Zodiac Academy: New Gen

Elara Chapter Twelve

It's been a few days since I saw Tarin. He tried to message me on my atlas, but I have been ignoring all of them. Things between me and Kale have lightened up. I have spent most of my time with him, Azura, Augustaline, and Ender. I must overcome being a third wheel; this feels like my life now.

"El, are you sure you don't want to attend the New Year party tonight?" Seth asks as he is standing in my doorway fixing his bowtie. "Yes, Dad, I'm sure; I would much rather stay here," I say, giving him a soft smile. "I wish you would change your mind!" Azura yells from Kales's room. "Sorry, Azura, maybe next time!" I yell back, laughing. "Okay, well, I ordered your food. It's on its way!" Seth says as he turns and walks away.

"By El, we are leaving!" I hear my dad yell from downstairs. "Bye!" I call back and put on headphones. I would sit by myself, listen to some podcasts, and relax, with a pair of headphones no Rygar or Tarin to disturb me.

At the Party

"Kale, is Elara not coming tonight?" Ender asks, holding onto Augustaline's waist. "No, she decided to stay home!" Kale says, making eye contact with Tarin. Tarin breaks the stare and looks down at his hands.  "She was probably too scared to come!" Celaria buts in. Kale darts his eyes and starts to say something, but before he can, Tarin speaks up, "Celaria, I think you should leave." Tarin says, staring at her intently. "Excuse me?" She says, looking at him like he is crazy. "I'm so sick and tired of having to pretend I like you!" Tarin says, standing up this time. "The only reason you are here is so Rygar can be with Zandera!" He continues pointing to Rygar and Zandera, who are making out. Rygar breaks the kiss, "Bro, what are you doing?" He asks, looking at Tarin. "I'm done, man!" Tarin says, standing his ground. Celaria stands there for a minute before running out of the room, crying.

The others are standing there in complete shock. Zandera shoots up and runs after Celaria, leaving Rygar alone. "Dude, what the fuck!" Rygar yells, looking at Tarin. "I've said it a million times. I don't like her!" the Tarin says, stepping forward. "I'm tired of having to do everything you want!" Tarin continues getting close to Ryan's face. Rygar pushes Tarin away from him. "You have gone real soft ever since..." Rygar stops before he finishes his sentence. "If you even say her name, I will punch you!" Tarin says, balling his hands in a fist. "E-L-A-R-A," Rygar spells out, smiling. Tarin lunges at him and knocks him in the face. Rygar pushes Tarin to the ground, jumping on top of him. The others need help figuring out what to do just standing there. "Stop!" Kale yells out finally but gets none of their attention. The boys whale on each other for a couple more minutes before Tory enters the room and breaks them up.

"What is the matter with you two?" She yells, pushing them away from each other. "He started it!" Rygar says, pointing to Tarin. Tarin stands there, shaking his head. They stand there for a minute, huffing and puffing, before Tarin turns around and leaves. "where are you going?" Rygar shouts. "Away from here!" Tarin yells back.

Back at Elaras house

I lay in my bed with headphones on, staring at the ceiling. I started thinking about attending the academy and dealing with everyone there. I hear the doorbell ring, almost forgetting that food; thank god I was starving. I run down the stairs, nearly tumbling as I reach the door. I opened it and saw Tarin standing there holding the food that had been ordered.

"What are you doing here?" I say, freezing in the doorway. "I came to apologize." He says softly. "You seem to be starting to make a habit out of it," I say, moving from the doorway so he can enter. We walk to the kitchen; keeping the food in his hands, he stares at me. "Elara, I am so sorry I lied to you." He says, looking down. "I was afraid of Rygar and what he would say or do to you if he knew I was hanging out with you," he says, pushing his hair back. "You shouldn't have lied to me, Tarin," I retort. "And I'm not something that needs to be protected." I continue looking up at him. "I know you are not, but I felt you needed to be in the moment." He says, making eye contact with me. "Please forgive me, Elara. This last week has been complete shit," He asks, not breaking the contact. I wait a minute before responding, " I forgive you because you are holding my food hostage, and I am starving!" I say, pointing to the bag in his hands and laughing. He starts laughing and places the food on the counter.

"Why did you leave the party?" I ask, grabbing two plates from the cabinet. Tarin starts to remove his jacket and bow tie as I place the plates in front of him. "I'm tired of having to do everything Rygar wants," he says, opening the boxes of Chinese food. " I wanted to do something for me," he continues, looking over at me. I clear my throat and grab a box, scooping food into my plate.

We sat there for almost 3 hours, reviewing our lives over the last few years. He never once asked about the voices or seeing the dead, which made me happy. We could have continued if it hadn't been for the front door opening and my family coming in.

"Tarin?" My dad, Caleb, asks, tossing his jacket onto the couch. "Hey, Mr. Altair," Tarin smiles back, standing up and grabbing his jacket. Kale and Azura walk in behind them. "What the hell are you doing here?" Kale asks, moving closer. "Kale, he came to apologize," I say, standing between them. "Apologize?" My dad Seth asks. "It's fine; don't worry about it now," I say, returning my attention to Kale, who hasn't backed down. Azura steps over, grabbing his arm and making him turn and look at her. "She said it's fine," Azura repeats, making Kale relax. "I am going to head out," Tarin says, stepping beside me. "I'll walk you out," I say, putting a hand on Kales's shoulder as we walk past him.

We walk out to where Tarin's car is at. It's freezing cold outside. "So I guess I'll see you at Academy on Monday, then, little Vampire," he says, running his hands through his hair. We stand there for a minute in silence, just looking at each other before he breaks the silence. " Anymore thought on your house?" he says, turning towards his car. "A little," I say, playing coy. "I guess I'll have to wait till Monday to find out with everyone else then," he says, smiling. "Thanks for coming over," I say to Tarin before he slides into his car.

I turn and walk back into the house, feeling relieved and actually excited to start school on Monday.As I walk up the stairs "He fought Rygar tonight" I hear Kale say as he is standing in his doorway. "Really?" I ask, standing in the hallway. "I just want to make sure you don't get hurt, Elara," he says, stepping closer. "I know you do, Kale, and I love you for that," I say, moving in for a hug. "I love you too," Kale says, embracing me.