The Underground City of Cinders

Chapter 10

I sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity. I just sat there staring blankly at Izzy. I wasn't even sure if I was concerned about what Izzy had just told me. So what if the elder trying to kill me is Dimitri's mom? That doesn't make him bad. Does it? My conscience look at me for a moment, 'He's still hot.' I shook my head at her. I never understood how she could be so shallow.

I was vaguely aware Izzy had begun to gently shake my shoulders. I looked up at her to see her mouth moving but oddly, no sound was coming out. With one last strong shake, Izzy brought me out of my stupor. "Liz! Are you okay Liz?" she asked with a look of worry and concern on her face.

I nodded unconvincingly, "Yea... I think I'm okay."

Izzy looked at me for a long moment, "Are you sure Liz because you don't really look okay?"

I nodded again, a little more strongly this time, "Yea. I will be fine eventually." I smiled at her to try to convince her. I think I am mostly just trying to convince myself.

Izzy smiled and ran her hands through my hair in an attempt to give it volume, "Okay. Well you look hot as hell now. You ready to go see Chase?"

My stomach was in knots, "Yea, I think I am. I don't really know what to think about Dimitri right now but I'm not going to worry about it."

Izzy smiled at me, "I'm glad to hear that Liz but you really should stop hanging around Dimitri."

I nodded, "I know Izzy but he lives in the same apartment building as me. What am I going to do? Plus he's super overprotective. I can't even stay out for a night without him freaking out on me."

Izzy grabbed my wrist, pulling me out of the bathroom, "See Liz. I'm telling you he's bad."

I shook my head in disbelief, "I just... I was really starting to like him ya know? I don't want to think he would do anything to hurt me." Izzy opened her mouth to say something but a loud knock at the front door interrupted her. I hesitantly took a step toward the door, "Should I answer it? What if it's Dimitri?"

Izzy shrugged, "If it's Dimitri he probably won't go away."

I nodded, knowing she was right, so I took a few more cautious steps toward the door. Opening the door an inch, I saw Chase's handsome face. I swung the door open all the way, "Chase! What are you doing here?"

Chase shrugged and fidgeted with his hands nervously, "Well... after I left here I kept thinking about you. I debated coming over here forever because I didn't want you to think I was stalking you. You don't think that do you?"

I smiled at his cute nervousness, "Of course I don't think you're a stalker Chase. I see you more as a caring friend."

A playful smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, "Just a friend?"

I blushed and lightly kicked the doorframe with the side of my foot, "Well..." I started, tugging nervously on my fingers, "you're my mentor. I really did enjoy last night though." I looked up at Chase after a moment to see his playful smirk had turned into a huge grin. Oh my gosh, he is totally grinning like an idiot but I love it. I don't know how I got so lucky for him to be interested in me.

"So," Chase beamed, "Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date tonight."

I smiled and giggled at his attempt to imitate an old Renaissance knight. I curtseyed at him, "Why yes good sir. I would most undoubtedly love to be your date for the night."

Chase and I burst into a fit of giggles which was interrupted by Izzy's loud voice, "Oh my gosh, would you just kiss her already?" Looking back, I glared at Izzy, which caused her to laugh.