The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 31

31

Doctor Wagner quickly expelled Astrid and me from his infirmary. He seemed pissed that we wasted his time with some scrapes and bruises, but it was a relief to me that we didn’t sustain any worse injuries. Despite my dislike for my classmate, I didn’t actually wish her harm.

We lingered at the exit of the infirmary, hesitant on where to go from there.

“I… I’m going back to the dormitory.”

Astrid tried to scratch her head, but her newly-bandaged wrist didn’t let her move her fingers properly. Her pinky was sprained, but as Wagner said, that would hardly kill her. He seemed a little sad about it too.

“Me too.” I pulled the last cotton ball from my nose and with the lack of a bin, put it in my pocket. It was a little comical to have Pickles’ food in my nose, but it helped to stop my nosebleed. I’d just had to make sure to throw these clothes in the washer later so the blood wouldn’t leave permanent stains.

My stomach gurgled loudly and to no surprise. I’d missed lunch and dinner.

“You’re hungry too, huh?” Astrid said, her tone a lot softer than it had been all day.

I nodded. “Yeah. I can’t believe I missed gravlax day. I was really looking forward to that salmon.”

“Me too. Listen…” She turned to me, a frown carved into her forehead. “I was a real ass.”

“You don’t say.”

A guilty blush reddened her cheeks. “I’m pretty competitive.”

“Pretty competitive?”

“As you know, I grew up with ten siblings and I had to fight for my place. If I wasn’t the best, my parents wouldn’t notice me. I guess… I guess I’ve been competing with you for Flavia’s attention, but that wasn’t fair of me.”

“It’s not just your fault. I did hide the vial. You were right to tell her.” I gripped the door and considered just never moving again. Walking and talking at the same time was just torture.

“I shouldn’t have been such a b***h about it though.”

“Yeah, you could’ve handled that better.” I sighed. Now that the rush of adrenaline was ebbed away, the fight seemed so stupid. I overreacted and that was on me. “But I should’ve handled it better too.”

“You’re just so damn perfect.”

“Hah. Are you serious?” As soon as we stepped outside and the wind blew around my ears, I could feel some of my strength return.

“Yeah. You’ve got all these awesome powers, you’ve been at the Gates. Dude, you even saw Valhalla. That’s been my dream for years!”

“Mine too.” I chuckled. “Don’t be so impressed with me. I didn’t actually open the Gates myself. Another Valkyrie arrived and that’s how I got a glimpse.”

Astrid’s expression changed. “So you didn’t actually open the Gates yourself?”

“No.”

“Why didn’t you say?”

I grimaced at the memory. “I don’t know. I guess I just liked how everyone was looking at me. Like I wasn’t a failure. It wasn’t just any Valkyrie. It was my mother. She showed up with a soul, she barely looked at me. Trust me, I don’t need to have ten siblings to be invisible to my parents.”

Astrid nodded. “That’s rough.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s hard, isn’t it? Living up to a great legacy.”

I nodded. “Almost impossible.”

“I just want to make my mother proud. I didn’t think you’d understand, but you do.” She brushed some of her hair out of her face and straightened her back. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

My grimace turned into a faint smile. “I shouldn’t have lied.”

“That’s right.”

She patted me on the shoulder, slapping my lungs out. I choked on my spittle and yelped in pain. If Doctor Wagner hadn’t checked out my chest, I’d have been certain some of my ribs were broken. He said it was just some bruising.

Astrid snorted. “Oops.”

“Ass.”

“Liar.”

“You’re not too bad.”

I drew a sharp breath, wincing at how badly it hurt. “That makes one of us. You’re terrible.”

As we arrived at the dorm, we exchanged a knowing look and parted with a smile. I went to my room with a beaten body and bruised bones, but it was worth it. I saved my friendship with Flavia and Astrid and I understood each other just a little better. Maybe it wouldn’t be impossible for us to be friends after all.

I pushed into our room, ready to lie down on my bed and never move again. I tipped my shoes off and shuffled through the small entry where I was greeted by a curious dust bunny.

“Hey, Pickles.”

“Hfff?”

“I’m fine.”

“Ylva? Is that you?” Ryoko’s voice called.

Further into the room, I found my girlfriend seated at her desk, lost in one of her books. The small desk light framed her beautifully and I smiled, even if it hurt.

She was a sight for sore eyes.

“I’m back.” I collapsed on my bed, relieved to finally be on a soft surface. The dip of the mattress, the heavy curls of the blanket, it was just sheer perfection for my battered body.

Only when she heard me groan, she looked up from her book and gasped. “What happened to you?”

“I got into a fight.”

“What? With who?” Dark smoke curled from her nostrils and her eyes flashed a deep gold. “Who did this to you?”

“No, it’s fine.” I readjusted my pillow so it supported my side. “Astrid and I just had a… A disagreement.”

She rushed over to my side and climbed on the bed with me. “Ylva!”

“It’s alright. Truly. You should’ve seen her,” I joked.

“Is this why you missed dinner?”

“Yeah. Astrid was busy pushing me off the stairs.”

“What?!”

“Kidding. Kind of. We fell.”

“You fell down the stairs?”

I nodded, but quickly decided against it. That hurt.

“Oh, Ylva...” She stroked my hair, a worried but bemused smile flickering across her face. “You should be more careful, please?”

“I’ll try.” I groaned as I pushed myself up. My bruises were hurting, but I knew that the real stiffness would only set in tomorrow.

More concern flashed through Ryoko’s eyes. “You shouldn’t move.”

“But then I can’t do this.” I snaked my arm around her and pulled her closer for a kiss.

My girlfriend chuckled against my lips, the warm vibration chasing the last of my frustration away.

“Have you eaten yet?” Ryoko questioned as she caressed my face.

“No, but that’s alright.”

“Don’t be silly.” She pressed a soft kiss on my lips, lingering for only a second, before pulling away. “I’ll make you some food.”

“You don’t have to.”

She chuckled softly. “I want to. Please.”

There was no use in protesting. She’d take care of me even if the world was ending. All I could do was fold my arms under my head, allow my body to rest, and enjoy the moment. Even beaten to a pulp, I had a beautiful girlfriend that looked at me like I had the whole universe in my eyes.

Life at the Academy was pretty good. I just wanted it to stay like this forever.