Chapter 18

I Hate School

Kiara's POV

When I woke up, my mind was completely fuzzy. What's going on? Where am I? Then I realized I was on a bed next to Envy. My fingers were entwined with his, and he was still asleep. Everyone seemed to be gone, which freaked me out for a minute, then understanding dawned. They must be at work. I sat up, pulling my hand away. I sneezed, then groaned.

"Dang it, if I'm getting sick. . ." I pushed the bed closer to Envy, then crawled back in it.

I've got work. . .aw screw it, I feel like crap.

I wiggled myself as close as I dared to him-close, but not quite touching-then dropped back off to sleep.

Hailey's POV

I freaking hate school. I've already learned this-I MADE SOME OF THIS-but noooo, I have to attend school because I look like a kid.

"I'M THREE HUNDRED YEARS OLD! WHY THE-" Luciana shot me a dark look.

"Hailey, stop."

"Sorry." I looked away.

Luciana filled out the registration forms, marked herself down as my aunt and Pride's older sister, then left with a look that said, "If we get a call because either of you misbehave, things are going to get serious."

I didn't doubt her for a moment.

"So first class is history." Pride/Selim said, walking next to me.

"Ya." I looked around for our class number.

"Are you Selim and Hailey?" A fake-nice voice asked.

"Yes. Who are you?" Selim asked, distaste lacing his words.

"Your teacher, Mrs. Ichaia. The room is just down the hall, follow me." She turned and started walking.

Selim exchanged glances with me, then slid on a happy, if fake, smile and followed Mrs. Ichaia. I sighed, then trotted behind him.

Mom, I hate school.

Have I ever mentioned I went to school? Yeah, like, two hundred years ago.

Did I mention I hated every day?

No?

Well, I did.

Claire's POV

"I'm going to say it one more time. Give me my ability for non-toxication back." Greed said.

I stared at him flatly. "No."

"Why not, sweetheart?" He whined.

"That would be cheating. Take your hangover like a man." I said.

He groaned. "It hurts~"

"I'm sure it does. Wait for the medicine to kick in." I finished my breakfast and stood up.

"Don't go." Greed grabbed my arm as I walked past him.

I sighed and pried his fingers off my arm. "I have to go to work, Greed. Let go."

He shot me a pathetic look.

Crap.

Where did he learn puppy-dog eyes?

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Half-past seven. Work starts in fifteen minutes. It takes me ten to get there, three to get set up.

"I've got two minutes." I sat on the bar stool next to him.

Greed leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder. "Quit your job." He muttered.

I blinked. "Absolutely not."

"Please? I don't want you to leave."

I snorted. "Your hangover's talking."

"No, it's not my hangover!" He protested, then winced. "Oww. . ."

I tried to stand up, only for him to grab me tightly. "Don't. Go." He snarled.

"Why don't you want me to?" I tried to scramble free.

"'Cause some creep could take you away! You're mine!" He grimaced as my hand hit his face.

I paused, then looked at him hard. "I'm not yours. Quit making me your possession! I'm not a thing! You can't order me around!"

Greed stood up, staring at me with an equally-hard gaze. Well, his medicine kicked in. I thought dryly.

"You live here, you're mine."

"Guess I'm finding an apartment." I turned on my heel.

"How can you judge me if you're not around?" Greed stopped me in my tracks.

"Guess I'll find a way." I slammed the door behind me.

Chase's POV

"Sorry I'm late." I walked into the dojo.

Ten pairs of eyes turned to stare at me.

"Mr. C! You're late!" Casey called.

"Yeah, I know." I sighed.

"Why are you late?" Andy asked.

I stretched my arms above my head. "My little sister was missing. She showed up this morning."

"Is she okay?" Iris questioned.

"She will be. Everyone warm up." I said.

Things were going smoothly, and I didn't have much time to worry about my family that was falling apart at the seams.

"Excuse me. Are you Mr. Chase?" A nervous voice asked as the class was ending.

I turned to find a blue-belt watching me. This one I didn't know. Must not be in my classes.

"Yes. Can I help you?" I replied.

His face lit up. "I've heard about you! Um, can you. . .maybe spar with me?"

"Sure."

This one is good in judo. I noticed by the stance. Alrighty then.

The fight started, and I was briefly surprised at his speed.

"You're good." I said, dodging a hit.

"But your defenses need work." I tripped him, making him land in a heap on the mat.

"Ugh." He groaned, sitting up.

I offered a hand, and helped him up.

"Sorry for the distraction." He said, awkward as the next class clapped.

"Nah, it's fine. Who's teaching you?" I asked.

"I. . .taught myself." He laughed nervously, showing that the belt was painted.

"Want to join?" I offered.

His face lit up. "Yes please!"

Talia's POV

I opened the bakery door, then froze.

Where's Gluttony?

CRAP!

I whirled around, ignoring Adelaide's call and running to an empty alley to bounce. I teleported (or 'bounced', as I call it) to the house, to find Gluttony beside himself with worry.

"I didn't know where you went!" He wailed.

"Shh, I'm sorry." I patted his bald head.

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned to find Kiara snuggled against Envy. I felt a smile tug at the corner of my lips.

They had to be the cutest couple ever.

"C'mon. Let's let them sleep." I beckoned Gluttony out of the house.

I went back to the alley, then froze as Pierre jumped back.

"T-T-Talia?!" He stuttered.

This is just not my day.

"Uh, hi?" I sheepishly waved.

"Wha-?" He stared at me.

"Um, I can explain?" I said, awkward.

"Yeah, try to explain this normally." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"You see. . .I-"

"There you are! Where did you go?" Adelaide interrupted.
I had never been more happy to see a human.

"Nevermind! C'mon, I need to explain something to you~!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me past an annoyed Pierre and into the building.

'Sorry' I mouthed to Pierre.

He just shot me a suspicious look, then looked at Gluttony's direction. His gold-brown eyes narrowed, then he followed us into the building.

"What are you?" He demanded when Adelaide left to get something.

I bit my lip, looking away. "Well. . ."

"What's with all the tension?" Adelaide walked back into the kitchen, holding a sack of flour.

"What tension?" I asked. "I'm just ready to learn that recipe you were going to teach me."

"Ya, about that. . ." Adelaide handed the sack to her brother.

"What?" I asked, suspicious.

"Pierre's doing that. I actually suck at baking."

I stared at the brunette. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. . ." She fiddled with a strand of brown hair dyed blue at the end.

"Whoa."

"Let's get started." Pierre interrupted my shocked moment.

I rolled up my sleeves and watched as he showed me how to make Plié au Chocolat.

"Can I eat some?" I asked when he finished.

"No." He responded.

I blinked. What was with him today? So snappy. . .I will never understand men. And they say women are mysterious. . .

"Fine then. Can I eat mine?" I asked.

"If it turns out terrible, oui." He avoided my gaze.

I let the chance to be sarcastic slide, working on the dessert in silence.

"You've folded it wrong." Pierre sighed, then moved my hands away and fixed it.

"Sorry." I mumbled.

"We open in five!" Adelaide called.

"Finish that then start with the normals." Pierre instructed.

"Yes sir." I sighed.

Fin~

The correct name of the song is Don't Wake Me by Skillet, released (what, 2008? '09?) on Awake and Alive.

There are a lot of reviews this time...:

Blackroserevan (Guest): I'm so glad you like it! And I'm glad I keep you laughing! I'm very sorry, but I don't write lemons. You may write one for them if you credit me, though.

Lilyloverstrikesagain: Thanks for the review! I used one of your names~

3vilPurpl3d0t: Thanks for the names! And please don't black out...that would be bad...

Cataline Carver (Guest): Probably sucks for Pride, yeah? Thanks for the review!

MissiB: Okay, good. *sighs in relief* Sorry, not much EnvyxKindness in this one, but they're both asleep, so not much to do with them 'til other stuff happens. Maybe next chapter?

vetty123: I dunno 'bout the icicles, probably wasn't really thinking about that. Ya, D is for Diligence. I was going to go with Selim for Pride, just to keep things simple, but it's a good suggestion! Well, if your Virtues, you shouldn't really swear, and saying "oh my God" is against my religious views, so...yeah. Haha, once I jumped out of my chair and fell over because both of my feet were asleep...and people laughed...have I ever told you how much I love your reviews? They're so helpful~

Phew. That's everyone, I suppose.

OOH! Ice Maiden Olivier, if you happen to be reading this, you're birthday present is complete~

Review and get a cookie~

-Katie