He put his arm around me, like we were old friends. “Not by a mile.” He pointed up to the barrier that domed the entire area. “You see the protection? Notice anything different about it than back on campus?”
I eyed it. “It’s see through?”
He beamed. “Yep. We can see out to the ocean, the temperature is regulated, and when it hits sunset, it’ll light up in wild colors and patterns, shifting the theme of the party as it goes.”
“No way.”
He leaned closer. “Way. Students have been infusing this sector of the barrier for years with their gifts, kind of like the professors do with the main campus.”
He had an ease about him, a confidence and familiarity I envied. I wanted to ask a question about the barrier to keep him for another minute, but before I could, he turned to the next group. “I gotta make sure everyone has a shot in hand before sunset. I’ll catch up with you ladies a little later.”
Briara cut in, “Hope so.”
Before he left, Enzo pointed to two figures walking toward us. I gulped—Kaito and Oden Gates. Kai seemed at ease, engrossed in conversation with Oden, a halo of red cups floating around him, and one in his hand that he sipped on every few steps. Subtle, Kai. Oden strutted around like Kai was the finest jewel in his crown. The two of them were such a sight that I had no hope of tearing my gaze away.
Briara leaned in and whispered, “Starstruck.”
“Bri… LOOK AT THEM.”
We burst into laughter, nearly spilling our shots, when the two high school gods made it over to us. “What did we miss?” Oden asked.
But one exchanged glance between me and Bri and we erupted back into a fit of laughter.
I straightened, mustering as much confidence as I could. Perhaps if I mimicked Enzo’s attitude, I’d feel more comfortable. “What’s up guys?” I asked.
Oden’s face teemed with delight. “Why are you two all the way over here?”
“We hadn’t made our way in yet,” I said.
Briara added, “We just got here.”
Kai smirked. “First party, Rei?”
Damnit, Kai. I nodded, shyness wiping away my attempts at confidence.
Oden leaned forward. “Really? That’s adorable. Okay, you girls need a drink.”
I lifted the multicolored shot. “I have one.”
“You can’t drink that until sunset.” He turned to his friend. “Kai?”
Two of the cups floating above Kai drifted down and hovered in front of Bri and me. We exchanged a glance then took the cup from the air.
“Thanks,” Bri said.
Oden grinned. “Bottoms up.”
I lifted the drink to my lips. After one gulp, the sting burned the back of my throat. Bewildered, I dropped my hand, but the cup remained in Kai’s grasp, pouring into my mouth. It leaked from the corners of my mouth and I swallowed hard, my eyes watering until the cup was empty.
What the hell, Kai? I opened my mouth to scold him but Bri beat me to it.
“You’re such a dick. I almost spilled on my shirt,” Bri said.
Oden and Kai laughed. “It’s all in good fun,” Oden said. “Now you guys are ready to party.”
Enzo rushed passed us and Briara’s gaze followed. She leaned into me and whispered, “Dibs.”
“Dibs?” Oden said, looking around. “On who? I was just telling Kai here that I had dibs on Reina.”
I choked on nothing. My face burned with heat and I wasn’t sure if it was from the drink I’d just downed or Oden’s comment. I thought I’d drop dead on the spot, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
Suddenly, the barrier burst into a cascade of colors sparkling down from the top like fireworks. I gaped, half impressed and half happy to escape the awkwardness of the moment before. The color swirled around me, the alcohol hitting my stomach.
“Cheers,” Oden said, and I looked up to see the three of them holding up their shots. I looked down at mine. I had no clue what was in it, nor what was in store for me that night, but just this once it didn’t matter. I wanted an adventure. I deserved a night of fun. So I raised the rainbow shot and clinked it with theirs before I downed it.
30
Kaito
I awoke with a sharp pain cutting through my head and a ringing in my ears that had me disoriented. I felt a weight on my chest and peeked my eyes open, but the light slipped in and my head flared with pain. Fuck. After several minutes of trying to convince myself that if I was in pain, I must be alive, my headache dulled enough for me to realize how thirsty I was. My throat tightened with dryness and I waited until my desire for water overtook my pain, and ventured to open my eyes again. This time, I saw Miranda laying on my chest. She had a face full of fresh makeup and was peeking through her eyelashes to check if I was awake. Water. Nothing mattered but water.
I moved up to my elbows, taking it slow, and Miranda pretended to wake up. I looked around the room; we were in my dorm room, but there was no sign of Carter.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” Miranda said, her chipper voice confirming my theory that she was already awake. “You were great last night. That whole thing you said about zero gravity wasn’t true at all. Maybe you just haven’t had the right partner before me.” She dropped my blanket, exposing her chest.
I gulped. “Water.”
I stepped out of bed, my memories moving back to me at a glacial pace. I stepped on a used condom and jerked my foot back, scanning the ground where I saw another. Ugh. I felt the alcohol slosh in my stomach and threaten to surge. I was slimy, naked, and looked down to see I was still wearing a condom. At least we were safe, though I couldn’t imagine how I ended up with Miranda. Then the memory slammed into me like a truck. Oden’s tongue practically down Reina’s throat on the dance floor. So much from the night before was unclear—lost, but not that. That one memory rang clear as a bell. I remembered the pain that assaulted me and found no release as they spent the night holding hands and exchanging secrets.
A wave of nausea threatened to splurge out on my floor.
“Are you okay?” Miranda asked.
I stood and slipped on a pair of shorts before wordlessly moving to the hallway toward the men’s bathroom. I turned the faucet and splashed a handful of cold water on my face. I hadn’t been the only one grinding my teeth at the sight of them. Miranda had been too. When they approached us, hands clasped together like an actual couple, Miranda and I got the same idea. I slung my arm over her in hopes of returning the feelings of jealousy Reina had caused, and Miranda played her part splendidly for Oden. I sighed and knew exactly where that led. The running water became the background music to my thoughts as a sickening thought occurred to me. What if Reina woke up this morning in Oden’s bed? I turned, desperate to reach the toilet before the vomit spewed from me. I felt a gentle hand on my back.
“Are you alright, man? Can I get you something?”
I turned to see Oden looking well-rested and composed in his unwrinkled uniform, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
I wiped my mouth, hoping I could rally what had already become an awkward morning. “I’m fine,” I said.
“Quan just walked Miranda from your room. He said she was naked as shit when he knocked. Nice, bro.”
I had a hundred questions of my own in regards to his night, but none I wanted the answers to.
“You better pull your shit together, though. Class starts in thirty. I’m headed to Reina’s dorm to walk her.”
I clenched my jaw, but it was no use; the words spilled out. “Oh yeah. I forgot you were with her. How’d that go?”
“Good, good. I’m taking it slow. You know, she’s a virgin.” He shrugged and I hoped he’d stop there, but he didn’t. “I really like her. I think she may be the real deal. You know, like, a good person and all that. She has no idea how special she is.”
I wanted to vomit on him, to douse the joy and excitement from his face, but before I could he hurried out of the bathroom, leaving me to my recovery and my thoughts. It was supposed to be my first da
y at GFA, which was everything I’d ever wanted. I’d spent my night having sex with the hottest girl at the school, so why did I feel so hurt?
31
Reina
I lay awake, practically holding my breath until the sun rose. What a night. What a beautiful, perfect night. The moment I entered the party, Oden did nothing but give me his full attention. He was gentle, attentive, and unfailingly kind—all the things Kai was not. How had I been so mistaken? How had I spent so many years confusing misery with love? My time with Oden had been a dream, and I lie awake all night with the fear I’d wake to a new reality. We talked, we danced, we kissed, and when the night was over, we walked hand in hand back to the dorms where he said his goodbyes. It was a perfect night. One I knew I’d relive in my imagination again and again.
I’d been so caught off guard by his attention that I asked him why he was interested. And he responded that he had been from the moment we met. Looking back, I remembered how he’d been the reason I got into GFA to begin with. How he’d kissed my cheek. He explained again, though not in any great detail, that my gift felt like Yemoja Roux and that he knew I’d be great one day.
Oden was everything good. I was crushing hard, and why not? He was so unlike Kai, who was virtually made of warning signs. Yet I found my mind continuously comparing the two.
“My fucking head hurts!” Bri said. I rolled over to see her also awake. “Last night was awesome. Thank you for making me go.”
“Thank you for going. You and Enzo looked cozy.”
She sat up and winced, bringing her hand to her head. “Right? I think he might like me.” Her eyes bulged. “You and Oden were like… in love.”
I smiled, turning back to the ceiling.
She continued. “Neither of you spoke to anyone else. Are you guys, like, official?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?”
I shook my head, but inside I was delighted by the thought. “I hardly know him.”
“Look, normally people like each other and then they date. Don’t try to mimic whatever you had going on with Kai. I mean… like each other and then go to war for ten years. Maybe this Oden thing will be good for you. Besides…”
“Besides what?”
She lay back. “Nevermind.”
I furrowed my brow. “No, what is it?”
“I’m ninety-nine percent sure he had sex with Miranda last night.”
I rolled over toward my wall and pressed my forehead against the cold surface. “Sounds about right,” I said, but I swallowed a lump in my throat as fresh tears pricked my eyes.
Later that morning, I put on my school uniform, a flutter of pride and fear swirling inside me. I wondered what my parents might say to me on my first day.
This was it. My chance to see what I was made of. This was my only hope of reaching my dream, and I found myself equally afraid that they wouldn’t be able to make Fae out of me, and that they would.
I walked with my arm hooked around Briara’s as we made our way to the front of Pink House. I was glad to have her, an ally in an otherwise uncertain world. We stepped out into the morning air, which was cold and wet, and Briara lifted her eyebrows, dropping her arm from mine. “I’ll see you later,” she said, hurrying off before I could protest.
Confused, I looked up to see Oden standing with a smile. He was a solid ten on a normal day, but in his uniform, he was easily an eleven. “Can I walk you to class?” he asked.
I nodded and walked over to him. He leaned in and kissed my cheek like he had the first time we met. Any lingering thought that his affection last night had been alcohol-induced vanished. I fell into stride beside him, hooking my thumbs on my backpack straps to avoid the awkwardness of whether we would hold hands or not.
“You look nervous?” he said.
“I am. I’m shaking,” I said with a smile.
“Me too.”
I recoiled. “You’re the top student. Why are you nervous?”
He wrapped his arm around me. “You.”
I rolled my eyes. “Cute.” But it was cute. He was cute and I was in trouble.
“Look,” he said, “you’re going to be great today. I know for a fact that this will be the best day of your life.”
“Oh? And who’s going to make it so?”
He pressed his lips together and a dimple cut through his cheek. “You’ll see. When the moment comes, when you’re so happy you could cry, I want you to think ‘Oden was right, I should kiss him.’”
We laughed. A throat cleared and I looked up to see a sickly Kaito leering at the pair of us. His eyes had dark circles, his cheeks were a little sunken in, and his skin was so pale that he looked like a sexy vampire. The memory of Briara’s update ran through my head. Kaito and Miranda. I sighed, hoping to exhale the pain of it.
“Alright, well,” Oden said, drawing my attention, “good luck today.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Kai passed without a word and I felt a pang of guilt that Oden’s smile dimmed when he saw me looking at Kai. Let Kaito go.
I walked into the class hall and found it’s interior looked similar to the front office building. It had wooden floors and maroon carpets, only this building was packed with students in their distinctive GFA uniforms. I would have given anything to get a picture, but I remembered the first time I tried, how nothing but a black screen showed.
Across the room, a girl with one long, yellow braid stared at me. Her arms were crossed, her face expressionless, but her demeanor was unkind. I ventured to wave, but she didn’t move. I passed through the hall, my eyes searching the classroom numbers for mine, when I saw a second girl with a similar scowl. Then another and another, until it felt like every girl at GFA had a bone to pick with me. Was it in my head? Had my nerves gotten the best of me? I rushed through the hallway in hopes that my classroom would offer salvation and hurried in, although most students seemed to be chatting outside the classrooms, waiting for the bell.
The classroom was ordinary in size and shape but had a row of large windows on one side that stretched from the floor to the incredibly high ceilings. The morning light that poured in instantly quelled my nerves. I sat at an empty desk by the window. There were four other students already seated, a girl who doodled in her notebook and three guys who seemed half asleep. My stomach dropped when the girl with the yellow braid walked in, her eyes immediately locking on me. I turned and looked out the window with the hope that she’d leave me alone, but to my dismay, she sat down beside me.
Ignoring her, I scanned the courtyard outside, watching late students jog toward the school’s front steps.
“So you’re Reina?” a voice said.
I turned to the girl. “Yes, and you are?”
“Not impressed.”
I shook my head. “Have I offended you?”
She grinned as if she’d been hoping I’d ask. “I guess it’s your sense of entitlement.”
“What?”
“This school has a hierarchy and you completely disregard it.”
Oh boy. “I can actually feel myself getting dumber from this conversation.”
“Oden Gates is an Elite Noble. First in our class and king of the school. You’re just a Serf. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll back off.”
“And he’ll realize you’re more his speed.”
I could see the wicked retort brewing in her smug face. “Actually,” she said, “I feel inadequate because, even without a known gift, you’ve captured the attention of my crush who I know will never want me, especially when I do petty shit like this.” Her eyes bulged.
What the fuck? I couldn’t say I expected that, but the look on the girl’s face said she wasn’t expecting to say that either.
A tall figure walked into the classroom. “Please refrain from using your gift outside of the assigned zones, Ms. Bennett. Even if they’re well deserved by your victim.”
32
Kaito
I tapped
mindlessly on my desk as my history professor droned on. It wasn’t that the topic itself wasn’t interesting, it was. It was boring because, as the most perplexing time in human history, it was the era that every history class always focused on. It was like the time before gifts never even happened. Everyone knew that gifts first popped up nearly two hundred years ago, that the government had been struggling ever since to reform the laws to accommodate the vast variety of them, and that gifts in highly populated areas tended to be stronger, but what irked me the most was the syllabus outlined the Fae who emerged and the enemies they faced like they weren’t already such legends, that every man, woman, and child knew the stories inside out.
“Kaito Nakamaru,” the professor said, drawing my attention. “Your thoughts?” I searched the screen behind her for clues, which read only Population: 8 million.
“I’m sorry?”
“Why do you think the gifts are usually stronger in areas of high population?”
“The official consensus is that there is no connection between the higher population and the gift a person receives. The higher population gives proportionally more opportunity for powerful gifts to emerge.”
The class giggled.
“We’ve already been over the official consensus. I’m wondering if you have another theory?”
I scanned the class. “Why me?”
“Mr. Nakamaru, if you’re not going to participate, I wonder why you bothered to come.”
A hand shot up and I turned to see Zane Blaque in the back row. His blue hair looked brighter against the maroon of his blazer. “I think it’s like a disease,” he said, without waiting for the teacher’s permission.
The professor raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. Do elaborate.”
Zane smiled. “Although humans and especially Fae enjoy and benefit greatly from their gifts, they have similar properties to a disease. They develop slightly different symptoms person to person, not everyone catches it, and the effects are stronger in highly populated areas.”
The Fae & The Fallen: Gifted Fae Academy - Year One Page 11