The Forsaken

Chapter 3: Ereh Si Lived

I couldn't help but to take the occasional glance past my canvas and my assignment. We were suppose to be working on the composition of a fruit bowl, but with Nithael directly across from me, it made it hard to focus. I don't think he noticed me considering how invested he was in his own painting. He took one long look at the bowl in the beginning and never looked back- just painting vigorously with precision and quickness. 

My own painting seemed quite disappointing. My mind kept wandering to our conversation last night and I'd soon find orange apples and red oranges due to my lack of focus. I glanced at my neighbor's to find a nearly completed painting and quickly began to work on my shading. 

I glanced back up at Nithael and he still hadn't so much as looked up from his canvas. 

“Was this the same man I had spoken with?” I mumbled in disbelief.

Shaking my head, I put all of my focus into my art and cleared any thoughts I had. With my  newfound mindset, my painting began to thrive until it mimicked the placement in front of me just in time for the timer to ring out. 

"Right in front of this board, there are magnets. Take one or two and put your paintings side by side, so we can all discuss them!" 

Kay watched us hang our paintings and led discussions about each. I noticed that all others were beautiful in their own unique way. Each artist had a signature style that none other matched and I was intrigued by all of them. 

"Now this one looks nearly like a photograph," Kay soothed about the very last painting. There was a bit of anonymity in regards to which painting belonged to who and I hadn't seen who posted it up. 

"Very well done," she concluded before instructing us of our homework due Monday. I blinked quizzically and relieved at the realization it was Friday. Classes always start midweek and so I was finally nearing the weekend. 

"Remember: three objects where shading is important. I want them all in what you will consider your sketchbook for the semester and come Monday morning, for you to leave them on my desk so I can grade them. Any questions?" 

Kay scanned the room for hands, but we were too busy putting things away to stall class any longer. 

I looked up from my backpack just in time to see Nithael looking at me and I offered a slight smile to him. He grinned wide and shook a fallen piece of hair from his face and further gathered his belongings. To hide my blushing face, I decided to rush to my next class, so there was no chance of talking. 

I passed through those in the hallway and decided to keep my head down. 

Taking a seat in one of the rows, I sat my things down and pulled out my Religions notebook. While flipping to a clean sheet of paper, the professor cleared his throat and began. 

"Last class we talked about the different considerations of how the world began. It became clear to me that many of you knew certain things about each and you all varied in belief systems. We spent the entire first class in a lecture, so I'm allowing an early release today with the expectation of an essay due this upcoming Monday."

I could tell that some of the class was thrilled to not have a lecture as they immediately packed their things, while others were hanging on to the weekend homework being assigned. 

"This will be an easy essay, 2-3 pages, where you describe yourself- where are you from, what's your major, what's your belief system, but then I want you to explore why you believe those things. Did someone teach it to you? Did you learn on your own? What makes you so sure yours is right? Would you sleep well at night if there was no afterlife? Explore your belief system and explain it to me, so I can get a better understanding of you. You can only fail this assignment if you don't try."

Silent seconds surpassed the class until he finally clapped and wished us well. Unbelieving of my luck, I hurriedly packed my things and made my way to my dorm room before the professor could change his mind. 

"Oh, good, you're here!" Kayla smiled as she curled a piece of her hair. I let the door shut behind me and began unloading my backpack onto my bed. 

"Why, did I miss something?" I asked wondering why my presence was of any significance. 

"It's the senior party," she yelled from the bathroom, "Every senior starts off the first Friday of the semester with a huge party! Drinks, dancing, hot boys, it's literally like a dream come true."

I laughed and began to take off my shoes. 

"That doesn't sound like my kind of scene."

She peaked her head out from the doorframe. 

"Fun isn't your scene?"

I pursued my lips and she pouted hers. She had spent time introducing me to her friends and I felt she genuinely cared about my experience here at this new place. She was a true friend to me and I felt myself giving in to her proposition. 

"Fine," I groaned, "but I'm only going for you."

She gave a triumphant squeal and went back into the bathroom. 

"This is going to be great! Also, you may want to start getting ready now."

"It's not even 3?"

"I take forever to get ready, plus, you still need to get ready. You have to bring your A-game- you never know who you're going to meet!" 

I bit my lip at the thought of my options in my closet. Of the seven outfits I brought, none screamed "party", so I opted for what I was wearing and to do a light make-up touch-up. 

Kayla stepped out around 5:00 looking as if she was going to the busiest club in all of Washington. She curled her hair into a beautiful wave and wore a gold strapless dress with heals to match. Looking between myself and her, I couldn't help but to feel a little embarrassed and quickly continued my mascara. 

"Please for the love of God tell me you're changing."

I shrugged, "I wasn't expecting a party."

"Well, honey, if you don't ever have something you want to wear you can always go through my closet- I don't mind!"

I opened my mouth to protest, but she had already began going through her clothes. 

"We look about the same size and I have a ton of things I haven't even worn in here. She pulled out a black dress on a hanger and held it up to me. 

"I bought this because I liked it in the store, but wasn't feeling it as much when I got home. You should wear this one- I think it would really make your eyes pop and you can even keep it."

I shook my head and pleaded. 

"No, I couldn't possibly do that-"

"You can and you will; it's literally my job as a roommate to make sure you're looking your very best at parties."

She set it down on my bed and smiled evilly. 

"Besides, consider it my apology for doing your makeup like an i********: baddie tonight."

I gulped. 

"A what?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and couldn't even believe it was me. Kayla had straightened my hair and gave me an intense smoky eye makeover. Her short, black dress fit me perfectly and had thin little spaghetti straps that led to a straight line top. It hugged my curves and I tried to pretend that I didn't feel a little silly for dressing up so much. 

"You look amazing!" She said admiring her work and hurriedly handed me some black knee-high boots. 

"This always gets 'em," she winked. 

We had to take a taxi to an apartment complex downtown. When we arrived, I stepped out and looked at what seemed to be a never ending skyscraper. 

"'Come on, we don’t have all night!”

I shook my head and followed Kayla into the devilish dark lobby. Everything was lined in black and red, but it still seemed elegant, making me wonder why a college party would be held in a place so classical  

A host met us at the doorway and asked for a password. 

"Ereh si lived"

Kayla tongued and I wondered if it was a Latin phrase.

The host smiled at us and bowed before ushering us to an elevator hidden behind one of the thick red curtains. 

I tried to hide the disbelief on my face and followed Kayla into the now-opened elevator. The host bowed us goodbye and covered the elevator with the curtain once more. 

"Why the secret?" I whispered to Kayla, feeling a bit uncomfortable. 

She shrugged, "Just the way it's always been, I've heard."

The elevator continued up until it reached the penthouse and I couldn't believe the room when the doors had opened. 

People lined the walls and loud music erupted from the room. Windows replaced the opposite wall and I could see pieces of downtown below through the bustling crowd. Women danced on men and men held drinking contests. I immediately started yearning to be back home, but Kayla grabbed my hand and pulled me to to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of tequila and two red solo cups before filling them and pressing one to my chest. 

“Drink up!”

At first, I was hesitant, reflecting on how irresponsible I may look with being at a party in a foreign city, accompanied by a woman I barely knew, and surrounded by a bunch of strangers with no escape plan, but suddenly my thoughts interrupted me. “If you weren’t going to live life to the fullest, you should’ve stayed in the Midwest,” and the thoughts have me chills. There was no way I was going back there and if I was really going to see what Seattle had in store for me, I needed to stop saying no  

“Bottoms up,” I said uneasily before pouring the liquid into my mouth. The alcohol burned my throat and made me want to gag, but soon the notes of caramel masked my tongue and I began to enjoy the taste.

“Another?” Kayla asked and I felt the crowd around me watch to see how I would respond. Slowly, a grin formed across my face as I raised my now empty cup.

“Make it a double.”

One, two, three, four- one after the other until Kayla had joined a fraternity at a keg and I had just finished my seventh dance with some cute guy I bumped into after my fifth shot. I started to notice the room was getting a little fuzzy and decided I needed to lie down so that I could pull myself together. “H-hey, Kayla, I’m going to find a bathroom, okay? I’ll be right back!” I tried yelling over the music with little success.

“Okay, no problem! Do you want me to go with you?” She matched my volume.

I shook my head, just wanting the peace and tranquillity from being alone and she pointed down the hall.

“It’s down there, call me if you need anything though!”

I nodded quickly and began to push my way through the crowd to my safe haven. A couple blocked my way to embark on a make-out session and I quickly scooted past them and into the bathroom. I locked the door and immediately sat on the edge of the tub, trying not to throw up.

Through blurry vision and an upcoming headache, I noticed that the bathroom was quite beautiful. The countertop was a black marble and the walls were also black. Red and white accent pieces lined the sink and even the tub itself was a marble black. 

“Whoever is throwing this party: they have great taste,” I chuckled to myself before hanging my head.

Minutes passed and I finally decided it was time for me to head to bed. Knowing Kayla was having fun, I decided I would slip out on my own and catch a taxi back, texting her that I had left and for her to take her time. I straightened myself up and walked over to open the door.

“You’ve got this, just take it one step at a-“

I opened the door and immediately bumped into a much larger body blocking the doorframe. I looked up to see a man nearly 6'4 to my 5'6 glared down at me. 

"I don't remember inviting you to my party," Daemon growled, sobering me up just slightly. 

He leaned his arm against the doorframe, blocking my path. His black hair was tussled and his black dress shirt had been unbuttoned to show his clavicle. His orange eyes grew brighter as his eyes began to scan over my body. I felt my face grow hot and before I could stop my drunk self I blurted, "My eyes are up here, you know, asshole?"

His eyes flickered back to mine and a sly grin crossed his face. He leaned closer to me until his mouth was next to my ear and I felt goosebumps form on my skin.

"Trust me, I’m fully aware where your eyes are considering you look at me like you want to know what’s underneath these clothes every time you look at me.”

My eyes widened in slight realization that I did seem to eye him down every chance I got, but he continued on, “Besides I’m not interested in a girl like you."

He chuckled and leaned away before a sparkle met his eye. 

"You just look... familiar."

Forgetting my embarrassment, I rolled my eyes and folded my arms, "If I hear that one more time, I'm going to deck someone in the face. I just moved here for school a few days ago- you've never seen me before and I'm sure I would remember meeting a d**k like you."

He looked surprised, but then smiled a devilish grin. 

"You're most certainly not who I thought you were- she was much nicer."

Before I could speak, he turned back to the party and began walking away. 

"Leave," he called out, "And don't make me have to tell you twice."

Astonished by his audacity, I stood there for a moment with my thoughts.

“A girl like me? Please, what the hell is that supposed to mean? And nicer? I'm one of the nicest people I know!” I muttered to myself. I shook my thoughts away and decided to get out as quickly as possible. I pushed past the growing crowd and pushed the elevator button. It quickly opened and I pushed for the lobby floor before glancing at the crowd.

There was Daemon, in the center, vigorously making out with a girl I recognized from our Philosophy class. Her long blonde hair fell down her back and her hand rubbed against the crotch of his pants. His eyes opened to mine, as if he knew I was watching, and continued with the same passion. I couldn't pull myself to look away and stared into his now dark eyes, but he wouldn't look away either. We were challenging each other and neither wanted to back down, until the doors closed.

I shifted feet and tried to not look as uncomfortable as I felt. The elevator descended until it opened to reveal the curtain to the lobby. I pushed past it and walked to freedom. Outside, the cold air whipped at my skin and I held my hand up for a taxi. Cars continued to pass until a yellow cab pulled to the curb. I quickly threw myself in and explained where I needed to be before taking out my phone to text Kayla.

"I rannn into that ASShle demon or whatever and. he told. me to leave??? Idk but I left sooo yeah c you at hme I guesd”

After hitting send on my drunk text, I leaned my head against the backseat and closed my eyes, replaying the situation in my head.

“Why me? There was a ton of people in that party- he couldn't have possibly invited everyone and then to make-out with that girl in front of me? Kayla was right, I just need to stay away from him,” I reasoned with myself. I let out a sigh and thought about the homework I was going to get a head-start on until we arrived. I paid the driver and trudged my way back inside and up the elevator- desperate to change into loungewear and be alone after sobering up significantly on the way back.

The door opened and I began walking back to my room when I saw a familiar face sitting outside the door next to mine. He turned to see me and then quickly looked away.

"Hey," I announced, a little uncomfortable by his reaction.

"Hey," he said, still not looking at me. "I'm guessing you went to the party tonight?"

"Yeah, did you?"

He shook his head, "No, parties aren't really my thing."

I let out a light laugh.

"Yeah, they're not my thing either, hence why I left early."

I put my key up to the door to unlock and realized how "not in the mood" I was for homework. Without thinking, I turned to Nithael and asked, "Do you want to come in?"

He looked up at me and then glanced at what I was wearing and turned around again.

"I plan on changing if it helps, this was Kayla's anyways."

He looked back up at me and smiled. His warmness succumbed and encouraged me; I understood why people liked him as much as they did. There was nothing not to like about Nithael and I realized that more and more, each time we spoke.

"Sure."

My heart stopped in my chest. I couldn't believe the reality of the situation, but I quickly smiled back and opened my door. He stood up and followed me in, taking in my empty side of the room compared to Kayla's well decorated side.

"Don't judge, I've never been one for material things."

He laughed and said, "You should see mine."

I grabbed a change of clothes and excused myself to the bathroom before throwing on some sweatpants and a plain, short-sleeve shirt. When I came back out, Nithael was sitting on the edge of my bed and so I sat at the top.

"So, are you from around here?" I said, crossing my legs.

"Something like that," he mumbled, focusing hard on the pattern of my comforter. "What about you?"

"I'm from a small town in Missouri- nothing special."

The night continued with small talk and laughs as the hours dragged on. Time left me as our conversations occupied my mind and made me feel at ease. Painting, Seattle, interests- we shared them all and I felt closer to him than anyone else in this new city. Something about him made me want to open up and fill every empty space within me with joy.

"So, what brings you out here?" he said through laughter from our last discussion over the best sci-fi comics.

My laughter began to subside and I pondered for a moment before finalzing, "I'm not sure yet."

Seconds passed until our eyes truly met and he asked, "You're starting new, aren't you?"

I stared into what seemed like the morning sky and felt myself nod, mindlessly.

We sat in silence, just staring at each other for a moment. His eyes fell onto my lips and my mind raced with excitement at the thought of kissing him. 

We slowly started leaning into one another and when our lips touched, I felt my whole body enter a euphoric state. Our kiss was slow and soft and as he placed his hand on my cheek, I felt as if I was safe in his presence. Nithael made me feel warm and fragile in a way I hadn’t felt before. I would’ve stayed like that for an eternity if Kayla had suddenly opened the door, forcing us to separate and look up awkwardly.

"No f*****g way!" she laughed a little too loudly as he stood up.

"I, uh, should probably get going now. I'll see you in class, Asura."

Without so much as a glance back at me, he walked past Kayla and gave her a nod before entering the hallway. The door closed behind him, but Kayla was still focused on me.

"I can't believe you had goody-two-shoes Nithael in your bed and actually got him to kiss you! He's never done anything like that, ever! There's no wonder you left the party early!" She squealed, kicking off her high heels and flopping onto the bed. I quickly got underneath the comforter and pulled it over my head.

"I’m not talking  about this with you! You’re’ drunk!”

"And you two are in loveeee," She giggled and clumsily turned off the light.

Even though I surely wasn’t in love, it did make me smile to myself that my night had ended in such bliss, even if Kayla had interrupted. My happy thoughts filled my head until I yawned with sleepiness, but before falling asleep I couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to kiss me for me or for who he thought I looked like.