The Devil's Gift/The Bloody Handed

8

A couple days have passed and everything seemed to go back to normal. Everyone was hanging out and having fun, just living our normal lives. We all went to school, and Eddie started hosting his D&D campaigns and picking on the jocks again. Mike, Dustin, and Lucas tried to rally in people to join, but to no avail they didn't succeed. Eddie also started building a D&D lair in his trailer, hoping to host more campaigns even after graduation.

It felt nice to live a normal teenager life, but I wasn't a teenager. I was an adult in high school, just waiting for the day I get my diploma because that much I did promise my parents. I did my usual thing and hung out with Robin every day, Max sometimes joining us occasionally. She was expected to see the counselor often for stealing the keys and talking about her experiences. If I was being honest, the last thing we all needed was a therapist. We've learned to be one for ourselves and everyone else. If I could sit down with a therapist and have them listen and believe every word to exit my mouth, I would. I kill monsters, I'm related to one, I have powers- and oh yeah- my boyfriend died to save my life and came back. How does that sound? It sounds like an expected vacation to the psych ward.

I walk down the hall to the cafeteria for lunch. I had little to no appetite, so Robin always got a plate and gave me whatever off of it I wanted. I spot Eddie and take a seat next to him, his arm wrapping around me. I look at his appearance- he was definitely normal looking for a vampire. He had started to wear his black (and washed) handkerchief around his hair and sometimes he would occasionally pull it back into a low ponytail. He hated it at first when I introduced the idea, but he eventually gave into me. And just like I assumed, he liked it.

"Hey, hun." He takes his fist and noogies the top of my head. I smack it away, and try to fix the nest he caused within seconds while Dustin and Mike laugh at me.

"I will literally chop off your hair while you're sleeping. Don't test me." I raise my eyebrows, trying to sound as serious as possible. Of course I wouldn't do it because he was attractive the way he is, but it was tempting enough for him to stop.

"Hey guys!" Robin comes over with Vicky, and sits by Dustin and Mike. She reaches down to her tray and grabs a shiny red apple, tossing it to me. I catch it, and Eddie immediately retorts.

"You need more food than that, Clary." He frowns.

"I don't know, I'm just not that hungry lately." I shrug as I take a small bite, the juices flowing to the corner of my mouth. I hear Eddie sigh, and then smack the table.

"Alright you fuckers, who's ready for a rad campaign tonight!" Dustin, Mike, Garett, and Eddie's other friends start to cheer along. I look at Robin and Vicky, who felt just as out of place as I did.

"Do I have to play this time?" I ask Eddie. His head snaps to me as if I just shot him.

"Do you have to play this time?" He puts a finger in his chin and taps it. "No. Definitely not. You'll mess up the game, we can't risk it."

"Hey!" My mouth drops and I smack him on the arm lightly with the magazine.

"The truth is what you shall receive, my fair lady." He winks at me and I roll my eyes. It truly reminded me of when we first met. The sarcastic humor, the comments, the brutality. But if I was being honest I missed seeing this side of him. "Hey Dusty buns. You should invite Erica, or Lady AppleJack to the campaign. She is in the club after all."

"Her?!" One of his friends exclaim.

"Yes." He says flatly.

"She's a kid!" The bigger guy motions to the table.

"She's twelve. And she is a great player. What I say goes." He puts a finger up and makes a motion to zip his mouth shut. I can't help but laugh- I remember when Eddie first met Erica. The look on his face was priceless when she told him off. I think if anything, Eddie was scared of her and he enjoyed that. Fierce.

"I guess I'll be the cheerleader then." I say unsure.

Eddie looks at me and smiles. "Sit still and look pretty. Like you always do." He puts a finger to my nose and pokes it.

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow.

The lunch bell rings and everyone gets up. Eddie comes by me, and we start to walk down the hall. Everyone in the school knew we were dating. From that Halloween party fiasco to how we were in public it was obvious. Of course I got the looks from the cheer team for what I did to that girl, who's name I don't know. But what I did know was that she deserved it and to stay away from him. Plain and simple.

"I'm going to fail this test," Eddie groans.

"Just remember what I taught you. Don't second guess and work it through. We are almost done." I put a hand on his shoulder and he puts his around my waist.

We were like the demon king and queen of Hawkins High, I swear.