In English the next day, you'd never have guessed Mercurius even knew I existed. Not with the way he ignored me when I sat down, staring at the front all through class with that bored, half-lidded gaze like not a single sentence the teacher spoke could ever be of use to him. And maybe it wouldn't. After all, with the money his family had, he could probably pay people to read and write for him.

That, and I wasn't sure how much a demon really needed a high school diploma anyhow.

When class ended, I wasn't expecting him to be waiting for me in the hall. I'd been slow packing up my things and slammed out the door in a hurry, thinking about all the work I'd already need to do to make up for my sick day. I sure wasn't expecting anyone to be waiting on the other side--least of all, Mercurius.

He caught it inches from hitting his face before letting it shut, saying dryly, "You could stand to be a bit more careful."

"Or maybe you could consider not lurking around the back side of doors," I said, but there was too much hesitation before my retort to sound fully convincing.

"As if that's any way to thank me," he said, keeping pace with me as I started down the hall. "I stuck around just to check on you, and you're already walking away."

"I didn't ask for your help, you know," I said, "And I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

Hang on, hang on. What was this about being concerned about me? He'd been caring way too much lately, and it was unnerving. Of course, not when anybody else was around to see.

But he merely said, "That, and we have a date tonight. I'll see you at seven."

I coughed, saying, "Hey!" But instead of letting me protest, he turned and walked away as a group of students approached from down the hall. "You can't just decide things like that on your own," I muttered after him, but it was no use. He was already gone.

That's when I heard a sound behind me, a soft footstep and the feeling of being watched. From the corner of my eye, I saw the back of someone's head disappear around the corner.

If I hadn't known better, I would have thought it looked like Addi. But that didn't make any sense. Why would Addi be following me?

Unless--maybe she liked Mercurius after all.

If I could ever get any time alone with her, I'd ask her about it. But in the meantime, there was more school to be had. And the little problem of the evening's 'date'--as if a person can decide that kind of thing without the other's consent. I wondered if Mercurius's mother had put him up to it again.

And maybe if I just didn't go home first, my own mom wouldn't make me dress up for it. You know, fun as it was to have my hair done by a professional and all. It took ages.

Thank God, my parents were out when I got done with school, so nobody was there to police what I wore or how I did my makeup. When the doorbell rang at exactly seven, I considered not opening it at all.

Then again, if I didn't, Mercurius would probably just appear on my balcony. If only he were a certain someone else, I'd be more than happy for that...

But I digress.

"Good evening," he said when at last I answered, smirking like something was funny. "I was beginning to think I would have to find another point of entry."

Looks like I wasn't wrong.

I made a show of rolling my eyes as I stepped out, "Yeah, yeah. Alright. Your mother put you up to this?"

"Actually," he said, turning and grabbing my chin. He tilted my face towards him so I couldn't look away as he leaned in to whisper, "On the contrary. No one knows I'm here."

- - -

Hey romantics!

Your reads, favorites, and comments make me smile.
Question of the day! What's your first language?

I'm always amazed when I see people reading and writing in languages other than the one they grew up speaking!

And as usual, you can read ahead on Wattpad.


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Comment and let me know what you think so far!

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