Fidelis was agitated. The Monday school day started out normal enough until suddenly it wasn't. Something had worked the students up, and he didn't know what it was. He got an inkling of the problem during first period when he noticed the stares and the whispers the students were giving Sera.
He frowned. Why would they be talking about her? Sera was the quietest, sweetest person he had ever met. She treated everyone kindly and never did anything malicious. So what in the world happened for the students to be acting cruelly toward her? He couldn't figure it out and stewed over it all the way to fourth period.
He watched as Sera fled the room before lunch. He wanted to text her but decided against it. He would talk to her at lunch. When she hadn't returned by lunch, he approached Al.
"Where's Sera?" he asked Al.
"I think she is still in the bathroom. Let me check on her."
Al took out his phone and called her. "Sera, where are you? Are you okay? Do I need to come in?"
Fidelis watched as Al's expression changed to one of worry. Was she sick? Was she okay?
"Damnit, she hung up on me."
Fidelis frowned. That didn't sound like Sera either. Just what was going on?
"C'mon, Al. Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm sure she's on her way there."
They made their way to the cafeteria, and Fidelis spotted Sera coming from the other end of the hall. He saw her pause before approaching them. He could sense her unease. Yep, something was definitely up.
"Sera! Come on, let's go eat." He waved her over, keeping his tone light and normal. She came to them without a word and hurried inside to the lunch line.
Fidelis exchanged looks with Al before they went for their food. Fidelis grabbed his lunch and took his customary seat at their table in the back. The rest of his group was already there. A few minutes later, Sera and Al joined them.
Sera sat next to him, and he had to resist the urge to touch her. She felt down to him. He wanted her to be happy. He didn't like to see this side of her. As they ate, she kept her head down and started eating. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
He moved in closer to her, keeping his voice low. "Sera, are you alright?"
She startled at his closeness.
"Yes!" she gasped, her head coming up as she turned toward him.
He got a good look at her face. His eyes narrowed when he saw the telltale signs of a slap on her left cheek. She flinched and averted her gaze, which infuriated him. Who dared to hit her? He would make them pay.
He reached up, his hand heading toward her injured cheek. She went to avoid him, and they were interrupted by the arrival of Nicholas Reyes, one of the team's linebackers, along with two freshmen whom he barely knew. He didn't like Nicholas from the first time he met him. Mainly because he was an asshole and bigot. Nicholas also reminded him of some of the nobles that he was forced to deal with in his father's court.
Fidelis lowered his hand and focused on the unwelcome arrivals.
"Hiya, Sera," Nicholas greeted with a smile.
"Um, hello."
Fidelis saw her confusion. He knew that she didn't associate with many people outside him and his group of friends. Just what was Nicholas up to?
"I have a question for you," Nicholas continued with a gleam in his eyes.
Fidelis tensed. He felt that whatever Nicholas would say was going to be obnoxious.
"Okay," Sera said the word slowly, her expression wary.
"I heard that you are looking for a good fuck buddy. I'm just saying you're hot and have a nice gyatt. I'd totally enjoy tapping that. Why don't we meet up after school and come to a mutual arrangement?"
Fidelis felt rage fill his soul at the other boy's crude and harassing words. "What the fuck did you say to her?" he snarled as he came to his feet.
"Easy, captain. It's a valid offer. She's not dating anyone and is free to scratch her itch."
"You bastard! Do you think I'm going to let you talk to my friend like that? Get the hell away from my table before I make you unable to spew such dumb shit."
Nicholas held up his hands in a placating gesture and smirked at Sera. "Come find me if you need me." He ignored Fidelis's growl of rage and walked away with his friends.
Fidelis turned to Sera. Her face was flushed pink in embarrassment as she trembled. He saw the hurt in her eyes, and it fueled his anger even more.
"Sera?" He touched her arm, trying to get her attention.
She yelped and jerked away. He gave her a surprised look. Her eyes widened before she turned and fled from the cafeteria.
Their tablemates stared in shock before erupting in conversation.
"Silence!" he barked. "I don't know what the hell is going on, but I want information by the end of the day. We will not let her be alone. Got it?" Fidelis snarled before storming off after Sera.
Using his fated mark, Fidelis found Sera sobbing outside by the trees. She was hunched over, hugging her knees to her chest, her long hair covering her face from view.
"Sera? Can we talk?"
She stiffened, and he paused beside her. He waited for her to speak. He wouldn't make a move until she did.
"I don't understand."
He almost didn't catch her words; they were spoken that quietly.
"What did I do wrong? I don't know why my sister is doing this to me."
Fidelis gave her a sharp look. Amy was behind this? Figures. He couldn't stand that girl. She was truly a bitch with a capital "B." Of course, she would try to hurt Sera. Amy always went after those she thought were weaker than her.
He sat down next to Sera. He didn't speak. He felt that what she needed was a listening ear.
"I knew something would happen when I stood up to her that first day of school. I should have kept my mouth shut."
The pain and loneliness in her voice pulled at his heart. He didn't like seeing her this way. He carefully laid his arm across her shoulders. She tensed and started crying again. He gently squeezed her shoulders and let her cry.
He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and ignored it. Sera came first. Would always come first. He didn't know how long she cried, but eventually she stopped. She turned to him, her eyes red and swollen from her tears. He caressed her cheek and leaned in until his forehead touched hers.
"I'm here, Sera. I will help make it better," he vowed.
She closed her eyes, not saying a word. The bell rang, and reluctantly, he pulled away from her. Fidelis stood up and held out his hand. "Coming?"
She stared at his hand, then took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "Let's go." He held her hand as they entered the building. He led her to their next class, glaring at any students who dared to glance their way.
Sera was hunching in on herself. Fidelis badly wanted to tell her to stand proud, but he knew that wouldn't help. She was too self-conscious of the eyes on them. He let go of her hand when they entered their fifth period class. He continued to glower at anyone who did so much as look in Sera's direction.
Fidelis acted as Sera's guard for the rest of the day. He kept an eye out for Amy but didn't see her. Finally, the school day was over, and he headed home. He explained the situation to Blainel and Sodalitas.
They both agreed to help. He then texted Liz, Penelope, Drake, Griff, and Karl. He secured their agreement as well. Now, he needed Al and everything would be set.
He called Al and was surprised when Al answered on the first ring.
"Hey man, how is Sera?"
"She's fine."
Liar, Fidelis thought, irritated by Al's indifferent tone.
"Did she say who hit her?" he probed.
"No, and I'm not going to make her relive that moment either."
"Dude, what is your problem? She needs help to take down her bullies."
"No offense, Romeo, but your help is not needed. If Sera didn't ask for it, then you need to butt out."
"You're joking, right? Do you know how much everyone's actions hurt her today? Not to mention someone physically assaulting her."
"I know her better than you," retorted Al, his voice rising slightly. "And as someone who knows her best, I'm telling you to stay out of this. If, or when, your help is needed, we'll let you know. Good-bye."
Fidelis stared at his phone in fury. What…the…hell! For someone who claimed to be her friend from childhood, Al certainly wasn't acting like one. Fidelis punched the wall and let the brief pain clear his head. He needed to talk to his dad.
He checked the time and left for his dad's study. He knocked and waited for his father's "Enter" before going in.
His father took one look at his face and put down the paper he was reading. "Son, what happened?"
Fidelis launched into a quick rundown of the situation. Once he finished, he waited for his father to speak.
"It seems to me that there is more going on with Sera's family than meets the eye. I urge you to use caution, my son. As hard as it may sound, you might have to keep to the shadows until Sera asks for help."
Fidelis ran his hand through his hair in frustration. That wasn't what he wanted to hear.
"Have you told her how you feel about her?"
He blinked and looked sharply at his father. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"If you tell her how you feel about her, you can have a closer relationship with her. This would give you a reason to "butt in" when situations like today happen."
"No, I haven't, but I think I will tomorrow."
"Make sure you do it properly, Fidelis. Women liked to be wooed, not trampled on. Besides, you should start getting to know your fated one better."
"True. Thanks for talking with me. I'm going to go plan out what to do." He left the study and went to his room.
He checked his messages and felt rage once again when he read the one from Liz telling him what she had found out about the rumors surrounding Sera. He again wondered how a family member could be so cruel to another. The rumors were ludicrous. Sera never wore revealing clothes, flirted, or even looked at any guys. He doubted that she'd done anything romantic or lustful ever. She was too pure and innocent.
Fidelis became even more determined to ask her out and offer her the protection of his status. He wanted her to have a peaceful and enjoyable senior year.
He spent the next two hours planning how he would ask Sera to date him. Once he was satisfied, he went to bed. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.