Share

Chapter 5

Author: Cetus AE
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

   Sitting in the cafeteria at a lunch table with a bunch of popular kids was not how I expected to spend my lunch break. Especially seeing as how I just got here. The table I'm currently sitting at has about six people, including me, at it. To my left is Grid, and to my right is Greg.

   "So how did you enjoy your first day of being in a new school?" says Grid as she munches her apple. I take a sip of water as I contemplate my answer.

   "Well..." I start.

  I've noticed that some of the other kids have stopped talking and have turned to look at me.

Where I come from people consider eavesdropping a crime against humanity. As well as stepping on feet and not knowing what McDonald's is.

I try my best to ignore them though and say to Grid, "I very much enjoyed it. I like how everyone here is so nice. I think I'll enjoy my time here very much."

  The others at the table smile and turn back to their own conversations. A hand crashes down on my head, and my hair is ruffled again. I swat at it but Greg only laughs at me.

  "How is it that you're this cute?" he asks.

   "I'm not cute!" I say as I struggle to get his hand off my head. I succeed, but then he wraps it 'round my shoulders and pulls me into a side hug. He nuzzles the top of my head with his chin. God, teens and hormones. Or just Greg has not outgrown his phase of having a security blanket around.

   "Yes, you are! You're cute as a button!" says Grid. I pout, which she only smiles at.

  "There are so many other people who are cuter than me," I say.

   I give up on trying to get Greg off me. He seems to be the touchy jock type anyhow. I take a bite of my bread. I usually don't eat a lot at lunch or breakfast. Dinner is my meal that I am the most active.

   "Like who?" asks Greg.

  He takes a bite out of a slice of pizza while still managing to keep the other arm around my body. He's so gangly. And muscular. Definitely muscular than me.

  "Um..." I say as I look around the table for somebody to pick. Nobody really catches my attention, mostly because I don't know most of their names. I turn back to Greg and Grid in defeat.

   "Okay...I'm cute," I say in defeat.

They both grin and I blush. I look down at my knees. I feel so betrayed by life.

   "Anyhow," says Grid, "since you're new here, you wanna take a tour of Handerville this weekend Cace?" she asks me.

   "Cace?" I ask as I raise an eyebrow.

   Grid smiles with a nod and replies, "Yep, Cace. That's my cute little nickname for my cute little friend."

  I blush and say a quiet thanks. Greg laughs at my flustered state. I poke him in the ribs.

   "Ouch! Hey, no fair!" he says with a pout. I grin and say,

  "You let me enter your personal space Greg!" I say with a laugh. He laughs with me, along with Grid.

   The bell rings signaling the end of lunch. We all stand up and head off to our classes.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  The first day of school along with the second was pretty much the same. Introductions, conversations, introductions, and more conversations. The third and fourth were almost the same. Friday, the fifth day, was the best so far. I drove to school, and most of the other high school kids recognized me. It seems like I'm the only new kid in the entire high school. Special me.

   As I walk to my locker, I see Grid standing at her locker getting ready for the day. I grin. As I near, I poke her on her left shoulder but jump to her right side. She looks to the left but doesn't see anybody. I laugh and she turns to give me a smile.

  "Hello, there my cute little button! How are you doing this morning?" she asks pleasantly.

  After a week of friendly nickname calling, I'd all but gotten used to being called cute by Grid. I was still a little apprehensive about Greg calling me "cutie" and occasionally "cutie pie", but I was slowly getting used to it. I'd say he's cute too, but then that's weird.

  "Oh, I'm good, yourself?" I reply as I open my locker to get my books for the day.

   "I'm fine actually," she replies.

   Today she's wearing a white button-down shirt with a matching black tie. Also with matching black pants and short heels. I guess we share the same taste in clothing. I really like formal clothes and vests. I love vests. I guess because I have my wings wrapped around my torso most of the day, the feeling of something wrapped tightly around me is almost natural to me. I'm wearing a black button-down shirt with khakis. And a flat cap. But no vest today.  Flat caps just go with my physique.

    "Wait," she says, catching my attention, "did you study for the econ quiz?" she asks with wide eyes.

  I see in her left hand she's holding a planner. It's open to a page with today's date, and red circle around today.

   "Oh my lord no," I say dramatically. I totally forgot about the quiz. "I used to have a planner to write this stuff down! Did you study?" I ask back.

   Grid eyes widen. "No, I'm afraid I didn't." She covers her mouth with a closed fist. "But Mrs. Clark doesn't nag you on quizzes, and we didn't cover a lot this week. I'm pretty sure we'll be fine," she says encouragingly.

   "Well, if you say so," I say a little unsurely. Grades weren't exactly a priority in my life right now, but nonetheless, they were important. I'm pretty sure it's not a bad idea to be a good and hardworking student.

   "I guess we'll find out soon won't we?" I say as I slam my locker shut. Grid does the same and we walk off to class. I hope she's right.

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

   "We, are some lucky students," I say as I munch on my apple. We're at lunch break again and Grid, Greg, and I are talking about the econ quiz we had this morning.

   "It's a good thing I wasn't sleeping during class. Otherwise, I would have flunked it," says Grid, taking a bite of a chicken tender.

  "Yeah, totally," I say.

Greg hasn't wrapped me in a hug yet, but that's probably because I positioned myself with Grid in between us. He can hug Grid for today.

   "Does that mean you think you did alright?" asks Greg.

   "Maybe," I reply in unison with Grid. We look at each other and grin, before laughing.

   "Enough to bet?" asks Greg with a sly smile. I see Grid roll her eyes.

   "Greg, not another one of your gambles," she says tiredly.

   "Come, on it'll be fun! Right, Cace?" he says.   

   "I don't gamble," I reply neutrally.

Got the money but not the guts.

Greg pouts.

   "You're no fun," he says glumly.

   "Speaking of fun, you're still open to go out this weekend for the tour of Handerville right?" says Grid to me. I nod.  

   "Yep, definitely," I say enthusiastically. "I have to buy some stuff anyhow, and I was thinking of looking for a job for after school."

   "Ooh! Mrs. Miller the sweet shop owner was looking for a helper to, well, help, but we can swing by," says Grid in equal enthusiasm.

   "Aww, lucky," complains Greg, "I want to hang out with my cute little Cace too."

   "What about me? I'm not special enough?" says Grid in mock anger.

   "You're not cute. You're hot."

I take a second to realize I'm the one who just said that. Greg and Grid look at me with wide eyes.

  "Not that I'm hitting on you," I say hurriedly, "just, you know, saying." I look down at my hands in embarrassment.

  "Awww, you're so precious," says Grid. She reaches over and pinches my cheek. I squeak and slap her hand away. She and Greg laugh.

   "Greg, why can't you come?" I ask as I try to move the conversation forward away from the previous one.

  "I have basketball practice," he replies a little glumly, "my coach wants to start off early this year so we can get as much practice in."

   "Well, maybe next time," I say hopefully.

Greg smiles in appreciation. The bell rings signaling the end of the break. We stand up to head to the doors of the cafeteria. I feel a great deal of weight land on my shoulders, and from the laugh that comes with it, I know that Greg has again, thrown his arm around me in a hug. I smile inwardly. Touchy jock.

   The last class for the day was art, which was fun, and passed by uneventfully. I walk to my locker and grab some of my textbooks. Pulling out my Phys and econ textbook, I slam my locker shut and head off in the direction of the parking lot. Exiting the school, I'm hit with a chilly, dry wind. The oak trees that are planted around the school have already turned brown and the leaves have begun to fall to the earth. I walk up to my car and pull out my keys. Opening the car, I scramble onto my seat. The car dad got me is great, I mean white is a nice color, and bricks are safe and all, but the height from the ground to the seat of the car is tall for somebody short like me, so getting in and out is a hectic operation.

  After driving home, I get ready for dinner. I was thinking of eating some ratatouille today. I have this knack for vegetables. I pull open the fridge and grab tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, and eggplants. I think dad said something about how he had a tiny garden planted for me in the greenhouse. After setting the vegetables on the counter, I head off toward the greenhouse. The greenhouse is connected to the kitchen, so I don't have to walk through a maze of white walls to get to it. Opening the door to it, I'm hit with the earthy smell of a garden. Also the sharp, serene smell of lavender. Lavender is something I absolutely love. Ever since mum died, I've always had lavender with me in some form. Mum used to have a perfume that was made solely from lavender oil. I feel when I have it with me, I have her with me.

  As I crouch to grab some lavender, I look out at the ocean through the window. The lighthouse is still resolute and continues to be a beacon for sailors.  The ones that are alive, that is. I can see dark clouds brewing into a storm on the horizon. The ocean is so pretty. Even on grey days.

I quickly finish picking some more lavender, as well as rosemary and basil to add to the ratatouille. Walking back to the kitchen I pull out my phone. Connecting it to the red speaker that happens to be the only spot of color in my white kitchen, I play some Chopin. His music is very complicated. The melody is always shifting.

  Washing the veggies, I pull out a cutting board and knife. Ratatouille is really easy to make. All you have to do is throw the veggies into a pot and slowly boil it. And it's healthy.

  After cutting the veggies, I throw it into a pot along with the basil and rosemary. I almost forget the garlic, but crush it and throw it in. Setting the heat on low, I clean up the kitchen. Turning the music off, I grab the lavender and put it in a tiny glass vase, and set it in the center of the long ebony black dining table.

    Walking out of the conjoined dining room and kitchen I grab my book, my water bottle, and a blanket. I set the water and blanket by the back door that leads to the porch, and the beach a little off, and head back to the kitchen with my book. Of human bondage, by W. Somerset Maugham. The book itself isn't bad, but from my point of view, it's terribly bland. I like more poetic works. But also a hint of darkness. The best example is the poem, In the Desert, by Stephen Crane, from his book The Black Riders and Other Lines. It has a sense of dystopia that I can't exactly describe, but it makes me feel so much more alive when I read it, and my mind feels clearer when I read Stephen Crane in general.

  The ratatouille is done in about an hour. I'm pretty sure the way I make it isn't the best or the right way, but I like it. Scooping some into a bowl, I grab a spoon and head to the back door where my water bottle and blanket are waiting. Somehow managing to pick those up, I open the door and walk to the table that is situated in the center of the porch. Sitting down at one of the chairs, I eat my meal in general silence. The only sound the wind in the grass, and waves on the beach, far below.

Related chapters

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 6

    Saturday morning and I'm currently out with Grid. Occasionally I'll take a selfie with Grid, or without, and send it to Greg. It's funny to see him complain about how he wishes he was here. Oh well, better luck next time. I hope he's fun playing with balls. And baskets. Balls and baskets on a Saturday. I grin to myself with my hand covering my mouth. "Oh, that's the seafood shack I was talking about. We should stop by there for lunch. The clam chowder is simply divine," says Grid. Today she's dressed in a flowery shirt and a skirt that falls to her knees. Her hair is in a ponytail, and the cat-eye sunglasses look great on her. I was smart enough to bring my black retro-square sunglasses. It'd been chilly recently, but today the weather decided to be sunny. And I mean really sunny. Not a cloud in sight. I brought a coat to wear, but seeing as how I didn't need it, I left it in Grid's car. Grid picked me up this morning around nine-thirty, and we've been walking around the mai

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 7

    Seeing the sign with 'Handerville' written on it in bold writing has never made me this happy. Turns out the renewal of the treaty with the neighboring pack took longer than expected. The three or four-day schedule was stretched to five days. Being away from my mate made the one day seem like an extra year of waiting. I understand that treaties are important. Especially since this one protects us from a lot of dangers. The royal werewolf family is currently situated on a peninsula. The neighboring pack is extremely close with the royal family, and controls the land on the outside of the peninsula, creating an effective barrier against attack. Even though I know this, I still can't help but feel that another treaty is unnecessary. All we did was go through an exact copy of the old one, and then rewrite my name in places where the old alpha, meaning my dad's was, and then sign it. Nothing really to it. But Dad along with the other alpha made me read through the whole thing, just to ma

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 8

    Starting off the second week of school, I was surprised to find that I was somewhat excited about it. I couldn't pinpoint the reason. I just felt as if something in my chest was pulling me to the school. And there was this fluttering feeling that wouldn't leave me alone since I got to there. Standing at my locker and getting ready for the day, the fluttering feeling seems to get more excited. Maybe I should go home? I don't think I've ever had this feeling before, and strange things occurring aren't something to ignore. I'm still contemplating whether to go home or not when I hear sniffing from behind me. And it won't stop. I think I'm getting OCD or something because it's getting somewhat on my nerves. I hear it come right behind me. Turning around, I see a huge muscular chest. A muscular chest covered in cloth. Looking upwards, I see a goofy, and in a way handsome, face. "Hi," I say. The boy smiles and says, "Hi there little guy." I pout, "Little guy, huh?" I may be

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 9

    After finally getting to meet my mate Cayce, it took everything in me not to literally ask him to marry me there on the spot. Or to take my bond. Werewolves do have a distinctly different way of forming an everlasting bond of love, known as marking, but that's not happening. Especially in a place like a school. It has to be a little more special, and when it does happen between Cayce and I, put him first before me, I'm going to make it a memory we'll remember forever. Sitting with my cute mate during class, I couldn't help but stare and admire him. His perfect tiny face was just so beautiful, I wanted to touch it and pet it and kiss it and just love him as he is. I'm not so sure he appreciates how he looks himself, but there's a certain wonder in how you can stare at somebody you love for hours on end. It's creepy, and hopefully I didn't give the wrong impression to Cayce, but for now, I'm banking on that he only thinks I'm very friendly and that I'm perhaps only a tiny bit weird in

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 10

    Sitting at the counter of my new job, I wonder if I should have mentioned to Grid that I had to head on over work quickly, since I wanted to stop by my house before I did. Driving from school back to home, and then to work makes this long trip that takes some time, and even if I wanted to, it'd take thirty minutes as a minimum. I thought about texting her, since I was already leaving school, but my hands were already on the wheel, and I'm not texting and driving, no matter how hip it's supposed to be! But still, I feel a little guilty for not talking directly to Grid and Greg, and Bennet too since I do know him now. There's something good to me about not texting, calling, or using technology, but actually engaging in conversation with a person. I mean, texting is fine, but it should be simple. Social dynamics are complicated. Thinking and also stuck in a mental conundrum, I sigh and quickly text Grid saying that I had to go to work and was in rush. It's not an excuse, but at least I

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 11

    My eyes widen in surprise. What's he doing here? I mean, does he even know I work here? I answer myself in my head as I think how Grid is his sister. She could have just mentioned it, and maybe as a good friend he decided to stop by. Bennet is nearing the counter, walking as he waves, and smiles in a pleasant manner, and I sile and wave back. "Hey, Cayce. How are you?" he asks. "I'm alright," I answer, "how about you?" Bennet leans on the counter and smiles. His eyes again are blue and pulling me in. Like a fireplace in my chest, his smile and presence seems to ignite that feeling of warmth and comfort. Thinking now, maybe I don't mind him meeting me here, and I'm not overtly surprised unpleasantly at all. "I'm fine," says Bennet, still smiling, "I, uh, happened to be in town, and I heard from Grid that you were working here, so I thought to just swing by." "Oh, that was nice of you," I say, and wave upward toward the snacks in jars behind me, "we're a little past clos

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 12

    I can honestly say, I'm bone tired. After I laid down in bed, I pretty much fell asleep after setting my alarm. But, because I knew I would have to walk all the way to school, which would usually take fifteen minutes by car, I had to get up at least an hour early. Just to make sure I would make it to school. Talk about breaking your soul for school! Getting up, I got breakfast, ate, and went back upstairs to grab my bag. I had to make sure everything was there in my bag, and then rushed to head out. I actually did take the hour I needed to get to school, which leads me here walking around not unlike a zombie as I try to hold myself up. Operating on minimal sleep and already this much exertion, I'm running on fumes. And it's not even eight in the morning yet. It did strike me as a brat from the hubbub of a metropolis to get a taxi, and after walking for twenty minutes I tried to get one with my phone. Apparently, Handerville is all too small for an omnipresent taxi circuit. So, after

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 13

    "I mean, Cayce can be your mate, but I wonder if you're his." "What's that supposed to mean? That I'm useless?" "I don't know, think for a moment. Mate is unconscious, possibly in a coma, and all you can do is say you can protect him. Oh, and his face looks like it got hit by car. Poor Cayce." "As if you did anything. I at least was there to carry him to a bed where he can rest. All you did was give a judging eye!" "Stop it! Both of you! You forget we have a guest!" I hear some kind of argument going on, and judging from my acute hearing, it's a little far off from where I am. That's right you forget you have a guest. No wonder Sleeping Beauty slept so long. She probably hated everyone since they kept talking about she's going to die one day! I open my eyes and see I'm in some kind of bedroom-turned-hospital-room. I'm laying in a bed, with white sheets. As I look around, the sound of arguing fades away. When you have super hearing and super sight, one tends to work bette

Latest chapter

  • The Demon Mate   Bonus - Cayce X Reza

    There's a wide room with a matching window that has the scene of the ocean beyond a small meadow and a small group of trees to the right. There are two chairs and one round high coffee table between. Two people sit, one you know, one you don't. At least not from this story. "So," says Cayce, "I'll introduce myself first. But since this is the end of my book then you probably know about me enough. Cayce Vance, eighteen. Married around now, ready for some action, and half-demon and half-angel hybrid." Cayce raises his wings to prove his last statement, and they move around. Because he's wearing a shirt with holes in the back they're visible to the audience. "So, now you introduce yourself," says Cayce to the other person. "Reza Kelson," replies the other person, Reza, "read my book." "Now, this is supposed to be the part where you promote your book so that everyone will read it," says Cayce, "I mean, this bonus chapter is supposed to be the promotion for An Eye for a Bullet.

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 39

    The waves crash onto the summer beach and spread out across the wet sand. Foam and bits of rocks and broken shells are left behind as the wave retreats back to the sea. Then again, it crashes. And then retreats. Back and forth. A repetitive movement. Yet somewhat soothing to look at.Reaching up and adjusting my sunglasses, I look over at Bennet who's sitting in a reclining beach like the one I sit in. The hot summer day is just at its peak. Hot and humid. It brings out the sweat in your body, and the umbrella that is giving us shade gives little coolness to ward off the sweltering air.And I'm sweating a bit, the amount that is just like when you take out a cool water bottle from the fridge. The second you take it out. Just enough droplets that if you touch it you get a hint of water. It sticks a bit to my shirt uncomfortably.But Bennet besides me is like an ice cube in a stove. Laying back with his arms behind his head, his body sweats profusely, even in the weak shade. He wears

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 38

    "You sure you're alright?" asks Meg as she helps me through the backdoor. "I think I'll be fine," I say, using just as much of her help as my wings to carry myself, "I'm not going to be walking around too much. Just hanging out in the backyard." "It probably is a good idea anyways that you get out and have some fresh air, anyways," says Meg while nodding, "cabin fever is not fun." "Well, I'd call your house a little more than just a cabin," I say with a laugh, and she joins in. "Aww, you're too kind," says Meg. She helps me maneuver to a little patio set, a table and eight chairs which I sit at one, and she also sets down a few books from school for me. "You going to be alright out here?" asks Meg, "I'm sure you'll be alright, but I just want to be sure." "I will, I promise," I say with a nod, "if I need anything, I'll make sure to shout." "I should be able to hear you," says Meg, nodding at the house, where many of the windows are open to air out the house, "I'll

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 37

    The sound of breaking glass and wood, mixed in with the roar of chemical energy seems to rip the air into shreds. My body that is in the air is blown back by the force of the explosion, but my wings manage to keep me afloat in the broken air. Stone and glass fly out and some hits my skin, some breaking through it to bite the red flesh beneath. But what's worse is that Frederic is flying at me. He lands on top of me, taking us both down. I scream and try to get him off as we cartwheel through the air like mating bald eagles, but he clamps on to me with a death grip. And then he raises the blade that catches the light of the burning tower. Thinking quickly, I swivel around in a barrel-roll, managing to get him off me. He tumbles through the air and lands on the ground below with a sickening splat. I breathe out in relief, but something burns in my chest as I do. Looking down, I see the knife buried three inches deep right below my collar-bone. I shriek and pull the knife out

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 36

    The weights are the main problem. Not the height. Thank whatever force there is for the wings I have. But the weights are still here, and they ain't going away anytime soon. The weights I could hold in my hands while I manage to fly up there. But then how would I be able to break through the ceiling? It looks like it's made of wood, and I could easily break through that with my wings. But with my bare hands? Forget it. And even if I managed to get up there, to hold myself there I would need to anchor myself into the wall or the ceiling with my wings, and then I would just be hanging there. Not to mention that Frederic might be up there. If he's up there, I might as well be surrendering myself to him. But if he is up there, and I manage to tear the floor out from under his feet, then I could easily drop him to his death. But then what? I would still have these 30-pound weights hanging around each of my legs, and still with broken ankles. Frederic would be taken care of, but th

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 35

    Headaches ought to be one of the things that doctors spend their money on to actually get rid of in this world. Otherwise, there's no real hope for this world. At least, in my opinion. And this headache I have right now is just the perfect example to prove that point. I mean, How many people do you know who were actually in a fight with a weirdo and then you get thrown into sand and then...wait...huh? My head seems to be swirling in mud, or tar, or some other heavy and thick substance. My eyes are not able to open, but my body slowly is making its way out to the surface of the muckiness I'm in. The skin on my arms seem to get colder, and I feel a tugging sensation. My arms drift up and up. Up and over my head. And my eyes finally start to crack open. I'm in a dark place. That's what I would say about it. It's dark. It's not that big, but not too small. The circular room I sit in is tiled and the walls are made of stone. It towers up and up, and above I see a faraway ceiling.

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 34

    Fredric's hand is just about a foot away from Teddy's head. Now three quarters. I seem to feel something die and another something comes alive in my chest. Hope and dread? Undoubtedly. But then a miracle happens. Teddy bends down and pulls the shell out of the sand. Fredric's sinister grin turns into shock as his hand passes through the air. He loses his balance and steps slightly away from Teddy. That's all I need. I beat my wings back, reach Teddy and hug him to my chest. The shell he was holding falls to the sand. At least I think it did. I've already beat my wings forward so as to propel myself and Teddy backward. Fredric now stands twenty yards away. He has black pants that cling to his legs, and his chest is bare. His wet black hair waves in the light breeze and the clouds cover the sun, blotting out all brightness. Teddy squirms in my arms. "Cayce?" I hear Meg shout. Crap! She's human, she needs to get out of here! I glance back and see Meg running over with the

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 33

    Walking into the kitchen, I take in a deep breath of the good smell of bacon. I sigh in content at the delicious smell. "Good morning Cayce," says Meg when she notices me. "Good morning," I chirp back. I walk over and give a quick hug. "Cooking breakfast?" I ask. "Yeah, gotta have the table ready for the big family," she says as she stirs the bacon with a spatula. Next to the stove two plates piled with buttered pancakes sit steaming. I also see a plate with cooked pieces of tomato, as well as another with sunny-side-up eggs piled on it. "Somebody's been busy," I say nonchalantly. I step over the drying rack and get some water from the tap, taking a sip as I sit at the kitchen island. "Tell me about it," says Meg. She looks over at the clock, about nine in the morning. "They'll start to get up soon. Where's Bennet?" "He's upstairs. He was in the bathroom when I came down here." "How is it sleeping with him?" "It's nice," I say with a grin. "He's like an electric heat

  • The Demon Mate   Chapter 32

    I don't think there was any other point in time that was this strange. At least in life my life. Bennet and I have been spending the whole of the last two weeks cooped up in my house or his house, being together and safe. Grid and Neil, along with Teddy went to school, but Bennet thought it wasn't safe, hence me being absent. The time we spent together was strange. It was harmony and heaven. A kind of limbo. Because I was just so happy to spend time with him I think I got a little stupid. I was careless, and just a bit of center. The same could be said for Bennet. He accidentally poured bleach into the bathtub instead of a bubble-bath solution. His leg hairs were bleached white. Today, winter break started. Grid, Neil and Teddy didn't have any school, and Harold and Meg are both a bit annoyed that they have to take care of all the kids. I'm just enjoying the company of the Fitzroy family. They're very rowdy, and loud, but they have this strange harmony of theirs. It's nice to

DMCA.com Protection Status