That Awkward Moment When...

Ch. 7-Like Attracts Like

"Why do I feel like I was just psycho analyzed by Satan," Aerith wondered to herself, as she laid back into her bed.
She put in her earbuds,and started one of her playlists in an attempt to drown out the lingering conversation she and Satan just had.

She closed her eyes,and was rotating her feet in time to the music.

On the opposite side of her door, Beelzebub was pacing back and forth,mumble practicing how he wanted to ask his question to Aerith.
Belphie happened by on his way to his attic room for a nap. The Avatar of Sloth,stopped and looked at his twin quizzacly.

He approached his brother,"Beel, what are you doing pacing like that in front of Aerith's room?"
Beel stopped,and averted his gaze sheepishly, as he told Belphie what he wanted to ask Aerith.

Pondering his brother's query,Belphie glanced over at Aerith's door noticing it was slightly cracked open.
"I'd be happy to help you out," Belphie said,as his usually lasidasical expression shifted to slight amusement.

"How," Beel asked.
Belphie smiled mischievously, "By doing this," he said, as he shoved Beelzebub into Aerith's room,and shut the door.

The ruckus that was caused by Beel stumbling in, caused Aerith to jump,as she sat up and removed her earbuds.

"Beel?," she questioned,as she looked him.

His breathing was still a bit shaky,as he tried to process what his brother had just done to him.

" H...Hey Aerith...I uh was just stopping by cause I wanted to ask you something, " he stated nervously. Not going nearly as smooth as he wanted.

"Sure,what is it Beel?"

"Umm...well, you know that raincheck you talked about the other cause you couldn't come to the gym with me?"

"Yeah,what about it," she asked, curiously.

"I figured I'd cash it in...if that's all right. "

Aerith rubbed her neck...she wasn't really a gym person. But she also didn't want to tell Beel no again.

""The gym...",she started out,but Beelzebub interrupted her.

"I don't want to use it for the gym. I'd like to use it for something else."

"Like what?"

"I wanted to take you to the Spring Ball. The others all have someone they're taking."

Aerith felt like her hearing had failed her,as she said,"Excuse me? You wanna what?"

"Would you go to the Spring Ball with me Aerith?",he reiterated, phrasing it differently.

"I really wasn't planning on going. I'm not a formal type of person. And besides,I'm sure there has to be someone else you'd rather take."

"Its mandatory for the Student Council,and the exchange students to go," he stated matter of factly.

"Fuck my life," she said,irritated at being forced to go to an event she had no interest in.

"And I don't want to take anyone other than you to the dance," Beel announced to her.

Aerith's irritated expression changed to one of shock and awe.
"What? Why?"
"Why not? ",he asked,waiting for a response.

She laughed. It sounded like one of self defeat before she responded.
" I think you need your eyes checked Beel. You're you...and..and I'm me," she gestured between him and herself in comparison.

As she sat on her bed, Beel came over and knelt in front of her so they were eye to eye.

He sighed," I think you need your eyes checked. Because I think you're beautiful."

Her brain seemed to stop working when he said that.

Asking her again if she would go with him ,somewhat brought her back.
"S..sure..I mean yes,"she stuttered.

Through all the things she was feeling,Aerith couldn't help but feel like she had made the right decision, after she saw the look on Beel's face,though she was still anxiety ridden.

"That's great",he was excited, as he said goodnight and left her.

As her door clicked behind him, she laid back down trying to calm the waves of butterflies in her stomach, "I picked a really bad time to quit smoking. "

---------Fast Foward-------2 weeks later---

The Day before the Ball

It was after classes. Aerith was in the pantry trying to reach for a box of crackers. Jumping up to reach the shelf wasn't working. She took her foot and nudged some items out of the way on the third shelf,so she could get some footing. Stepping onto the shelf,and gripping the one above her,she took one hand to grab the box. Then she lost her balance and crashed to the floor just as Mammon wandered into the kitchen.

He'd seen the tumble,and chuckled.
"You alright shorty?", he asked, in between laughing.
She sat there on her ass for a few minutes, her spoils in her hand.
"I'm not short. I'm fun sized. And apparently, the mountain goat is not my spirit animal, " she said,as she took Mammon's hand when he offered to help her up.
"Thanks,"she opened the box and asked him if he wanted any.
He took a handful,and leaned against the counter.
"So, you and Beel, huh?," he asked casually.
"We're going to that stupid ball together..but, it's not like he asked me to start dating or something. "

"Well, it's kind of a date...even though it's in a formal setting,"he shrugged his shoulders as he popped another cracker in his mouth.

Aerith tugged at a piece of her hair nervously, as she agreed with him. "Yeah I guess you're right"

"Of course I'm right. Ya know, I might be willing to hook you up with some witches to tell ya how that's gonna go...for a kiss," the demon blushed after his offer.
Aerith smiled warmly at him, and gave him a peck on the forehead.
"That's alright Mammon. If I want to know, I'll figure something else out. Besides, I don't want to owe anyone my first born," she laughed,and headed for her room.

------- Later in the Evening------
After what would only be considered a normal dinner in the House of Lamentation, Aerith was in her room..and while she was trying to finish her tasks a thought kept occurring to her.

How would everything go tomorrow night? And where would it all lead? What of returning to the human world after the program?

She couldn't concentrate on her studies.
She got up from her desk,and left her room. Padding through the halls,she stopped at her location, and knocked on the door.

"Come in," answered the voice on the other side.
"Hey,Satan," she greeted,as she came in and shut the door behind her.
He put down the book he had been reading, and smiled. "Aerith,what can I do for you?"
She sat down across from him.
"I kind of had a question. Would you be able to give me a tarot reading about my future?"

"You mean in general or just for you and Beel,"he asked.

Blush stained her cheeks,as she answered, "A little of both."
He sighed,his green eyes searching Aerith's.
"I would absolutely love to,but I can't. We were told before you came here,that no one was to delve into your future,if you asked because it could greatly effect your stay here. I'm sorry Aerith."

"I see...its ok. That'd ruin any surprises anyway,"she tried to laugh it off.
"Thanks anyway Satan. Sorry to bother you,"Aerith smiled, as she went to leave.

"Not a problem. Sorry I can't be of any help, "he replied, as she left.

He sat there in his room trying to get back into his book,but the look on Aeriths face,and his own curiosity got the better of him,as he closed his book,and grabbed a deck of tarot cards.

As he shuffled, he concentrated on Aerith and Beelzebub ,and what she had wanted to know.

He had laid put his spread,and after he flipped the cards and read them, he sat there with an astonished look on his face and a warm smile.

He had pulled The Tower, The Hierophant, The Lovers,Ace and 2 of Cups,and The Death card. He had interpreted the spread reading for a life changing experience filled with union of love and transformation.

But, Aerith had no idea what awaited her the rest of this year.