Celestial University: A Bully Romance

Chapter 5: Happy Birthday

"That's the same power that attacked us that night! Sehki, is that you?"

If we were friends in the past, what happened that made them hate me so much? And if we aren't well I'm glad past me dodged a bullet.

Xia cracked her knuckles, firing her arms back. "I'll make you beg for forgiveness you two faced snake!"

Shemar gulped knowing full well what he was going to do. As flames from her arms propelled her, he spotted a nearby fire hydrant that read for non-water majors, struggling to open it.

The seconds before her fist was ready to apply to his face, he tripped on water as he unlocked the hydrant, which fired around both of them. Xia coughed, flying and blowing away the smoke to dive at him when the girl in the witch's outfit stopped in between them, catching her arm while lifting Shemar up to her staff.

"Calypsa, move!"

She yawned. "I thought you weren't coming to Celestial anymore."

"Did you forget Sehki's the reason you don't have a home?"

"I haven't," as Shemar noticed her purple hair in more detail, accenting her beauty. "But it's been eight years. We've got enough time for an explanation. It's his first day back, let him accumulate back into society."

Xia sucked her teeth and flipped back to the ground. "Fine," blowing an ember out of her mouth. "If your soft spot was wrong just like last time, you have to tease my soft spot this weekend," smacking the air with scorn and walking back, pointing to Shemar with a warning.

"We've been training to excel at this school for years. Let's see which element and you have tomorrow."

Shemar touched his chest, puffing. "Thank you. Um, your name is-"

Calypsa's staff flew a little higher, sliding him off the staff. "Castor," leaning down to whisper in his ear. "You lost some memories, didn't you," flirtatiously grinning as she tapped his forehead.

He raised an eyebrow, concerned. How did she know?

"Keke," giggling, "you're secret's safe with me," walking away to join the heirs.

His heart pounded. Okay, that was an experience, with more questions now. "Wait, school starts tomorrow, why?"

"This school starts with the best of the best from all of Terra arriving here. At least we get three months off in spring," Principal Lumin explained, helping him up. "Tomorrow, why don't you all show him around."

Ainsley shrugged. "He doesn't look stupid to figure it out on his own."

Xia growled at him, with Taylor and Rigal not showing much care.

"They'll come around," but Shemar dismissed his new school.

"Is there any other school?"

"Stay, it's tradition for all those next in line for power to graduate from Celestial University, and the inheritance not only goes to you all for your expenses, but for your kingdom."

"How and why?"

"To show the world we've prepared their next leaders for greatness and worthy of granting investment in their reign. Beyond tests, you've got more opportunities to earn more, including the Mightalton. Your professors will give you all the details."

Well that doesn't help me get home, but I'm gonna need money. "Does that include Starlight?"

"Only professors, governmental officers, and heads of state. You'd have to get appeals or recognition from our world's elite four through your growth and maturity."

"Was it five, till my parent's..accident?"

"I..apologize for not bringing it up, Young Lord."

He sighed. "I get it. Well, I'll need a place to live," considering it temporarily until he could get the Starlight to head back home. "What are the dorms for freshmen?"

"That's nonsense. Why not live within one of the four dorms?"

"Wait, there's not one for me?"

"Well there was, but, let's just say it needs renovations," handing him a map.

Well Ainsley seems the least violent, maybe the House of Gaia would fit.

He stared outside to see the rest of the students admiring the quartet with awe and intrigue, taking photos with them.

"I'll think about it," deciding to leave after thanking him, heading outside to join them. However, he received stares and glares, wondering what him and his parent's actions were to have been so drastic to earn such vitriol.

Even gazing at the four houses, one shaped like a phoenix that held of branches for different hallways and outdoor fields, a dome cylinder with geysers and waterfalls, a dragonic cathedral surrounded by a forest, mud swamps, and vines that connect it to windows, and a tower filed with gyms, wide tvs around floating platforms, and hoops strung along balloons, he could care less.

He walked alone until finding the fifth fraternity house, a castle with cracked chimneys, graffiti with paint from what looked like logos of the other four, and the sculpture of a man who reached out to something that was broken.

Shemar instinctively reached out to touch the hand, which cracked. Ridden with sorrow he didn't understand, he clapped his hands, apologizing for any turmoil he wasn't there for.

He slowly opened the entrance, and inside housed an unclean room, kitchen, and hallways in shambles. The only place he was willing to enter after such a long day was the sofa, surprisingly well kept.

Shemar slipped into the sheet and rested on the pillows there, trying not to get overwhelmed.

He took out his phone, finding a picture of himself, Valeria, and Flint as he began to slumber.

"They're important to you," a voice he couldn't tell asked.

"You're only two out of three people that've ever cared for me. I wanted to celebrate my birthday tomorrow with you both here," seeing them in front of him before his arm fell asleep with him.

The next morning he woke up, in clear need of a shower. He blinked at his surroundings. The kitchen was half as clean, and one of the hallways had some repairs. The confusion on who snuck in to clean up almost befuddled him as much as the sudden box next to the sofa.

He picked it up, finding a note. "Prince Sehki. I only knew of your day of birth in this world, so this gift comes last minute. Your stay at Celestial University will be challenging, but believe in the stars and the shadows that'll guide you," reading it out loud.

He ripped it open, presented with a cake with "Welcome Back" and "Happy Birthday" frosting on the top.

Shemar's heart skipped, searching around to see if anyone was there until his stomach's heavy roar compelled him to grab a fork and knife in the bag to eat it with hesitation quickly turning into glee.

As he reached for napkins, there was more on the back.

"I've missed you and your cute smile. You aren't alone."

Tears of sadness and gratitude followed through his eyes.