Free Violca's Dragon by Leilani Love Page B

stays as far away from them during the class as she can. Once most of the girls clear out of the locker room, Kati takes her shower. Since she has lunch after gym, she is able to wait and take her shower last and avoid the other girls.
    Wrapping the towel around herself, she heads over to the bench where her clothes are, when she suddenly sees movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she sees Alex and Rick standing between her and the doorway. Alex stands a little taller than Rick. Alex has sandy blond hair and brown eyes. His face is almost perfect, except for his nose that has a little bump in it from getting broken last year when he got sacked during the game. Rick has darker hair with hazel eyes. Rick’s facial features are not as perfect as Alex’s and the gap in his teeth is very noticeable when he smiles. Everyone knows Alex mainly keeps Rick around because he is thicker, muscular wise, and always willing to do exactly what Alex tells him to do.
    “Hello Kati,” Alex smiles as he walks toward her.
    Kati clutches the towel to her chest as she glances at her clothes, then at the door behind them. “Unless you guys came to tell me I was right, you two are actually girls, I think you are in the wrong room.”
    Rick and Alex back her up against a set of lockers and Rick winks at her. “We will gladly show you that we are not girls.”
    Alex’s grin makes Kati shiver in response as he looks her over. His eyes pause when he gets to her chest, and she tightens her hold on the towel. She tries to stand a little taller and look down her nose at them, trying to imitate the look she has seen Violca give when some guy annoys her. “You have nothing I want to see. Make sure the door doesn’t hit your ass on the way out.”
    They both move forward and Kati feels her back hit the lockers behind her. Her eyes widen when she feels the lockers behind her as she tries her best not to give into the panic that is starting to rise.
    “I think it’s time we prove to ourselves whether or not that picture was photo shopped or not.” With that Alex reaches out and yanks the towel from her gasp and drops it behind him.
    Squeaking, she tries to cover herself when she hears an unfamiliar voice, “Is this where the jocks hang out during lunch?”
    Alex and Rick both turn to the voice and she notices them tense. Glancing over their shoulders she sees Eryk. Kati has seen him around, but since she keeps to herself, she has never talked to him.
    “This is a private party, Eryk, you should leave.”
    Eryk glances at Kati, and she thinks she sees a note of sympathy in his green eyes. She blushes, wishing she could just melt into the floor. Her one arm crosses her chest as her other tries to cover herself. Her legs squeeze tight together. Kati is sure she can actually hear the sound of her knees hitting as her legs begin to shake.
    Eryk nods. “I don’t think you guys were invited either.” He smiles at them, his eyes narrowing. “If you want we can fight about it, pretty sure I could kick your ass before the teacher hears us.”
    Rick and Alex glance at each other before Alex turns his back to her. “Next time Kati.” He says before walking out, bumping Eryk along the way.
    Eryk slowly walks to Kati. Picking up the towel and wrapping it around her, he keeps his eyes on hers. “Are you okay?”
    Kati nods, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “I’m fine, thank you.”
    Eryk nods, the look on his face saying he does not quite believe her. “Why don’t you get dressed and I will wait for you by the door to make sure no one comes back, okay?”
    Nodding, Kati waits for Eryk to get to the door. Sitting on the bench she feels her body shake. Hearing Eryk shuffle, she takes a deep breath and begins to get dressed, determined not to break down in front of him.

Chapter 16
     
    A sigh escapes Eryk as he leans against the door. Picking up her sorrow, he shifts a little. He should have entered sooner but had to wait until the