The Oracle

Chapter 11: Implosion

SORA

Back at Aria, it's like things haven't changed since we left a few hours ago, unsurprisingly.

"It's fine if she wants to join the academy and I applaud her for it, but you'll be the one mentoring her," Kit points out as the five of us walk through the dispatch center.

"What?" Sander's eyes widen. "Why me?!"

"You're always slacking off. It would do you some good to learn discipline," Kit hums.

"Uh...guys..." Isabella weakly attempts to interject.

"Slacking off? The hell, Kit? When do I--" Sander's voice fades as the other three keep walking and Akari and I stay behind.

"Is it me or do I sense..." Akari trails off quietly as she stands beside me, her eyes flickering between the three of them.

"Jealousy," I finish. "Blatant jealousy. Yes, yes you do."

"But why would she pair them together then?" Akari raises a brow.

"Don't ask me," I shrug, clueless.

The two of us watch as Isabella, Sander, and Kit walk out of the center, Sander and Kit still arguing back and forth over Isabella, who stands timidly in the center of the chaos.

"Right..." Akari trails off. "Well, I'm going to go wash up and then head to class. You should do the same."

"Yeah," I sigh and stretch my arms out. "I know. Don't worry, I've got it."

"If you say so," Akari sing-songs. "I'll see you around, Sora."

"See ya," I wave her off before I sigh once more and head to my room as well.

On the way to my room, I deadpan whenever I notice Merrick standing outside in the hallway swigging down a bottle of wine, as per usual.

"Merrick, what the hell are you doing?" I sigh as I walk up to him.

"It's five o'clock somewhere, Sora. Bottoms up," Merrick grins and begins to lean his head back as he leans against the wall and attempts to down more of the wine bottle.

"People don't typically drink entire bottles by themselves at five o'clock, Merrick," I sharply remind him and snatch the bottle out of his hands, to which he frowns. "Come on, let's go."

Even though he can be a complete ass, whenever Akari told me about what happened to him, I felt like I could relate to him and I wanted to apologize to him. Maybe now I can get the chance to do that.

"Where're you taking me?" Merrick sighs as I drag him back to his room.

"You're going to sober up," I sigh and Merrick frowns slightly as I push open his door.

"Good luck with that," Merrick laughs dryly. "God, I'm a mess. Aren't I?"

"Well, that's one word for it," I sigh as I walk Merrick over to his bed before he sits down. "I'm going to go get you some water. I'll be right back."

"Wait--" Merrick starts and reaches for my wrist as I turn to go, making my breath hitch in surprise at his somewhat vulnerable expression. "Don't go. I'd...I just...I'm sorry."

"What?" I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"I shouldn't have treated you like I did," Merrick sighs and lets go of my wrist to run a hand through his hair. "I let my pain get the better of me and I took it out on you."

"No," I sigh. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have judged you—"

"No," Merrick interrupts with a frown. "You were right. I'm a shitty person and you were right to be upset with me. I shouldn't have treated you how I did. I'm not— I don't normally do things like that. I let my personal feelings get in the way and I'm so glad I stopped myself because I'm not that person. I would never hurt an innocent person, and you didn't do anything wrong. I just— I let my hatred for the old Wrath tie itself to you and I shouldn't have. Funnily enough, that just made me hate myself even more because I hate people who just..."