Page 7 of Relentless Queen
We spend the rest of the day talking and getting to know one another. It’s crazy because, as we talk, I can’t help but feel like I’ve known her my whole life. We are so similar, yet so different. For the first time since yesterday, I have a glimmer of hope for this place.
After dinner and cleanup, I’m so relieved to know I have a friend here. Now my time here won’t be as hard as I thought. I was worried that I’d be alone, which always made my anxiety worse. When I climb into bed, I fall asleep easier knowing that things are starting to look up.
Chapter Three
ALUXIS
Three Months Later
There was so much blood. I can hear their screams. I couldn’t help them.
Be careful who you trust. I’ll eradicate this bloodline. I’ll find you, little one.
I sit up in bed, covered in sweat. It’s been three months and the nightmares haven’t subsided much; they just happen less frequently. I look over at the clock on the dresser, seeing that it's twenty minutes to five, so I flop back down on my pillow. It's almost time for our wake-up call from the staff. I can’t wait to get out of here. I was told yesterday that Ms. Stacey was stopping by to see me. Rumor has it that she’s bringing in a new guy today. Andy, Anty, Alvin—something with an A in it.
"Lux, are you okay?” I turn my head, looking at Melissa; she’s the newest staff member.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just a nightmare.” I respond, rubbing my eyes.
“If you need me, I’ll be downstairs.” She turns and leaves as I lay my head back down on my pillow, thinking of what I’m going to wear today. Teal Converse! I hop out of bed, gathering everything I’ll need to get ready.
“Lux. Can I borrow those white jeans?” Turning my head, I see Jojo standing there.
“You know you can borrow anything I have.” I smile at her, watching her head towards my closet while I finish putting on my sweet peach lotion and body spray.
“You know, if you were into girls, I’d claim your ass. You always smell good, and now I want peach cobbler.” We both started laughing.
“Speaking of smells.” I giggle, reaching into my bag and pulling out the little shopping bag from Logan’s.
“Huh.” I hear her say as I turn towards her, holding out the bag.
“For me? Let me see.” She reaches towards me, taking the bag from my hands. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome. I also made sure to get you the matching set.” I said as I continued to lace up my converse. “Strawberry shortcake! You're the world’s best friend." She runs over, squeezing me tight as she hugs me, kissing me on the cheek. Both of us laughed.
Everyone gathers in the meeting room of the house. I head over to the corner spot by the window; it's been my go-to spot since the day I got here.
“Listen, it's Friday. Lets get through the day without any drama. Then this weekend, you can sleep in. As long as you have at least a level two.” The girls start cheering as a few of the girls make bitchy remarks.
“Alright ladies, let's head out." The staff calls out as we all stand up, and we all start heading out the door and down the driveway towards the school.
Standing in line, waiting to get inside the brown double doors. We wait to be searched and let in. “I can’t wait to see this new guy.” Tarah says, standing in front of me. Some of the girls start agreeing with her.
“Hey, my brother asked about you again,” she says, looking at Jojo.
“Every time I talk to him, it goes well, but as soon as we are face-to-face he gets nervous and throws up. So no, thank you.” She shakes her head, sighing. Tarah places her hand on her shoulder, responding,
“I know, but I still have to tell you. I love you like a sister, and I get it completely.”
After finally getting searched and into the building, we all headed off to our lockers.
“The boys should be here any minute. How do I look?” I hear Melanie ask. The girls act so crazy sometimes. You would think they would give up after trying for months and getting nowhere. I hear them before I see them coming down the hallway. Turning around, I place my back against the locker and look their way. Their lockers are all across from ours. They stop and glance over.
“Alright ladies. Get to class!” Melissa says this as she looks at us with pleading eyes not to go off on her.
“Yeah ladies. You heard her.” Ken says with a wink, causing everyone to laugh as we head to class. Walking inside, I head to my seat in the middle of the room as we take our seats. There are more boys here than girls, so we always get to go first in everything when we share co-ed locations.
“We will be working with partners today, in teams of two, so make sure you don’t partner up with your friends.” Mr. Moss says this, looking around the room at us all. Just then the class door opens, and all eyes fall on him.
