Academic Romance

6

Elizabeth POV

"ELIZABETH!" Diane exclaimed, hugging me tightly. I smiled and hugged her back.

"Hi, Diane!" I said happily.

"Come inside!" She said, ushering Meliodas and I inside her house.

It was 6:30 pm and the sun was setting. Meliodas, being the gentleman he is, picked me up from next door and walked with me to Diane's house, since I didn't know where it was anyway.

Diane led me up to her room where I could put my things and then she dragged me back into the living room, where everyone else was.

"Where are your parents, Diane?" I asked.

"Oh, they've been on a business trip for a while so I live here by myself!" She answered.

"That makes sense."

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Elaine asked. Everyone nodded their heads in a way to say "just about to ask that."

Diane giggled, "We'll just watch some movies and share secrets!"

"Secrets?" I asked. I got nervous. I hadn't told anyone besides my sisters and father about my goddess abilities. I'm honestly scared of what their reactions would be if I told them.

"Yep! So take a seat and get comfy. Don't worry, no horror movies this time around."

Ban came out of the kitchen with multiple bottles of beer. One for each of us, I guess. He passed them out to us. Once I got mine, I got nervous again. I had never had alcohol before. Meliodas noticed me staring at the bottle and put his hand on top of mine.

"You don't have to drink it if you don't want to." He said softly. I smiled and nodded before handing it back to Ban.

"Huh? Are you scared or something?" He asked.

I know he was joking, but it still made me feel bad.

"Ban, knock it off. Leave her alone." Meliodas said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and leaning back with me into the couch. My head was resting on his chest and I could feel my face heat up.

"Sorry, Elizabeth." Ban said before sitting down next to Elaine.

"Sorry about him, he can be insensitive sometimes." Meliodas whispered to me. I smiled, letting myself relax in his arms.

And for once, I felt loved. Wanted. Needed. Happy.

I looked around the room at everyone talking and laughing while drinking their beer. It was so peaceful and nice. I wish it could've lasted forever.

But the anxiety kicked back in when Diane announced that it was time to share secrets. I quickly sat up, causing everyone to look at me. I looked over at Meliodas, who had a worried look on his face.

"U-Um, Meliodas, can I talk to you? Outside?" I asked. He nodded, set his beer down and grabbed my hand. He led me outside onto the porch, shot a look at everyone to make sure they didn't eavesdrop, and closed the door. At this point, I was shaking uncontrollably. Until he cupped my face with his hands and looked at me.

"What's wrong?" He asked. I nearly started crying. It took me some time to calm down so I could actually speak to him.

"Meliodas, I've been hiding a really big secret from everyone but my family for so long and I just don't know how everyone will react if I'm forced to tell them." I explained.

"Elizabeth, you don't need to tell us anything. But if you did, I wouldn't care. I lo- uh, I care about you, regardless of what your secret may be. Nothing will change that."

I smiled and started crying. Like an idiot. He wiped my tears away and smiled.

"I'll tell you. But please, don't tell anyone else until I figure out if I can truly trust them, okay?" I said. He nodded.

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

"When I was little, My right eye turned orange, and I wasn't sure why. But shortly after that happened I gained the ability to heal people and do magic. Later we found out that I'm a goddess, or I have goddess blood in me." I explained. To my surprise, Meliodas didn't turn away from me in disgust or fear or anything. He only smiled.

"That's not so bad." He reassured me.

"It's not?"

"No, trust me."

I smiled and let out a relieved sigh.

We sat there for a while, even though it was getting cold. Meliodas somehow knew I wasn't ready to go back inside despite me never telling him. I shivered and hugged myself in an attempt to stay warm. Meliodas noticed this and pulled me into a hug. We continued to talk like this.

That is, until we were interrupted. Ban came outside, totally wasted, and started stripping. I yelled "oh my god!" and hid my face in Meliodas' chest. Elaine ran out shortly after and yelled at Ban.

"Ban, put your clothes back on!"

"It's a dare, calm down." He replied.

I could hear Elaine getting frustrated with him and eventually I heard a smack, followed by a loud "ouch!" I let out a giggle to this.

"Ban, go back inside so Elizabeth can stop hiding her face." Meliodas said. I could tell he was smiling because of the way he said it.

"Elizabeth?" Ban asked.

"Yes." Meliodas replied.

"You mean the chick in your chest?"

"That's the one."

"Oh, your girlfriend!"

I gasped, feeling my face heat up. We aren't dating! I don't think.

"Not yet, working on it." Meliodas said nonchalantly.

I uncovered my face, making sure to not look at Ban, and hit Meliodas' shoulder lightly.

"Don't say that!" I exclaimed. He just laughed.

Though, I'd like for it to be true. I just don't know if i'm ready for that.