My Not Yet Mate novel Chapter 8

One month later

Lily gave Ana a hug, before walking out of her new favorite class. She had discovered how much she actually enjoyed science now that everyone left her alone. She walked down the hall to the gym, where Gregory winked at her as he began to call roll. When she walked out of the locker rooms, he tilted his head to the mats that were only set up for her usage. She sat down and began her stretches as Gregory started the other students on laps around the gym. She started at her ankle, rotating it, pointing it towards her face, before tilting it down towards the floor. Next, she bent her knee and began to pull back on her leg, lifting her foot off of the floor to hold it for twenty seconds. After a set of ten, she stood up and began to reach down towards her feet.

Gregory came over and gently pushed on her back. She felt her back stretch more and her thighs grew tight. She took a deep breath and when he let her up she rolled her shoulders.

“That one still hurts,” she muttered.

“I know, but do you remember where you started? You couldn’t even bend to reach your knees. You’re almost able to put your hands on the floor now. You’re doing really good, Lily.” He pressed his finger into her nose. “Pretty soon, little one, you will be out there, running circles around the others.”

She eyed them. “I’d be happy just being able to run a single lap without falling down.”

He leaned against the wall. “Is that your goal?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, then. Come on.”

He took her to the line that was considered the lap course. “Wait here.”

She watched curiously as he jogged back to his office. He came back carrying a huge roll of tape. He moved to the middle of the gym and put a small tape square on the floor, before he called her over. He squeezed her shoulders.

“This is your square, Lily. Start off walking. In a few days, we’ll speed up. Next week, we’ll try jogging and running this square. Every two weeks, we’ll make it bigger, until you can run the full thing, okay?”

She looked around at the other students who were watching them. “They’re going to laugh at me.” She paused. “You know what, I don’t care. Thank you.”

She began walking, taking care to keep the same pace. Round and round, she walked that square. Her leg got tired, but she forced herself to keep walking until the bell rang. Gregory fell into step beside on her last lap, smiling.

“You did really well today, Lily. I am so proud of you.”

She hugged him. “Thank you so much.”

“Go eat. I know you are hungry.”

Lily happily changed back into her clothes and went to the cafeteria. She got in line and everyone shot her anxious looks. She hummed softly to herself as she thought about how much her life had changed. Her parents seemed to care more, she was excited to come to school and kids were falling all over themselves to be her friend. She had stayed to herself, not wanting to be friends with people who had never cared for her before the royals came to her school. She got to the counter and the woman behind it, carefully spooned salisbury steak and gravy onto it, before adding mashed potatoes and corn. Lily gave Ethan a smile, which he returned.

“Have a good day, Lily.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

She moved to the cashier. “Any extras today, Lilianna?”

She eyed the ice cream choices for the day and she bit her lip. Snickers ice cream bars. Her thoughts turned to the first and last time she had had one. She sighed as she reached for one.

“Yeah. Can I have this? Do I have enough money in my account?”

“Yes. Enjoy your lunch, Lilianna.”

She walked out and was heading to her table when she heard the cackles of bullies preying on their newest victim. She turned her head to look and she frowned. Immi and Kacey would never learn. They were picking on the new girl that had just transferred in a few days ago. Lily changed her path and went over to the table the girl sat at. She put her tray down on the table, harder than was necessary, but it got her point across. The girls immediately left the table. Lily handed the crying girl a napkin and sat down.

“You’re Sommer, right?”

“Yes,” she sniffled.

Lily smiled at her. “I’m Lily.”

Sommer’s eyes widened. “You’re Lily? Like the Lily?”

She nodded. “Not everyone at this school is mean.”

Sommer snorted. “Yeah, right. I haven’t met one person here that isn’t.”

Lily held her hand out and vigorously shook Sommer’s when she took it. “Hi, I’m Lily and I’m nice.”

Sommer giggled. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you, nice Lily.” Sommer leaned close. “Is it true that you know King Lukas?”

Lily’s eyes landed on the ice cream bar. “Yeah, I do. Are you hungry, Sommer? I see that you don’t have lunch.”