Part 2

Chapter 14

L

"And as you can see gentlemen, there has been an extensive improvement in the attendance at first bell since the new methods have been implemented to enforce the attendance policy. And just as well if you see from three months ago to just last week the grades of the students who have improved their attendance have improved their grade point average by an average of one point." Jetèa displayed her charts on the new projector she advise us to use as we looked to the ones in our hands; we was all about the visual, if the results weren't in black and white then there were no results to speak of. She displayed the grades and attendance records of every student in RAD with only their initials displayed for privacy, she was meticulous and I enjoyed that trait in her. She leaned back, her hand on the table while her other hand held the laser pointer. Today her hair was in a bun a rose comb in her hair accenting the golden one that hung from her neck.

"These are very good results Jetèa, well done." Diavolo was always pleased with her results, of course he was; she and I were the only ones who strived this hard to achieve them. Her face showed disapproval of the praise however and she turned around.

"No, it isn't. Lord Diavolo there are currently eighteen hundred students attending RAD and over four hundred are consistently tardy to class and two hundred of them have allowed their grades to suffer because of it. That means eleven percent of students grades are below a 2.0 from being tardy! This is after we have made the changes, but the teachers are not enforcing attendance for the rest of the classes! If you all turn to page three you will find that of the four hundred regular tardy students over one hundred and fifty are skipping their evening classes altogether!"

"Aw Come on 'Tèa, you really expect every student to attend every class?"

"Yes! I do, there isn't a single course provided that isn't essential to the students curriculum, this academy-"

"Is a prestigious school and an absolute privilege to attend." My younger brothers finished for her, normally our meeting was us simply giving our reports and them counting the minutes to going back to their own agendas, since Jetèa joined it has been much more interesting to watch and participate because she demanded from my brothers as well. She leaned over the table, a bit of fire in her eyes.

"Yes, and we must uphold that! If we let students choose which class is more important based on time of day then we may as well tell them not to come at all! We may as well be no different than any other regular school run by those who could give two shits about their students or their future!"

"Oh geez here she goes again…" I heard Mammon mumble.

"You were the one that spoke up Mammon!"

"We will be here all afternoon now." Belphie yawned into his hand.

"I knew I should have set my DVR."

"Lord Diavolo, do you not have concern for your people's wellbeing and future? Don't you carry passion for the potential they have?!" I only saw this kind of passion in her eyes when she spoke of her plants, it seems this school earned her ardent efforts as well.

"Of course I do Jetèa!"

"Then we must tap into their potential and show everyone just how upstanding RAD is!"

"Yes that is fine, but how do you propose we do that? I already know you have ideas in mind." She looked up at me with a beaming smile and went into her bag making my brothers groan in displeasure.

"I didn't think it was possible to make hell worse."

"This is it, this must be our punishment, we've been here for thousands of years and I realize that this girl must have been made just for us to suffer for eternity!"

"It's like looking at a pretty Lucifer…."

"At least Lucifer doesn't make us stay an hour over the meetings end time!"

"At least when he would give us a three hour lecture he wouldn't give us homework on it!" I enjoyed our meetings over the past couple of months, she truly dove into her tasks and has given excellent ideas to improve the schools performance. And I would be lying if I said watching my brothers suffer at hands that weren't my own was amusing as well.

"Here you are." She handed me a packet of what I assumed were more theories and plans to execute on our attendance problem. I took the heavy envelope in my hand and smiled in return. She held my gaze for only a moment before turning to the next brother. My little kindred spirit, you would do your best to make this school shine and Diavolo proud if only because you set out to do it. Good for you.

"Aw jeez this thing is like four hundred pages! I ain't gonna read this!" She turned, a bit of anger in her eyes as she got closer to the table.

"I'm sorry, I could have sworn I sat with RAD's finest, yet all I hear is complaining! Do you want to get back to your reading, your shows, and the casino? Then put a fire under your asses and let's get some results we can be proud of!"

"Diavolo we have been here for almost three hours! I'm tired! Can't we save some of this for next meeting?" Mammon whined.

"We did that last week it's why I'm going over it now."

"That didn't happen!"

"Yes it did, I wrote the minutes."

"No, that aint in the minutes."

"I don't play when it comes to my notes Mammon! In fact you don't remember because you doodled the whole time."

"You don't know that."

"Well look at this, Rose even put Mammon's doodle in the minutes! It's a little Lucifer with stink lines how cute!"

"Everyone please! Jetèa this is a lot of information to take in right now, and we are well out of time." Diavolo noticed the saddened look in her eye and stammered.

"Maybe you can get straight to the point?"

"Yeah, give us the TLDR."

"So we can git out of here!" she looked to all of us and sighed.

"Detention isn't working, and their grades do not matter to them; I say each student who is tardy to any class longer than ten minutes without a medical excuse will receive this detention, however after two detentions the student will be given mandated community service and a course in time management and prioritization. Those that skip class entirely will skip the detentions entirely. There are those that work to provide for their families and I understand that, they should apply for class waivers and given options to complete the curriculum either online or in a separate class session with an instructor. This will eradicate the absences and unexcused tardies and thus could raise our average grade point average by another one point two points." Everyone was silent, thinking it over. It was a very innovative idea I could even see in Diavolo's expression that she was onto something.

"I will definitely consider that Jetèa, very well done coming up with that idea!" her eyes shone, she always loved her praise.

"Well Lucifer proposed that an alternate course should be provided or those who work while in school; so I cannot take all of the glory." She looked in my direction and smiled, tilting her head to the side.

"Well good job both of you; I say this meeting is adjourned, Jetèa I will need the minutes by tomorrow and I will take the information you gave me and look it over for next week."

"Thank you so much Diavolo!"

"No, thank you!" everyone got up to leave in a hurry and as always Jetèa stayed to clean up. I gathered some nearly papers and stopped her voice recorder as I handed it to her.

"Thanks, I think I'm really making a difference here at this school!"

"Yes, you certainly have a lot of interesting ideas to improve it; I think Diavolo is proud to have chosen you." We began to walk towards the door together books in hand

"I'm grateful….You weren't speaking much in the meeting, is something wrong?"

"Far from it, other than what I have gone over I merely had no other input; you simply had it covered." She looked over to me in a sideways glance and smirked.

"So the Mighty Mr. Pride was rendered speechless at my superior display? My, My how interesting…" I grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face me, that playful glint in her eye telling me she was merely teasing. This was how our friendship was; we enjoyed our conversations and each other's company, but there were times she seemed to love baiting me to anger, like making me lose control made her feel superior. She was much milder than she was months ago, but to see my annoyed expression turned her smirk into a full grin.

"What troubles you Senpai, does it bother you that I received more praise from Diavolo than you; that I had to mention you in order for you to get any recognition?" I kept my face straight and her grin faltered…ha, I won.

"Not at all, because I don't need recognition, I know my strengths" She pouted, two points for me.

"Don't you look so smug-" I took her chin in my fingers and lifted her face.

"You don't need to be praised to know when you've done well; your actions will do that. Yes it feels wonderful, but being able to see the results manifest from your achievements is well enough. Remember that well." Her face reddened as she looked up at me and I found myself taken aback. She was kind, considerate and selfless when it came to her friends; but she had different kinds of friendships with each of us. With mammon she was his keeper but also his motivation, With Satan she was his intellectual equal and comrade, Asmo loved to dress and primp her and she loved the attention, Levi loved all the information she could provide him on Japanese culture and the anime even he hadn't heard of. Beel brought out her gentle and sweet side, she trusted him the most and they spoke often. Belphie loved having a new dance partner and she enjoyed his culture.

But me? We didn't share a special thing other than our teasing's, our entire acquaintance was based on the incessant need to best each other. We did it in fun now, however I also took the time to mentor her as she needed assistance handling the darkness she carried in her heart. She merely hid it from the others but I knew…I knew because I carry it too. When she looked at me like this, with her guard down and vulnerable it make me believe that she trusted me. When that happened these odd feelings stirred within me, and it made my head swim with so many conflicting thoughts. It was like she could see my darkness as well….can you sense it as I had yours…do you wish to…no, that's absurd. Even if you, wanted to you couldn't handle a tenth of the weight I carry….but even still.

"Jetèa, why are you looking at me that way?" she flushed more and turned her faced away.

"Nothing….it's just…when you show off that caring side…"

"Yo Jetèa, what do you think your doin' makin' the Great Mammon wait like this huh?" Mammon and Belphie stood by the entrance of the school with their bags in hand.

"You wouldn't have waited as long if you had helped her clean up Mammon."

"Ah! Uhh, well I had to get my books, you know the big test is next week and if I don't ace it Miss Minamino here will give me an earful! My time is too valuable; but since you held her up I won't charge her for the extra time. Now let's walk home already!" she turned back to me and looked like she may say something but stammered…another unusual occurrence for her.

"I will talk to you later?" She suggested I suppose I will not know today.

"Of course, I have tasks to do per usual, but…I will see you tomorrow?"

"Alright." She walked away without another word, leaving something foreign in the air between us.

J

"You really know how to try a demons' patience 'T`ea, first you make the meeting go over an hour then you make me wait for you at the doors, what is your game anyway?"

"Is it a crime to care about this school Mammon?"

"No, it's a crime to waste my time, you were lucky Lucifer was there, I ain't scared of him or nothin', but he took the fall for ya." Belphie and I rolled our eyes together.

"A good question is why Lucifer was talking to you." I turned to him sharply stopping in my tracks.

"Belphagor… do I detect jealousy in your tone? I am free to speak to whomever I please. You two are not my only friends."

"Excuse me but I'm your guide, I'm to keep ya safe so if anybody wants to speak to ya they have to go to me first."

"Funny you can make threats when the girl you're to protect can kick your ass."

"Shaddup! She ain't kicked nuthin' I let her do that cuz I felt pity!"

"Boys stop it! What is all of this about?" they shifted their weight and looked around.

"Somethin's different about Lucifer latley…he aint his normal self, ever since you fixed his gloves and became friends he's been…" my heart sped up.

"He's been what?"

"We can't really explain it…we just know it isn't his usual self. He's a lot more relaxed, Like he's been yelling less lately and it's harder to piss him off."

"Yeah like my credit card bill came in and he never said a word to me! It was crazy that I got away with a bill that high!"

"Being in debt is nothing to be proud of Mammon." I shook my head.

"Now that I think about it, he has been quiet during the meeting…"

"See and I didn't get a single threat about the doodle-that I didn't do at all!"

"Jetèa I have to ask, are you and Lucifer….?" I stared at him confused until it got very awkward.

"Erm…you know…an item?" my head spun and my heart pounded it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard!

"What in the world would lead you to believe that?! We are classmate, colleges and just friends! Even if I chose to pursue any type of relationships other than friendships I wouldn't be with a demon like Lucifer! And besides he wouldn't like me, I'm not his type." The boys got closer in my face.

"Wait you asked him about his type?"

"No, I just figure he wants some meek little mouse that does as he commands and never challenges him. He's very domineering, and I don't stand for that type of behavior."

"Says the pot about the kettle."

"I would appreciate it if you would not compare us all the time!" they looked at each other and back at me.

"Okay, okay…sorry we asked." I was so irritated with them, first they are so disruptive during the meeting then they pull this? What nerve do they have to make such vulgar accusations? I have no interest in seeking a romantic relationship with anyone! Let alone an arrogant demon such as Lucifer! Sure he wasn't all vinegar, and he had his moments when he seemed to care. I know he loves his brothers, so he has a gentler side; however I just never saw myself with someone like him….or anyone. Regardless I cannot let myself get distracted from my reason for being here for anyone.

"It's just that…" Belphie started again.

"What?" a DDD went one and Mammon checked his, yelping after a moment.

"What is it?"

"Lucifer just sent me a picture of a rope in his hand."

"I guess it has to do with last week's doodle."

"Hey…I got somethin' important to do; I gotta go!" Mammon took off toward town and it was just me and Belphie alone. We walked in silence, I was still fuming at what he had said to me and I refused to look at him.

"Please don't be mad at me okay?" I looked over at him, he looked sad.

"I'm just upset that you would make accusations like that!"

"I only asked."

"I still didn't like it." Belphie stopped again and looked to the ground like it would disclose him the meaning to life I had started to feel bad for being angry.

"I know I'm batting a thousand but…while on the subject, what is your type?"

"I….i don't know, I had never thought about it before. I didn't even have friends before I met you guys so it's hard to say." He looked to me with pained eyes and sighed.

"Belphie?"

"'Tèa…I really like you; but I think I already know you aren't interested in me." I was shocked, I had never had a guy like me before that I knew of and I was hurt for him because he was right. I had never seen him in a romantic manner and even trying to think of it now I wasn't interested.

"Belphie, I care about you a lot; I would do most anything for you. And I'm so sorry but I just don't feel that way…" he nodded, he knew it was coming but flushed from embarrassment all the same. I hated seeing him this way and I hugged him around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder.

"I don't want this to hurt us as friends…please." This made me nervous I have seen people act in violent ways over love and it frightened me. I hugged me back and chuckled.

"I didn't want that either; like I said I knew you didn't feel the same so no harm done."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm just glad to get it out there. I think a few of us have gotten feelings for you to be honest. I mean you're smart, beautiful and really nice."

"Once you get past my first impression ha ha!"

"I think people get the wrong impression of you, but even still you changed since you came here too so there's that."

"Yeah, I did, didn't i?"

"Beel likes you too." I nearly tripped over my own feet.

"Beel?"

"Yeah…we can sense each other's emotions see and I can feel he cares about you more than I do. Do you like my brother?" Emotion welled in my throat and I fought tears. I cared about Beel a lot, but not in a romantic sense. I trusted Beel, and I would cook any dish he asked for but I just didn't see myself as a person being involved with him. Belphie read my face and nodded.

"I'm not worried about me, just…don't hurt him okay?"

"I would never." We made it back and I went straight to my room to think about everything. Beel sat on my bed with a box and my heart stung.

"Oh hey 'Tèa, I hope you don't mind I made you some cookies….i did eat a few, but I saved some."

"Beel, that's sweet of you." He blushed and handed me the box that contained chocolate chip cookies, a rarity in Devildom. He scratched the back of his head, face flushed and obviously nervous. I had to say something before this got any worse.

"Thank you Beel, you are a very wonderful friend." His eyes darted and regretted it instantly.

"Well I….sorta hoped…I could be more? You're really pretty and nice; and you cook all of my favorites and you paid me back the money I gave you when I didn't want it. You make me feel very special…." Beel wasn't the first to call me pretty; sure there were guys who saw it but only wanted me for that; they hated my mind and my opinion but Beel listened and he cared.

"Beel,…." My eyes welled with tears and the look of disappointment fell on his face.

"Oh…ok. I'm sorry I bothered you." He got up to leave and I dove in front of him, kneeling in front of him and wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Don't leave Beel, please….I'm so sorry!" this hurt a lot because out of the seven of them Beel was the one who saw me cry the most, who listened to my nightmares, who petted me until I went back to sleep. I didn't want to ruin the relationship we had.

"Beel…. What I am going to say is a little complicated; I mean I'm not sure how to say it so I'm asking you to be patient with me." He looked at me with sad eyes but nodded.

"Ok."

"Do you remember the first moment we met? You sat on my bed and you offered me a jawbreaker out of kindness?"

"Yeah I remember." I reached under my bed an pulled out a box, in it was a fre mementoes and the jawbreaker he gave me.

"You didn't eat it?"

"No, it was the first gift my very first friend gave me I wouldn't want to part with it." he blushed at that and looked at me confused.

"I keep it because it has good memories connected to it. like this was the first a I had ever gotten, this was the Band-Aid I got when I finally achieved catching my falls but scratched myself on a rock on the way down. And this is the first seed my Daddy ever gave me." I held up a seed to his puzzled face, wondering what this all had to do with his rejection.

"Beel…I love you, but I am not in love with you; does that make sense? You are important to me in ways I wouldn't want to ruin with romance. I think of you as my own brother; my real brother and I grew apart years ago but you and I are even closer than that. This may seem like an odd and selfish thing of me to say, but I want to keep you. I want what we have now to stay this way because I trust you like no one else. And the only way that it can stay that way is if we stay friends."

"I suppose so…." I stood and closed and locked the door before kneeling in front of him again holding the seed in my palm.

"I want to show you how much I trust you Beel so that you understand." I allowed my energy to flow into the seed, allowing it to sprout into a seedling.

"Wow, are you a witch or something?"

"No." I put more energy into the plant making it wrap around my arm like a protective shield and a shoot outward from my fingertips making a sword like weapon. Beel looked at me wide eyed and speechless as I let the greenish aura surround me in full splendor.

"Y-you're not fully human?"

"No Beel, I am half-demon by birth."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Asmo, Mammon, Belphie and Levi, they found out by accident, you I am telling personally. Do you understand now?" he leaned over resting his elbows on his knees thinking it all over.

"You're telling me because I'm your friend?"

"No, I'm telling you because you're my best friend." He looked up and smiled and I released the plant and wrapped my arms around him again and this time he hugged me back.

"I get to keep you forever this way?"

"I hope so."

"I still really like you…but this is nice too." I was relieved to keep Beel as my friend, Belphie had said a few of the brothers had begun to take a liking to me, I could only wonder where it was going to go from here.