The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (158 page)

             
His brows pinched together in confusion. “Ella, I know you’re upset, but I would never purposely hurt you,” he said, his voice pained.

             
I laughed harshly. “That’s a little hard to believe after you left me in Ireland with your pathetic excuse. You’re a coward Tristan. You couldn’t even breakup with me to my face.”

             
“Because I knew it would be too hard. I knew if I didn’t leave I wouldn’t have the strength to in the morning. I couldn’t go through seeing the look on your face when I told you what I decided.”

             
“Well take a good look, because it wasn’t much different from what I look like right now which is pissed off!” He recoiled from my shrill voice. “You had no right to make that decision for me. You have no idea what my life was like and –” I stopped. I was getting off topic of why I was there. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to calm myself.

             
“Ella,” he reached out for me and risked taking a step closer.

             
I held up my hand. “Tristan, I’m only going to ask one last time. Please, just leave me alone.” When I looked up into his eyes, I saw a deep blue ocean of sadness and pain. He looked truly upset and nothing like the Tristan in my nightmares.  My heart sunk when I saw the dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn’t slept in days. His skin was paler than normal making me think he wasn’t feeding. I let my guard down long enough for him to touch me.

             
I let his hand linger on my arm. The warmth and tingling feeling I felt when he touched me reminded me of the love I felt for him. I closed my eyes and held on to that, hoping I could find a way to reach him, to get him to understand. He was so close I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. When I looked up, I found his eyes, and I was suddenly lost in them. Lost in the beauty and joy they always brought me. Tristan slowly lifted his arm, placing a cold hand on my cheek. I leaned into it, loving the embrace.

             
Tristan took his opportunity and leaned down to kiss me. I didn’t stop him. I wanted him to. I wanted to feel him, the real Tristan. I let my lips linger longer than they should have. I pulled back slowly. He stared deep into my eyes and I wanted to cry. “Tristan, why did you do that to me?”

             
“Do what? Kiss you?” he smiled weakly.

             
I shook my head and walked away. “No. You left me in that cave. It was dark and then all those snakes and spiders.” I shuddered at the memory. “I never imagined that you could be…you’ve changed. You’re not the same person I know,” I said, more or less trying to convince myself.

             
He followed me and when he reached me, he turned me around to face him. “Ella, I don’t understand?”

             
“You were so angry and all that rage turned into darkness and all that darkness.” My lip started to quiver.

             
“Ella, I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

             
I knew the only way to get him to leave me alone was to tell him I forgave him. “It’s okay,” I said softly. I stepped out of his grip. “I forgive you.”

             
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he said roughly.

             
“I have to go now.”

             
“No, wait!”

             
“No Tristan,” I shook my head slowly. “This is it. I won’t be coming back and I don’t want you to visit me anymore either.”

             
“But I haven’t –”

             
“Goodbye Tristan.”

             
“Wait,” he called. I turned back to him and he pulled me in for a kiss. A long, soft, tender kiss. One that would stay with me. One that would make me want to touch my lips and reminisce about the kiss. One that burned a hole in my heart and I hated him for that.

             
When he finally released me, I let out a breath, one that I didn’t even know I was holding. Before the tears escaped my eyes, I walked away, leaving Tristan with a hopeful smile on his face. As I walked to the pond, everything began to slowly vanish as I returned to my state of sleep. I didn’t know if I accomplished what I planned to, but part of me felt more at ease.

             
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Roman. I smiled. I gently caressed his face, waking him. He smiled back, inching closer to me. Feeling a little guilty about kissing Tristan in my dream, I pulled him into me and kissed him aggressively. “Whoa, what’s gotten in to you?” he asked breathless.

             
“I just want you, now,” I said, pushing myself on top of him. He didn’t resist, but he did take over the reins, rolling over on top of me.

             
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips.

             
“I love you too,” I said, kissing him again. I didn’t know if part of me felt guilty for kissing Tristan or I just needed to be with him. I needed to feel him and needed to feel how much he loved me. I needed him to show me how much he loved me and that things would be okay. And that’s exactly what he did, twice.

The weekend flew by and before I knew it was Monday again. Josie had spent the weekend hanging with Cassidy, Lucas, and a few other new kids leaving Roman and I to have the room to ourselves for the weekend. Even though I was hoping to spend some time with Josie, I wasn’t complaining about the private time I got to spend with Roman. We took advantage of every second we had together. I think the only time we actually left the room was to eat.

             
On Monday, Zane had let me know that Gabe would be out of town for the week on personal business. So we had to report to our normal self-defense classes and Zane would take over for him after school. I wasn’t looking forward to going back to class considering we were on a totally different level than everyone else and to make matters worse, Mr. Miller pointed that out to the whole class. “Miss McCallister, could you please come over here and stand next to me,” he said.

             
I pulled my blue socks up to my knees, rolled up the sleeves on my horrible yellow school t-shirt, and tightened my ponytail. I stood next to Mr. Miller nervously, remembering my first day there when I knocked out Roman. “Ashby, front and center.”

             
As if Roman was having the same memory, he winked at me before he joined me. Only then, standing in front of everyone had I noticed who was there. The strange new guy Josie was jonesing for, Lucas, Brennen, the wolf – the one I accidently pelted in the head with the roll – Kyle, my ex, along with two other angels Dylan and Nate, and of course Josie and Cassidy. Seeing all these people before me started making me feel apprehensive.

             
“For those of you who are new, I am going to tell you now that certain students here excel better at their skills then others. Those students participate in special training to make them even better. Those of you who think you got what it takes to be as good or better will have the opportunity to prove it.” Mr. Miller paused, letting the info sink in. “We are fortunate enough to have two of the best here with us for the week,” he said, pointing to Roman and me. I suddenly wanted to hide. I didn’t take compliments well nor did I like to be the center of attention.

             
“McCallister, Ashby, I want you two to show them just what it’s like to be the best.”

             
I turned to Roman who had a cocky smile on his face. Clearly he loved the attention. It stroked his ego making his head bigger than necessary. I smiled back knowing well I could easily bring him back down to reality.

             
Cassidy stood up from the group. “Is there a problem, Miss Carter?” Mrs. Daniels asked.

             
“I’m sorry, but I think it’s wrong to have a girl fight a guy. That’s not a fair fight,” Cassidy said.

             
I had to hide the smile on my face. Mrs. Daniels looked to Mr. Miller who smirked. “Miss Carter, while your concern is valid, it does not apply here. Here in this gym we are not boys and girls nor men or women. We are warriors, equals, and I can assure you this match is every bit as fair,” Mrs. Daniels said, smiling proudly at me. “But of course that is up to Ella. Would you like another partner to spar with?”

             
“Nope, I’m good,” I replied, winking at Roman.

             
“Anybody else have a problem?” Mr. Miller asked. When the room fell silent, Cassidy sat back down, and Mr. Miller turned to us. “You may begin.”

             
I took my battle stance ready to wipe that smug look off of Roman’s face. “So quick to take the defensive,” he laughed, taunting me. “Haven’t you learned by now that’s always your biggest mistake,” he said, getting in my face.

             
I didn’t hesitate and I attacked, catching Roman off guard. He fell out of step, surprised. “And you talk too much. That was always your mistake,” I teased.

             
Not happy about letting his girlfriend get the upper hand, he put his game face on, and I knew I was in trouble. He came at me fast and hard, but I was taught by the best so I could block every blow. Unfortunately so was Roman, so he was equally as good. Ten minutes and I was already sweating and out of breath, but I wouldn’t give up and I wouldn’t back down. Roman and I were too evenly matched so we weren’t getting anywhere. I had to think smart. I threw my fist up to land a punch to his jaw, but he caught my hand and spun it behind my back holding my other arm down by my side. He smiled and kissed my cheek. I leaned forward and kicked my foot in to the side of his knee. He fell backward and lost his grip. I slipped away and swept my leg under his feet knocking him on his ass. I jumped on him and pinned his arms by his side. Then I smiled down at him.

             
“Very cute,” he said, his cheeks all red.

             
“That’s what you get for playing dirty.” I loosened my grip and he sat up giving me a quick kiss on the lips.

             
“Alright, enough you two,” Mr. Miller said, giving us dirty looks, clearly disapproving of our show of affection. I stood up and helped Roman up. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we rejoined the teachers. “Now, does anyone think they can beat either of these two?” Mr. Miller challenged. No one bothered to come forward. They were either two scared or didn’t want to be embarrassed by getting beat down by a girl. “No takers, alright then, moving on.”

             
“I’ll take the challenge,” someone said. I turned to see who the opponent was, but no one stood out.

             
“Come forward,” Mr. Miller said, not knowing either. I scanned the crowd waiting nervously for the challenger to come forward. Lucas stepped down off the bleachers and stood next to me smiling. “Roman, you need a break or are you good?”

             
“I’m good,” he said, puffing his chest.

             
“Actually, I was hoping to spar with Ella. If that’s alright,” he asked Mr. Miller, but never took his eyes off of me.

             
I could see from my peripheral vision that Roman was ready to comment so I quickly stepped in. “I accept,” I said, praying Roman wouldn’t cause a scene.

             
“Alright, let’s see what you got,” Mr. Miller said. “Roman, have a seat.”

             
Roman gave Lucas a look that said if you hurt her or touch her in anyway I don’t like I will kill you. I rolled my eyes and took a sip from the water Mrs. Daniels handed me. They allowed me a few minutes to regroup before I started again. “Don’t hurt me,” Lucas winked.

             
“You sure you want to do this?”

             
“I think I can handle it.”

             
“You asked for it,” I warned.

             
“Come on Ella,” Cameron and Josie cheered.

             
I squared my shoulders ready. I didn’t wait to take the defensive. I just attacked. To my surprise Lucas was ready for me. He countered every move with precision. He even had a few moves I didn’t know. I was getting tired and out of breath and before I knew it, my ass was on the floor.

             
Lucas bent over and offered me a hand. I took it and shook off the embarrassment of the butt whooping. “You’re pretty good. Where’d you learn all that?”

             
“Good job, Brown,” Mr. Miller said before Lucas could answer me. “Now that you see how it’s done, spread out.”

             
Roman jumped up and ran over to me. “You okay?” he asked.

             
“I’m fine,” I said a little annoyed. The only thing bruised was my ego.

             
Roman stomped over to Lucas and shoved him. “What’s your problem?” Lucas put up his hands defensively, not understanding what just happened.