The Above || Completed

40 DMC - Deep Meaningful Chocolate

The next day, Aeron didn't show up at breakfast. He was avoiding me. And by now, my anger had dissipated and so had my pride. All that was left was guilt. In truth, I wasn't angry at Aeron in the first place. He just happened to be the only person I could unleash all Hell upon. I meant to apologise as soon as we were supposed to give Venus our fabricated progress report. But breakfast took forever. I couldn't eat my food fast enough.

"Slow down, Maddison. You can't be that hungry, can you?" Erica told me, a little alarmed.
"Where's Aeron?" Grace enquired as I paused to chew all my food properly.
I shrugged. "No idea. I'm going to look for him now."
"Aeron woke up earlier than the rest of us," Zachariah mentioned.
"Did something happen last night?" Grace asked, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears and adjusting her glasses.
Erica, who had been drinking her coffee, suddenly slammed her mug on the dining table. "You did not-"
"No!" I said quickly, feeling my face warm. "We just- had a fight, that's all."
"He'll come around," Zachariah said consolingly, standing up along with Grace, who still looked curious as to what actually happened.
It's a long story, Grace.
"Thanks, Zachariah," I said.
After Grace and Zachariah left the dining hall, Erica nudged me timidly. I looked at her and shrugged questioningly.
"You know, if you're in a hurry to find Aeron, I could eat the rest of your food," she said, her azure eyes wide and pleading.
I chuckled. "Really? You're hungry, huh?"
"Yeah..." She smiled. "Weird.
I stood. "Enjoy."
"Thanks." She waved as I left the dining hall.
She seems a lot better.

Just as I started my walk down the corridor to check whether Aeron was in the dorm, our tiny escort from Venus' dinner appeared in front of me. His bald head was as chalky as ever.
"Morning, Miss Zeph," he said politely.
I smiled. "Morning. Can I help you?"
"I presume Venus has already informed you of the progress report you are to deliver?" he said.
"Yes. I don't know where Aeron is though," I admitted.
"Oh, he's with her as we speak, ma'am. In the courtyard." He paused. "Would you like me to escort you?"
My mouth had gone dry. "No, thank you."
I continued to walk as soon as he stepped aside. Was Aeron really that angry at me? I only felt worse. I sped up so I was jogging. Something told me I had to get there quickly. I only slowed down once I was out in the courtyard, where the gardens appeared especially pale and snowy, glowing in places where the sun hit just right. I saw Aeron's silhouette leaning against the milky trunk of the baobab through the mist.

"Aeron!" I called as I ran to him. "Aeron!"
When he didn't respond, I waited till I was at the foot of the trunk. I stood right behind him.
"Hey, Corne-" I stopped short.
I noticed abruptly that a woman's arms were draped around his shoulders. I heard lips smacking as they separated. Both of them looked at me, Venus all doe-eyed and surprised and Aeron incredulous and lost for words.
"Oh, Devonne. Hi." Venus smiled coyly.
I began to step away from them. "My name is Maddison."
"Devonne-" Aeron reached for me.
I recoiled, repulsed. "My name is Maddison."
"Please," he begged. "Sh-she forced-"
I shook my head as tears surfaced. "Erica was right about you."
"No, Devonne. Hear me out," he pursued me, leaving Venus behind.
Venus tried pulling him back. "Oh, Aeron. Just leave her be."
"Stay away from me," I said, feeling the tears escape.
He gritted his teeth. "Devonne..."
"Leave me alone."

And I ran.

^^^

Day four in council headquarters was yet another day off. The council had three days left to identify the angel. That meant that I had three days left to find both the angel and my father. I decided I didn't need Aeron. I'd survived alone before, hadn't I? I was just stupid enough to believe he cared. He used me and broke my heart. He said he liked her better anyway, didn't he?

Erica sat beside me in the bathroom. It was the only place we knew we wouldn't be overheard. She smuggled some chocolates out of the dining room in her black sweater, so dozens of wrappers lay scattered across the tiles. I told Erica all about Aeron's betrayal.
"I don't understand why he'd do that though," Erica was saying.
I furrowed my brow. "You said so yourself, he's a jerk."
"He'd never cheat, Maddison. Make no mistake," she said.
"Well, he did." I sighed. "He was the only person who made me feel safe in this place and now, he's become one of the reasons I'm in danger."
"It doesn't make sense." She shook her head.
I popped another chocolate in my mouth. "Come on, Erica. It's simple. She's just better than I am."
"Shut up, you're comparing a council slut to a free angel." She punched me playfully.

I did a double take, nearly choking on my chocolate. "What? How did you-"
"I got Grace to spill the beans last night with a little persuasion." She whipped out her pocket knife.
I laughed. "You're a psychopath."
She shrugged. "Seemed fitting to me."
"It doesn't freak you out?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself.
She grinned. "I think it's awesome. It sort of harmonises our friendship, you know? A demon such as myself befriending an angel. Unlikely but unique."
"Oh, Erica, you're not all demon," I said endearingly.
"See, you're obviously an angel; too good to be true," she said, snickering.

"Back to the topic!" Erica announced. "It doesn't make sense that Aeron would just cheat on you after he decided to get with you."
"And why can't we just accept this as Guy-logic?" I asked, exasperated.
"Imagine raising your children with that idea in your head. This is why you're going to be a terrible mother," she scolded.
"Just tell me why then," I insisted.
"Look, there's just no logic in him doing that. He looks at you as though the moon disappears on some nights to make room for you. He's only known you for four days, but he's fallen hard enough to make it look like four years." Her ultramarine eyes told me she wasn't just saying this.
Every word was truth.
Every word broke my heart.
"Appearances are illusions, Erica." The tears blurred my vision. "He betrayed me."
She slipped her arm across my shoulders and we ate the last of her stolen chocolates.

^^^