Demon Soul (1)

XVII

Everything flew by so fast. I wasn't sure what to think by the time I was shaking up on that stage, receiving my diploma while I walked by in a white robe and a red sash. I hadn't made Valedictorian like they originally planned for me to be, but I still graduated with honors, and was told I had a bright future ahead of me. And it was no shocker that Ronin had missed the ceremony, as had my foster parents. I wondered if they were cracking down on him as I watched a proud father wave at me from the chairs. He looked ready to burst into tears, and I was doing my best to hold mine back.

When I walked off of that stage and the ceremony came to a close, I found everyone embracing their family members while they sobbed and gave them flowers. While I attempted to find Gabriel in the throng of people, I was met with a different face instead. He seemed just as proud of me as Gabriel had been.

"Ryker!" I screeched in joy, wrapping my arms around him. The boy caught me mid-leap, spinning me around once before placing me back on my feet.

"I knew you had it in you, kid." He grinned. "Sticking around for a while or leaving pretty soon?"

"I think I might be able to stay a month or two." I teased. "If only just to keep you from being lonely."

"You know me so well." He snickered, and I finally spotted Nox and Gabriel in the crowd. They were pushing through to me, and I gladly ran to Gabriel, who squeezed me hard enough to take my breath away.

"I'm so proud of you." He whispered before straightening up, finally paying attention to Ryker. Nox had already seemed to be drooling over the boy. "I see I wasn't the only one who came to see you."

"Ryker Alleston." The officer held a hand out towards Gabriel, who took it happily.

"Gabriel Lumen, it's good to meet you."

"It's even better to meet you." Ryker smiled at me. "When I saw the situation she was stuck in at home, I was glad when she said she'd be going to stay somewhere else. Thank you for taking her in."

"Oh, she's like family to Aidan and I." He chuckled. "Delia, I think we're going to head home. Are you going to stay a little longer?"

"I think I will, I want to find Missy and Tara." I smiled. "I'll see you guys at home!"

"Say hi to Missy for me!" Nox called.

"I will." I laughed to myself, turning back around to Ryker. "From what I know, my friend Tara is throwing a graduation party wth underage drinking and probably some pot. I know you're a cop, but-"

"I'd love to go." He laughed. "Better a trained professional be there if something happens rather than something happen and everyone bailed."

"Perfect!" I giggled, turning around and dragging him through the crowd.

Eventually I saw a crown of sandy blonde waves in the crowd, standing right beside one of dark chocolate curls. Missy saw me and squealed, running over to me in her four inch heels like a pro. I squeezed the girl tightly and smiled, giving Tara an equally precious hug.

"We did it!" Missy cackled. "No more high school for us!"

"You're damn right about that." I high-fived the girl, watching her gaze divert from my own.

"Whoa, who's tall, blonde, and gorgeous?" She drooled as she examined Ryker, who grew a little uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Guys, this is my friend Ryker, and he's brunette Missy." I snickered. "He's coming with me to the party tonight."

"Good, I was about to invite him if he wasn't." Tara snorted. "It starts at ten, see you there handsome."

"Are you guys leaving?" I asked.

"We've got to go get things set up, get the supplies, blah, blah, blah." Missy laughed.

"I get it, I'll see you guys tonight!" I called, watching them walk off to their cars. I turned back to Ryker, who seemed to be tugging at his shirt collar nervously.

"That was certainly unexpected." He laughed. "Your friends have a pretty poor taste in men, no offense to them."

"Oh, none taken, they have a horrible taste in men." I cackled. "You're just all around a hunk. I mean, have you looked in the mirror recently?"

"You're sweet Delia." Ryker said, his cheeks painted a bright red. "Don't you have to go home and change if we're going to a party? It's almost nine now, you've got like an hour."

"I packed a change of clothes in my truck, is it alright if I drive down to the station and get changed there?"

"That should be just fine, I've got some things I need to grab from there anyway." He smiled, nodding towards the parking lot.

We both walked out there, right up until we had to go to our separate cars. I took off my cap and gown, tossing them into the backseat and kicking my shoes off while I drove. Trying to navigate with high heels wasn't the easiest thing to do, so I avoided it at all possible costs. Eventually I'd made it down to the police station, and Ryker pulled in right next to me. I didn't bother with my shoes again and instead grabbed the bag I'd brought along before jumping out, walking beside him wth bare feet into the station. No one looked at me different as I trotted to the bathroom, unzipping myself out of the dress I'd chosen and pulling on a pair of ripped up shorts and a lightweight sweater. I even changed my bra out for a bralette, deciding it'd be more comfortable that way. I gathered up my things and walked back out, finding Ryker chatting with a few new police officers I hadn't seen when I walked in. I stopped in my tracks when I spotted something hanging around one of their necks: a green beaded rosary. My blood ran cold and I felt myself struggling to breathe. The girl was right, there were more of them. Green was...Hunters. Oh god...

"Delia!" Ryker called me over, and I took a deep breath, attempting to recompose myself.

"Hi." I smiled, waving at the officers. They seemed nice enough, but I knew underneath all of the kindness was a killing machine.

"We're going to head out, the sushi place closes at ten thirty." Ryker smiled, passing off a lie on where we were going, most likely to save his own ass. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, just let me grab my shoes out of my truck." I laughed quietly, running outside ahead of him. The moment the cool air hit my skin I settled down, allowing myself to take a deep breath while I reached in to grab my heels.

I ran back over to Ryker, who pulled a different set of keys out of his pocket. We walked around to the side, and I found a Mustang, old and absolutely gorgeous. My jaw dropped when the lights flashed, and I looked back up to gawk at Ryker. I hadn't noticed until now that he'd switched his police uniform out for a plain white shirt and a leather vest, and a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans made him look more like a street punk than a cop.

"You look stunning by the way." He smirked, and I snapped back to reality as a blush crawled across my cheeks.

"Well you're certainly a sight for sore eyes." I said back, watching his smirk turn into a grin.

"Come on, let's get going." He held the door open for me, allowing me to climb inside. It was nice in here, with leather seats and a stainless dash.

"You really keep good care of this thing." I commented as he jumped into the drivers seat, turning the key and coaxing the engine to life. It roared.

"I've had her since I was your age." He laughed, pulling out onto the street. "God, it's been ages since I've been to a party. I feel giddy, I just know this is going to be fun."

"Well you may be a few years older, but you certainly act our age." I teased, watching him hit me with a playful side glare.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, I know I'm immature."

"It's cute, really." I smiled. "It's nice to not see people act so serious for once in their lives."

"I was always the joker, couldn't help it." He coughed slightly. "I, uh, I need you to be the navigator by the way, I have no clue where I'm going."

"Take the next left."