7 Ways To Love You

Reese’s pov-

It’s rather eerie here, not that I mind. There’s a thick fog that’s settled over the academy. It rolled in about two hours ago and has progressively gotten thicker. It’s at the point where you can barely see anything.

I arrived at King Academy late last night. My room number was in the letter I had received, along with a map of the campus. I was kind of grateful no one was there to greet me, I’m not in the mood for socializing. I found my room and settled in pretty quickly. I decided to not unpack my things. I don’t know why, it just feels more permanent once I’ve unpacked and put everything away.

School started four months ago but I’ve only just decided to join. Normally you wouldn’t be allowed to make it into the school after the cut off date, which was months ago but they made an exception for me. I didn’t really want to be here but it was a thing or the system. My parents died six months ago. I had the decision to either live in a group home or go to boarding school. I think it’s clear which option I chose.

King Academy isn’t just a normal boarding school, it’s a training school. Here they perfect you into weapons. It’s a school for assassins. Naturally I followed in my parents footsteps and decided I wanted to attend King Academy. Both my parents attended when they were my age. I don’t like sharing it but I’m the daughter of The Deadly Sins. My parents are well known in the assassin world, they’re feared. At least they were before they were murdered.

After they died I wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend King Academy anymore, but once I found out it was this or the system it was an easy decision. The dean of the school knew my parents, apparently he was quite close with them, hence why I was accepted into the school so late.

King Academy is well hidden from the world. It’s in Bulgaria and is hidden deep in the forest. It has high stone walls surrounding the grounds, keeping students in and intruders out. I’m not quite sure how much I like the idea of being confined within the stoney walls of the academy. I’ve never liked feeling trapped, which is exactly how I feel right now. I feel trapped in this academy, I feel trapped in life, I feel trapped in my own mind.

When I arrived a few hours ago I changed into a fresh change of clothes and made my way to the bay window I had. I had to shatter a window pane in order to open it, but it was worth it. Why give me a window if I can’t open it?

It was cold out and smelt like rain. The sky was dark and cloudy. Normally it would be filled with an array of oranges, reds, and purples but instead it was grey and gloomy, not that I minded. Honestly I think the shadowy, somber weather better represents the academy than a nice sunny day would. This is a place where you learn how to kill people, how to torture people.

They mailed me the uniforms I was supposed to wear about two weeks ago. It’s a plaid dark green skirt and a white button up with a matching dark green blazer. We’re free to wear whatever shoes we’d like. As soon as the uniform arrived I knew I wouldn’t be wearing it. I don’t wear skirts. I have a meeting with the dean in about an hour, if he has a problem with me not wearing my uniform we’ll discuss it then. Honestly, if they gave me to either wear it or be kicked out of school, I’d gladly let them kick me out.

I used to want to be here but ever since my parents died it just doesn’t feel the same, nothing feels the same. I wasn’t particularly close with my parents and I always thought this would be a good way to feel closer to them. Now that they’re gone I don’t really want to feel closer to them, if anything I’m glad of my lack of amity with them.

I watch through my window as students slowly flood out of their dorms and onto the campus grounds. All of them dressed in matching uniforms. The population of the school is made up of primarily boys. There are four girls in the school, including myself. There are four hundred and fifty eight students at King Academy and only four of them are females. I’m not especially fond of the idea that I’ll be surrounded by a large group of men all day, every day.

After a few more minutes of people watching I decided to get up and take a shower. Once I was out of the shower I decided to put on some semi formal wear. I have a feeling if I go into this meeting dressed somewhat nicely they’ll be a lot more accepting of the fact that I won’t be wearing a uniform. I was too lazy to actually do anything with my hair so I just blow dried it and called it good.

( Hair & Outfit)

The dean’s office was all the way across campus and I now had fifteen minutes to get there. I left my dorm and made my way to his office. As soon as I stepped out into the common area everyone’s eyes landed on me. I’m sure they were more than surprised to see a new face, especially a female. I could hear whispers and murmurs of people trying to figure out who I am. Some of them thought I was a new teacher, I don’t know if I should feel grateful for my mature looks or not. Everyone always thinks I’m far older than I am. I’m seventeen and people usually peg me around twenty five.

I ignore the intense stares of everyone around me and walk confidently through the crowds. Finding the dean’s office was fairly easy and I got there just in time. I didn’t bother knocking since he should be expecting me. I pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit office.

" Ms. Sin, I see you’ve finally arrived at King Academy, it’s a pleasure to have you here.” a tall man with dark hair and dead eyes said as he stood up from his desk. He walked over to me and stuck his hand out for me to shake, ” No, thank you.” I said, walking around the hand he had held out. I walked over to a chair that was in front of his desk and sat down.

I wasn’t trying to be rude by not shaking his hand, I simply don’t like physical contact, it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t shake hands, I don’t high five or hug, nothing to do with physical contact. Well, except for fighting but it’s usually brief.

He pursed his lips together before moving back to his desk and sitting down. ” Did you not receive the uniform we sent you?” he asked, eyeing my clothing up and down.

" I did but I won’t be wearing it.” I answered blandly.

" May I ask why not?” He seemed relatively amused by my stubbornness.

" Because I don’t want to, is that a problem for you?” I asked pointedly, making it clear I would put up a fight if he had an issue with my attire.

He let out a low chuckle, ” You’re just like your mother. You know, she refused to wear the uniform as well.” he said, reminiscing old memories. I wonder how close he truly was with my parents. ” The other students are going to have a fit when they see you out of uniform, that’ll be fun to deal with.” he said in a sarcastic tone.

He proceeded to give me my class schedule and send out a mass email to my teachers about my attire. He made sure no one would question me about it. I honestly expected him to put up more of a fight about it but he seemed almost happy I wasn’t wearing it.

" Your first class is combat, would you like someone to walk you there?” he asked but I shook my head no.

" I’ll take it from here, thank you.” He gave me a firm nod and I stood up from my chair and walked out of his office without a second thought. He seemed like a fairly nice man, which is not what I was expecting. He runs an academy of killers, I thought he’d be a bit more tightly wound.

I was already late for class so I wasted no time in getting to my combat class. My attire wasn’t exactly proper for fighting but I’ll manage. My parents trained me ruthlessly growing up, I can fight no matter what I’m wearing. My parents wanted to ensure that I’d be able to protect myself at all times. Granted they did go to extreme measures but I’m somewhat grateful for it. I used to hate them for it but I don’t really mind anymore.

I found my class, which was underground. I pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped in. The room smelled of sweat and was filled with sweaty bodies, all of which were male. All eyes were on me, I know I should probably feel intimidated being in a room full of men that’re twice my size but I’m not. Men have never scared me or intimidated me. All of them dressed in black shorts and dark green t-shirts.

I looked around and observed the men around me but one of them caught my eye. His dead eyes were already on me and following my every move. He had dark blue eyes and brunette hair, his jaw was sharp and he had tattoos trailing his arms. He was beyond attractive. He must be the dean’s son, I’d recognize those eyes anywhere. I pried my eyes away from him and continued to scan the room.

" Ah, you must be the new English teacher. Are you lost?” A large man stepped out of the crowd and walked towards me. He had a clipboard in his hands and was wearing a teacher’s uniform.

" I’m your new student.” I answered, my tone flat.

His eyes widened a bit, ” My mistake, did you not receive your gym kit?” he asked, eyeing my outfit the same way the dean had, minus the amusement.

" I don’t need one, but thank you.” he pressed his lips together and gave me a nod, I’m assuming he got the email from the dean and decided not to press on the matter.

He clapped his hands together, ” Right well, we’ve partnered up and today we’re practicing hand to hand combat. You can sit back and observe for today.” he offered but I wasn’t having it.

" That’s quite alright, I’ll participate.” I said, he seemed a bit surprised but complied nevertheless.

" Okay then, Stry, front and center.” he shouted.

A boy with dark hair and stunning blue eyes pushed his way to the front until he was standing in front of us. He was well built and the t-shirt he was wearing was doing a good job of showing off his toned body. I’ve noticed that most of the boys here are fairly attractive, not that I minded.

" Stry, you’re going to spar with- ” he stopped, not knowing my name, ” Sin.” I gave him my last name.

" You’re going to spar with Sin.” he finished.

He looked me up and down with a hungry look in his eyes, ” Yes, sir.” he replied enthusiastically. I made sure to keep my face blank the entire time. I’ve been told I have a bit of a resting bitch face but I truthfully see it as helpful, it makes me seem approachable to people.

" Right, well, I need you to fight now so I can assess how far along your fighting skills are.” the teacher said and I nodded my head.

Everyone in the room moved away to create space for Stry and I. I know Stry must be his last name but I don’t know his first name yet. We walked to the middle of the room and everyone circled around us, eager to watch the fight. I felt one pair of eyes that had never left me. He was watching my every move.

" Ready?!” the teacher shouted.

" Don’t worry, sugar, I’ll go easy on you.” he said, as we slowly circled around the mat.

" Fight!”

As soon as I heard that word I wasted no time swinging. I punched him square in the face and he went down. I was a little surprised and disappointed when he got knocked out on the first punch, I was looking forward to a fight. His body collapsed in a heap on the ground.

The room was dead silent, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone’s eyes were on me, filled with shock and confusion, except for one. His eyes were filled with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

" D-did she just knock him out?” Someone in the crowd asked in complete disbelief.

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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Hey guys! Welcome to my new story, if you haven’t already you might want to check out my other stories. I decided to try something new with this story so I hope you all like it.

Please let me know if you see any mistakes, especially spelling and grammar.

I’ll see you in the next chapter.

Word Count- 2327