The Shadow Knights
Laurence, Garroth, and Zane wrestled to pull me away from the looming figures of the Shadow Knights. Zane’s efforts were… minimal, to say the least. He lacked the strength to truly intervene. A knot of frustration tightened in my chest. I didn’t *want* to leave, and a simmering anger burned within me. I wanted to unleash a verbal barrage on them for preying on my brother.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you completely insane?” Garroth demanded, his voice tight with frustration.
“They were bullying Zane!” I retorted, my voice rising. “You’re supposed to defend family!”
“Why did you run back there in the first place?” Laurence shouted, his tone laced with exasperation.
Laurence had always felt like another older brother, a constant presence throughout my life. He and Garroth had been inseparable since third grade, and their friendship had woven itself into the fabric of my own upbringing.
“Zane dragged me!” I snapped, turning to glare at him.
“Why would you let him, though?” Laurence roared, grabbing Zane by the collar and yanking him closer. “You know how dangerous they are!”
“I… I thought she could help me,” Zane stammered, his voice trembling.
“Put Zane down! You’re making a spectacle of us!” I yelled, stepping between them.
“No, *you’re* making a spectacle, Y/N!” Garroth countered, his face flushed.
“No, *you* are!” I shot back, refusing to yield.
“EVERYONE SHUT UP!” Zane interrupted, his voice surprisingly loud. He shoved Laurence away, his face contorted with fury. “Just… everyone shut up!”
Every face was now a shade of red from the yelling. Behind us, the Shadow Knights leaned against the bleachers, their laughter echoing in the air, reveling in the chaos they had created.
“NOW THEY’RE LAUGHING?” I screamed, abandoning all restraint and charging towards them.
“Y/N, STOP IT!” They all shouted after me, but I ignored them.
I stood alone, facing the group. “STOP LAUGHING! It’s immature, it’s pathetic! Stop being morons!”
The laughter faltered. “She’s got more bite than Kitty ever did,” a girl whispered to Gene.
I raised an eyebrow, a flicker of satisfaction crossing my face. By now, Garroth, Laurence, and Zane were merely watching, their mouths agape, too stunned to speak. The shouting finally ceased, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me, along with a dull ache behind my eyes.
“Calm down,” Gene said, his voice surprisingly measured. “Let me properly introduce myself. I’m Gene.”
I rolled my eyes. “I already know.”
The girl giggled. “I’m Sasha. Gene, I like her already!”
“Can’t say the same about you,” I retorted, crossing my arms.
“You’ll be able to soon. I can feel it—we’re going to be best friends.”
“Sup, I’m Zenix,” another boy said, his tone casual.
“Pfft.”
“Oh, she can’t come up with a comeback. Pitiful,” Zenix sneered.
“Gene! Can she come with us?” Sasha pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. “After Kitty left, I’m kinda a loner.”
“Fine.” Gene grinned. “By the way, who are you?”
“Y/N.”
“Y/N? Eh. I’ll call you Tiger.”
“Uh, no you won’t. You don’t name me.” I protested, refusing to indulge his whims.
“C’mon, Tiger.” He ignored my protest, his grin widening.
Sasha grabbed my uniform sleeves and dragged me along. “Hey!” I yelled. “Where are we going?!”
“Class,” Gene stated flatly.
“Class?! But we never go to class!” Zenix whined.
“We have to impress Tiger.” Gene smirked, glancing at me.
“Psh.”
“Check again.” Sasha instructed, pulling out her own schedule.
I rummaged in my bag for my own schedule. “Room 106, Ms. Hyria?”
“Yep. And here we are.” Gene stopped in front of room 106 and strode inside.
“Good morning, Ms…” Sasha jerked my sleeve, pushing me forward. “…Hyria.”
“Oh? Good morning.”
“Really? No help for me?” I muttered under my breath.
The Shadow Knights settled into the back of the room, forcing me to sit with them. Normally, I preferred the middle row. Oh well. Zenix and Sasha sat next to each other, their bodies angled toward each other.
“Are you two a thing?” I whispered to Sasha.
“Ew! No! Zenix is gay, so even if I wanted to, no chance.” Sasha stated flatly.
I gasped. “You like him?”
“No! He’s a moron.” Sasha rolled her eyes.
“Is he actually gay?” I asked.
“No.” She rolled her eyes again.
“What about Gene? Do you like him?” I asked.
“No.” She answered simply.
“Do you like *anyone*?” I groaned, exasperated.
“Yeah, his name’s Eddie Swalswagger. But, I can’t date him.” She answered in a whisper.
“Why not?”
“Shadow Knights aren’t allowed to date non-Shadow Knights…”
“Oh.”
“You ask a lot of questions.” She sighed, her eyes fixed on mine.