Six

Cameron

At first, I tried to deny what had happened to me, but I just couldn't. It was real, right before my eyes. Voices whispered around me, and curious eyes peeked from around the corners.

My friends gathered around, trying to make sure I was okay. To them, I was the MVP on the field, and we were preparing for an inter-school match. But I couldn't explain what had happened. How could I be drinking water, and then the container would choke me? It was some high-level sorcery.

When I heard Athena's brother blame her, my stomach hardened, and I struggled to breathe. Was she behind this? What powers did she have? I was itching to know. I saw remorse in her eyes, but I had pushed her to the wall. I was behind her brother's bullying, and I should have done better. 

"Take that phone off my face," I snapped at a boy with acne as big as bean seeds. He apologized and tucked his phone away.

The coach called for order, but I was ready to confront Athena. She took a step back as I approached, sweat visible on her forehead. 

"Have you lost your spine after what you just did?" 

"I did nothing," she replied, her voice fearless but her face betraying her. 

"Cut the act. Have you ever been drinking water and both the water and container choked you, almost killing you?

She tried to leave, but I grabbed her hand. I couldn't be angry with her; my brain was crying out for her.

"Leave her alone," her brother said, going into attack mode. He stood protectively in front of her, his jaw set. 

Athena's eyes darted around nervously, trying to avoid trouble. I wondered why she was at this school at this time. Most people who joined the academy had transitioned from high school, as this was just a one-year degree before university. She must have done something very bad at her previous school. 

Now I was curious about who the hell the Moon Goddess had given me as a mate. Not only did she reject the bond, but she was also strange, and in some twisted way, I liked that strangeness. 

Her brother wasn't timid, despite his appearance. He rocked an unconventional hairstyle with several other brightly colored dyes and looked like a well-fed baby, always spotlessly clean in his ironed outfits.

"What a strange pair," I said loudly, and Athena's gaze narrowed. 

"Listen, Cameron, I know you're trying to get under my skin, but if you keep this up, I might have to report you to the principal." 

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Oh yeah, go ahead. Do you need me to show you where her office is? I'm going to report what you did to me." 

"I did nothing!" she yelled, a vein visible in her neck. 

This was going to be an interesting bond. At least I wasn't stuck with some lovestruck puppy who'd obey my every whim. I liked that Athena was fierce, but my only fear was that she wasn't ready to accept the bond.

"I didn't come to this school for you," she said to me boldly, raising her gaze to meet mine. It looked funny because I was almost a foot taller than her. And whenever she looked up, she looked very cute, especially when she was frowning.

"I heard your brother," I said. "Why did he rebuke you and pinch you hard before you stopped choking me?"

"I did not choke you," she said.

"What are you talking about?" Her brother butted in. "I was only scolding her because, well, because she came here and tried to defend me."

"Yeah, right," I scoffed. "I see you're now on your sister's side. But I'm going to report both of you for attacking me." I pretended to be very hurt and also talked about how I felt that my throat was painful and engorged as a result of being choked with water. While Caleb looked somewhat concerned, Athena did not flinch. This made me want to have a little slice of revenge.

The next morning, I went straight to the principal's office without knocking. The door swung open with a creak. The principal, Mrs. McGriffin, was also one of my father's saboteurs. I had the school right in my palm and could wield it as I pleased. So Athena better be careful and stay in my good books.

After explaining what had happened the previous day to the principal, I could see the doubt on her face, but she didn't want to lose her job and knew that the moment this got to my parents, it would be trouble.

After much hesitation, she pressed the intercom, sending for Athena, and in minutes, my cute little mate arrived dressed in a yellow shirt and black pants. I stared at her pink lips and wondered if they tasted like strawberries.

Contrary to what everyone thought, I hadn't had much experience with girls. Maybe it was because of my position, which hung in the balance, and the fact that I was still finding my footing. I just didn't want flings; I wanted healthy relationships. 

Jennifer, even though we'd been dating for over six months, had tried to take things further, but I couldn't get past a chaste kiss. To be honest, I wasn't attracted to her, no matter how hard I tried.

The clock on the wall ticked away, and the silence was so tense that it was the only sound breaking the stillness. My heart pounded in my chest, the beat echoing in my ears. 

The principal's firm voice asked Athena to explain what had happened. She told her side of the story—how my friends and I had bullied her brother, which was true—but I wasn't about to incriminate myself.

"Cameron, dear, Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I cut her off. "I can't be lying about stuff like that. My friends were there. The coach was there. She looked at me, and the water bottle got stuck in my throat like a fucking bone.”

The principal lowered her horn-rimmed spectacles. "I've never heard of a case like this before, and checking Athena's records, I found no incidents of bullying in her former school." 

I remained quiet, strategizing my next move. I just needed her to be in detention so I could attend class and have a chance to talk to her. Wasn't the whole point of this bullying scheme to get her punished so I could be with her and convince her we were meant to be together?

"You have to punish her," I said to the principal, placing my hand on her desk. Even though she was much older than me, I could see the dread on her face. "Punish her right now, or I'll call my mom."

The principal cleared her throat. "It hasn't come to that, Cameron."

"It has," I insisted. "The funds my parents donate to the school will be withheld if you don't punish this misfit.”

"I'm not a misfit," I heard Athena murmur.

"Fine," the principal said. "You have two hours of detention after school," she told Athena, dismissing her with a wave of her plump fingers.

Bingo! This was exactly what I wanted.

When Athena looked at me, I couldn't describe the feeling. I wondered how someone so small could instill so much fear in me. Her gaze was icy, like a storm. She briefly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and walked away. 

"I made it up," I said to the principal, and instead of frowning, she looked amused.

"I knew you did. But why? She looks harmless."

"I know," I said, scratching my head. "Just a personal vendetta, that's all. But do not involve her parents in this, nor mine."

"Sure. Now get to class."

I walked away feeling like I had just won the lottery and couldn't wait for school to be over so I could be alone with Athena. After school, I got to the detention class and stared at her through the blinds. 

The teacher in charge was fast asleep and snoring. Athena was staring blankly at the wall without moving or blinking. And even though the blinds were well covered, she turned, and her gaze rested on me, causing me to feel a chill. 

I didn't want to think she was creepy, but there was something undeniably otherworldly about her. I walked in, and she watched me like she was calculating my every move, her eyes also flashing with a hint of aggression, as if she wanted to break my legs. I grew hesitant as I stepped further into the room. When I stood before her, her chair scraped against the floor as she abruptly stood up to leave.

"Can we talk?" I blocked her movement. She ignored me and picked up her bag. "I missed my lunch, and I'm quite hungry. I don't reason well when I don't eat," I said, smiling.

She did not find my joke funny.

"Listen, Athena—"

"No, you listen," she snapped. Then we both turned to check if the teacher was still asleep and then she faced me. "I don't know what you want from me, but I can't feel the bond."

"That's a lie," I scoffed. "I see the way you look at me."

“You must be imagining things. I don't even like you."

"You do, darling. Stop lying to yourself." I winked at her, and I saw a little flush on her face. One of the perks of her being pale was that I could read her every emotion. She couldn't hide it.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

She was silent for a while, and the soft sound of a sigh escaped her lips. "Just leave me alone. This bond cannot work."

"It will work. I need you," I said, sounding like a love-struck puppy. "I need you more than you can ever imagine. Please, Athena."

"My dad will never accept you, and my mom too. Because you and I cannot work."

"I don't get it," I fired off, making the teacher who was asleep stir with drool running down her mouth.

"Look, I have to go," she said. "I'm sorry, and I hope you find what you're looking for one day." She ran off this time and didn't stop.

"Damn it," I said loudly, banging the table and making the teacher, who was staring at me like I was high, flinch.