The Forsaken

Chapter 4: Parent’s Day

I dreamt again my third night, but it was different than the last two. The same woman was walking down a large hall, her robe sashaying as she walked. Suddenly, there were male voices and a door began to open, so she quickly hid behind a pillar. Two men walked out, with one man blocking the other from my view.

I saw one man’s back his long white hair nearly touching the floor. “No, we will not be joining you for the crowning ceremony, but I am sure you already knew that,” he said. The other voice chuckled eerily and said, “Oh, Michael, can I call you that? I just wanted to be polite. It appears you angels have a lot to learn from us.”

The white-haired gentleman scoffed, “No, it is Saint Michael to you and that is unlikely. Return to Hell at once, Lucifer, your kind isn’t welcome here.”

The man walked away and I was able to get a look at the other man in the conversation. He was exceptionally tall and had black hair parted down the middle. I noticed his chiseled features immediately and was surprised by his attire. Instead of robes, he wore a black cape that covered his entire body, only outlining his strong shoulders. When it was clear the older man had left, the younger man let out a sigh and pulled out an old-fashioned cigarette. 

“You may have fooled him, but I can feel your presence. Reveal yourself to me at once,” he announced unsuccessfully trying to light his cigarette and the dream came to an end.

I woke up to the beam of fresh sunlight through my curtain-less windows and a snoring Kayla. Immediately my thoughts on my dream was replaced with the memory of the homework I was supposed to do. I groaned and threw back the covers, then quietly tiptoed to the desk to begin my assignments. 

I was finishing up the last sentence of my Religions essay when Kayla finally woke up. 

"God, I need a coffee... and possibly a trash can."

She immediately hopped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to face the repercussions of a hangover. 

"Of course... I would... do this...," she croaked between words, "... with... Parent's Day today-"

She continued to throw up, but my ears were now wide open as I turned to face the open bathroom. 

"Parent's Day?"

She took a few more seconds before uttering, "Yeah, the campus sets up a large feast so the parents can visit the students. Who knows, maybe you'll meet Nithael's parents?" 

She wiggled her eyebrows at me and then immediately went back to the toilet bowl. 

“Great. Now everyone can know that I don't have any family to visit,” I mumbled.

I saved my last update to Google Docs and shut my laptop. 

"Do you want me to get you anything?" I called after her, throwing on a change of clothes and sliding on a pair of shoes. 

"No, I'll be fine... Actually, I could really use a Gatorade... You know, to replace some electrolytes."

I walked to the doorframe of the bathroom and saw Kayla lying on the cold tiles.

"Alright, I'll be right back. I'm going to head to the Cafeteria and grab you one."

She gave me a silent thumbs up before deflating back to the ground. As I walked out of the door, Nithael was pushing the elevator button. 

"Wait for me!" I called, not wanting to wait the ungodly amount of time it takes for an elevator to come back up. 

He turned to me and gave me a huge grin as I ran to him. My heart began to pound a bit faster the closer I got wondering if we would mention last night or not.

"Why, good morning there, Asura. You look like you're in quite the hurry. Ground floor?"

"Yes, please, and I suppose I am. I'm just picking up some Gatorade for Kayla's hangover," I replied stepping into the elevator. 

Realizing we weren’t, I relaxed a little in both gratitude and disappointment as he clicked for Level 1 on the panel. 

"Ah, the joys of alcohol. I feel as through I'm missing out on so much."

His sarcasm made me giggle. 

"You seriously don't drink? How old are you?"

He shifted the weight on his feet and cleared his throat. 

"I am 22 and yes, seriously. I don't want my thinking to be impaired in any way, so I stay away from things of that nature."

As we descended, our conversation ceased to exist. A part of me admired him for his insight, but the other part of me felt as though he was almost too good and that I couldn't measure up to such character. As if reading my mind, he quickly added,

"But I don't mind if others do! I just personally don't- my parents are very strict on the matter."

The elevator doors opened to reveal the ground floor and we continued out of the main doors of the lobby. 

"Are they coming today?" I said, instantly regretting the intrusiveness of my comment. He didn't respond instantly, but instead left a silence as if it was a sensitive topic. 

"My mother will be down, but not for very long. She usually just comes by my room and catches up with me before returning home."

"Why not your father?"

Asura, that could be personal! Think before you ask such questions!

Before I could intercept to apologize, he shrugged, "He's busy. I don't mind it much- he has an important job."

Every part of me wanted to ask what his father did for a living that was so important, but I figured I asked enough questions. 

"Well, I'm headed a different direction than you, so I guess I'll be on my way. Tell Kayla 'Hello' for me." 

He offered me a smile and headed to the left, while I sauntered to the right towards the Cafeteria. 

~~~~~~~

"You're a real life saver, you know that?" Kayla said swallowing a pain reliever and following it up with a swig of Gatorade. 

"Don't mention it," I waved off, tying my hair into a bun and opening the book I was working on. 

She began to get dressed, running back and forth through the room, before stopping to turn to me. 

"It's almost 1:00. Aren't you going to the feast?"

"With what parents?" I said under my breath and shook my head no. 

Her phone buzzed and she read it before tying her shoes quickly. 

"Well, I have to go because my parent's are here, but if you go for anything, make it the food. This meal is bomb- I think it's to show the parents how 'great we've got it here' or whatever, but I wouldn't miss it for the world... Just, consider it." Her eyes glistened and she smiled a genuine smile before heading out the door. 

After an hour of reading, my stomach growled  to interrupt my train of thought. I thought about the praise Kayla gave the food and decided I would hurriedly grab a plate and bring it back to my room. Sliding off my bed and back into my shoes, I walked out of the door and back towards the Caf. 

The boring Cafeteria that I had visited just hours before was now decorated immensely and a buffet table was lined with delicious-looking food. Roasted honey-glazed ham on one corner down to fresh toasted rolls at the other. I quickly got in line and reached for a plate when someone snatched it out from under me. 

"Hey!" I called, looking up to see the culprit. My mouth dropped and my eyebrows furrowed. 

"You..."

Daemon threw me a devilish smile. 

"Me."

I reached for another plate and turned my attention to the unmoving line. 

"What are you doing here? I don't see any unclaimed parents around here," he said, mockingly. 

"You could only know that if you've been watching me," I hissed back and watched his face turn a bit red. 

"For you to insinuate I care anything for your pathetic life is amusing. I only care to remind you to stay out of my way."

He positioned his body in front of me in line and I subtlety stepped on his toe. 

"Ah!" He cried out and I sashayed past him, smiling. 

"Oops."

"You're a brat, Asura and I’ve been easy on you because you reminded me of someone I used to care about, but that empathy has run out." He angrily breathed into my face and it sent chills up my spine. His eyes were very dark and almost danced with rage. His jaw tightened, outlining his chiseled face and I felt myself feeling dizzy in his gaze. 

"Son, is there a problem?"

A hand laid on his shoulder and my eyes tore to the owner. 

"No, Father, it's nothing." Daemon growled still focused on me. 

My mouth dropped in realization of the man above him being his father. The man had eyes that matched his sons with graying hair combed over and five o’ clock shadow on his face. I wasn’t much of a woman who liked older men, but if I had to choose, I would’ve chosen him. 

"Well, I'll be damned," his father breathed, eyeing me up and down. "Zephyr, it's been so long, how have you been?"

Daemon's eyes widened as he corrected his father. 

"Father, you must be mistaken, this is Asura. Zephyr must've died years ago by now," Daemon said with a confused look. 

Natas just smiled sweetly and clasped his hands together. 

"Oh, yes, my apologies."

“Really- a third time?” I thought to myself. My eyes darted to Daemon who looked at his father quizzically and then began to look at me with the same expression. 

"Oh, I suppose you don't know me. I go by the name Natas," he said, lifting my hand as the S slithered into my ears. He gently kissed it, sending a heat into my veins. I quickly pulled my hand away and forced a smile. 

"It was nice meeting you, but I'm really just here for the food."

The line had almost cleared and I was still standing by the plates, holding up the people behind me. I turned on my heel and began to load my plate with things I wanted to take back to my room. As I walked out of the banquet, I noticed Natas staring at me with the same grin and eyes that Daemon usually had, but Daemon's eyes began to widen as if in realization of something. 

“They truly are related,” I muttered  

~~~~

The rest of the weekend and Monday went by as a blur. I found myself unable to think straight between assignments, writing, and my own intrusive thoughts. I was so afraid of running into another unnecessary figure, I just stayed in my dorm and declined every notion to leave proposed by Kayla. 

"Asura and Daemon"

My thoughts were interrupted by my Philosophy teacher forming the groups for the upcoming assignment. My head instinctively turned to Daemon who looked angrily between him and me before rolling his eyes. The blonde beside him gave a pout and was whispering into his ear. I turned back around and thought about the assignment. 

“What was this week about? Oh, right, the principles of religion- more specifically Christianity- just like in my Religions class. We're suppose to do a project on the philosophical difference of angels and demons- to show the yin and yang of everything. But how am I going to work with someone on a project when I can't stand to even look at him? He's arrogant, self-centered, and-“ 

"I'm not happy about this any more than you are."

I looked up to see everyone already leaving class and Daemon standing with his arms crossed in front of me. Hurriedly placing my things in my book bag, I tried to ignore him. 

"Listen, you can't just ignore me. I'm your partner, remember?" He said tauntingly and I let out a sigh. 

"Fine, but after this, I want you to stay away from me. You're nothing but an arrogant asshole and I mean it when I say I want no part of it."

I jabbed my finger into his chest and pushed past him, towards the door. 

"Come by my penthouse tonight to work on it, Brat," he called after me, "I'd send you the address, but you've been there before."

I could hear his grin in his tone as my face turned red. Those within feet of us heard the insinuation and began whispering followed by quiet laughter. 

When I made it to Philosophy, Kayla was already seated and waved when I came into the room. I quickly sat beside her. 

"What's wrong?"

"I have a big problem."

She looked around and lowered her voice to a whisper. 

"What happened?"

"Daemon," I sighed, "I'm gonna be a little late tonight because he's my partner for an assignment we're working on."

Kayla covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. 

"No way! I thought you hated him?"

"I do," I said through gritted teeth. "The pairs were chosen."

Kayla's eyes widened and she shook her head, smiling.

"This should be interesting."

~~~~~~

I sat in the back of the taxi and played with the hem of my shirt. Kayla had given me some ripped jeans and a tank top to wear for the night since my attire was "way underdressed" according to her. I explained countless times he wasn't someone I cared to impress, but her persistence eventually won me over. 

We pulled up to the same hotel I had been at that weekend and I handed the driver his total plus some. When I stepped out, the chilling wind of the night air pricked my skin. I felt an eerie suspense as I followed the host behind the curtain once more. 

"He's waiting for you, Asura," The host had said when I walked in and it replayed in my head as I went up the elevator, giving my stomach a light feeling. 

“He's waiting for me,” I said quietly.

The elevator signaled that I had arrived and opened to reveal Daemon looking out of the large wall/window. He turned around and I felt my knees go weak at the sight of him. His dark hair was messy and damp as if he had just stepped out of the shower. His black dress shirt hugged his body, giving me access to see every line of muscle he maintained. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal tattooed arms and a gold watch. My eyes looked him over before making eye contact with him. His eyes were bright and his mouth was slightly open, as if surprised by my appearance. I blushed and sat my things down on the kitchen island, taking out a notepad and pencil. 

"Did you dress up for me?" He mocked, walking over to the island and leaning beside me. 

"If only you were so lucky,” I smirked and he chuckled back at me, licking his lips to wet them as he stepped closer to me, trapping my body between him and the kitchen island. 

“I actually kind of enjoy when you tease me like that.”

“Wh-what are you doing?” I asked, feeling his dominance over me. 

He let out a deep chuckle and then quickly grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. I could smell his amber musk cologne and felt intoxicated by it. His grip was strong, but his eyes made me tremble. They were bright- piercing through me and coursing through my veins.

“Perhaps I tease you to make it easier to restrain myself from you.”

My heartbeat was so loud, I was sure he could hear it: His eyes focused on my lips and became tender. He was soon inches away from my face and, regardless of my annoyance with him, I yearned for more. My eyes fluttered shut before opening quickly as laughter penetrated the air. 

"I knew you wanted me."

My face immediately reddened and I folded my arms. 

"If you’re not going to work on the assignment, I’m going to leave.”

"I don’t think that’s really what you want to do though,” he said grinning, and I began to pack my things.

“Wait!” He called out, grabbing my wrist to keep me from walking away. I turned around and noticed his eyes were round and nearly innocent if I didn’t know any better, as if he really wanted me to stay.

“I’ll behave.”

We stood like that for a moment, before I relaxed and sat my things back down on the counter. “You get one more chance, but that’s it! And I’m only doing this for the assignment!” I lied. 

“Okay, well why don’t you start us off then. I’d love to hear your angel analyses anyways,” he smirked.

I cleared my throat and began to read some notes I had taken.