet!” I exclaim as I hop off the bed. “Thank you again.” Healer B nods his head and then I exit the clinic. My stomach grumbles as I walk back out into the sunlight, so I head over to the cafeteria instead of going back to my room. Lighting the screen on my phone as I enter, I see that it’s only 10:45a.m. The breakfast items have been removed and the staff are just starting to put items out for lunch. There is fruit still out for the taking and so I grab a bowl and place a bunch of grapes in it figuring I can snack on them and read while I wait for lunch to start.

The fifteen minutes fly by since I’m reading, and a chime can be heard dinging from some loudspeakers indicating lunch is now being served. Standing from the seat I had claimed I make my way up to the counter to stand in the small line that has already formed. Today’s special are submarine sandwiches and I’m gazing at the toppings available to place on my sub when I feel someone behind me. A shiver runs through me causing goosebumps to appear along my skin and I take a deep breath only to be overwhelmed (not in a bad way) by the scent of an ocean breeze and coconut oil.

When Braeden speaks his gravelly voice does something to my insides and I have to stop myself from jumping him. Why do I have this reaction towards him when he’s never shown the slightest bit of interest in me? Leaning towards my ear I can feel his breath ruffle the loose strands of hair against my neck as he asks in a rough whisper, “how are you feeling today?”

I promise I really wanted to say something like ‘I’m good, all better’ but what comes out of my mouth is; “I’m fine, no thanks to you.” Turning to look at him I see him wince as though I hurt his feelings. Too embarrassed to apologize to him, I hurriedly grab an Italian sub and a water. Just as quickly I pay for my food and exit the building. I decided that I will go to my room and eat in solitude.