Chapter 16“Ouch, sorry,” I grimace.“Are you okay?” Luke asks, his hands on my shoulders to steady me. “Did you do that on purpose?” Theo demands, pulling me behind him and squaring up to Luke. “No, man. Chill out,” Luke holds his hands up in surrender. “Theo, it was my fault. I was trying to get my coffee, I didn't know he was behind me,” I tug on his hand to try and get his attention and diffuse the situation, but he pulls his hand from my grip.“Well if you wanted to know if you're one of her bonds I guess you have your answer now,” Theo huffs. “I guess I do,” Luke says and it's hard to read the emotion in his voice. I'm not sure if it's disappointment or anger at Theo. The guys seem to be having some kind of stare-off. I decide to leave them to it and retrieve my coffee. I move around the pair and reach for my coffee when a hand shoots out and grabs my wrist before yanking me towards him. It's one of the men I’d seen at the unbonded table. I barely have time to process what
Chapter 17The tutor ushers into an empty classroom and closes the door behind her. The moment the door closes her whole demeanour changes and she flings her arms around Luke. I stare wide-eyed wondering what on earth is going on here. “Oh my goodness, Luke, you found your bond?” she asks excitedly. “It's complicated, the seer hasn't been yet but it's unlikely, she and Theo felt The Spark, we didn't,” he shrugs.“That doesn't mean anything, if it's true, The Spark only triggers in order of the original bonding,” she reaches up and scruffs his hair. “Um, sorry to interrupt but what is going on?” I ask. “Sorry, how rude of me. I'm Alice, Luke’s sister,” she grins, holding a hand out to shake. I take the offered hand, “I’m Josie,”“Why didn't you mention our tutor was your sister?” I ask Luke accusingly.“Because it is a secret, only the staff know,” “Why is it a secret?” I frown. “We don't want other students to know or they'd accuse me of giving him preferential treatment. It's j
Chapter 18By the time we arrive at my next class, I'm starting to feel claustrophobic. I really hope Alice is wrong about me having five bonds, I don't think I can deal with five men surrounding me full-time. “Don't worry, she will be fine,” I hear Dot say in annoyance. “Any issues just shout and we will be straight in there,” Marcus tells her, stepping to the side to let me out of my cage of muscle. I see Dot at the door of the changing room, she's with a small Asian girl who smiles at Damien sweetly before introducing herself to me. “Hi, I’m Sunny, Damien is my bond and has recruited me to the girl team,” she giggles, looping her arm through mine and leading me inside. I look back and give the guys a small wave before Dot slams the door in their faces. I let out a relieved sigh. “Intense huh?” she asks. “Just a lot,” I snort. “Things will settle down soon,” Sunny reassures me. I follow the girls to a bench and they place their bags down, pulling out shorts, t-shirts and socks
Chapter 19Mr Collins takes his place on the podium and the room falls silent. Anger radiates from him and I'm unsure if it's at my outburst or for some other reason.“Thank you all for arriving here promptly and I apologise for the disturbance but this is not a matter that can wait. This morning I have had to suspend three of our students, and I will not hesitate to suspend more should I need to. I know the rumours that are spreading around the school may be concerning for some, and for others this may be exciting. I can confirm that we highly suspect The Spark bond has been triggered between our new student, Josie Banks and one of our previously unbonded, Theo Henry, although we are yet to have definite proof of this. What I will not stand for is unbonded students purposely trying to trigger The Spark. We do not go around making grabs at other students, especially when they are unwanted. The seer has kindly rearranged her schedule and will arrive tomorrow to identify any further bon
Chapter 20 I quickly close my eyes again and try to keep my breathing even, feigning sleep. I don't want to face Mr Collins right now. I'm still hurt and I'm too embarrassed at my reaction to his stunt. He won that round and broke me. I won't let him see me weak again but need time to compose myself. “The seer will arrive after breakfast tomorrow, you two can't be anywhere near her when the reading is done. If you have a bond we don't want it overshadowing any other bonds. I'm going to have the seer collect her from her room. Keep Marcus, Cole and Damien here with her and you two attend your morning classes as normal,” Mr Collins tells the guys. “Fine,” Theo agrees, his tone unfriendly. “Is there anything else? If not, I think you should leave before she wakes up,” Luke says and I can feel the unwelcoming vibes from here. My guys are still pissed at our dear headmaster. Good. “You might not agree with what I did today but I won't have you disrespecting me. I'm your headmast
Chapter 21We sit at Dot’s table for dinner. Damien joins Sunny and another group at the next table. Sunny gives me a small wave, which I return. I choose a carbonara-type dish with garlic bread and chocolate cake for dessert. Dot is unusually quiet, she avoids eye contact with me and I start to feel worried. Had I made that much of a fool of myself in the assembly that she doesn't want to be seen with me anymore? “Dot, is everything okay?” I ask nervously. “Yes,” she answers a little too quickly. “I'm sorry if I…” I begin but she holds up her hand, stopping me. Then she taps her ear and glances around the room. I frown at her and she repeats the motion. “It's fine Josie, if anyone deserves the last piece of chocolate cake today, it's you. You are forgiven,” she says cheerfully. Huh? I look at my cake in confusion and then back to her. She rolls her eyes in exasperation and pulls out her phone. Seconds later my phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to read the notification.
Chapter 22I wake in the morning, 5 minutes before my alarm is due to go off. Nerves flutter in my abdomen at the thought of what today will bring. I practice some of the breathing techniques that June taught me before a panic attack can fully take me in its grip. “I've got this. Everything is going to get easier after today,” I tell myself out loud. I spend longer than usual in the shower, enjoying the solitude and imagining what my life will look like after today. I wonder if Luke will join me for morning showers and if Theo will hold me every night whilst I sleep. Maybe Deacon will… Nope! I shut that train of thought down immediately. I put a little more effort into my appearance than I did yesterday. If I am going to be forced into finding out who my soulmates are today, then I least want to look good doing it. A knock at my door comes too quickly. I'm not ready.“Girl, open up, it's me,” Dot’s voice calls through the door. Good. I open the door and she enters my room like a whir
Chapter 23The men move silently. A group of about 12 standing side by side. My heart beats wildly in my chest. Here we go. I spot Theo in the line of men, he gives me a reassuring smile and motions for me to breathe. The seer walks down the line of men, she stops in front of Theo and places a hand on his shoulder with a nod, then she continues down the line. Theo has the biggest grin and I know he's dying to run over to me. The seer stops again and we both look to see who else she has selected. It's the copper-haired man with the shy smile. Axel, I think his name was. He stares at me a little wide-eyed and his cheeks flush red. I think he may be in shock. The seer walks away without a word and I follow, Theo and Axel fall into step behind me as we silently go to collect the rest of my bonds. This is so weird. Sage leads us into the main study building, we pass door after door and then suddenly she stops and turns to face one of the doors. Damien steps forward and knocks on the door