My suitors

Chapter 9

Yesterday was such a mess. Though classes are canceled, the mood is anything but cheery, as many of the students are too nervous to venture out. I wander the empty halls, figuring out where I should go to offer help. Ahead, I see Adal staring at a picture on the wall.

- Adal, I yell. He spots me immediately and heads in the other direction.

- Is he avoiding me, I ask in my head.

- Adal, wait up, I yell. I start running toward him. He turns around as if he's surprised to see me.

- What were you looking at, I ask.

- Oh, uh. I was just looking at a few things, Adal says.

- Photos of Darkfire Academy over the years, I ask. He looks at the ground, avoiding eye contact.

- I feel like you're hiding something important from me, I say. Squinting my eyes at Adal, I walk back to the picture.

When I study the photo, I see a well-dressed man.

- Wait a second. He kind of looks like he'd be related to Trevor. Or maybe related to Adal, I say in my head.

- Is this man your father, I ask. I can see Adal tense up, clenching his fists. It's like he wants to speak, but the words won't come out.

- Yeah. That's him, Adal says.

- Why does he sound so ashamed, I ask in my head.

- My father would be embarrassed by what I've become, Adal says.

- I don't think so. You saved me, remember. If it weren't for you, things would have gone far south, I say.

- That means nothing. Anyone could've stepped in, Adal says.

- But you did first. Why can't you embrace that. Is that really all that's bothering you, I ask. He growls and clenches his fists.

- How the hell do you always know, Adal says. Without warning, Adal grabs me and pulls me straight into him. I can feel his chest pounding, and his body trembling against mine.

- No, that isn't all of it, Adal says. His arms feel so protective and muscular.

- You were almost, Adal says. His expression is laden with guilt as he trails off.

- Wait, was he actually worried about me, I ask in my head. I wrap my arms around him, hoping the gesture will ease his pain.

- Adal, it's okay, I say.

- I don't get it. Why is it eating me up so much, Adal asks.

- What is, I ask. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest.

- That I wasn't able to prevent what happened yesterday. You should have never been put in a spot like that. I should never have left you alone with Trevor in the first place, Adal says. My heart leaps as well, and I move my arm, resting my hand on his back.

- But I'm okay now, Adal, I say. A low growl leaves his throat, and his embrace grows tighter, as if I'll be swept away at any moment.

- Why the hell does the thought of him putting his hands on you annoy me so much, Adal says.

- Wait a second. Is he upset because he was jealous of Trevor having me to himself, I ask in my head. My face flushes as I continue to gently pat his back.

- No, that can't be it, I say in my head.

- Why do you hate Trevor so much, I ask.

- Isn't it obvious, Kira. He's a full-blooded demon and will always be accepted in this world. Half-demons will always face prejudice. No matter how many souls I gather, or how hard I fight for Darkfire. No one will treat me with any respect because of who I am, Adal says.