16. Arabella

Chapter 16

Arabella

" G ood morning, Arabella," Phoenix greets me with a smile when I reach the bottom of the steps to enter the lobby of our dorm. I knew we had said that we would meet for breakfast, but he is so chipper that I want to go back to bed and try again later.

I was barely able to sleep, too busy tossing and turning, thinking about Warrick, the journal, and even at times worrying about this breakfast and if I was doing the right thing by trying to be friends. My mates and friends were the least of my worries when I first arrived here, and now it seems like they are at the top of my list. Even after talking with the girls last night, I am still a little unsure about everything, especially having breakfast with Phoenix. Both of them told me to be careful and keep my wits about me but also reminded me to give him a chance and make a new friend. With their support, I know whatever crazy chaos is coming they will have my back.

"Good morning, Phoenix," I hesitantly respond, trying to mentally prepare myself for the day and this breakfast.

"Sorry, I know this is a tad bit out of character," he mumbles. I'm almost positive that if his hands weren't full then he would be rubbing the back of his neck in an uncomfortable manner. "I wanted to do something nice for you this morning so you didn't think I was joking with what I said to you yesterday, but I'm starting to wonder if that was the right thing to do."

He's embarrassed and it's cute. I've never had a guy act like he is right now, not even a friend. His actions throw me off considering I am already confused about things but he's also right. This gesture is something that shows he meant what he said about wanting to be friends. He's backing his words up with actions and that means more to me than I thought. I'm still wary about the whole Angel Fallen friendship, but that can be figured out in time.

"No, it is nice of you. I was just surprised, is all." I give him a soft smile, reaching my hand out to him. "Can I take any of this from you?" In one hand, he is holding a tray with two cups of coffee, In the other, he has a brown paper bag that I'm going to assume has food in it. Or at least I hope it does. I'm starving.

"Oh, thank god," he sighs. "I was worried I was messing this all up. I've never done anything like this before. If you could carry the coffee that would be great."

"What be friends with an Angel?" I joke, grabbing the tray from him. "Where to?" I ask since we don't need to go to the cafeteria now to grab food since he already did.

"Well, I have this really beautiful spot I found when I was out exploring one day, but we don't have time for that. However, I know a cool spot in the main gardens if you'd like to go there?" His cheeks blush as he looks at me and it causes a flutter in my chest that I've never experienced before. The feeling makes my breath hitch and my heart rate begins to race. Which in turn terrifies me.

"Lead the way." It's the most words I can get out right now. I have no idea how to process the things he is making me feel. Sure, I had hashed it out with the girls and figured I'd hear him out some more and see if his actions back up his words but I never suspected he would do something like this. I thought he wanted to just be friends but I'm starting to wonder if that's true or not. Friends don't do things like this, right? I can only follow him down the main path to school and just watch him. Neither of us is filling the silence which makes it a little awkward but maybe that's just me.

Fuck! What are you doing, Arabella? I mentally question. This is a horrible idea. Terrible. Like I should be running in the opposite direction. Divine, if my father found out about this, he would most likely kill me. Yup, would skip right past the beatings and just end my life so I wouldn't be such a disappointment to him.

"You okay?" he asks, leading me through the winding path of the gardens. With hedges on either side of us, it's private enough that no one would see us walking together, let alone talking. At this hour I doubt there's even anyone in here.

"I…," I stutter, clearing my throat before trying again. "I'm good. Sorry, Monday, ya know? It's always a rough day of the week. I really don't understand why it has to be the start of the week. Why can't we start the week on Tuesday and just do three-day weekends?" Mentally I know I'm freaking out, but physically I can't stop talking now that I started. It's like words are just vomiting out of my mouth with no off switch.

"Umm," he pauses while cracking a small smile. "I really don't know how to answer that. I can see your reasoning but I feel like more people would prefer if our three-day weekend started on Friday not Monday."

I can't tell if he is just saying it to humble me or if he really means it, either way, I'll take it for the peace offering it is. "That's a fair point. How about we just make it a four-day weekend instead? Then it solves both problems."

"It would," he agrees. "We're here." He points toward a table and chairs that are set up on the edge of the circle of hedges. In the middle is a small fountain with pink water. It's different, unique, and something I've never seen before.

"Do you think the water is pink from magic or food coloring?" I question as I take the seat he pulled out for me. I place the tray of coffee in the middle of the table and wait for him to take his seat across from me after pushing my chair in for me.

Such a gentleman.

"Huh, that's the first time I've seen it pink," he states with shock. "I'll have to ask around and see if anyone knows. It's interesting, though. So," he pauses as he begins pulling food out of the bag. "This isn't super fancy or anything, but I got us scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and a bagel with cream cheese. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just picked up a variety of things."

Looking over the variety of foods spread out in front of me, my stomach growls loudly. Louder than I've ever heard it. "Oops," I laugh, dropping my hands to my stomach. "I guess I'm hungrier than I realized. Honestly, all of it sounds so good. Please take what you want, and I'll eat whatever is left. I'm not picky at all."

"Ha," he laughs, shaking his head. "Not a chance in hell, Arabella. This is for you so you take what you want and I'll eat what's left."

Ugh, damn him and his chivalry. "Fine, how about we just share and eat what we feel like eating?"

He stares at me for a good minute while he decides. I can tell he wants to argue but I also know the minute he makes up his mind. A soft smile breaks out across his face as he nods. "Deal, dig in before I eat it all."

Together, we manage to crush all the food he got for us and the coffee. Our conversation flows by quickly and before I know it the bell for the first period rings. I have no idea how we managed to miss the warning bell, but we most certainly did.

"Shit, we're late. I'm so sorry, Arabella. I didn't mean to make you late to class," he starts panicking and grabbing all our trash. It's cute seeing him rush around panicking. I should probably be panicking with him but nothing will affect my mood this morning. This was perfect and I really hope he surprises me again with something like this, not that I'll ever admit that to him though.

"It's fine, I'll take whatever punishment they dole out. I had a great time this morning." It's true I really did. After we started eating, the conversation flowed easily, and the awkwardness I was feeling disappeared. "Thank you for doing something nice like this for me."

"You are most certainly welcome. Let's get to class." Without a second thought, he reaches out to grasp my hand and leads me out of the garden maze and to class. I don't even realize we are holding hands until we make it to the back entrance of the main building and he lets go of my hand to toss the trash away and open the door for me. I have no idea what that means but I don't have the time to think about it right now either.

"Excuse me, Seraphim Sybil," a young woman calls out from the doorway. I've never seen her before, but it looks like a few people have, if their reactions are anything to go by. A few people sink down into their seats hoping that attention won't be drawn to them. Others begin packing up their items. I'm stuck sitting there, not knowing how to react or what to expect.

"Yes," our teacher answers, stopping her lesson on mating laws. I hadn't been paying much attention as it was since it is still a sore subject to me, so I am thankful for the small interruption.

"Councilwoman Talia would like to see Seraphim Arabella in her office," the woman states, pushing a strand of hair out of her face as she looks around the room trying to find me. A chorus of ooo's ring out through the room as everyone turns to look at me.

Fuck. Being called to the main office is definitely not how I expected my second week at the academy to start. I don't think I've done anything wrong to get into trouble. I've tried to keep my head down despite how much hell Rhys has been giving me. Maybe this is about whoever broke into my dorm room and destroyed it. Yeah, that could be exactly what this is about , I think to myself as I gather my things and try to ignore all the stares.

"Don't forget to read chapter six and answer the questions at the end to turn in on Wednesday," my teacher states as I exit the room.

The last thing I'm going to be thinking about is homework right now. As we walk down the hall, I keep twisting my hands together, feeling them getting sweatier with every step we take. All I had wanted to do while attending the academy was keep my head down, do what was expected of me, and get back to Aeris. Ever since I stepped foot on this campus, it's felt like one thing after another, and that's the last thing I want to be dealing with.

Divine when can I catch a break?

"You can head inside, she is expecting you," the female who pulled me out of class states pulling me from my thoughts. I didn't realize we had made it to the third floor already.

"Thanks," I try to give her a smile but I know it doesn't reach my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open ready to accept whatever is about to happen, except it wasn't what I expected at all. "Father," I choke out shocked he is even here. What the hell? I've only been here a week. There's no reason for him to be checking up on me now. Shit.

"Seraphim Arabella," he responds, his tone cold and indifferent as he looks at me. "As a Seraphim you are held to a higher standard than all other students here. Do you understand what that means?"

"Yes, Sir," I barely manage to answer before he is standing in front of me staring down at me. My father stands six foot three compared to my five foot eight. He towers over me as he glares at me. I'm almost positive that if we were alone he would have already hit me. My body braces for the hit out of habit as I lower my eyes to submit. I know if I show him any sort of backbone whatever punishment he has in mind will be ten times worse.

"Then why are you making a joke of the Seraphim? Destroying your room for attention, getting your ass handed to you by a Fallen? You are a disgrace to the Seraphim and to the Angels. I expected better of you," he snarls, raising his hand before quickly lowering it and remembering where we are.

"I'm sorry, Father." I know my apology doesn't mean jack shit to him but it's better than staying quiet. I'm not admitting that I'm at fault for anything but I know that is exactly how he will take it.

"You are no daughter of mine. I am not your father," he shouts, this time raising his hand and swinging it to backhand my face. I stumble a couple of steps before righting myself bracing for the next blow. It seems to remind him of our family connection was his final straw.

"SERAPHIM CASSIEL!" Councilwoman Talia shouts, stepping to get in between us. She blocks my body with her own as she stares down my father. "You will remember that you are on RISE Academy grounds. I don't give a fuck about you being on the Seraphim Council. You will not harm any student under my care, even if it is your own daughter. If you cannot control yourself I will have you removed from school grounds permanently. Am I clear?" Her tone leaves no room for argument.

"It's okay, Councilwoman Talia." I'm proud of how strong my voice sounds when in reality I'm terrified. I don't want her putting herself at risk on my behalf. I know what my father is capable of. He would have her head just for talking back to him. Even if I was wary of her when I first arrived and who her allegiance would be to, this moment here gains my trust and belief in her being a good person.

"I suggest you stay out of family business," my father demands. I can see him shaking with rage and know that I'm going to be missing classes for the next few days while I heal from whatever injuries he is about to inflict upon me.

"No," she retorts. "You said yourself, Seraphim Arabella is no longer your daughter, which means this is not family business. You cannot have it both ways. I suggest you leave and we will take your opinions into consideration." She doesn't back down when he takes a step closer to her. Instead, her back straightens further than it already was as her wings come out and flutter around her before settling against her back.

I watch as the two of them stare each other down before my father finally relents. I have no idea how the Councilwoman managed to win that one but I am more than thankful for it. Hell, I'd be even happier if she banned him from campus but I have to take the wins when I can get them and right now this is a huge one. I may dislike my classes for the most part, but I definitely don't want to be hiding in my room for a couple of days, either.

"This isn't over, Arabella. You won't always have the Councilwoman here to defend you. We will be finishing this conversation and you will remember your place," my father snarls, as he turns and storms out of the room. Both of us watch as the wooden door slams shut behind him, the sound echoing around the room in silence. When I know for sure he isn't about to return, I let my body relax and collapse to the floor. No one but Warrick has ever seen him like that with me, and more importantly, no one has ever stood up for me and I have no idea how to handle this now.

"Are you okay, Arabella?" Talia asks as she squats down to look at me. Through the tears filling my eyes, I can see her wings are hidden away once more and her face is full of concern. "I need you to answer me," she prompts once more as she pushes some strands of hair out of my face to get a better look at my cheek. I know it's already bruising and I'll most likely have a black eye by the end of the day.

"I'm okay," I murmur. "You shouldn't have done that. I would have been okay."

"No student under my care is going to be assaulted like that in front of me if I have something to say about it. Your father is a nasty piece of work and I'm sorry you've had to put up with that." She pulls me into a hug and that's when the tears I was trying to hold back begin to fall and my sobs fill the room. "I'm excusing you from classes tomorrow. I want you to go back to your room to rest and relax for the rest of the day and tomorrow."

"No, it's okay. I can handle classes tomorrow." The last thing I want is special treatment because of this. I can handle the stares other students will give me. In a day the bruise will be gone anyway.

"That may be, but still I insist. He will not be allowed back on this campus, I'll make sure to speak to security about it. I hope you know the things he said are wrong. I know you didn't destroy your room. We are still trying to figure out who was behind that, and I'll let you know when we do. As per your classes, you are doing exceedingly well considering the report I was given about you. I'm starting to think the report I was given wasn't exactly true. You are a smart, bright, young woman." Talia helps me stand and move to sit in a chair near the fireplace in the room before she goes to a small fridge I hadn't seen before on the other side of the room and pulls out an ice pack. "If you're worried about what your father will try to do to me, I can promise you it will mean nothing. He has no evidence to stand upon. That whole conversation was recorded, and if he wants to call me before the council, I have no issues showing them the evidence. I no longer answer to the Seraphim Council as it is."

"It was recorded?" I ask, surprised. Out of everything, that's the one thing that stands out to me the most. For once there is proof of the vileness of my father.

"Yes. I had a feeling the conversation was going to be tense since he showed up without an invitation or warning. I have no idea how he got the information that he did. We don't send updates to parents after a student's first week. Usually, it's once a month or less during the student's stay here." She hands me the ice pack and walks to the door. "Take your time to relax. You can hang out for as long as you need before returning to the dorms. I'm going to go speak with security about your father."

"Thank you, Councilwoman Talia."

"You're welcome, Arabella, and please just call me Talia when it's just us girls," she smiles and exits the room, leaving me to sit here with my thoughts. I wonder if this is what it would be like to have someone who cares about you enough to defend you. My mother sure never has.