The Paired

Cedric

One month of being paired and I still barely know her. Faith is sweet and everything, but that's about it. We were holding hands and walking through the garden. I would say it was straight out of a fairy tale, but I mean, everything and everyone here was something out of a fairy tale. Or, a nightmare for some of us.

Faith peered down at the flowers before picking an orange tulip. "Did you know that tulips symbolize new love?" she said with a smile.

"Can't say that I did." I returned a half-hearted expression. She tried too hard to make things work between us. I don't know what we were lacking, maybe love for starters. Faith was more like my sister than a girlfriend and it kinda grossed me out. I really wish I had a girlfriend. Like a real one that wasn't randomly chosen. Dating in the angel realm isn't like ordinary relationships. You fall in love and then you're married. That's pretty much it.

We wandered around the garden for about an hour with the occasional stop at a fountain. I felt really guilty about how I viewed Faith. I should feel lucky to get such a nice partner but some part of me just wants more. She was exactly what you'd expect an angel to be paired with. She never wore makeup, her long hair was always down, and her white uniform shirt always tucked into her white skirt. She's perfect, Just not for me.

"Hey guys!" A voice called from behind us. I turned to see Finn strutting up, his pair following reluctantly in his wake. "They're holding interviews again and I saw you guys so I decided I should let you know."

"Why are they doing interviews again?" I asked.

Finn shrugged, "Dunno. Probably because it's been a month, just checking up on us I guess."

We all headed back to the cafeteria to wait for our interview. Finn pushed three two-seaters together to form a table, probably so he would have someone to talk to besides his pair. He sat in the middle, so I took the seat to his right, our pairs sitting opposite us.

"Hey Liam!" Finn yelled. Across the entire silent cafeteria. Liam didn't look too pleased but he still came over. His pair Melody stopped and whispered something in his ear. Liam just rolled his eyes and kept walking. After a second, she followed him reluctantly. They sat down as Finn was still ranting about the dress code policy here.

"C'mon, would it really be that tragic if I just didn't wear pants?"

"Yes, it really would be." Melody muttered, clearly aggravated by who knows what.

"Whatever." Finn sighed before starting another random conversation. "So, what's up with you guys?"

"Finn, you saw us yesterday." Liam ran a hand over his face, looking drained.

"A lot can happen in a day! For instance—"

"Oh, I'm so sorry babe." Melody's water spilled onto Liam's side of the table.

"It's fine." He grumbled.

"No, I'll just sit there instead." She was already getting out of her seat, so Liam didn't much of an option. She smiled and relaxed into her seat. Finn and I glanced at each other.

"So, it's Cedric, right? Liam tells me all about you." Liam's gaze said otherwise.

"Oh how sweet, little Liam wuvs his fwiends." Finn exclaimed.

"One more word and I'll turn you into fried chicken."

"At least then Harmony can't deny that I'm a snack." He tried winking at her but Harmony put her head down on the table.

"Cedric, please report to Lila's office." An announcement called. I made my way back to the same room I was first interviewed in.

"Have a seat dear, just one moment." She was scribbling something down on a notepad before she looked up at me. "Hello, how are you today?"

"Fine, I guess." I replied.

"Wonderful, now down to business. Rate your relationship on a scale of one to ten for the following categories. Let's start with compatibility." She looked straight into my eyes and her questions caught me off guard."

"Uh, 5."

"Humor?" she asked.

"Negative 5" I said under my breath.

"What was that?" She said, still writing.

"I said 3." I stuttered.

"Okay, how about emotional trust?"

"2." There's no point in lying about that one.

"Mhm. Physical intimacy?" she continued.

"Wait, what?" Odd question.

"How would you rate your physical intimacy with your pair?" She didn't seem bothered at all by these intrusive questions.

"Um, zero." What's happening here?

"It's one to ten, darling."

"One, then." I don't know if holding hands really counts for much.

"Okay now describe your level of attraction to your pair."

"Emotional or physical?" I joked.

"Whatever works." Apparently, it wasn't a joke.

"In that case, I mean, she's pretty, I suppose. I just don't really feel anything between us." Sadly, it was the truth.

"Okay, that'll be all." She waved as I walked out.

I returned to my seat with the rest of my friends.

"How'd the beat down go?" Finn laughed.

"I don't know, man. She wanted specifics about the harpy trying to protest pants."

Finn looked appalled. "I must meet this harpy."

I rolled my eyes. Slowly, everyone else got called to the interview and the rest waited their turn. After that was over, we all headed back to our dorms. Finn gave Harmony an awkward hug and Melody giggled at the sight.

Liam, Finn and I decided to head to the lake for a night swim instead of going to sleep.

"So guys, lets be honest here, how did y'all answer the physical question?" Finn blurted.

"I think I said one." I answered.

"Same here. What about you, Finn?" Liam responded.

"Ugh. I can't even hold her hand. Do you think it's the talons?" He seemed very concerned at the thought.

"Oh yeah, must be the talons. Why else wouldn't she be all over you?" Liam said.

"Dude, you're dating a freaking siren. Why the hell aren't you enjoying that?" Finn was obviously jealous.

"You realize that you're paired with a siren, too right?" I pointed out.

Finn pouted, "Yeah, but she doesn't like being a siren. It's different." He ducked his head under the water and splashed Liam.

Liam was gone once Finn came above water again, laughing. He suddenly stopped. "Where'd he go?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, but if I were you, I'd be worried."

Finn was about to respond before he was dragged under the water, his wings flapping wildly and spraying water in all directions. I tried to shield my eyes, but the water still got in them. When I opened them, Finn was gasping for breath five feet above the water while Liam was smirking his head off.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Finn sputtered, coughing up water.

Liam's smirk still didn't fade. "Payback."

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