Page 29 of Rejected Darkness

“I…,” I stutter, clearing my throat before trying again. “I’m good. Sorry, Monday, ya know? It’s always a rough day of the week. I really don’t understand why it has to be the start of the week. Why can’t we start the week on Tuesday and just do three-day weekends?” Mentally I know I’m freaking out, but physically I can’t stop talking now that I started. It’s like words are just vomiting out of my mouth with no off switch.

“Umm,” he pauses while cracking a small smile. “I really don’t know how to answer that. I can see your reasoning but I feel like more people would prefer if our three-day weekend started on Friday not Monday.”

I can’t tell if he is just saying it to humble me or if he really means it, either way, I’ll take it for the peace offering it is. “That’s a fair point. How about we just make it a four-day weekend instead? Then it solves both problems.”

“It would,” he agrees. “We’re here.” He points toward a table and chairs that are set up on the edge of the circle of hedges.In the middle is a small fountain with pink water. It’s different, unique, and something I’ve never seen before.

“Do you think the water is pink from magic or food coloring?” I question as I take the seat he pulled out for me. I place the tray of coffee in the middle of the table and wait for him to take his seat across from me after pushing my chair in for me.

Such a gentleman.

“Huh, that’s the first time I’ve seen it pink,” he states with shock. “I’ll have to ask around and see if anyone knows. It’s interesting, though. So,” he pauses as he begins pulling food out of the bag. “This isn’t super fancy or anything, but I got us scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and a bagel with cream cheese. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just picked up a variety of things.”

Looking over the variety of foods spread out in front of me, my stomach growls loudly. Louder than I’ve ever heard it. “Oops,” I laugh, dropping my hands to my stomach. “I guess I’m hungrier than I realized. Honestly, all of it sounds so good. Please take what you want, and I’ll eat whatever is left. I’m not picky at all.”

“Ha,” he laughs, shaking his head. “Not a chance in hell, Arabella. This is for you so you take what you want and I’ll eat what’s left.”

Ugh, damn him and his chivalry. “Fine, how about we just share and eat what we feel like eating?”

He stares at me for a good minute while he decides. I can tell he wants to argue but I also know the minute he makes up his mind. A soft smile breaks out across his face as he nods. “Deal, dig in before I eat it all.”

Together, we manage to crush all the food he got for us and the coffee. Our conversation flows by quickly and before I know it the bell for the first period rings. I have no idea how we managed to miss the warning bell, but we most certainly did.

“Shit, we're late. I’m so sorry, Arabella. I didn’t mean to make you late to class,” he starts panicking and grabbing all our trash. It’s cute seeing him rush around panicking. I should probably be panicking with him but nothing will affect my mood this morning. This was perfect and I really hope he surprises me again with something like this, not that I’ll ever admit that to him though.

“It’s fine, I’ll take whatever punishment they dole out. I had a great time this morning.” It’s true I really did. After we started eating, the conversation flowed easily, and the awkwardness I was feeling disappeared. “Thank you for doing something nice like this for me.”

“You are most certainly welcome. Let’s get to class.” Without a second thought, he reaches out to grasp my hand and leads me out of the garden maze and to class. I don’t even realize we are holding hands until we make it to the back entrance of the main building and he lets go of my hand to toss the trash away and open the door for me. I have no idea what that means but I don’t have the time to think about it right now either.

“Excuse me, Seraphim Sybil,” a young woman calls out from the doorway. I’ve never seen her before, but it looks like a few people have, if their reactions are anything to go by. A few people sink down into their seats hoping that attention won’t be drawn to them. Others begin packing up their items. I’m stuck sitting there, not knowing how to react or what to expect.

“Yes,” our teacher answers, stopping her lesson on mating laws. I hadn’t been paying much attention as it was since it is still a sore subject to me, so I am thankful for the small interruption.

“Councilwoman Talia would like to see Seraphim Arabella in her office,” the woman states, pushing a strand of hair out of her face as she looks around the room trying to find me. A chorus of ooo’s ring out through the room as everyone turns to look at me.

Fuck.Being called to the main office is definitely not how I expected my second week at the academy to start. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong to get into trouble. I’ve tried to keep my head down despite how much hell Rhys has been giving me. Maybe this is about whoever broke into my dorm room and destroyed it.Yeah, that could be exactly what this is about, I think to myself as I gather my things and try to ignore all the stares.

“Don’t forget to read chapter six and answer the questions at the end to turn in on Wednesday,” my teacher states as I exit the room.

The last thing I’m going to be thinking about is homework right now. As we walk down the hall, I keep twisting my hands together, feeling them getting sweatier with every step we take. All I had wanted to do while attending the academy was keep my head down, do what was expected of me, and get back to Aeris. Ever since I stepped foot on this campus, it’s felt like one thing after another, and that’s the last thing I want to be dealing with.

Divine when can I catch a break?

“You can head inside, she is expecting you,” the female who pulled me out of class states pulling me from my thoughts. I didn’t realize we had made it to the third floor already.

“Thanks,” I try to give her a smile but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open ready to accept whatever is about to happen, except it wasn’t what I expected at all. “Father,” I choke out shocked he is even here.What the hell?I’ve only been here a week. There’s no reason for him to be checking up on me now.Shit.

“Seraphim Arabella,” he responds, his tone cold and indifferent as he looks at me. “As a Seraphim you are held to a higher standard than all other students here. Do you understand what that means?”

“Yes, Sir,” I barely manage to answer before he is standing in front of me staring down at me. My father stands six foot three compared to my five foot eight. He towers over me as he glares at me. I’m almost positive that if we were alone he would have already hit me. My body braces for the hit out of habit as I lower my eyes to submit. I know if I show him any sort of backbone whatever punishment he has in mind will be ten times worse.

“Then why are you making a joke of the Seraphim? Destroying your room for attention, getting your ass handed to you by a Fallen? You are a disgrace to the Seraphim and to the Angels. I expected better of you,” he snarls, raising his hand before quickly lowering it and remembering where we are.

“I’m sorry, Father.” I know my apology doesn’t mean jack shit to him but it’s better than staying quiet. I’m not admitting that I’m at fault for anything but I know that is exactly how he will take it.

“You are no daughter of mine. I am not your father,” he shouts, this time raising his hand and swinging it to backhand my face. I stumble a couple of steps before righting myself bracing for the next blow. It seems to remind him of our family connection was his final straw.

“SERAPHIM CASSIEL!” Councilwoman Talia shouts, stepping to get in between us. She blocks my body with her own as she stares down my father. “You will remember that you are on RISE Academy grounds. I don’t give a fuck about you being on the Seraphim Council. You will not harm any student under my care, even if it is your own daughter. If you cannot control yourself I will have you removed from schoolgrounds permanently. Am I clear?” Her tone leaves no room for argument.

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