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Part Sixteen

It was late in the night as Nick just got out of the shower. A white towel was draped over his shoulders, and his curly brown hair was wet.

Every student on campus had their own room, so they had their own privacy. There was no curfew on campus, but at a certain time, males could no longer make their way over to the female dormitories.

Nick’s phone started vibrating on his brown wooden dresser.

He looked at the ID; it was his mother calling him. Answering the call, he placed his phone to his ear.

“Hello.”

“Hi, mom.”

“How are you sweety? Made any friends yet? I hope you are not starting any trouble.”

Nick walked over to his full-size bed and sat down on the edge.

“Asking so many questions right away, that’s just like you. I’m fine; I'm actually enjoying the campus. Yes, I've made two friends. One guy and one female, and why would you think I would make any trouble?”

“A girl huh? You plan on bringing back a girlfriend the next time you see me?”

“It’s not like that; we are just friends. How did your appointment go? What did the doctor say?”

“Same as last time, if I want to use my legs again I'll have to go through surgery within five years. Any later than that and I can forget about walking again.

Sweety, I've also spoken to your father yesterday…”

“He came to see you? It’s been awhile since you two have met.”

To be exact the last time Nick saw his father was three years ago. His mother was another story as they have only met three times since Nick was born.

“Yes, he did drop by. He told me that he had made some arrangements with you and that if you achieved what he asked you to then, i’d be able to walk again no problem. What kind of arrangements did you make?”

“For me to become a special forces member. Don’t worry; there is no doubt in my mind that I'll become one.”

His mother was silent for a moment. Nick had to make sure he didn’t lose any sort of connection, so he checked his phone to see. Yup, they were still chatting she just was not speaking.

“Did you… you know?”

“I had to. Only the high ranking individuals who excel in the academy have a chance to become special forces members. It was an individual exam, so only twelve people know. I’ll make sure no one else finds out.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to, I just feel that it is best you don’t. Better to keep your connection with your father a secret.”

“I know. Was that all he dropped by to tell you?”

“Mostly, he told me a few other things. This was supposed to be a secret, but he said if you were able to be on the twelve gods competition and manage to take a spot in the top three he would reward you in some way.

I think this is his own way of showing affection for you. Besides, he should know by now that I wouldn’t keep a secret from you.”

Nick sighed when he heard this. Making it into the top three, his father thought that would be impossible. Nick himself did not doubt his own talent, but the world was so vast that anything was possible. The competition this year was sure to be tough.

“He knows that is almost impossible that is why he said it. He must not have realized the weight of his own words. How does he think I'm going to compete against her? That demoness…”

Those last words made Nick have a flashback of someone. The words she spoke to him that day forever changed him.

“Don’t talk bad about her; she is not that bad of a young lady. Besides, she is also your sister.”

“Half! Half sister.”

He corrected his mother. They may have the same father, but they had different mothers. Her mother was like a poisonous snake and Nick’s mother was like a pure white bunny.

“Family is family. You have to treat them well.”

“When you are fully treated then I'll treat them well. Until they I could care less.”

“Don’t be that way. It’s getting late I'm going to let you get some rest. Remember to work hard.”

“Alright, I'll talk to you later mom.”

The phone call ended, and Nick’s phone vibrated once again. He received a text message from an unknown number. He opened it up and read the message.

It was from Cassandra, telling him the location of the disciplinary committee and letting him know what time he should report.

He knew it was from her because it stated so in the message, but what he did not know was how she got his number. They did not exchange numbers in the two times they met.

It seemed to him that the disciplinary committee had some kind of power to be able to get ahold of a student's number.

Throwing his phone to the side, he laid back on his bed.

He closed his eyes as he let his mind wander around thinking about the past and present.