Page 15 of Redeeming the Villain
I’m sure my dad thinks I’m doing this to impress him, but I stopped trying to do that a long time ago. I’m doing this for me and me alone.
Turning into the classroom, I find it completely empty—exactly as I was hoping. I eye my seat immediately and cross the distance with Sunny to the first seat on the bottom row of the tiered seating. Easy in, easy out. And if I need to slip away, I can without having to cross the entire class, drawing unwanted attention.
I think I might have spent so much time hiding in the shadows that I’m scared to step into the light. I like to stay hidden from the rest of the world. It’s comforting, safe.
But with Malik back in the picture, I’m scared that my presence will be glaring. Especially to him.
Sitting down in my seat, I unload my laptop, book, notepad, and pen from my backpack as I hear footsteps turn into the room and approach me.
But they aren’t the heavy stride of a big guy; they’re softer.
Glancing up, I find a brunette girl with a kind smile walking toward the seats to my left.
She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her.
“Wow, I’m surprised someone is here before me. I’m usually always first.” She chuckles softly. “Impressive.”
“I don’t know thatimpressiveis the word I’d use. More like anxious.” My lips tip into a grin as she slides into a seat to my left, leaving the one between us empty.
“I’ve been there. Trust me. Is this your first year here?” She opens her shoulders to me, giving me her full attention.
I nod. “Yeah. I took a year off after high school to … I don’t know … figure some stuff out, I guess.”
A few students walk into the room, filling the silence with their muffled chatter.
“So, did you figure it out?” She lifts her hands up. “I’m sorry. I feel like I should apologize for coming in here and interrogating you. I’m not usually this … extroverty?” She chuckles at the made-up word.
Laughing with her, I brush her apology away. “Don’t worry about it. And, yeah … I mean, it’s complicated.”
“ComplicatedI can understand. I’m Blair, by the way.” She officially introduces herself.
“I’m Alora.” I smile softly.
“It’s nice to meet you.” She smiles back.
Her eyes fall to Sunny, who’s now lying down on the ground between our feet.
“This is Sunny.” I pause as her ears perk up at the sound of her name. “She’s my service dog.”
“May I ask what for? I totally understand if that’s too personal though.” Her eyes widen from fear of overstepping.
“No, it’s okay. I have POTS—postural orthostatic tach?—”
She cuts me off by finishing my sentence. “Tachycardia syndrome. Yeah, in high school, a friend of mine had it.”
“Oh, really?” I sit up taller.
“Yeah. We weren’t super close, but I helped her a time or two with it when she needed someone. Whether to vent or hold her through an episode. But I’m sorry I cut you off.”
“Don’t apologize,” I assure her. “It’s actually rather refreshing to talk to someone about it here. It’s just been Sunny and me, so it’s nice.”
Sunny looks up at me, and I think that she somehow understood that conversation and is offended that my talking solely to her isn’t fulfilling enough.
“Oh, stop that. You know I love you.” I pet the top of her head, brushing her ears down.
Blair fidgets in her chair, and I can tell she wants to pet Sunny, but doesn’t want to be rude.
Turning my attention to Blair, I ask, “Do you want to pet her? She loves attention.”
