Page 41 of The Gargoyle in the College

“Like this? Like... Dating each other, even though we’ve never talked about that before?”

She swallows and her cheeks grow red. “Yeah... We never mentioned that before, but for me, it feels like we’re closer than friends, which...”

“Isn’t what you want.”

She nods. “Maybe in another world, we’d both be humans or gargoyles.”

I spread my hands to the side. “But me being a gargoyle doesn’t stop us from getting to know each other.”

She sniffs, there are tears in her eyes and that hurts a lot. “But we can’t. I’ve been wanting to be normal and be with others without looking like a weirdo.”

“That you have to make yourself date someone else, just because?”

Her mouth opens and closes. I grit my teeth, trying to stop myself, but I can’t. “And you’re going to date that kid, just so your friends will think that you’re cool?”

“Hey! He’s not a kid. No, I mean, I’m not dating anyone, I...”

I hiss at her. “Maybe the two of you haven’t talked about that, but you are thinking about that, right? Giving him a chance, somehow that’s how it should work in your head.”

She takes a deep breath, putting her hand between us. “I don’t want to explain that. I just want you to know that... Thank you for caring about me and helping me more than once.”

“Why do you care what others think?”

“You can’t even be out in public with me.”

Ah... I stare at my hands. Even if I can pass as someone who loves sunbathing a bit too much, I can’t hide my wings, so she’s not wrong. “So... you want a mate who you can show around.”

She shakes her head. “I... I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just... We aren’t even the same species.”

I don’t believe that’s the main reason, but if she insists that’s the reason we can’t even give that a try... I sigh. “I see. It’s okay. I understand. Just so you know, I hope you’ll be happy.”

She takes my hand, gently squeezing it. “Thank you.”

I try to smile so that I won’t look as scary. “A last hug?”

She nods and hugs me. “I’m sorry.”

I wrap my arms and wings around her. This hurts, but... if she doesn’t want me, why make both of us miserable?

Her soft body leans against me. I want to keep holding her, but...

I let go of her before the storm in my stomach rages through. I still don’t understand when I’m stronger than any man she can find. But I suppose humans have a different standard than gargoyles.

I give her a last pat on the head before I leave. If I talk, my voice may crack, and I hate that.

She... will be happier without me, and that sucks.

Chapter 21

Laura

Did I do something wrong?

Why does it hurt so badly that it feels like I’m suffocating?

I wake up to a soaked pillow, and that’s if I even fell asleep in the first place.

Gisett...

---