Chapter 6 — There’s no manual for this

Mikhail:

I take a deep breath closing the office door behind me. The secretary, Mrs. Chase, sniffs loudly as she hands me my detention slip. Taking it, I step out and quirk a brow when I see Nevaeh Rivera standing there.

“Mikhail,” Nevaeh whispers as she quietly strides towards me. “Yeah,” I say, annoyed. I know I’m rude, but after everything that has happened between us, I feel that I have the right.

Nevaeh bites her lips as her eyes run across my body appraisingly. My body heats with pleasure. She might as well have touched by how my body is reacting. “Are you okay?” She mumbles huskily. She looks so beautiful that it makes me want to pull her into my arms.

I nod my head, confused by her concern. “What happened to you earlier?” I ask. Her brow furrows with confusion. Hell, I’m just as jarred by my question. Nevaeh looks away, gazing out the hall window, then looks back at me. “I just needed some time to clear my head.”

Moving closer, I slide a tendril of her silky hair from her face and wrap it behind her ear. Eyes growing heavy, Nevaeh shivers and places her hand on mine. Her touch is like fire to every one of my nerve endings. My reaction is so strong that I flinch back and drop my hand. I’m shocked by my body’s response to her proximity.

Neveah pulls her hand back with a wince. She looks hurt, which makes me feel like crap for reacting this way. It’s not her fault that I can’t control my responses.

“Look, Mikhail, I’m sorry for not showing up during Lit earlier. I just…it wasn’t because of you. I…my dad called me, and I…, I needed some time to myself.”

I shrug my shoulders at her response and begin walking toward my locker. I shouldn’t have asked her why she wasn’t in class. But it seems that the more I try to distance myself from her, the more I want to get close.

Nevaeh follows behind me and grasps my elbow. Before I can say a word, she leads me to an open classroom. The classroom is small, with a variety of plants. This must be the Botany class. Nevaeh closes the door behind us and turns to face me.

Curious, I lean my back against an empty counter and cross my arms over my chest. Nevaeh seems agitated, fidgeting, and shuffling her feet as she paces in place. “Are you going to tell me why you dragged me into this room, or are we doing some kind of weird leg shuffle dance?”

Her golden eyes soften as they gaze into mine.

“Mikhail…I…I…”

It’s cute how she stammers nervously. She’s so beautiful and assured most of the time that it’s nice to see her vulnerable.

I angle my head forward and give her an impatient glare. “What is it, Nevaeh?”

I have to stifle a groan when she bites her lower lip and gently mutters. “I spoke to Rowan. He told me the reason you and Henry were fighting was because of me.”

My body stiffens in response to her words. Uncrossing my arms, I stand over her. I can feel my world shifting, and I don’t like it. Grasping her shoulders, I pull her in front of me. Her scent of vanilla and lavender is so intoxicating that it nearly overwhelms my senses. “Look, princess, don’t take it to heart. I would have defended any woman from that douche bag.”

A look of disappointment crosses Nevaeh’s face, and I can’t help but regret my words. Undeterred, Nevaeh continues. “Look, Mikhail, can we call a truce. You hate me. I get it. I don’t want to fight anymore. And even though you would have defended anyone, I still want to thank you for defending me after I’ve been such a witch to you.” Her beautiful eyes glimmer under the fluorescent lights of the classroom.

I shrug my shoulders, feigning indifference.

“Look, Mikhail, this is our senior year, and we need to get through it. Can we just get this project done?”

I can’t argue with her, because she’s right. It’s our senior year, and if we want to get into a good university, we have to work hard. Even if it means working together. I exhale a deep breath before I reluctantly agree. “Yeah, whatever. When do you want to do this?”

Her face instantly brightens with relief. “How about you come to my place after school.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I shake my head. “I can’t. Mr. Moody gave me detention for the whole week.”

Nevaeh gives me a reproachful frown. “Just come over after detention. I’ll be home.”

Nodding, I straighten my bag and head walk the door. Nevaeh remains near the counter and waves. “See you later.”

I wave back and walk out.

Detention is boring and pointless, but somehow, I manage to get through it. Once I get home, I quietly make my way through the hallway. I don’t want to run into my brothers or Alex. Especially since I got in trouble for fighting today. My brothers are too distracted to notice my presence because they’re playing COD on the television, and Rowan is probably in his room listening to music. It’s strange how normal we are, considering how not normal we really are. I mean, we eat as a family, we play, but if you go into our fridge, you’ll find bagged blood for Rowan. In our basement, there’s a room for Carrick to use when his wolf’s out. Some of my shirts have rips in the back for those of us who have wings and raw meat for Kell.

As swiftly as I can, I rush up the stairs to my room. Just when I think I’m safe, I hear an authoritative male voice behind me. “Khail, in my office now!”

I stop dead near the middle of the stairs and tighten my hands into fists as I gaze longingly at my bedroom door. I was so close. Damn it! Alex walks past me to his office and gestures for me to follow him in. My wings begin to vibrate with agitation instantly.

Alex closes the door behind me and points an angry finger to the nearest chair.

Crossing my arms, I stand in front of a chair and wait for his reprimand. Alex looks pissed, which means I have to make every effort to control myself. Being a Hybrid is tough because both sides tend to war with each other, and God help anyone who gets in the way.

Seeing my defiant gesture, Alex places his hands on his hips and gives me a heated glare. “So, I received a call from your principal today. Apparently, you got into a fight. Would you care to explain to me why you are fighting with a human boy?”

Running my hands through my hair, I let out a deep agitated breath. “Look, Alex, he started it. You can ask Rowan and the boys.”

Alex’s lips curl into a harsh sneer. “And because he started it, you were happy to oblige? What were you thinking, Khail? What if your wings would have come out or your eyes had begun to glow? How would you explain that to humans?”

I shrug my shoulders, unwilling to admit my error. I hate being put on the spot for defending someone. “But I didn’t—”

Alex grasps my shoulders and pulls me forward roughly. “Really, Khail, it didn’t happen, so it’s okay. You know better than that. You know how important this program is. Do you want the council to kill you? What do you think the council would have done if the humans would have found out? What if you would have mortally hurt or killed that boy? Did you think about your brothers? What do you think the council would do to them? What then?”

Releasing me, Alex wraps his arms around his head and takes a couple of agitated turns around the room. My heart drops at the thought of what the Council would do to my brothers. Remorse courses through my mind, and I drop my head in shame. I was so selfish. “You’re right, Alex. I didn’t think about my actions. I’m sorry, and I promise I won’t do it again.” Alex nods his head compassionately.

He’s about to say something when Rowan walks in and interrupts. “Give him a break, Alex. He was defending his girlfriend’s honor. Plus, the guy attacked Khail. He had to fight back.”

Alex narrows his eyes at Rowan’s words. “Girlfriend?” He asks with a questioning frown.

Giving Rowan an icy glare, I shake my head vehemently. “She’s not my girlfriend. I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Rowan moves his head from side to side with a snicker.

Brow furrowed, Alex turns back to me and pointedly asks. “Who is this girl, then?”

Before I can answer, Rowan opens his fat mouth. “It’s that hot cheerleader that lives across the street. You should see her, Alex.”

Alex smiles, the earlier conversation forgotten. “Really?” He mutters with an amused smirk.

Rowan nods his head enthusiastically, which makes me roll my eyes. “Don’t encourage him, Alex. Nevaeh is not my girlfriend. We’re just partners in Literature. That’s it.”

Alex gives Rowan a chiding look and says, “Rowan, you need to stop teasing Mikhail. Now go downstairs and finish your homework.” Rowan nods in acquiesce and leaves the room. Once he’s gone, Alex turns back to me. “As for you. You are grounded for the rest of the week.”

I almost nod but quickly remember. “Alex, I’m willing to take the punishment, but I have a literature project due next week, and Nevaeh and I need to finish it.”

Alex gives me a serious as if gauging my sincerity. I don’t blame him, considering that this girl has been the reason for my detentions. I try not to squirm beneath his knowing eyes because I’m sure he can see that there’s more to it than Nevaeh being my Lit Partner.

After a moment, he takes a deep breath and mutters. “Alright, but I want you there and back within the hour. No detours and not a minute over an hour. Am I clear?” I nod my head respectfully.

Alex is a good man, and I owe him a great deal. “Yes, sir. Very clear.”

I walk out the door, properly reprimanded, and head to my room. On the way up the stairs, Rowan stops me. “So, you and Nev are studying together.” He says smugly as he continues to his room. Damn vampire hearing.

My bedroom has always been my sanctuary, but now all I can think about is making my way across the street. Taking off my shirt, I release my wings and sigh with relief. Lately, it’s been harder to reign in my wings. It’s as if my skin is too tight for my bones. Looking up into the sky, I think about flying for a couple of minutes. The wind caressing my wings and the freedom of sailing through the air is the perfect balm for my sore wings.

I look at Nevaeh’s house curiously. All the lights are off except for one. I’m guessing that it’s her bedroom. Funny, I’ve known Nevaeh for two weeks, but I’ve never seen anyone other than her near the house. It looks almost sad.