The Salvatore cafeteria was really beautiful. I could not say for other cafeterias in the school building but from what I'd noticed in the second year's cafeteria, it was spacious. Comfortably contained every student, with enough ventilation and plenty of seats. The service was nice and everywhere was neat and tidy. If the other cafeterias were like that one Lucas just pulled me out from, then I'd say this was the best cafeteria.
Wow! Everywhere was classy and shiny and gleaming. The ladies who served food here were more composed and had polite smiles on their faces. They understood the caliber of people they were assigned to and they did their job well. The food here was different too. More on the high side of luxury. They were the kind one could only see eaten by the affluent.
"They serve wine?"
I asked, surprised when one of the servers filled five of our glasses. They had been waiting for me, I assumed so because until I arrived, there was nothing on their table. I have been here for just five minutes and I was overwhelmed already.
"Yes they do. Except you prefer something else. Wine is just like the default drink they serve."
Lucas explained..
"This is nice."
Aaron had locked his gaze on me ever since I walked in the door. And another shocking thing? Two guards were posted outside the door. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. His gaze was too intense and obvious. Why was he always staring at me? Well, with the exception of the presence of his girlfriend who by the way had decided to make college hell for me because she was crazy enough to think I was dating her boyfriend.
"What happened to you?"
I hated how gentle and calm his voice was, and the fact that I liked it only made me feel sorry for myself. I was getting myself into a situation that would worsen my life here.
"Nothing."
I knew he was referring to my appearance.
"It's not nothing."
"She tripped and fell."
Lucas told him on my behalf.
"Allow her talk for herself, Luke."
I saw Lucas shrug carelessly and take a cheerful sip of his wine.
"What he said."
I told him.
"You just slipped and fell on a dry, clean floor, is that it?"
I noticed Trenton raise his head to take in my appearance. It almost felt like he wanted to say something but decided against it and went back to his food.
"Yes."
I did not know why I felt nervous all of a sudden. My hand went immediately to the bracelet on maay wrist and began twiddling with the dull green stone that was big amongst the other small ones around it.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"I want to understand the possibility of it, Katherina. Tell me how possible it is."
"How possible what is?"
"Your fall. How you fell on a dry, clean floor void of obstacles on your own. I have never heard of anyone falling. Maybe the tray falling from their hands, yes. But going down with their tray, not without someone influencing the fall."
"It's true, hot legs. Students falling in the cafeteria with their food are usually the ones who are bullied. Someone helping them reach the ground. Did someone do that to you?"
"Wait, now that I think of it, it is true. Tell me, did anyone bully you?"
Lucas paused in his eating to face me.
The three brothers staring at me was weird and strangely intimidating. I could not let them know because they should never know. It was my problem and I was going to face it on my own. They had their own lives to live and I was already enjoying a lot of benefits I did not work for from these people, the best I could do was not complain and whine about some bullying. I was used to bullies right from middle school. I was twenty one now, I could take care of myself.
"I told you guys, I fell. That it has never happened before does not mean it was never bound to happen. There's always a first. I lost my footing, my test upended and fell to the ground. I hit the floor before I could catch myself or balance my weight. This appearance is a result of my clumsiness. Nothing was influenced by anyone."
"Hm."
Aaron did not look like he was buying into my story. Even Trenton had this subtle expression of what he thought of my story - load of bullcrap. On the bright side, I should be happy he was even reacting to my plight even though he does not believe it. Lucas frowned but I could not tell if that crease on his forehead was a contemplative one or an annoyed one. Zach just had this 'whatever you say' look on his face.
Soon they all went back to their food and everyone began eating. I exhaled in relief, picked my fork and knife and began working on my well-done steak. Minutes later, Aaron stood and went to one of the servers, he whispered to her and I did not know what he said but it was none of my business so I kept eating.
A while later, Lucas and I were munching on grapes, while Aaron had an apple in his hands. Trenton just drank more wine with Zach. Though he would occasionally pluck grapes from our bowl which earned him a stink eye from Lucas sometimes but he'd pay no mind and still take grapes.
Soon, that same server that I had seen Aaron go whisper to came to our table.
"It's ready, Your Highness."
They called them Your Highness here. I thought in school they called them by their names. Maybe, these servers were different. They were meant to call them that.
"Take her with you."
My curious gaze swept from him to the server and back to him.
"Take me to where?"
"Let's go, Your Highness."
The server told me.
"Where are we going to?"
"Stop asking questions, and just follow her. We need to be in class for the last lecture of the day."
Aaron said.
Still not understanding what was happening and none of the boys were saying anything, especially Lucas, I stood up and went with the server.
She took me to an inner chamber and when she opened the curtain, I could only stare in confusion.
What had Aaron done?