Ethereal Beings

Chapter Nine: An AA Meeting of Sorts

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! First off, I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to get this chapter out - I've been super busy with travelling home and organising work while I'm back in Cambridge over Easter. But, here we are! Hope you guys enjoy :P

- Alex 

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As the final few students leave the classroom, Mr. Girton closes the door and beams at the two Goddesses before him. "I didn't want to mention anything earlier, as I knew that you must have been feeling rather overwhelmed, Nancy." Mr Girton perches on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms over his broad chest and inhales sharply. "I know that your place in this world is much larger than you previously suspected and that your role as a Goddess on this Earth has been established. Now that you have been assigned this title, your powers will start to develop! Exciting, isn't it?"

Questions begin to swarm in Nancy's mind. How did Mr G know? What's his role in all of this? Is he a God? Does he have a Mark, or can he just see the others'?
"Um, yeah. I guess that I am a little swamped, sir." She shrugs, sighing heavily. "What do you mean by powers?"

"You'll be fine, you're new to this... that's all. We'll help you through all of it, I know it's a little scary at first." Leigh's tone is soft, almost empathetic, contrasting greatly to her usual sharp tongue. "We have a group meeting in the Social Room in a little while, with the others. So, we'll keep you updated, Mr. G."

"That would be great. I might pop in later, just to check on things, and see how you're all doing." Mr. Girton hesitates before continuing, his tone drops to one more serious, "if you ever need anything, let me know."

The two girls grab their belongings and head out of the classroom, making their way back to the Social Room.

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Phoenix is already inside, along with Dave. There is no sign of Jared. Phoenix welcomes Nancy into the room, offering her a seat at one of the tables. A sweet aroma fills the room, and Nancy sees that Phoenix has brought everyone coffee.

"Here! This is for you. Mr. G said how mocha was your favourite, and I even added whipped cream for you. Don't say I'm not the coolest person here." Phoenix winks subtly and hands Nancy the paper take-away cup from the college's café.

"Thanks!" Nancy smiles, taking a sip. She feels at ease as the chocolate liquid moves down her throat, soothing her nerves. Nancy had never been good when faced with social situations. But something about the group of Ethereal Beings made her feel at home. Even Leigh, who once treated Nancy with little respect, seemed like more of a friend now.

"So, where is Jared?" Leigh's voice booms, obviously still annoyed from their encounter earlier on that morning. She walks over to Phoenix and snatches the cup of coffee from her hand.

Phoenix's skin glows a deep red, and her eyes glaze over, just for long enough for Nancy to notice before her features return to normal. Phoenix shrugs it off and continues to drink her own beverage.

"Honestly, Leigh, we don't know." Dave is standing at the whiteboard in the social room, tracing a mind map. Branching out from the centre of the map is all the group members' names, their Marks written underneath. Nancy was curious to get to know everyone a little more now that she had begun to settle into the group.

A few minutes after his name being mentioned, the door flies open to reveal an agitated Jared. "Bitch, I heard you were still talking shit about me." The words flew through the silence like daggers, aiming for Leigh.