Remnants
I dream about him. I see his face, his smile, and his deep green eyes. Momentarily, I am in heaven. It usually doesn’t take long for my blasting alarm clock to bring me back to reality. I wish I didn’t dream about him, perhaps then he would be easier to let go. Was he dead? I tell myself every day he’s coming back, that he’s alive and well, but with every passing week, my hope lessens.
“Are you ready yet?” Mila called through the bathroom door.
I glanced down at the remnants of the feather tattoo on my wrist, a tattoo that once bound Eli and I together. It just washed away in the shower like it was nothing more than dirt on skin, leaving merely a scar. I pulled my hair to the front so it draped around both of my shoulders and down my chest. My straightened hair seemed darker against the royal blue fabric of my dress.
Tonight was the school’s dance. I didn’t want to go but it was compulsory and I was still treading on very thin ice. I opened the bathroom door and suddenly felt insecure. Mila looked beautiful. The long gold gown she wore molded to her perfectly slim build and seemed a lot more elegant than my strapless, above-the-knee cocktail dress.
“Wow,” Mila gasped at me.
“Don’t wow me, I feel cheap next to you.”
“If I had the boobs and legs to pull off that dress I would’ve bought a dress like yours. This silly gown is annoying.”
I opened my mouth to protest her ridiculous observation but a knock on the door stopped me. Every time a knock sounds upon my door my heart races and my hope rises, it could be Eli.
“Oh my goddess, you look beautiful.”
It was Gabriel. Gabriel was a student guardian angel we had met a few months ago in the dining hall; he was also Hunter’s best friend.
A fake smile spread across my lips as I hid my disappointment, something that came naturally now.
“Don’t forget to lock the door; I don’t want my new laptop to get stolen. We’ll see you there,” Mila said, closing the door behind her.
Mila and I now share a room. Somehow, she convinced her uncle, Ivan Aleksandrov, that she could help me stay on track and out of trouble. We were moved to the far end of the dorm, in Sam and Cloud’s old room. It was double the size of single dorms; it was perfect.
I pulled on a black pair of heels, they were a lot higher than what I was used to. I wobbled unsteadily to my feet. With the first step, I found my groove and managed to walk confidently over to the door. I switched out the light and locked the door behind me.
“Goddess.”
I turned abruptly, my heart jumping into my throat. “Jesus Christ, Hunter.”
He adjusted the toothpick that hung out of his mouth and smiled. He looked so smart in his black suit pants and long sleeved, button up royal blue shirt. What are the odds that we had both chosen to wear the same color?
“What are you doing here?” I gasped.
His sudden appearance put me in a bit of an awkward situation. We hadn’t spoken since he kissed me and I told him to leave me alone. I assumed he was annoyed with me, like everyone else.
“We’re going to the dance.”
“No, I’m going alone.”
“Well, I’m heading that way anyway, we can walk together.”
“Fine.”
We walked side by side; his black dress shoes hitting the tiled corridor floor with quiet taps. Mine made a much louder click with every step.
“Why are you chewing a toothpick?”
Starting a conversation was the only thing I could do to take my mind off the incessant beat of my five inch heels. They had me wondering if I was walking properly.
“I quit smoking. It helps with the cravings.”
I thought about the time I discovered his smoking spot by accident when I was looking for a subtle place to teach myself how to use my elements. It was only a few months ago, I was impressed by his progress so far.
“You know, at least Gabriel showed up announced like a gentleman. He even told Mila that she looked beautiful. You and your toothpick just show up, scaring me half to death,” I stated as Hunter and I signed out and exited the girl’s dorms.
“You don’t look beautiful.” Hunter smiled as the cool night air hit my face.
“Thanks.”
“You look sexy.”
I rolled my eyes. Hunter was that type of person, I suppose. He was very raw and uncensored. He was a smartass and he knew it. He doesn’t care about boundaries; Hunter knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. He was the exact opposite of Eli. Eli was respectful and charming, a real gentleman. He knew how to sweep a girl off her feet classically and he knew how to make her feel like there was no one else in the world but her. I kind of like that he said that to me, though. I’d been so lonely the last few months here without Eli. Knowing that someone here cared about me was like being given a box of matches when you’re stranded on a cold, deserted island.
We approached the dining hall. My head was thumping along with the club beats pouring out of the open windows and doors.
“Are you ready?” Hunter asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
The room that was usually filled with long tables was now filled with balloons, streamers, punch bowls, and rows and rows of snacks. It was dim and loud; I could barely hear myself think.
“Enjoy yourself,” Hunter shouted in my ear.
He began to walk off but I grabbed his arm, preventing him from taking another step. I did want to come alone initially, but now that I’m here, I don’t feel like standing in the corner praying for the event to end. Some company would be nice.
“Wait.”
Hunter smiled an impudent smile, like he knew I was going to stop him all along.
“Let’s get a drink.”
We ducked and squeezed past sweaty teenagers and over to one of the many punch bowls. Hunter pulled a small flask from his inside jacket pocket and proceeded to empty its contents into our cups, concealing the clear liquid with passionfruit punch.
“Hunter, what are you doing?” I whispered hastily into his ear.
“Relax. It’ll help loosen you up.”
He pushed the cup closer to my chest. Momentarily, I stared at the strange smelling liquid, weighing the pros and cons.
“Ruby, it’s okay. Who’s going to know?”
I grasped the cup and I thought about the consequences. If this all went wrong, I would no doubt be expelled from Sage, and yet that threat doesn’t scare me anymore; there was nothing for me here. A lot of students still hated me for what I did a few months ago, and guardian angels went out of their way to ignore me or glare. I did get their colleagues and friends killed, after all. If I did do this, then for one night I could forget about everything and have fun.
The smell burnt my nose as I brought the cup to my lips. Surely it doesn’t taste as bad as it smells? As it began pouring down my throat I realized it did taste as bad as it smelled. My throat began burning, it was like I was drinking some kind of cleaning chemical straight from the bottle.
“That’s too much,” I coughed.
Hunter smiled. “That’s the way I like it.”
It didn’t take long for my body to feel the effects of the alcohol and I was having a good time. The best time I’ve had in a while.
“Dance with me.” Hunter gestured to the dance floor.
A slow song played through the speakers and Hunter flicked his eyebrows towards the dance floor.
“It’s just one dance. We can’t stand and chat all night, let’s have fun.”
“I know, I’m just scared that …” I paused. “If I walk, I’m going to fall.”
“I’ll support you.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist. It was a relief when we made it to the dance floor without any embarrassing falls or stumbles.
He pulled me closer, putting both arms around my waist. His body pressed slightly against mine as he started moving with me to the slow beat of the music.. It was nice, comforting even, but it didn’t feel ‘electric’ like it did when Eli touched me. I stared awkwardly around the room as Hunter kept his eyes solely on me. Eventually, I gained enough confidence to look him directly in the eyes.
“You miss him?” he mumbled.
“Hmm?”
“Eli.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I said, trying hard to sound indifferent.
If only anyone knew how much I missed Eli … maybe then Eli’s departure would have been easier on me if I had someone to talk to about it.
“I noticed your wrist, the tattoo is gone …”
I swallowed hard. It was extremely difficult talking about it. I also think the alcohol magnified all my bad feelings by a thousand.
“It washed off in the shower — do we really have to talk about this?”
“Not if you don’t want to.”
“I don’t.”
He didn’t bring it up again and we danced silently through another slow song. It wasn’t an awkward silence, it was peaceful.
“I thought you weren’t going with anyone.” A voice snapped behind me.
I turned to face the voice; it was Rylan, just my luck. His face creased, reminding me I’d told him that I wasn’t going with anyone.
“I didn’t.”
Does it count as going together if Hunter showed up at my door?
“You’re even wearing matching colors.”
As I stepped forward, preparing my mind-your-own-business speech, I lost my footing and stumbled backwards a little. Hunter grabbed my arm, steadying me again.
“Have you given her alcohol?” Rylan barked at Hunter. “Ruby, what were you thinking?”
“Hey!” growled Hunter, stepping closer to Rylan. “You don’t own her; she can do whatever she wants.”
A few students dancing near us stopped to see what was happening. It was my fault, I should have known better than to come to the dance tonight. Drama always reared its ugly face when I’m out and about trying to have a good time. I turned quickly on my heel and headed for the exit. I felt claustrophobic as I pushed my way through people standing only centimeters apart. Mrs Ploit would have to let me into my dorm if I wasn’t feeling well, wouldn’t she?
When I got outside, I took a moment to lean against the brick wall, hoping it would stop my head from spinning. The cool air worked wonders and sobered me slightly. I glanced up at the stars. I loved the way the small diamonds glistened against the black sky. There wasn’t much natural light out tonight, the moon failed to shed enough light on the dark grounds.
“Ruby?” Rylan called, exiting the building and leaning against the wall next to me.
“Haven’t you ruined my night enough?”
“You said you weren’t coming with anybody.”
“I didn’t initially, and even if I did, it’s none of your business.”
“Rylan, are you coming?” a female voice called.
It wasn’t hard to match the annoying, high-pitched voice to a face. I turned my head towards the entrance of the dining hall and there stood Raina in a pink, poufy dress that looked like it belonged to an eighteenth century princess.
What an idiot.
“You came with Raina? You are unbelievable. You don’t approve of me coming with Hunter, yet you show up with her?” I spat.
I’m not jealous, just confused. When I had first arrived at Sage Sanctum, Rylan and his friend Zavion had expressed their distaste in Raina, but it looks like Rylan has changed his mind. Perhaps it was all a joke to impress me.
“Ignore her. Ruby, I like you, you’re beautiful, funny, and charming. I just want to know if you have ever felt anything for me … do I have a chance with you?”
I felt horrible. I didn’t want to break his heart but I had no choice. I didn’t have any romantic feelings towards Rylan. Sure, he was cute and nice and everything other girls look for, but my heart was someone else’s.
“No, I’m sorry.”
I saw his broken heart reflect in his eyes and Rylan lingered for a moment before turning and joining Raina at the top of the stairs, but not before sparing a saddened glance my way.
“That would have hurt.”
My eyes shot up to an approaching figure in the darkness. The voice was familiar but it couldn’t be him.
“Eli?”
Unexpected Reunion
My heartbeat sped up and my breath was sucked out of my lungs as the anonymous figure stepped into the light. His piercing green eyes were the first thing I noticed, followed by his full, lush lips — delicious. I stepped forward. I needed to see I wasn’t imagining him. As my foot came into contact with the ground, a pain radiated through my ankle and I found myself meeting the hard terrain.
“Have you been drinking?” Eli asked, helping me to my feet.
“No.”
He was back five seconds and I was already lying to him. He knew I was lying, he could probably smell it.
“Ruby, you —”
“Stop! You can’t waltz in here after three months and start telling me what to do.”
Was I imagining the slur that had attached itself to my words? I turned to storm off, but I fell. This time Eli caught me, cradling me with one arm. My ankle throbbed in pain but I was too caught up admiring Eli’s face to even care. I felt whole suddenly. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins. I inhaled and my lungs filled with his sweet scent. This was not how I imagined our reunion. I imagined hugs, beautiful words, and maybe even a kiss. I didn’t picture me being overly tipsy, rolling my ankle, and falling over. He straightened me up, both my feet firmly on the ground. I winced at the sharp ache that pounded in my ankle. Eli kept a hand on my shoulder, keeping me steady.