The next day went by incredibly slow. Every time I looked at the clock, only a few seconds had passed. I couldn't wait for after-school-training. I was excited to finally be able to kick Uncle Damien's butt the next time we sparred. I never really cared all too much about improving my fighting skills but it was time to start. Damien had started to catch on to all my brilliant cheating methods and I hate cooking. Oh and a bloodthirsty shapeshifting zombie tried to eat me after softening me up by way of beating the living crap out of me. But mostly I just hate cooking.

I tried to steer clear of Hadley as best I could. How had I never noticed that she was in almost all of my classes? And if she wasn't in my class, she was in the classroom right besides mine. I mean that can't be smart for future career choices. What if she wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon but, instead of taking science classes, was stuck in History of Polka Dots just because she had to stay near me? Uncle Damien wasn't kidding around when he gave me a secret bodyguard. I knew it wasn't Hadley's fault but every time I caught her looking at me, the burn of betrayal and broken trust surged through my chest. I wasn't even that mad at Damien for doing it anymore and I only really knew Hadley by name so I don't know why I still felt this way but I did.

It became difficult to avoid Hadley and Noah when Spanish class came around. We still had to finish our project. The tension in the group was incredibly obvious. Aaron definitely knew something was up but thankfully was smart enough not to ask. With a thick aura of an awkward discomfort, the project finally got finished.

"Thank gods that's over," I sighed.

Hadley shook her head, "Not quite. We still have to present in front of the class."

I groaned. I hate this class so much.

"What are you even complaining about? You literally had one job and Hadley had to correct most of it," Aaron scoffed.

I shrugged one shoulder and lazily examined my perfectly polished baby pink fingernails, "So what? Watching you guys work was exhaustingly boring."

I watched Noah roll his eyes and shake his head through my peripherals just as the ringing of the bell invaded my eardrums. I quickly stuffed everything into my backpack and walked to my next class. All too aware of Hadley being close behind, following me to the classroom nextdoor to mine, I sped up.

"Maraya, wait!"

A hand clasped my wrist, tugging me to a stop. I sighed and looked at Hadley expectantly. She started fidgeting and bit her lower lip anxiously. For someone who stood her own against a draugr, she seemed to really hate confrontation.

"I just wanted to say sorry again. I didn't mean to go behind your back and-"

"Spy on me?" I interrupted and Hadley grimaced slightly.

"Yeah. Spy on you," she quietly repeated.

"Look, I know it wasn't like you had a choice in the matter. Damien can be pretty intimidating when he wants to be. Honestly, I don't even know why I'm trying to avoid you so much. I guess I just need some time to adjust." More like my pride needed some time to adjust. But I don't admit that out loud.

"I understand that. I was just thinking that now that you know... maybe we can become friends? I don't have to actively ignore you or pretend to dislike you anymore. I haven't really had any chances to make any friends since I moved here because I was too busy training and trying to... you know... keep an eye on you."

Interesting. She's very different from most Freyjas. She acted more like a Cupid than anything. I guess my uncle used his best intimidation methods in order to make her take this so seriously. I studied her for a moment. It would be nice to have a partner in crime. Her skills could help wreak some major havoc.  Plus... no one's ever actually wanted to become my friend before. Isn't that so depressing? For everyone else, I mean. They're seriously missing out.

"Fine. I forgive you. But if this," I pointed to Hadley and then to myself repeatedly, "is going to work out, you need to learn how to loosen up."

Hadley released a relieved chuckle, "I can do that."

We walked to our classes together with Hadley reverting back to the preppy, outgoing extrovert I was used to ignoring. Except now I actually tried to pay attention to what she was saying and even replied occasionally, when given the chance.

The rest of the school day went by smoothly, especially since I didn't have to pull out my James Bond skills in order to expertly avoid Hadley anymore. Despite that, I was pretty emotionally drained by the time training came around; I wasn't used to the constant energy depletion caused by a friend. It would take some getting used to but I was willing to work at it. Hadley dived head first into this friendship. As soon as I accepted her apology, she began chatting my ear off, not holding anything back, as if we've known each other since childbirth.

Hadley was in the middle of talking about a very explosive science class that I usually would have been listening intently to, maybe even have taken some notes, under normal circumstances, when I couldn't take it anymore. I needed a reprieve from Hadley.

Mixed with my excitement for training, her incessant talking made me feel like I needed to scream, cry, and punch something all at once. I know I said I was willing to work at it but I needed to take baby steps. It was a sweet relief when the last bell rung, signalling the end of the school day. I rushed to my car as quickly as I could and released a long sigh. I'd have to see her again in about fifteen minutes anyway, due to training, but I relished in the melodious silence this moment had provided.

Man, having a friend was exhausting. How do people manage more than one? Despite my emotional fatigue, I still secretly preferred the company compared to spending the entire day alone.

I lowered all the windows and raised the volume of the radio and then sped to Freyja Headquarters.

I walked into room 3A where I was met with a disappointingly calm atmosphere. Training would be separated by age groups but there weren't many Freyja's my age in this town. There were only three other teenagers in the room as Hadley hadn't arrived yet. It seemed they had already formed a little clique of their own and were sitting in the front desks that now littered the once empty room. I recognized them as the boys who, when we were younger, teased me relentlessly for my red hair until one day I pulled one of my best pranks. Needless to say, I haven't had any problems with them since.

Marcus was the 'Queen Bee' of the clique. He had neatly gelled sandy blond hair and kept a comb on him at all times. If that's not enough of a clue as to what kind of guy he is, I don't know what else to tell you.

Marcus' 'Robin' of the group was William. He had very short cut hair that was so blond it could have been called white. He didn't torment me as much as Marcus but he was still a major jerk.

Then there was Jacen. He had messy black hair and was probably the most brutal of my tormentors. Unlike Marcus who just shouted the most generic insults at me, Jacen knew how to get under my skin. He was definitely the brains of the group.

I walked in the direction of where my uncle, Lance, and Zayd were huddled together, seemingly in the middle of an argument. Zayd noticed me first, perceptive as he is, and gave me a slight nod in greeting. Damien saw me a few seconds after and smiled warmly, effectively putting an end to the argument.

"Hey, kiddo. How was school?"

"A complete waste of time, like always. Are we waiting for something?"

"Well-"

Before he could answer my question, the entrance door opened and two figures walked in. The first was Hadley, wearing a cute, oversized sweater and her signature bright smile. Behind her followed Noah. His facial expression held an uninterested and bored look but his eyes told me he was actually very alert.

Apparently news had gotten around that he was a Cupid because Marcus and his posse ceased whatever they were talking about and stared at him. Lance was openly glaring, and Zayd, as always, showed no emotion. Damien reluctantly stepped forward.

"Ah finally. Welcome, Noah. Glad you could join us."

"Glad to be here," Noah looked around the room and paused at Lance's glaring eyes, "I think."

Damien exhaled deeply and then gestured to all of the vacant desks. 

"Find a seat anywhere."

Hadley briefly scanned the room until she noticed where my stuff sat in the back of the room. She looked at the full front row disappointedly but didn't hesitate to claim the desk to the left of mine. I joined her with a small smile and then looked expectantly at Noah, along with everyone else in the room. He slowly made his way over to where I sat with Hadley and took the seat to my right.

Damien began to talk but I smirked at Noah and whispered, "You have got to teach me your ways of dramatic entrances one of these days."

He glanced at me but remained silent. He didn't fool me, though. I definitely caught the slight upward turn of his lips.

I ignored the glimmer of warmth I felt after seeing Noah's almost-smile, and listened to what Damien was saying.

"-aren't that many of you, so instead of splitting you up into groups like we used to, you'll all be sticking together for each lesson."

Hadley raised her hand and asked, "'Used to'? What do you mean by 'used to'?"

Marcus attempted, and failed (duh, we have enhanced hearing, dimwit), to whisper to his friends.

"Ohh, so that's why someone like her would be friends with Carrottop. They're both idiots."

So we're back to childish and embarrassingly unoriginal insults about my hair, I see.

Obviously, everyone in the room heard. Lance glared at them, Hadley's jaw dropped slightly, Zayd remained emotionless, and Noah merely raised his eyebrows. My uncle narrowed his eyes, but he moved on and answered Hadley's question.

"Freyjas used to be very diligent in keeping up with training. Not too long ago, actually. It was only about 80 years ago that we stopped. We've always been a bit more... relaxed with the guidelines but back then monsters were still active, so Freyjas needed to be able to protect themselves.

"Training was a lot more competitive, too. We'll actually be incorporating that aspect into our training now. It will be similar, but not as cutthroat as it was. How it used to work was everyone would be split into groups and had to compete against each other to get the highest score on tests for each subject. At the end of the year, the group with the lowest scores was essentially ostracized and could no longer count on the protection from the rest of the Freyjas. The group with the highest score got the privilege of fighting a jötunn— which you'll learn about in your Folklore and Mythology class. If they defeated it, they brought honor to their families. There was competition within the groups as well. The person with the highest score got a very high level job and was pretty much guaranteed a spot in Valhalla. The person with the lowest score still brought honor to their family, but nothing about their position in society was changed. There were also benefits and awards for the other group members, depending on their level of scores, but we don't need to get into all that.

"For our training, we will still have scores and the awards based on those scores. We'll also still have consequences for having the lowest score. Now I know that honor means little to nothing to most of you, so there will be a new incentive to get the highest score: you can pick one item from the Weapons and Tools section in the Freyja Headquarters Treasury, magical or otherwise."

An excited murmur rose throughout the room, and everyone seemed to have new-found energy. Lance shot my uncle an incredulous look.

"Even I don't own anything from there!"

Damien fixed Lance with an unfaltering stare, "That's why it's motivation. We need them to take this seriously."

"So when do we start?" I asked.

My uncle looked at me and smiled, "Right now."