Reaching Venus

secrets

Venus

It had been a fun day. Typically I didn't get asked to hang out with new people all that often. I had been living in the faery ring since I was very little and I had only a few friends. Faeries didn't typically mix with elementals, thinking they were better than us, and elementals either thought I was weird or intimidating or unapproachable.

Ian was different though. He didn't look at me like I was a commodity or there was something wrong with me. He listened to me when I talked and seemed genuinely interested. I mean maybe he was a little cynical for my taste, but who wouldn't be when all their happiness is a mere shadow of real happiness. Faeries got the raw end of the deal with the whole born out of a babies first laugh thing. Plus being bound in service to the earth goddess wasn't too appealing either. So I could see where the guy was coming from. Did I love the whole multiple girlfriends thing? Not really. But to feel normal for even a short period of time I could deal.

When I got back to my dorm at the academy my friend Maverick was there waiting with my roommate, Fern. Fern was one of the elementals that lived with her human parent so she had a room here since traveling out of the faery ring daily was a pain. Humans and faeries didn't stay together often, unless they had the whole laugh connection thing. Fern's faery mother had disappeared shortly after her birth and had left her with her dad. She was an earth elemental making her the most trustworthy and stable roommate. That's the only reason I didn't throw a fit when the room I always had to myself suddenly belonged to the both of us.

I walked into the room and flopped down on my bed beside Maverick. I knew he was here because I had skipped my classes but I wasn't going to let on that I knew that.

Maverick was a sweet guy. A water elemental that was more on the stubborn side than the easy go with the flow side. Once he had formed an opinion he didn't change it easily. But he never got angry or mean. He was strong.

" Ian Archer? Venus you can do so much better." Maverick grumbled.

Fern looked up from the book she was reading and asked, " Who is Ian Archer?"

Maverick answered " A player faery who sulks around with elementals. He took an interest in Venus and apparently she decided to start batting way below her league."

" Say what you want Maverick. I like having someone around that doesn't treat me different or look at me like a freak. " I countered.

" You're not a freak. And you are different so it makes sense that people treat you that way."

And that's Fern for you. Always logical. I rolled my eyes at her and waited for Maverick to respond.

" OK Venus I get that. But what happens when he finds out? You really think you can keep up this act? Besides he picks girls that are simple. You are anything but simple and you shouldn't feel bad for that." he argued.

" If and when he figures it out I will deal with it then. For now I'm just having fun"

Maverick nodded and said, " Fine. I won't say anything else. But I just want you to know that if he hurts you I don't care that he is my friend. I'm on your side always."

I smiled and hugged him tightly. Water elementals always had to get sappy. They just couldn't control their emotions. Maverick looked like a complete surfer dude with his tan skin and sandy blonde hair but he was a total softy underneath it all. He was the best friend I could have asked for.

It took a bit but I finally convinced Maverick to give me Ian's number. I sent him a quick text letting him know I'd had a fun time and asking him to meet me tomorrow night. He text back quickly and offered to help me with my missed lessons from today. I would have to find a way around that but I thanked him and made the plans anyway.

Not long after Maverick left to go back to his house leaving me and Fern alone.

Fern turned to me and asked, " This isn't just because your faery parent abandoned you right? You're not trying to get revenge on another faery?"

I was a little shocked she would think that but I could see where she was coming from. I wasn't usually a fan of faeries. I didn't like that they thought they were better than elementals and I didn't like their attitudes. But Ian was different. He was surprisingly funny and kind. Yes he was a player but he was straight forward about it and I respected that.

" No Fern. Remember, both my parents abandoned me. If I was on a revenge path it wouldn't just be faeries. Plus Faery Mary has taken good care of me all these years. " I reasoned with her.

She nodded, thinking about it for a second before saying, " And you're not trying to make Maverick jealous so he will finally ask you out?"

Fern was convinced that Maverick had a crush on me but was too indecisive to actually make a move. I doubted it but there was no changing her mind.

I decided not to even acknowledge what she said with a response since she had been on this for months. Instead I just said, " I'm going to get ready for bed"