Avery found herself sitting in the same spot that she had sat in the previous day. She had forgotten to pack a lunch for the second day in a row, and so she sat with the book that Miss Edal had lent her, unopened.

Slowly she looked up, scanning the basketball court and the sports field beyond that. It wasn’t long before her eyes locked with the place that she had first seen Azrael the previous day. She couldn’t decide if she was glad or disappointed that he wasn’t there. She had so many questions to ask him.

She had decided after her talk with Miss Edal that she would confront him and ask all of the questions that she had. Questions about demons, whether he really did want to help her or was just using her. Questions about the contract, and about its limitations. She needed to know before she made her decision.

Avery glanced down at the book and opened the cover to find a table of contents. Demonic origins, nature of demons, well-known demons, acts of demons… The contents page went on to list multiple categories but none of which stated ‘contract demons’. With a disappointed sigh, she closed the book, deciding that she would take a proper look through the pages later.

Glancing out over the field again she was surprised to see Ethan walking with a couple of his friends that Avery knew as Scott and Hayden, basketball in hand. It wasn’t unusual that Ethan would spend lunches at the basketball courts with his friends. Avery watched him intently, bringing her hand up to her face so that she could rest her cheek on her palm.

Avery was pulled from her thoughts as a shadow cast itself over her. It wasn’t difficult for Avery to deduce who it was when she saw long slender legs ending in a pair of black pumps. There was only one girl who would wear shoes like that in high school. Paige.

“Hey Avie-Wavie, I’m looking forward to our next sports class” Paige smiled down at the blonde as she strutted past, a malicious smirk causing the pit of Avery's stomach to feel empty. This was the only class that she shared with the sadistic girls and possibly the worst one it could have been. Flashbacks to when Addison purposely threw a basketball at her when she wasn’t looking invaded Avery’s mind. She still remembered how her face felt like it was swollen for the rest of that day.

Avery simply watched as the girls passed her, walking down the field towards the basketball court. From their right, Aiden came running up to the pair. Paige put her hands on her hips as she looked the guy up and down. She didn’t look impressed by his presence. After all, someone like Aiden would never have a chance with the ‘queen’.

Avery found herself wondering what kind of business Aiden could have with Paige and watched, trying to deduce this based on their expressions and movements. After Aiden had spoken Paige turned to Addison. Avery assumed that Paige had asked her redheaded friend to meet her at the court because soon after she walked off, leaving Paige with Aiden.

Avery watched as the two spoke between each other for a second before a smile grew on Paige’s face and she turned to Avery with a despicable glint in her eye. Avery averted her eyes for a moment, hoping that Paige hadn’t caught her watching their conversation. When Avery looked back up, Paige was on her way towards the basketball field and Aiden had disappeared. What was that all about?

____

Avery had never been the kind of girl to enjoy sport. Her body was small and petite, she didn't have the muscle or stamina that was required. She never looked forward to the class, but as she stood staring at her empty gym locker, she knew that this class would be worse than usual.

Avery sighed, her eyes traveling from one corner of the locker to the other. I was stupid to think that I could go one day without anything happening…

"Avie-Wavie!" a familiar mocking tone called, a toned arm wrapping itself over the blonde's shoulder and pulling her into a warm body. The locker to the side of Avery creaked as Paige leant against it, arms crossed over her chest. Avery was quick to check who was holding her in place, turning her head to look over her shoulder. She knew that the thick unruly ginger hair could only belong to Addison.

"I noticed that your gym locker is empty" Paige pouted dramatically, "Isn't that a shame".

Of course.

Avery wondered if this was payback for her encounter with Ethan the previous day but she was quick to decide that this was just childs play compared to what was likely coming.

Avery swallowed, wondering if it would be worth the time to explain that she hadn't bumped into Ethan on purpose. Addison tightened her grip, bringing the blonde into her chest, "Why don't you say something, slut?". Avery took a sharp breath, her eyes wandering back to the empty locker before she spoke, "there… there was nothing I could do…" she responded softly.

"Nothing, huh?" Paige laughed at the blonde's poor excuse, "Why didn't you just watch where you were walking?". It was now that Avery realized that this really was about Ethan after all. Paige's expression had gone from a fake smile to a disgusted sneer as her eyes pierced through Avery. Avery couldn't muster any courage to look her tormentor in the eyes, nor could she think of anything she could say to ease Paige's hostility. She'd already decided that it was Avery's fault.

The silence from the blonde only angered Paige further. Avery felt Addison's hand grip her shoulder, the tall ginger's fingernails biting into her skin.

Addison was much bigger than Avery, she was the captain of the school's hockey team. Her height and strength rivaled many boys in junior year and some in senior. She was muscular for a girl and intimidating, her resting expression was enough to scare away anyone thinking about challenging her.

Avery winced, this reaction causing Addison to dig her nails deeper. If it wasn't for the entrance of the sports teacher at that moment, Avery was sure she would have ended up bleeding.

"Alright, everyone out! No dilly-dallying!" The short plump teacher yelled through the changing rooms. With a huff Addison shoved Avery away, causing her chest to collide with the metal of the locker door. A gasp escaped her as the collision caused a sharp jolt of pain to run through her exposed arm.

Paige smirked at this, pushing herself up from her slouch against the locker, "You'll get what you deserve" she warned, making sure to knock her shoulder against Avery as she walked past her into the gym.

Without her gym clothes, Avery knew she wouldn't be allowed to participate in class. Usually, she wouldn't mind this, but the disappointed expression on Mrs. T.ravolli's face made her heart drop into her stomach.

“Hughes, where’s your uniform?”

Avery hesitated for a second, her eyes glancing at her locker before her shoulders slumped. “I left it at home...”. With a disappointed sigh, Mrs. Travolli gave a shake of her head and gestured towards her office.

“Go get a spare uniform and meet us out on the field, Hughes” Avery felt her cheeks flush red in shame as she trudged past the teacher, dreading having to wear the disgusting uniforms kept as spares. She slipped into the office and hesitated for a second before shoving her hands into the bin where the clothing was kept. Avery shuddered at the stiff, foul-smelling clothing that shifted over her hands. Avery eventually gave up on finding something in her size and accepted her fate of wearing tiny shorts and a 3XL polo shirt as she slunk back into the locker room.

____

Avery had just finished shimmying into the minuscule shorts that were two sizes too small when she heard the locker room door creak open before slamming shut. Her heart leapt into her throat as she quickly spun around to face the noise, shirt gripped her uncovered chest.

“Looks like Paige was right,” A low voice drawled, echoing through the deserted room as Aiden flicked the lock to the door closed. “You’re all shy in public but once you’re alone…” he trailed off as he slowly stalked towards her frozen form, stopping mere inches away from her. He raised his left hand to run across her cheek, a smirk settling on his face as she flinched away from the touch, backing into the cold wall of lockers. Aiden stepped forward, harshly gripping her chin with his fingers. He brought up his other arm to rest against the wall behind her, crowding into Avery’s space and pressing her spine into the harsh metal lockers. Avery could feel his bulge as his hips grond into hers.

He leant down to mouth against her trembling shoulder, the curve of his smirk seeming to brand itself into her skin. “You’re a real cocktease, Ave” he groaned as he began kissing an acid trail of kisses up her neck, the hand on her chin slipping down to curl around her hip in a mockery of a lover’s hold.

Tears quickly began to roll down Avery’s cheeks as she struggled to stay standing through the tremors racking her body, soft sobs and hiccups punctuated the silence. She screwed her eyes tightly shut, not daring to face the reality of what was happening before her. He's not messing around…

"Paige said you would be here waiting for me…" He whispered, his lips trailing up to nip at her ear lobe. Avery's stomach knotted at this, realizing that Paige must have set this up. She knew. Paige's words echoed through her, 'You'll get what you deserve'. Is this really what I deserve?

Avery's breath hitched as Aiden's sweaty palm pulls her hips into his. The rock between his legs pressing roughly to her. She jolts, the roughness sending a shock of pain through her body. In a burst of energy, she tried to shove the male away from her but he wouldn't budge, "I love it when you play hard to get".

Aiden's fingertips press at the rim of the tight sports shorts, sliding into the fabric ever so slowly. Avery felt every ounce of her willpower leave her body as the boy's hand caresses her arse cheek, squeezing the skin in his palm. So this is how I lose it…

BANG!

Aiden's hands suddenly left Avery's body before a loud scream echoes through the locker room. Without being held into place, Avery's quivering body fell to the floor of the change room, curling into a ball.

"You don't have to be scared anymore"

His voice felt like a warm blanket on a freezing winter night. Avery opened her eyes, looking up at the dark-haired demon standing in front of her - it was just like she had imagined. A sudden rush of emotion overwhelmed her, her soft sobs turning into loud cries.

Aiden cowered against the lockers opposite Avery, disbelief, and confusion in his eyes. "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU??" He screamed, the heaving of his chest clearly visible. Aiden looked terrified, his head was lowered in the presence of Avery's dark savior, his whole body shook with fear.

Azrael gently tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans, an angered scowl growing on his face as he looked down at the slim boy he had thrown across the room and into the locker, "I'm nobody".

At this Aiden huffed, finally finding his ability to move as he ran towards the changing room doors, trying to pull the door open but finding it still locked. "What?!" He shrieked as his shaking hand attempted to turn the small lock. It took him another couple of seconds to unlock the door before his footsteps were heard scrambling down the hall.

Azrael took a deep breath, turning to the blonde who cried on the floor behind him. With slow movements the demon moved to Avery's level, crouching in front of her. For a moment he simply watched her as she cries into her knees, not wanting to touch the girl who had just been assaulted.

It was a couple of moments later before Avery's cries turned back into sobs, and she lifted her head, finding Azrael's red eyes gazing back into hers. That was all it took for her sobs to cease as she stared at him with glistening eyes.

Azrael gave her a soft smile, "I said I could protect you". Avery knew. He had promised her this before. The shock of the whole ordeal stopped Avery from speaking as Azrael slowly stood, his eye contact with the blonde unwavering.

With a nod of his head, Azrael began to turn away from Avery. "W-wait!" Avery called out, her hand reaching out to take the cuff of his boot, stopping him. Azrael's smile hadn't left as he turns back to her, looking down at the girl who seemed as though she was about to grovel at his feet.

"Please don't leave…" she begged, her fingertips pressing into the leather as she stared up at him pleadingly. At this Azrael's eyes softened. He stayed silent, savoring the three words that had just been spoken to him so seductively.

"You know how to make me stay" he answers, and with that, a cold breeze blew through Avery and he vanished.