9
Raven
After the whirlwindweekend of meeting everyone’s parents, I was grateful for the routine of classes.
Why did it have to be gym? Of all the classes I was stuck with here, gym was by far the worst.
I tried not to wince at the sight of Coach Miller in his way too tight tank top. His muscles were extra bulgey today. Probably due to whatever he was doing to prep for some body building competition. He also looked tanner. But not in a good, healthy way. In an orange way. It was gross. On so many levels.
“It’s a new semester and for some of you, it’ll be your last.” He grinned at us. “A few of you will pass the trials.”
He stopped in front of me and I held my breath and forced myself not to blink as he stared me down. “Some of you will die in the trials.”
Luka’s hand brushed against mine. It was subtle, but I instantly felt reassured. Thank god he was here with me. Even when the coach moved us into groups based on gender, at least I knew Luka was nearby. I’d started to realize that just being in his proximity made me feel calmer.
“So my job is to get you all ready,” he said.
“What if we’re not taking the trials this semester?” A vampire named Marcus asked.
He was right next to Violet. I smirked as she lifted a judgmental eyebrow and took a step away from the offender. We all knew that this was easier if we just kept our mouths shut and let the coach talk.
If we got lucky, he’d talk for the whole period. When you interrupted him, you ran the risk of him sending you straight for laps. Or worse, burpees.
I joined my classmates in glaring at the vampire. He had his arms crossed over his chest and his hip popped in a sassy way. I had only had one conversation with him and now I was remembering why. He came across as someone who thought he was better than the rest of us.
“Mr. Valiou, you are not taking the trials because you failed the practice trials. Were it not for the enormous amount of money your parents donated each year, you’d get your ass kicked out of here. If it were up to me, you’d have to take the trials. And you’d be dead.”
Marcus pouted and I shook my head. It was hard to watch.
“Alright everyone, since Marcus is so unprepared for the trials, I think we’ll make the workout even harder today.”
Everyone groaned. Someone slapped Marcus upside the head and Coach Miller looked away as if he hadn’t seen it.
“What do you think it’s going to be?” I whispered to Luka.
“Something terrible,” he said.
“Class, I want you to meet our newest addition to the gym.” Coach Miller took a few steps away from where we were gathered and gestured toward a massive set of stairs. They went up about two flights in height, came to a small platform, then went down on the other side.
“You’ll all be running the stairs until the bell rings. If anyone walks, they’ll join me after dinner tonight to run stairs until they throw up.”
Shit.Just when I thought running and burpees was the worst he could throw at us.
We all turned toward the stairs and shuffled our way there. Nobody was in a rush to get started.Stupid Marcus.
“Marcus, you’re first. You set the pace and if you fall below, you’ll be the first to join me tonight,” Coach Miller said.
I fell into line right behind Luka, dreading the next forty-five minutes.
“Ten seconds in between. Everyone runs,” Coach called.
As I watched the people in front of me begin their run, I realized how tall the stairs really were. They looked even worse up close. I was going to feel this tomorrow.
“Just keep an even pace and move your arms like you’re running so you always look like you’re running,” Luka said.
“Good advice,” I said. “At least I get to look at your ass while we’re running.”
“Oh yeah, you got the best seat in the house.” He winked, then he took off up the massive staircase.