13. Arabella

Chapter 13

Arabella

" I 'm really starting to get tired of combat class, and this is only the second session," I moan as Isis and I enter the women's changing room. Thankfully, the two of us were paired together today which was a lot better than when I had Rhys constantly kicking my ass during the first class. Isis and I are at least pretty even fighters, so we both got some good hits in. I would say it was a good training session, but if the shouting Archangel Cael did is anything to go by, I think he thought we were going too soft on each other. Next session, knowing my luck, I'll be placed with another fallen just because.

"Girl, you and me both," Isis laughs. "Don't get me wrong I like working out and getting some aggression out just as much as the next person but the stuff Archangel Cael asks us to do is next level."

She isn't wrong about that. Archangel Cael is kicking all of our asses. It's almost like he is expecting us to have to go to war soon or something. That is not what I am nor ever will be interested in. I'm almost positive that our world would never survive a war if one were about to take place again. The last one nearly wiped out all of the races. I'm not exactly sure what the outcome of a second one would be, and I don't think I want to know either.

"What do you have going on this afternoon?" Isis pulls me from my thoughts as we are finishing changing.

"Hmm let's see...," I pause and place my finger against my chin like I'm thinking. "Food, Angel Law, and then my work study. Two of those three I am looking forward to. The third, well, I wouldn't mind skipping that class if I could. It's just another place I have to deal with Rhys. Why can't they have any classes that Angels don't have with Fallen? It's almost like they are shoving them down our throats."

"Divine," Isis shouts, grabbing my arm and pulling me out the door. "Could you have said that any louder?" She asks while rolling her eyes. "If you didn't already have a problem with the Fallen Angels here, well you will now if any of them overheard you in there. I swear, you have a death wish or something. Can you, I don't know, keep your head down for the rest of the day and not cause any more trouble?"

"I suppose I could try to do that if you insist," I chuckle and link my arm through hers as we walk to the cafeteria. "I'm not making any promises because it seems like people have it out for little 'ol me and I haven't even done anything wrong yet."

"I feel like the keyword in that sentence is yet," Isis laughs beside me. "You are a troublemaker, Arabella, and I absolutely am here for it. Just call me if you get into any trouble."

"How do you expect me to call you?" I ask as we push the doors open into the cafeteria. The place is absolutely crowded. Since I wasn't here a couple of days ago I didn't realize how busy it was. Yesterday's lunch was a lot emptier but I guess more students were in class at the time than they are now. I just hope there are still some cheeseburgers left. A good juicy cheeseburger sounds like the greatest thing right now and I will fight someone if they try to take the last one from me.

"You'll figure it out. I know you're resourceful like that. Now, Harper better have saved us a damn seat in here. It wasn't this busy two days ago." Isis grabs a try at the start of the line and begins piling food onto it. Her eyes must be way bigger than her stomach because I have never seen her eat that much food in the time we have been here. I choose to go a different route and only grab what I know I can eat now. If I'm still hungry afterward, then I'll come back for seconds.

"Is that all you're eating?" she asks when we make it to the end of the line. Looking down at my try the only items on it are a cheeseburger, the very last one that was out thank you very much, some fries, a small side salad with ranch, and water. I don't see an issue with my selection, but I watch her place a brownie on my tray as well.

"Who said I wanted dessert?" I ask as we walk to where I spot Harper and Stark sitting. As we get closer I see two empty chairs across from them. Literal fucking lifesavers they are. It doesn't look like there is an open seat anywhere. I'm going to have to find out about going off-campus this weekend and getting some food to keep in our dorm room, just in case. Anything to help me avoid this chaos, and I wouldn't mind getting to shower in my own bathroom rather than sharing one with a bunch of other girls.

"You'll want it, I promise," Isis chuckles as she slams her tray down on the table in front of us. I watch some fries fall off her tray and she doesn't bother to pick them up. I doubt she even noticed with how full the thing is.

"Long combat class?" Harper asks as we take our seats. Stark pays us absolutely no mind from beside her and continues eating.

"You could say that," I mumble, picking up my cheeseburger. The conversation pauses as we all stuff our faces. It isn't until well after I'm done that anyone even speaks.

"Stark, how have your classes been going? It feels like we never see you, or at least I don't," Isis asks before taking a large bite of her cookie. At least she waited until she was almost done eating to start a conversation. With a quick look at her tray, I notice she managed to eat a large portion of the food she selected. Damn.

"That's because you and I were sent here for different reasons," he snarkily replies.

"Okay, no need to be a dick about it," she rolls her eyes. "Girls, remind me to un-invite him to the party."

"What party?" Harper asks wearily. I see her eyes dart around before her shoulders relax when she realizes there is almost no one left near us to have overheard Isis's comment.

"There isn't one. I was just making a point. Keep up," she answers, waving her hand dismissively. "Well, I have classes to get to, so you three have fun. Bella, you have work in the library later, right?"

"Yup, I'll be there after Angel Law until about dinner time. Do you want me to meet you here or is it pizza night again in the dorm?" The pizza happens to be one thing we can order as delivery without issue—everything else we need to pick up and either bring back or already have. I wish there were some other options, but hey, I guess I can't expect an academy for rejected to have anything else.

"Ugh, no. I can't handle any more pizza. I'll meet you here. Bye, girls!" Isis calls out as she turns and walks away from us. The three of us continue to sit there in silence before Stark gets up and leaves without a word, leaving Harper and I sitting here.

"Want to walk to class together?" I ask, rising from my seat with my tray. The two of us are some of the only people left in the cafeteria, everyone already having left to get to classes. We're going to be cutting it close, but I don't mind. It means I can avoid the looks the other angels here like to give me.

"Let's go. I need to go to healing class. We are supposed to be working on learning to heal major wounds today," Harper answers excitedly. Her eyes light up every time she talks about healing, and it's exciting to see. She is thriving here at the academy, and I hope she will get back to Aeris soon and find her place, even if it means missing her while I'm still here.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your classes. The classes and this school seem to fit you well," I smile at her and link my arm through hers as we walk out of the cafeteria. Walking isn't exactly the right word, we're practically skipping with how excited she is to get to class and that excitedness is rubbing off on me.

"It really does, doesn't it?" she smiles back. "I feel like I'm thriving here and this is where I was meant to be. I don't feel the pressure I did at home. My powers are cooperating in a way they never did."

"Harper, that is amazing! And you definitely aren't shy, like at all. I mean, even Stark talks to you when he is a complete asshole to the rest of us," I laugh, bumping her shoulder with mine. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Arabella," she smiles shyly. "I feel like I can finally be myself here. I'm excited to see what will come next and you know what?" She pauses waiting for me to look at her after pulling me to a stop. "You are going to find your place here as well. Aeris is a small city compared to the rest of the world. We have the world at our fingertips."

"I wish I could believe you," I sigh. "That's just now how the world works for me. I'm stuck in Aeris thanks to my family, not that my father would consider me family while I'm here." Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and try to clear my thoughts. "There's a lot going on and I'm just not sure what to do about it all."

The warning bell goes off letting us know we have two minutes before class is about to start, causing both of us to jump and then fall into a fit of giggling. "Well, I guess we can talk more about how you're feeling tonight, and don't think you are getting out of it. You aren't alone, please remember that." She gives me a quick hug before she starts to walk away.

"Fine, but we are talking about the whole you and Stark thing too!" I shout after her. Thankfully, the halls are pretty empty, so no one pays attention to what I said. Harper just waves her hand at me as she walks away, rushing to class, and I do the same. It may take some time but I think all of us are going to be okay here in time. With Isis and Harper by my side, we will make the most of this experience. Now, I just need to survive Angel Law and my work study. One of which is much easier than the other. Or at least I thought it would be.

"Arabella, would you mind helping me?" Guard Noah asks as I stop by the front desk to pick up a stack of books Sasha had just checked back in. I noticed him lurking around the library for the past thirty minutes while I've been working, and I was trying hard to avoid him since he gives me the creeps.

"Sure," I put on my best fake smile. "What do you need help with?" None of the other work-study students are around at the moment, and Sasha told me she needed to step out for an administrative meeting for a bit, so I was to hold down the fort in the library. She had given me the option to go home early today and she would just close the library but I wanted to be here. It was a safe haven for me, especially since we still hadn't figured out who had broken into my room. There were no clues left behind.

"I'm trying to find some books, and I'm struggling with it. Think you can find it?" he asks, smiling at me. Moving around the counter, I leave the stack of books for later and come to a stop just out of his reach. I wouldn't put it past him trying to touch me after he tried when he so-called "escorted" me to class yesterday.

"I'm sure I can try to help. Just tell me what the book is and I'll see if I can find it while you wait here." The last thing I want is him following me around the library while I find this for him. No, he needs to keep standing where everyone can see him and not be able to corner me somewhere in the library where I'm alone, and there are no witnesses to see his behavior toward me.

"It's a book about wolves, more specifically Shadowborn wolves," he begins to explain as he points toward the section where we keep the books about wolves. "The book provides their history and a description of their abilities. You know, like being about to go ethereal. It should always talk about their weaknesses." He gets a sort of scary look in his eyes when he mentions their weaknesses. If the distaste in his voice didn't give away how much he dislikes these Shadowborn wolves, then the look in his eyes definitely gives it away.

"Hmm," I pause, trying to figure out where a book like that may be. So far I hadn't seen anything like that being re-shelved but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist in the library. I was also trying to buy time to decide the pros and cons of finding this book for him. I wouldn't want him to see the weaknesses these wolves have with the dislike he has for them. Everyone has the right to like or not like someone, but it seems more than that with him. "Alright, give me about ten minutes and I'll see what I can find for you." Before he can respond, I'm walking away to find the book he's requesting, or at least attempt to find it. I definitely don't want him to have any sort of knowledge like that.

Rushing away as quickly as I can, I head upstairs to begin browsing the shelves and pretend like I'm looking for what he asked. Up and down I run my hand along the spines letting the magic in the library tingle the tips of my fingers. It's something that Sasha taught me to find a book quicker. If you run your hands along the spines while keeping in mind what you are looking for, the magic will help to guide you to the book you want. This time I'm asking it to keep the book from me. For all I know I could have passed it by now but I'm not paying any attention.

"Any luck?" Guard Noah comes up behind me and asks.

It takes everything in me not to startle at his voice. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings so I didn't realize that he had gotten as close to me as he did. "Not yet, we have a lot of books on wolves but very few on Shadowborn wolves from what I've found so far. Just wait downstairs and I'll bring you it."

"No, I think I'll stay here and help you. Two eyes are better than one, don't you think?" he smiles, taking two steps closer to me. With the way I had turned to face him, I backed myself against the shelves, taking away my easy route to escape.

"Excuse me," Rhys cuts it to the conversation. I'll never admit it to him but damn am I thankful right now for whatever it is he is going to ask of me. Anything to get me away from Guard Noah, the better. "Sorry, for interrupting, but I really need some assistance with this school project. You understand? Right, Guard Noah?"

"Oh, um," he steps back and clears his throat. "My project can wait, school projects come first of course. Goodbye, Arabella." Guard Noah walks away quickly looking back twice but neither time at me, his focus is on Rhys and the glares he gives him.

I really could never be more thankful for Rhys and his horrible timing than I am right now. Not like I will ever say it to him and give him a chance to hold it over my head for forever. I know I'm going to regret helping him with whatever this school project is but it's better than having the guard tracking my every move. I think I will need to talk to someone about him and his behavior I'm just not sure who would be the best person for that conversation.

"So, that help?" Rhys questions, pulling my attention away from my thoughts. "I could really use it. You know finding a book about Angels and all that isn't exactly my forte as a Fallen."

It takes all my effort to not roll my eyes at his comment and remain professional. "Sure, right this way." I turn and go to the other side of the library where the books on angels are located. I'm not really sure how I can help him, but it is part of my job while Sasha is in the meeting, so I'm just going to need to suck it up. Thirty more minutes, and then Sasha is back, and I'm free to leave for the night, but who's counting?