The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 8

8

“You’ve got a big smile on your face.” Aellyn scratched her pointy ears and a leafy tendrils back. “Why is that?”

“Oh, no specific reason.” I willed the corners of my mouth down, hiding the bubbly excitement fluttering in my chest.

Across the dining hall, I could see Ryoko sitting with her gang of Dragons. They were all chattering and happily laughing. I assumed. They had this weird habit of holding up their hand when they laughed, or ate, or talked.

Even so, through the crowd, I caught my roommate’s eye and we exchanged a knowing glance. The memory of her lips on mine still lingered and brought all the feelings from last night to the surface.

“There. Right there,” Aellyn cut in. “What’s that smile?”

I broke the eye contact with Ryoko and drew my attention back to my table. “Come again?”

“You’re smiling like a loon.”

I couldn’t tell her, or anyone, about Ryoko. If it came out I was kissing my Dragon roommate, I’d be shunned even more than I already was. And so would she.

To avoid saying anything, I loudly jammed my fork into the potato salad. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Yum. The food is delicious today.”

The Wood Elf pulled up an eyebrow. “It’s no different than any other day.”

“Are you sure? Mmm, it’s good.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Mmm-mmm.” I waved my fork around and took a big gulp of my drink. “So, what’s new with you?”

“Nothing, much.”

“Did I miss any interesting classes while I was, umm, sick?”

At least, that was the rumour that’d been going around. I hadn’t talked to Flavia or Oda yet, so I couldn’t be sure. But that was really the only thing that’d explain my absence. Of course, that hadn’t worked on Ryoko. And I was glad it didn’t.

The pink-haired Wood Elf took another bite from her salad. “No, not really. Professor Brynhild gave us some theory about shadow catzels? We have homework due on them.”

“Really? We’re having homework? I thought they were too busy for that.”

Aellyn shrugged. “I don’t know, there has been more class than last semester. She said it was going to count for a good part of our grade.”

“Alright then, I’ll have to do some studying on my own. What is a shadow catzel?”

“Black cats with some white fluff on their chest. They hang around Banshees. She did say she was going to bring one to our next class.”

“Cool. I guess? Why are we learning about Banshee pets?”

She shrugged. “Because there are no wolves to learn about?”

I facepalmed my head. “Duh. How could I forget that.”

“Funny.” Her face suddenly changed. “Twelve o’clock.”

“Is it that late already?”

“No, I meant, look at twelve o’clock. Your other Wind Children friends just walked in.”

I followed her gaze to the small cluster of girls parading through the tables. With Flavia’s fair head at the front, they strode to their usual seat and dominated the middle of the dining hall.

Even if they were my friends, I was still intimidated by them.

“They’re not all bad,” I said, wondering if I should go over there. I assumed Flavia and Oda would be glad to know I was okay, but maybe they’d rather talk to me in private? But then, just before the whole Veil disappearance thing happened, they did invite me to sit with them. Publically.

“Yeah, I heard about the Reaper thing… Last week.”

“Oh, right. That.” I straightened my back and ignored the twang of hurt. “I’m over it.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t around.”

“It’s fine. I don’t need a knight in shining armour.” I shoved the last potato in my mouth and pushed my plate away. “I’m going to go say hi to the girls, but I’ll see you in class?”

Aellyn pulled a weird face, but didn’t protest. “Okay.”

“Alright. See you there.”

“Yeah, sure.”

That was a bit odd, but ehh, the Wood Elf was odd.

Nervous, I crossed through the scattered tables. Little cliques of Banshees on the left, and a long row of enthusiastic Angels and Guardians on the right. Not that they were a problem. They all kept nicely to themselves and didn’t stir up any trouble.

No, trouble was the middle name of the Reapers hanging in the corner. I didn’t pass them, but I was vulnerable in the sea of tables. Not yet at the Valkyrie table and away from Aellyn, who was, by all means, still an Elf. Even if it was odd that she wasn’t taking the usual Reaper course, they still seemed to respect her enough to leave her alone. And me, when I was with her.

My heart beat fast until I reached the safe zone of Wind Children territory. All the lines were invisible, but everybody knew where they were.

“Hey.” I waved at the main table, hoping I hadn’t overstepped.

Flavia looked up, her face turning ashen. “Ylva?”

“That’s my name.”

“Oh my goodness.” She knocked over her chair as she rushed towards me. Before I knew what was happening, she pulled me into a tight hug that squeezed the wind out of me. “You’re okay!”

“I am.”

Her face beamed as she patted my arms. “You’re really here. Damn, I thought we lost you. I mean… You were so sick.”

Right, the lie. I had to remember to pretend I just recovered from my illness.

I fake coughed a little. “Yes, I’m feeling much better.”

Oda rose from her seat and awkwardly patted my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

I knew we weren’t the closest, but I wanted to believe we were semi-friends. She sounded sincere, so I must’ve been right.

Flavia shot me another relieved smile before she regained her usual composure. The kindness made way for her commanding sternness that intimidated pretty much everyone she met. “Come to my room after class. We have lots to discuss.”

Eek. I was supposed to go back into the forest and meet up with Var. But then… Time moved differently in the forest and surely, I could see my friends before I met up with him again. If I didn’t take too long, it should be fine. Right?

“I will.” My eyes darted over the big clock hanging over the entrance of the dining hall. “Oh, I’ve got to go. Professor Brynhild doesn’t like people being late.”

A bemused look passed Flavia’s face. “No, she does not.”

Reassured and a little more confident than before, I strode away from the table. If the Reapers thought about taking me on, they probably changed their mind after seeing me talk to Flavia and her squad.

Not even they were stupid enough to take on Flavia. Well, except Sim. But he only seemed interested in her.

Huh. Maybe I wasn’t the only one having interelemental fun?

No… Flavia would never do an Elf… Would she?

Interesting thought. I’d have to hold on to that.

As I left the dining hall and marched through the winding corridors, rapid footsteps sounded behind me.

My entire body heated up in slight panic. Those weren’t the Reaper bullies coming to ambush me, right? Who else would chase me down the hallway?

Not daring to look back, I accelerated my pace. If I could get out of the building and into Valkyrie territory, they might just leave me alone. It was a shame the side building leading to the dorm was a neutral zone.

Even as I went faster, the footsteps behind me quickened too. Whoever they were, they really wanted to catch up with me. But looking behind me would just let them know I was onto them. If I ran, they’d catch on too and chase after me. And if the Reapers caught me where there were no witnesses… That couldn’t end well at all.

What were my options? What were my options? Run? Fight? Just take the beating?

No, I couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t. I wasn’t going to be another coward again. There was nobody else to blame but me for what I let happen.

Maybe it was time to face the music and stand up for myself. From the sound, it was only one other person. Even if it was the mean girl, I could take her. Or I’d go down trying.

Yes, I’d hold my ground. Right here, on the edge of Valkyrie dorm territory. It was my best shot of actually getting this to stop.

With all the courage I could muster, I turned around, fists balled and ready to get into a scrap. “What do you want!?”

“Woah. It’s just me.”

“Ryoko?” All the panic fell away and made room for a different kind of stress. What was she doing here?

I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into one of the nooks of the corridor. “What are you doing?”

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Here, in public? Are you crazy?” I quickly checked around, making sure there wasn’t anyone who could hear or see us.

The Dragon shrugged. “We’re alone.”

“Can’t it wait until we’re in our room?”

“It can.” She walked two fingers up my arm, her touch tickling and soft. “But isn’t this more exciting?”

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess… It’s more like an adventure?”

Her dark eyes shimmered. “Exactly.”

“You’re impossible.” Despite myself, a chuckle bubbled up in me. “But seriously, people can’t know about this.”

“This?” Her lips tugged into a smile. “So this is a this?”

“Now, hold on. That’s, that’s not what I said.” I stuttered, caught off guard.

The girl tweaked an eyebrow, her smile turning into a smirk. “That’s kind of what you said.”

“No, not exactly.”

Stars sparkled in her eyes as she pressed her lips on my cheek. “Yes, exactly.”

Her kiss tickled against my skin, drawing all kinds of feelings to the surface. But as nice as it felt, worry overrode them easily.

“Ryoko… We’re still in public. Anyone could see us.”

“Isn’t that the fun part?”

“But—” Temporarily distracted by the soft pecks, I lost myself in the flutters in my chest. Everything was so light, so warm when I was with her.

Despite all the issues that could arise from being caught together, I relished in the moment for just a second longer. She had fire in her eyes, and it burned brighter than anything I’d ever witnessed. And when she looked at me, when she touched me, I felt that same fire in my gut. I felt it in my stomach, deep within my stomach. It whispered, it breathed, it seduced me.

She was magic, temptation, adventure.

Throwing all caution to the wind, I pressed her into the hidden nook of the wall. My hands found her hips, her arms surrounded my waist. Her lips burned hot, her breath scalding on mine. She was fire and heat embodied, all consuming and ragingly passionate, yet somehow tender and gentle at the same time.

Her kiss made me feel alive, filled me with excitement and wonder. I’d never been kissed like that. Something about it just… It clicked, it fit. We fit. Even if we shouldn’t make sense, right now, we did. Her, me, we made sense. After all, there was no fire without wind.

Breathlessly, I pulled out of the kiss and stared into her dark eyes. She was beautiful and I didn’t understand how I hadn’t noticed before. Her arms were so comforting, soothing. I could stay here forever.

Shit. Except that I couldn’t.

“This was all amazing, Ryoko, but I have to go.”

“Really? That’s it? You’re running away?”

“No, I’ve got class. My teacher will kill me if I’m late.” I pressed another quick kiss on her lips, hoping to reassure her.

“We still need to talk, though. You owe me an explanation for the past week.”

“I know, I know, but now is not the time.”

“Later, after hours?”

I smoothed out my shirt and tie, trying to erase any evidence of our make-out session. I didn’t want anyone to look at me and know what I’d been up to.

“Ylva?”

“Yes, we’ll talk later. Late, though. I need to talk to Flavia as well.” As soon as I mentioned her name, Ryoko’s face fell. Damn it, I shouldn’t have said that.

“Why? You just spent a whole week with her.”

“No, I didn’t. I’ll explain. Later, I promise. Okay?”

She straightened her own tie. “Fine.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything.”

“Just go.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned her back to me and marched towards our dorms.

“Bye!” I called after her, but she pretended she didn’t hear me.

Stupid me and my stupid, big mouth. Why did I have to ruin a perfectly good moment?

Ack. I didn’t even have time to chase after her. Professor Brynhild would really murder me if I was late. And I really couldn’t afford more problems at the school.

With a sigh, I took a last glance at Ryoko’s back and hurried in the opposite direction, towards the Barn. To learn about shadow catzels or something. If I managed to keep my mind off of Ryoko.