Hopping around the boys’ locker room, I spun around.  Buttoning up my dress shirt, and zipping up my pants.  She was amazing, the thought of her sucking me again making me pop up again.  Pulling on my jacket, my backpack hovered over my groin.  Walking out, she ran up to me with one of her real smiles.  Pressing her lips against mine sweetly, everyone whispered around us.  The day passed slowly, watching her take twice the notes.  She knew that I wouldn’t be taking notes today, her golden heart causing a blush to rise to my cheeks.  At lunch, she sat on my lap.  Gone was the trepidation of everyone knowing, her hair tickling my chin.  

“Gross.” Lily mumbled, walking by us. “I see you survived the monster attack last night.  The Hunter’s Society is pissed that you made it.  I can’t wait to kill you myself.”  She tried to hop off of my lap, tears swimming in her eyes.  Dan brushed past her, shooting her with a finger gun.  My lips asked to see if she was okay, her sad smile telling me that she was clearly not.  Red flashed in her eyes, the new group Lily and Dan were sitting among all glaring at us intensely.  The other students looked confused at the oppressive tension between the three of them.  Pulling me by my tie, she dragged me to the library.  A place I have never been before, she seemed at home.  Hiding among the shelves, the group ran into the library.  A hand dragged her down by her hair, Lily holding her white hair triumphantly.  Using a knife, she sliced a good chunk of it off.  Ary snatched her hair from Lily’s hands, Dan charging her.  

“I won’t let you curse me.” Ary snapped icily, the other students circling us. “Just let us be at school, you nasty witch!” The librarian huffed over, her ancientness alarming me.  Glaring at all of us, she came to a rather disappointing conclusion.  Her glasses glinted, the hunter’s tattoo on her neck.  Rolling her eyes, Ary stood to her feet, already knowing what was going to happen next. 

“You are banned from this library unless you are here with your class.” She barked bitterly, attempting to take her hair from her. “You need to give that up.”  Shaking her head, she walked out with a cloud of shame over her head.  The rest of the day, she just took notes and was deadly quiet again.  Her hair grew out again by the end of the day, tears welled up in her eyes.  

The hours passed and it was time for our show, a smile barely making it on her face. Her makeup was flawless as she stood next to me, waiting to go out. Her heart was shattering again for the millionth time today, her old friends singing perfectly on the stage. She didn’t show it, her fingers wrapping around mine.  A dorky teenager motioned for us to go on stage, Lily slamming into her shoulder.  

“Hello my fellow students.” She chirped cheerfully, a polite smile on her face. “I am Ary, and this is Dean.  We are going to do our act now, so enjoy.”   Shooting a thumbs up at the tech guy, he began the music.  The words flowed from our mouths, but her spinning around in my arms was all I remembered.  Genuine happiness lit up her eyes, the crowd disappearing as she looked at me and only me.  The music stopped, her mood lifted temporarily.  Lily was scowling on the side, Dan holding her back.  A bunch of other acts went by, her tired eyes gazing warmly up at me.  Black bags hollowed out her eyes, the past two days exhausting.  The class president skipped onto the stage, everyone waiting with bated breath.  

“There was a tie.” The blond haired preppy girl announced happily. “There will be a tie breaker between Lily, Dan, Ary, and Dean.” A lump formed in our throats, my father cheering the loudest in the audience. Putting our heads together, she passed me a guitar. 

“Do you know how to play?” She inquired tersely, pressing her lips together. “I would love to play with you.”   Picking up a nearby guitar, a bright smile illuminated her face.  Lily and Dan went first, a deep sigh tumbling from her painted lips.  Everyone cheered, we sat across from each other.  She began to strum the music to ‘Titanium’ by Sia.  My fingers followed her, the crowd standing to their feet as my voice rang out.  A crooked grin danced on her lips, her problems melting away as we sang together.  Her strumming stopped, the crowd going nuts.  I didn’t hear any words as we accepted the first prize, my eyes watching her polite smile charm everyone else.  She sprinted off stage, ten students rushing up to her.  

“Can we be your friends?” They pleaded, her social anxiety getting to the best of her.  Stepping in front of her, the girls practically fainted.  The guys growled angrily behind me, my strong arms carrying her on my back.  Shaking like a leaf, everyone chased after us.  My father whistled, pulling us into the nurse’s office.  We need to stop meeting here, maybe my old man had an obsession.  

“So I think we should head to Hell now.” He suggested kindly, the students banging on the door. Nodding my head, he snapped his fingers.  Black smoke curled around us, the nurse’s office fading away to the fire and brimstone of Hell.  The screams of tortured souls sounded like nothing to me, her hands covering her ears.  Pulling out my earbuds, I gently put them in her ears.  Pecking my cheek, my old man covered his lips.  Curse him for laughing. Setting her down, our red marble castle loomed in front of us.  The black door lowered down, my expectations of her trembling like a leaf proving me wrong.  Her black blouse fluttered in the wind, her black leggings hugged her ass.  Shooting everyone a poised smile, she bowed towards everyone. My breath hitched as she introduced herself to the staff of the castle. 

“Hello, my name is Ary.  I look forward to working with you.” She beamed naturally, the staff loving her instantly. “Also no your majesty and bowing crap.  I am just Ary, okay.  We are equals in my eyes, ‘kay.”  My father’s jaw dropped to the ground, my hand pushing it back up.  Ha, ha, revenge tasted so sweet.  His brows furrowed, scowl forming on his lips.  Her lips trembled, her breaking point near. 

“I need to show you the castle.” I blurted out, her quaking hand grabbing mine. “I want to show you where I grew up.” Barely protesting, she leapt onto my back.  Smiling lovingly at me, she kissed the nape of my neck.  She was somebody else when it was just us, almost carefree. A far cry from the shy girl in school, granted she had some bite.   

“Why do you have to attend high school anyway?” She asked out of the blue, surprising me. “Isn’t your future already decided?  If I had the opportunity to avoid high school, I definitely would.” Stopping in the garden, I set her down on the bench that memorialized my human mother.  Her personality reminded me of her, the timidness. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she looked away sheepishly.  Sitting down next to her, she laid her head on my lap.  Scarlet burned my cheek, this feeling new.  I wanted to protect her no matter what. 

“It is a rule of my father’s.” I groaned irritably, playing with her hair. “I have to graduate to take my throne.  Gag me, right?”  Chuckling to herself, she covered her lips.  A sly grin curled on her lips, her thighs rubbing together.  A naughty smile flashed on my face, my face falling at the sight of my father tapping his foot. 

“We weren’t doing anything sir.” She blurted out awkwardly, nearly crashing onto the ground.  Catching her in time, she blushed bright red.  A stern man stood behind him, Ary melting into my arms.  Fear widened her eyes, the old man in the butler’s uniform scaring me too.  He was my etiquette coach back in the day, and boy did I fail back in the day.  Stumbling to her feet, he bowed in his direction.  

“If you will be patient with me, I promise to be the best student ever.” She promised sweetly, gripping the hem of her shirt. “Just give me a chance please.” The stony face of the etiquette coach softened, an actual smile dawning on his face.  We followed after him, a tune being whistled from his lips.  Childlike wonder glinted in her eyes, the black floors glistened underneath her.  Her eyes took in the red walls with painted pictures of my family everywhere.  An evil grin danced across her face, her finger pointing to the only baby picture of me. Let’s just say that I was a chubby baby. 

“Does this mean that all of our children will be chubby, too?” She teased lightly, my eyebrow twitching. “It would just amuse me to have a large family because then the love would be real.” My face softened, the thought of her baring my children causing embarrassment to flush my cheeks.  Saying nothing, we sat down at the round red marble table.  The typical silverware sat next to the plates, and a steaming pot of tea sat in the middle.  Like the perfect angel she was, she passed with flying colors.  The etiquette coach shot me a glare, the seamstress dragging her away. 

“You must go get fitted for your tux.” My old man ordered sharply, uncrossing his legs. “You will be having an official wedding down here.”  A snarl curled on my lips, my fists clenched tightly.  There was going to be no way I was going to force her to marry me. 

“I can’t force her to marry me.” I snapped icily, a migraine beginning to throb. “I simply won’t do it.”  My breath hitched at the sound of her voice, a red silk ball gown with lilies all over it making my heart flutter.  Red gloves went halfway up her arms, her hair twisted into a simple side bun. 

“I don’t mind.” She said softly, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Why else would I ask if our children would be chubby like you?” Her words stunned me, blood pouring from my nose.  The world spun around me, her arms catching me.  Weak, I felt weak. Jolts of pain shocked my body, my human side rejecting where I was. Pulling me up to her neck, her veins throbbed in my ear. 

“Go ahead, eat so you can stay here.” She urged gently, her skirt flowing around her.  Unable to resist, she cried out in pleasure as my fangs sank into her skin.  I hated this, the feeling of vulnerability ripping me apart.  Trying to shove her off of me, she refused to let go. 

“I don’t want your charity!” I shouted, pushing her to the ground. The horrible memories of the other demon kids making fun of me made me sprint down the hall, tears welling up in my eyes. Her footfalls echoed behind me, my emotions raging inside of me.  Slamming her body into mine, my fists pounded against her back.  My arms fell to my side, face buried in her chest.  

“I am not doing this for sympathy.” She announced proudly, letting the tears drip down her cleavage. “I don’t view you as weak at all. I love you Dean Morningstar, and after this weekend I will be Ary Morningstar the queen of Hell.  Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”  Laughter erupted from my lips, her finger lifting up my chin.  My anxiety melted away, her lips kissing mine sweetly. She moved my fangs to her neck, her eyes lighting up as I drank her blood. Feeling better, she wiped the blood from my lips. 

“Better?” She inquired gently, ruffling the top of my head.  What did she do to me? The old me would have shoved her off, and told her to fuck off.  Sitting in her arms, my heart wasn’t so icy.  It was almost as if the love goddess of Hell chose right. 

“I am.” I stammered oddly, her fingers wrapping around mine. “Do you mind if we sit like this for a minute?”  My heart was pounding out of my chest, her arms pulling me into the nape of her neck.  She smelled so good, my heart fluttering.  

“You can stay like this as long as you need to.” She comforted me with her genuine smile. “I know what it is like for people to bully you, too.  Besides, I kind of knew there was a marshmallow filling inside of your hard shell.  Sometimes the loneliest people need the most love.”  Her words profoundly touched me, pain sat behind her eyes.  What other secrets did she hide?