Angie conjures a fresh pair of clothes, ridding the dress she adamantly ripped off,and we embark towards my bed, getting started on a plan. I remove the rose tucked beneath the thin slit of fabric above my left breast, eyeing its sparkle and acknowledging an outdoorsy scent flowing from its petals.It smells just like him. Earthy and another unfamiliar scent…What is it?
My fingers rotate the stem,mesmerized by its shimmering glow, and a prick from its thorn draws blood.Damn it.Prone to obtaining all sorts of injuries, instinctively, I take my thumb between my lips with pinched brows, confused at how I didn’t notice the thorn at first.
Angie throws away a balled piece of paper and continues writing. I join her, leaving my rose sitting on the bedside stand, and for the next few hours, we go over failed plan after failed plan.
Soft blue light bathes us both in its hue, and without realizing, all my worries subside. Breathing feels easier, anguish is non-existent, and at least for now, I’m enjoying another night here at Rebirth Academy.
“Shit.” Angie disturbs our peace.
“What? Did something happen?” I see that she is now on her phone.
“No, nothing like that. I had an appointment that totally slipped my mind.”
“What kind of appointment do you have around this time?
“Dick,” she rebuts.Right, because that’s normal. Who doesn’t book dick appointments. Me, that’s who.She rushes to stand, smoothing out any wrinkles gathered from laying down.
“You’re serious?”
“I never joke about the fay fondler, Kyra.” She rolls her eyes as if I’m being dramatic. So many questions manifest, but then again, why am I surprised?Good for you.In this school of overly aggressive men, let’s hope there is one who is nice and gives good dick. For her sake. As for me, I’ll pass.My ex showed me you can’t have both. Either nice with bad dick, or bad with good dick…Wait, why am I thinking about getting laid?
Exhaling, I chide myself because sex should be the furthest thing from my mind. But my thoughts have other plans. Like Alex. I recall the moment before we left and visualize his lips.He has a pair that makes a girl dream of places he should put them. Luscious…Incredibly pink…Curved… Kissable…“Lickable.” My intrusive thoughts are spoken aloud.
Angie frowns, and a deep voice picks up, saving me from embarrassment. “Hey, so sorry for being late. I ran into a little problem needing my assistance, are you still free?” she asks, placing a hand over her hip. There is a short pause before she speaks again. “Good, be there in a sec. I didn’t get a chance to grab my bag, so I hope you have your toys. See you soon.”
“Umm toys?” I ask after she hangs up. “And bag fooor?”
“My toys. There are too many to carry.” A nonchalant answer for my insane question, apparently. “Don’t you have a ‘pleasure me’ bag?”
“No, I don’t. And honestly, I don’t know anyone that does.” Sitting up, I face her fully.
“Well, you do now. Just don’t ask to borrow mine.”
“Gross. I’d never,” I scoff at her implication.
She conjures a sigil. “I’ll fill you in tomorrow.” With a wink, she vanishes. I’m sad to once again be alone despite Alex’s orders, but if anyone is getting lucky, at least it’s her.
I roll on my back, captivated at how the moon’s glow dances against each intricate design on the ceiling. Textures speak a story of Gods fighting, falling in love, death, and birth. My stare moves sharply over each one, unable to grasp their meaning.These are beautiful. Is each room like this?I think of Angie’s room, Alise’s, Alex’s, Ethan’s…You’ll never know because you didn’t pass the awakening.
My mood shifts. What occurred earlier was disappointing, and despair stirs inside my stomach of not being able to find Rosie’s killer. Failure seems motivated to define who I am, and each loss makes it much more accurate. Annoyance rears her ugly head. Each pressing thought ends with more unanswered questions. Worst of all, everyone in attendance witnessed the flames disappearing.
Thankfully cameras weren’t present. Unless someone secretly recorded it. “Fuck.” Something else to add to my list of embarrassments.
A bright light appears in my peripheral, humming in a soothing tune.
“Did you forget something, Angie, or do you miss me enough to turn down your dick appointment?” I chuckle, knowing her sigil magic.
“Her what?” My head snaps towards Ethan’s voice, capturing his spiteful scowl.Apparently, I don’t know shit.
“What are you doing here, and what do you want?” Quickly standing, I face him, but this dress leaves little movement in case fighting is required.
“Where is she?”
“You can’t barge into my room, demanding answers. Use the door like everyone else.” I must be crazy, enticing a killer who has little regard if I live or die. He squints, pulling a metaphorical hood over his head the way his features darken. The same leer he gave Holland appears.
“I won’t ask again. Where is she, Kyra?” he demands. My name rolling off his tongue not only sends fear into my legs, but chills down my spine as he stalks menacingly toward me. Prickles numb my feet, and I am unable to move.
“If you’re here to kill me, do it, but if not, and you’re willing to converse like civilized adults, use the door.” I point towards my dorm room’s entrance, mustering my last bit of courage. This bluff I’m calling is nothing more than that, a bluff, so if my guardian angel’s watching, please let him choose option B.
