Jessie 10: The Fellow Broke Students
1268 Words
JESSIE
My class ends earlier than expected. It’s five in the afternoon and I doubt Pride is back from his meeting with his brothers.
Although it’s only been a few days, I can’t remember what it was like before Pride. Without him, I didn’t know what to do anymore. Pride is such a big person that he just managed to take up all the space in my life.
Suddenly, I’m embraced from behind by one of my teammates. She grins happily. “I hardly ever see you anymore, Jessie. Come have a drink with us.”
“But it’s five in the afternoon.” I laugh checking my wrist watch to double check the time.
“When has that ever stopped us? Come on, it’s cold. A drink will warm us up.” She insisted with the our other teammates from behind urging her on.
Amused by how silly they were, I nod and follow after them.
“Where’s your boyfriend, Jessie?” Zeke asks matching his step with mine.
I couldn’t help but let out an unladylike snort at his words. “He’s not my boyfriend. He was only riling you up.”
“It definitely worked.” He smiles sticking his tongue out playfully. “Let’s go. It’s my treat.”
Right outside campus is a small bar that offered unlimited buffalo wings. It’s my favorite after school or after training place. Many fellow responsible students were already there when we arrived drinking away the stress of school.
All way past their limit, it’s extra loud and boisterous. What a great change of scenery from my usual days now. Pride isn’t exactly a loud person. Most days he just sits quietly and reads books of every shape and width.
I silently wonder if Pride was having a good time with his brothers. I hope he didn’t give Lust a hard time. They were brothers regardless of their quarrels.
I hope Gluttony and Wrath were making him relax a little. He didn’t seem to like the idea of the meeting. It’s best he stayed close to them.
Zeke and the rest of the team settle in at a small table at the back of the small establishment. It was our regular table. Loud trap music was playing at the background and we sing along to the words as best we can.
They order cheap beer and plenty of chicken wings for the entire group. Zeke stays close laughing along and offering food from time to time.
The beer was mostly froth but I happily take a sip. It tastes nothing like Pride’s expensive wine or whiskey. This was just cheap drinks with my fellow broke university students.
“When in the world are you two getting together?” One of our teammate asks motioning towards Zeke and I.
I raise both my hands up and shake my head profusely. “We’re not like that.”
The team choruses out their disapproval. “You guys look great as a couple!”
I feel myself flush but not for the reason that they think. Zeke and I aren’t meant to be. Someone else was. My life was already bound to someone else. It might not be a romantic connection as of late but it was ours.
“It’s not like that.” I reiterate with a forced smile.
It was starting to make me feel uncomfortable and the way Zeke was remaining quiet did nothing to spare me from the onslaught.
“He’s a professional athlete. You’ll be secure for life.” Another pushes and that makes me bite back a rude reply.
A secure life? Is that what they think I wanted from my life partner? It’s insulting. I could acquire a secure life on my own. I didn’t need anyone for that.
I down the last of the beer from my cup and excuse myself. It’s getting a little late. Pride might be looking for me anyways.
Not looking back from the group, I go out of the cozy bar and into the cold weather. It’s gotten much darker now. I can already feel Pride’s anger towards my predicament.
I’m half way back to campus to wait for Pride when a hand reaches out and grabs my arm roughly pulling me back. I gasp turning back to see Zeke staring at me emotionlessly.
The grip he has on my arm hurts and I try to break free from him. “Do you mind?” I snap vehemently.
Zeke doesn’t let go and tightens his hold even more. “Come with me.”
His voice sounded off and I’m quickly losing patience. “Let go, Zeke!”
He doesn’t even blink. “Lilith said to take you back.”
“W-What?” I stammered now forcefully pulling away with all my might. “Zeke you’ve had too much to drink. You’re hurting me.”
“Come with me.” He repeated monotonously. Having enough, I bring my free hand up and slap him across the face. It didn’t seem to phase him at all. He didn’t even so much as blink or flinch.
Zeke yanks on my arm hard until I stumble to the ground my knees scraping against floor.
The air suddenly stills and before I know what’s happening, a hand bursts through Zeke’s chest. I scream at the top of my lungs.
Zeke’s lifeless body falls on the ground beside me revealing Pride towering above us. Livid cold grey eyes stare back at me.
“Where were you?” Pride growled out in his commanding voice.
I ignore his question and look down at the bleeding body of my teammate. There was a hole through his chest and I feel myself become light headed and sick to my stomach. “You killed him.”
“Of course I killed him.” Pride seethed through gritted teeth. This is the angriest he’s ever been with me and I falter a little.
He crouches down to my level and takes hold of my arm. “Look at your arm! It looks like a hellhound took a bite and decided he didn’t like the taste of you.”
I try to move away from him but he holds me in place. “You killed him! He was my teammate. You had no right to take his life.”
Pride frowns at me in confusion and rolls his eyes when he sees my anger. “He’s not your teammate. It’s a demon that morphed into your classmate’s form.”
He turns back to the bleeding body of Zeke and gives it a strong kick to the head. I watch in horror as my teammate changes into a monstrous reptilian like demon.
I edge back away intent on giving a lot of space between me and the monster. Pride inspects my scratched up knees and clicks his tongue in disappointment.
“What were you thinking leaving campus without me? You know of the dangers.” He immediately berated.
Pride shuts his eyes with his hands softly on my bruises. It takes a moment but when he opens his eyes again, my arm and knees are completely healed.
“Does anything else hurt?” He asks anger still very evident in his posture and tone.
I shake my head feeling foolish.
Pride’s nose flares and he stands up to his full height. He offers me a hand and I take it.
“What if I didn’t make it on time?” Pride continued looking incredibly displeased. “You could have been even more hurt. Did you ever think about how I would feel if something bad happens to you?”
I press my lips together and drop my head low. I certainly deserved this. It’s my fault and I risked both of our lives.
What happened next surprised me completely. Pride takes hold of my shoulders and brings me closer to him. Two muscular arms wrap themselves around my small form. The embrace is intimate and filled with warmth which I welcome.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper wrapping my own arms around him. Hard back muscles greet my hands and I try to ignore how they feel. It isn’t right to think of these things when I’ve obviously wronged him.
“I’m just glad your safe.”
- Writer
