The Expired

Chapter 8

"No way," Colby said, shaking his head.

Kira nodded. "I told Jacob, and he would have told you anyway, so I thought it was only fair." She rubbed her now bandaged arm nervously.

Colby frowned, staring hard at Kira. "I finally get why Aaron laughed so hard when I asked if you fell from heaven."

Kira stared at him dumbfounded. "That's all you have to say?"

"What else is there to say?" Colby shrugged. "I trust you're telling the truth."

Kira tried to blink back tears. "Thank you..."

"Hey, don't cry!" Colby exclaimed, quickly standing up from the futon, not knowing what to do. "W-where's Aaron?"

Kira laughed, wiping away the stray tears. "Sorry. It's just that after the way Jacob reacted, I didn't think I'd have friends anymore."

Colby frowned and crossed his arms. "Well, I will just have to talk to him, now don't I?"

Kira smiled and gave a small nod. "Yeah. Well, I'm going to go to bed. I'm exhausted."

Colby laughed. "I bet. Goodnight."

Kira smiled. "Goodnight." She walked off to her room, already feeling a little happier.

***

"I know, I know, I know," Jacob groaned, walking faster than usual to their next class. "I'm surprised you're taking it so well though!"

Colby shrugged. "It was a shock, but she hasn't shown any aggression since we've met. I think that necklace really does tone down the demon part of her."

"I guess," Jacob shrugged, opening the door the led into the building. "But we've been raised our whole lives being taught that all creatures are bad and deserve to die."

Kira, who stood right inside the door, froze slightly and then instantly shifted her gaze to the floor. "Oh, hi," she stammered. "I was waiting, but I'll just go sit over there," she quickly added, making her way to the front of the classroom.

"Smooth," Colby sighed. "Do you really think that Kira deserves to die?"

"Well, no, but—"

Colby held up a hand to stop him. "Don't go blabbering on about what she is. From what we know about her, she doesn't deserve to be killed. So in my book, that doesn't make her a monster."

Jacob frowned and looked over to where Kira sat down. It seemed she had made sure Colby and him couldn't sit anywhere near her. He sighed. "Let's just grab a seat."

"Fine. But after class we are waiting for Kira," Colby said sternly.

"I know, I know," Jacob said, quickly finding a seat.

Class went by slowly as usual, and Colby made Jacob stand with him outside until Kira exited the building. She looked up surprised.

Colby smiled. "Ready for some combat class?"

Kira smirked and gestured to her busted hand. "I think I'll sit this one out."

"Hey, we're getting a first actual mission today," Jacob said, suddenly remembering.

"Oh yeah!" Colby exclaimed. "This will be fun!"

"Yeah, a blast," Jacob said, rolling his eyes. "We got two people over here who are a little handicap at the moment."

Kira giggled and looked up at Jacob hopefully, but he still seemed to avoid making eye contact with her. Kira's smile dropped, but she still saw it as a sign for hope.