It was the first time in her life that Rory wished she was an only child.
While Chloe and Aiden were having a delightful breakfast in the kitchen, Rory was changing into dry clothes while muttering all the curse words she could think of.
Being a sister to Trixie was easy for her. Rory always had a good connection to her sibling and yes, there were times they thought like siblings do—who wouldn't? But something about having a brother like Aiden made Rory feel uncertain. Not because she didn't like him, but the fact still remains that Aiden would always be a living reminder that their father is alive and well. So well in fact that the Devil himself apparently preferred to have and raise a son, rather than a daughter.
At least this is what Rory has concluded in her head. And is a little upset thinking that.
While Rory changes into a scarlet T-shirt and black leather leggings, she also makes a note to wear boots to give some height to her short frame. Denying that her choice is to somehow try match her brother's taller appearance. She quickly combs through her short black hair and applies some simple make-up. Would have been better if a certain asshole didn't ruin her morning.
When Rory finally emerges from her bedroom, the distinctive smell of food quickly enters her nose as she traces the aroma coming from the kitchen.
Rory sees Aiden sitting across from her mother at table as they eat and talk. Chloe's face is bright and cheerful as she discusses something with him.
Rory walks up to them and pulls out a seat text to Aiden.
"Morning, sweety. How'd you sleep?" Chloe asks her daughter as she grabs the cereal box.
The corner of Rory's eye glances at Aiden, who has changed his clothes from all black to more color. A slim yellow leather jacket covering his plain white T-shirt and grey jeans. He sifted to grab his drink to take a sip his glass of orange juice with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. Something about the frustrated expression on her sister's face this morning to have water all poured on her is still humoring to him.
"Fine." Until he showed up—is what she wanted to say.
"Good. Hurry up and finish your breakfast and then I'll drive you and your brother to school."
"Is it really necessary?" Rory says while munching down her cereal as she glances at Aiden again "I'm mean... For what I understand is that you're here temporarily. Why bother with school if you're just gonna go back home soon?"
"Rory." Chloe's brows furrow. "We don't know how long Aiden will be staying here."
"Mo—Chloe's right." Aiden slips for a second but quickly recovers it with a cough. "Besides, I'm excited. I've never been to high school before. "
"What-" Chloe's eyes widen as her voice raises suddenly out shock at hearing this. "Wait. Really?"
Rory snorts. "What have you been living under a rock your entire life?"
Aiden shakes his head, lifting his shoulders. "I was born and raised in Hell, and my parents never deemed it necessary, I guess." He says, biting the last bit of his sandwich as he adds the last part "I was homeschooled thought."
Rory's appetite suddenly subsides at hearing Aiden talk.
"You live in Hell?" She asks, eyes widening as he nods. Rory had never heard of something like this before. Then again, she has never been to the Underworld either.
Chloe's started pondering over what Aiden said about his childhood. Suddenly questioning her parenting skills. But then when he started opening up more, Chloe knew—even by just spending a couple days with her son—that Aiden is not good at keeping things to himself. An oversharer. Much like his father.
"Oh, well look at the time, kids. We better get going..." She said quickly while standing up and waving the two teenagers to start moving.
"Welcome to Hell on Earth."
The sight of the large structure that Rory declared was called a high school, didn't faze her brother the slightest. On the contrary, his eyes lit up with excitement appose to his sister's not so pleased gaze.
Curious about the comment, Aiden's eyebrow lifts at his sister while they keep walking towards the building.
"You call this Hell?"
"Oh, absolutely." Rory's voice rises to confirm it. "Nine to five, without pay. Constant pop quizzes that make you have a heart attack. Endless nights of unsolvable math assignments that leave you sleep deprived for weeks. Countless humans with raging hormones and uncontrollable mood swings that make you start to question your own wellbeing by the end of the day. Or whatever's left of your sanity. And the brick-like heaviness of the books in your backpack, keep you dragging your sorry ass down the halls, until your back turns sore. I'm no historian, but I'm fairly certain two hundred years ago this would've been considered as child labor."
"You're over exaggerating a bit. Or you're trying to scare me."
"Both."
The two Nephilim's head up the stairs, passing by a couple of curious teenagers.
Rory is the first one strode on and open the door with a high head. "Ladies first." She says quickly and out of the blue. But just in time to close it before Aiden manages to follow her in. Making him halt in his walks as his nose gets hit by the sudden closing of the door.
"Hmph." A low groan escapes him. Aiden's eyebrows lower at the action and he instinctively holds his nose. "What lady?" He mutters through gritted teeth.
Following her inside the school, Aiden effortlessly catches up with Rory.
"Okay, I'm sorry about the water bucket. Are we even now?"
Never. The corner of her lip rises at the thought. Aiden started this war when he stole her muffins. "For the moment." Rory looks up to the boy, making him smile. Something Rory found interesting in him. The few days she has gotten to know her brother has made her realizes how rarely Aiden holds grudges as well as the constant optimism he radiates.
As the pair continue to head down the hall, many gazes of the students fall on the two. Whispers erupt in the hall with boys and girls talking about Rory's recent act on the school bully Mason. However, the wave of gossip surrounding the girl is far less the main topic, but rather the tall dark and handsome mew student accompanying her.
This becomes evident, and Aiden's hearing picks up the small conversations, making him smirk at the girls as they pass by.
"I think I might like this Hell."
Rory sees the eyes of the students watching them. Even the looks and eyes some of them gave them. Mostly Aiden.
Rory sighs when she finally stops near her locker and grabs the knob to turn it. "Like sharing a roof with you isn't enough." She mumbles first, and then addresses him. "At least Mom made sure you're marked as a Senior."
Aiden who's been leaning against the lockers while eyeing many the students passing them by with curiosity as well as with innocent-or not so innocent-- winks and smiles, before he makes him draw his eyes at Rory.
"What does that mean?"
Rory smiles, grabbing the books and dumping them into her pack back before closing the locker. "It means I don't have to share the same class as you."
Aiden's crosses his arms in front of his chest. "You're mad at me."
The Nephilim pulls the bag over her shoulder. "What makes you think that dear brother?" She asks in a tone that's definitely not sweet.
Aiden inhales. His mouth parts, almost like he wants to say something, but then stops.
This, however, makes Rory rethink her harsh attitude towards the innocent boy. She isn't mad at him, more so disappointed of what she's gathering from him. Especially about their father being alive. And Aiden is living proof of that.
She starts guiding him through the school before continuing. "...It's just that... knowing that you are real, makes me kinda upset."
"I'm sorry that my existence upsets you. You shouldn't have to be unhappy."
"Oh, but life's just like that." She mumbles back, not caring that he tried to apologize for something so stupid as him being born.
"What do you mean?"
"You can never be happy for long." She sighs, not wanting philosophical about how messed up the world they live in is.
"Why not?" Aiden doesn't let up.
"Because that's not how the world works okay, Aiden." Rory snaps at him, before inhaling. Breath! Stop taking it out on him! Exhale.
Aiden finally gets the message and stops asking questions, letting Rory have her silence as they keep heading down the hall.
Unfortunately, their silence is quickly taken as the two come to a stop when a certain red headed boy stands in their way. Or rather Rory's way.
"Well, if it isn't the She-Devil."
Aiden notices how her sister's posture turns cold in a blink of an eye. Her gaze narrows as she glares at the boy who just called her.
"And oh look, she has a bodyguard now."
"What'd you want, Mason?" Rory asks, crossing her arms at the bully. "Another one of my hand marks to complement your already screwed up face. You know, I would love to keep insulting you, but I'm afraid I won't do as well as nature did."
Aiden's eyes finally catch the fresh bruise on his nose that is barely covered by the bandage. Indicating that those two must not get along very well.
"How about an apology?" He suddenly says.
Rory huffs a laugh at the comment. "Me? Apologize. To you?" Her eyes widen right before she lowers her eyebrows at him. "Never in a million years."
"Then mind your own business. Or next time, you won't be just suspended from school."
Without saying anything else, Rory moves past him without a glance.
Mason smiles for a second, obviously satisfied of how he got to Rory again. But then he lifts his gaze to the taller boy.
"The fuck you looking at?"
Aiden, who stays behind shakes his head and sighs at the Mason. Their height not even worth debating on who had the superiority and that's evidently making the Sophomore tense and hostile towards the Nephilim.
"You know, there's a word for people like you." Aiden starts while douching his chin as he tries to look thoughtful. "I can't put my finger on it, but I recall it had something to do with one relieving himself."
"Was that supposed to be some kind of insult?" He laughs.
"I wasn't insulting you. I was merely describing you." Aiden gives the boy a lukewarm smile before places his palm against the guy's shoulder. "See you around-" He whispers the last part out. "-or not."
Mason grits his teeth when he catches the underline meaning of the sudden warning in Aiden's voice. That and the strong squeeze of his hand was pretty unexpected.
When Aiden takes his leave, Mason sees two of his classmates trying to hold their amusement by holding their chuckles. Making him angry and storms off.
The Nephilim catches up with his sister. Rory's gaze sees a figure heading their way. Her face brightens up considerably whenever she sees Soul nearby. Her best friend always approaches her with a spring in her step and a smile spread on her tanned face.
"Hey." Soul says, stopping near the two siblings.
"Hey."
"I got English, and then when I'm free, I'll meet you back here in an hour. K?" She says with her bubbly personality shining today.
"Sounds good." Rory nods, glancing at Aiden before back at the girl. "While you're heading there, take Aiden with you and show him the principal's office. He needs a schedule."
"Why can't you?"
"I would love to spare myself from another lecture."
"Okay." Soul glances at the boy before turning back to head to show the way. "Come along Mr. Morningstar."
Rory's lip twitches at the way the human girl says his name like it's an insult for being Mr. Morningstar. Rory bites her bottom lip to suppress her smile from spreading. A low chuckles pulls her from her thoughts as she turns to an amused Aiden eyeing her.
"What?"
Aiden shrugs, about to comment on that but then inevitably shuts up and starts following Souline to get his agenda for the week. A faint sound of whistling fills the air when he leaves.
Rory's eyes narrow at the back of her brother. "What do you know that I don't..."
History class wasn't Rory's most favorite class. It may be the lack of interest or her barely averages grades, give or take.
"This is purgatory." Rory groans against her desk as her face hugs the open book. Finding more comfort trying to sleep, then to listen to what the history teacher is saying.
"It's not that hard." A voice speaks next to her right.
"It is." Rory moves her head so she can lift her eyelid and sees Theo making notes. She eventually pulls herself up into an actual sitting position. "How can you memorize all this crap?"
"I don't know. Just do. Here—" The boy sighs, giving his notebook to Rory. "Use my sheets."
"Gracias." She smiles excitedly, thanking the boy before copying the dates into her own notebook.
Theo smiles, adjusting his glasses. "De nada."
"Mr. Lopez." The teacher suddenly says out loud, making the two students at the back of the class raise their heads. "While you're at it, show Miss Morningstar last week's notes as well."
"Of course." He bites his lip. This wasn't the first time he helped Rory with homework at it wouldn't be the last.
A slight vibration pulls Rory's gaze to her smartwatch as a message pops up. She smiles when she reads the name.
Soul: OMG. Call me an Irish leprechaun, cause girl, I just struck gold XD
Me: Lol. What is it?
Soul: ...
Rory smirks grows, imaging Souline jumping like a lunatic right about now. She probably did if they had the same class.
Soul: I'll tell u after class ;)
As Miss Anderson continues on with the events of the second World War, the class door suddenly opens, and a student enters the room.
"Ah. Miss Grimston. Nice of you to join us." The teacher politely says.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
The slightly familiar feminine voice halts Rory's pen from moving and she lifts her gaze to the girl who just entered the room.
"That's alright. Go take a seat, dear."
Rory finally sees the new girl when calmly makes her way around the desks. The girl looks beautiful at first glance. Her long blond hair is straightened perfectly. Her make up is heavy with pitch black lips and eyeliner. And her figure...well... is quite divine in all the right places.
Rory blinks, suddenly looking at the new girl in a different way. Like making the Nephilim question where she has seen her before.
"Is this seat taken?"
The girl in question pulls Rory back to earth and she blinks again. Shaking her head.
The blond girl pulls the chair back and slides to sit on it, all the while never losing the smile. But when her scarlet gaze connects with her new classmate, she blushes.
Rory, who's eyes never left hers, suddenly stops scanning her. "You look familiar. We've met before?" She raises a brow.
The blond tucks a strand of her hair back behind her ears. "Have we?"
Rory nods. "At the club." She suddenly finally realizes. The night before she met Aiden. "You bumped into me and lost your glasses."
"I believe it was the other way around..."
The corner of Rory's lip rises as her features show intrigue. "So, you do remember."
"Children, please! Pay attention to this part as this will be in the test..." Miss Anderson says.
Rory listens and tries to pay attention for a change but then she hears the new whisper to her.
"Name's Elsa. By the way." She says while casually sucking on the tip of her pen as she opens her textbook.
The Nephilim eyes are glued to her movements, and she subconsciously presses her legs together.
"Rory." She clears her voice, trying to remain cool and continue to make it seem like she isn't faced by Elsa's subtle hints. "Rory Morningstar."
ELSA
means pledge to God and is of German origin.
GRIMSTON
or Grimr, is an old English tun, which means settlement or town.
...
"Elsa is funny, attractive, tall and happy. If an Elsa is quiet, know something is wrong, though they are very focused and sometimes quiet. If you are good friends with her, she will show her loud side though. Never fight with an Elsa, they are very scary and almost always win. Boys often always want to date her but are too intimidated by her, as of her beauty. If you are lucky enough to meet an Elsa, keep her close. She won't ever be forgotten."
—sksksks, Urbandictionary
First, happy late Valentine's Day, my lovely Detectives!
And second...
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of you who have silently favorited and followed my story! I would really love to have you around and read your thoughts too! So don't be afraid to comment, loves :)
Those of you who wanted more Aiden, then fear not, next chapter will focus more on him too.
What did you guys think of this one thought? Do you like it, do you hate it? For those of you think it might be to slow on the plot then don't worry. Most of the story will not be just revolving around school.
Can't wait to know what you think! Remember to keep your eyes out for clues, Detectives!
Love ya!