Demonic Mate

That morning Lilith went to the school library to look for some materials. She looked up for everything she needed and took all the books to a table near a window. She started reading and continued until late in the evening. “We’re sorry, we are closing right now…”, said a librarian. “Oh, I’m sorry. Can I take these two books with me?” She indicated the ones she was reading at that time. “Yes, please con you give me your ID Card?” Lilith gave the librarian the books she hadn’t finished reading together with her ID Card and watched the woman returning to her workstation. She started packing her things up and gave back the books that she finished consulting. She approached the woman to take back her things. “Here, it’s 30 days from today. Please return them before the deadline.” The librarian smiled at her while she handed her the books and the ID Card back to her. Lilith returned the smile and headed toward the exit. Once outside, the cold air of the evening pricked her skin and she tucked her head under the hood of her jacket. She started walking fast to her dormitory that was on the west side of the campus, around ten minutes from the library. The first day she got there, she couldn’t believe how big the campus was and how many stores and facilities could be found there. She wasn’t used to universities like that one, and she certainly didn’t imagine that Chinese universities could be like that. She was used to Italian ones, where most of the time the university was just a big building that already existed and was readjusted so it could become a school, with the ‘dormitories’ far away, or at least not attached to the main building. It was great to have a*****e with food, school materials, and anything else one could need not even ten minutes’ walk from the dormitories. There was a hospital too. Every morning she could get up at half past seven, get ready, drink her tea and be in class by eight! She loved it very much! While thinking about all that she arrived at her dormitory and walked into the main hallway almost running. It was strange for September to be so cold. She took the stairs and climbed them to her floor, before heading to her room, she went to the little kitchen and took some hot water from the kettle and some tea. “Here you are! I was looking for you everywhere.” A boy entered the kitchen just as she was about to leave the room. “Hi John. I think I told you that I would be studying at the library all day today.” “And your phone? Have you looked at it even once?” John leaned against a table and sternly looked at her. “When you study, do you use your phone? I don’t, I need to concentrate on what I’m doing and not what other have to tell me.” The boy shook his head and then with a sigh asked, “And what if people need you?” She coldly glared at him and replied sharply, “And what if sometimes I think about myself? And not about other people? After all, the life and time are mine.” John sighed again and then smiled at her, “You’re right. So, I was looking for you because I wanted to know if you still wanted to come with me tomorrow.” “Yes sure. You want to get to the lake through the mountain path, right?” “Yes, that’s right. It’s not too long, but it will be worth the walk, you can rest assured!”, he said enthusiastically. His eyes shone every time excursions and immersions into nature were involved. Lilith looked at him for a second and then chuckled. “What?”, John asked her. “Oh, nothing. Was just thinking that you look like a little kid that just got the present he was waiting for.” He looked at her in silence for a moment and then he approached her, taking her hand into his, “If the gift I received were you, I would be the happiest man in the world.”, and with those words he leaned forward trying to kiss her. But before he could do it, Lilith touched his chest and lightly pushed him away, averting her face. She could feel his heart beating fast under her palm. A pained look appeared on his face. “Sigh. Got it.” He released her hand and took some distance from her, “Just know that I won’t give up.” And with those words he left the room. Once left alone, Lilith sat on the bench and almost burst into tears. It was painful to refuse him, but she couldn’t do anything about it. John was a handsome boy, with flocks of girls running behind him. Tall, athletic, with brown hair and almond eyes. His smile was captivating and could melt any heart. And precisely because he could have anything, he didn’t deny himself the pleasure of the company of many women. In short, he was fascinating, intelligent, and a bastard. The reason why she continued to hang out with him? He was one of the few people that accepted her the way she was and that could speak with her about anything was it politics, economy, cultures, or languages. She stood up, took her things and returned to her room. Once there, she closed the curtains at her window and sat at her desk drinking the already cold tea. After she went to take a shower and finally went to bed.   The next day she woke up at five, she rolled in her bed a couple of times and then got up. She got prepared for the day and before six she heard a knock at her door. It was obvious who it was. When she opened the door, there in front of her was John, all smiling and ready to depart. “And here I thought that I had to wake you up, maybe with a couple of kisses.” He winked. “I’m ready and wide awake, all I need is a cup of coffee or tea.” “Well… the coffee they make here is not bad, but I would suggest another place, if you want to try a real Italian coffee.” “Real Italian coffee? Don’t make me laugh. I don’t have anything against Chinese coffee, but if you have to compare the one they make here, with the one I used to drink at home, then there’s an abyss between the two of them.” “Ok, ok, I got you. Then I rephrase what I just said: If you don’t mind, I can take you to a Chinese coffee shop where they brew a really good coffee.”, he was still smiling even after the punctuation from her. “Sure, but will they be open at six in the morning?” “Nope, but time we arrive there it will already be half past six, if not later.” Lilith nodded and took her rucksack, checked what was inside and with a satisfied nod, she left the room and closed the door behind her. They walked together to the stairs and went down to the main hall. Once there, they headed out and walked through the campus toward the northern gates. It was quite early, but a lot of people could be found on the streets. She followed John in silence, observing the life of the city in motion. After thirty minutes they got in front of a coffee shop that was bustling with people. A line could be seen at the counter, and the staff was really busy with all the work they had. “Hoh? It seems that this place is loved.” Lilith was surprised to see so many people there. “Told you! Also, the prices here are more affordable. In the campus, a cappuccino costs thirty yuan, while here it’s eighteen.” A pained look crossed her face, “Ugh… Yeah the prices are high there, but only for foreign products, obviously. Every time I think that in Italy, I pay one euro and fifty for my cappuccino, while here it exceeds two euros, my wallet cries.” John burst into laughter, “Nice this one! That’s one of the reasons why you’re so into tea? To save money?” “Fortunately, not. I love tea, so I don’t dislike dinking it every day, but I still miss coffee.” She looked at what they sold in the shop and her attention was taken by tasty looking cupcakes. They where all so well made that they seemed surreal. “Their pastry chef or their supplier must be an artist!” John looked at the sweets and chuckled, then he disappeared in the crowd. She was still thinking about which one to take, that he returned at her side and said, “I bought two cappuccino and two cupcakes. Go tell which one you prefer.” Lilith stared at him for a moment and then replied, “Bought? Oh, you should have told me, how much was it? I will give you the money right away.” “No need, this one is on me. Next time you will pay for us.” She wasn’t convinced by his words, but the day was still long, and she would find a way to pay back the debt. She spoke with the girl on the other side of the counter and took two chocolate cupcakes. They sat at a table and ate them with pleasure. They were as delicious as they looked, and the cappuccino was really good too. After breakfast, they started walking again and in no time, they reached a lively park. “From here on we will have to climb the stairs that will take us to a little sanctuary, from there we will be going down in the direction of the lake.” “Very well, then let’s start climbing, or we won’t get to the other side even by tomorrow.” They both stepped on the first stair and started walking up.   Somewhere, not too far away, a man woke up in a dark room. All that could be seen were his red glowing eyes, “You’re finally here, my beloved mate.” His eyes shone with a mischievous light, while he liked his lips, “Can’t wait to taste you, my one and only.”