The most important thing is: the Nutella hot chocolate has officially become my new favorite caffeine drink.
After Cerix went through the trouble getting it, I figured it was only fair that I sent him to get another cup. After all my classes ended, Cerix found me in the crowd of students and reminded me to meet him in the library.
And here I was, on time, and he was nowhere to be seen. I stuck out like a sore thumb as I was the only one out of my uniform. Apparently, everyone liked to wear their uniform even after school when they were done with their classes. Thankfully, it wasn't as crowded as I thought as I sat at a random table. To be honest, though, I honestly underestimated the glory and majesty of the Elder Library.
One of the big motivators to meet him was the fact that the library was one of the places I couldn't visit because of what happened during the tour. So, it was my time to admire the beauty of the library. As a library should, it had cases of books on top of each other. There were at least three levels and each was packed with lines of books. On the floor ground, there were various tables for students to study. There was a library desk that wasn't out of the ordinary. As you look up to the higher floor, you get a glimpse of the glass ceiling which literally had the canvas of the starry evening pass the glass enclosures. The architecture was really breathtaking and public libraries could not even come to compare.
"I see, you are a book nerd," a voice teased beside me.
"You're late," I say, turning to look at Cerix.
"Angel, you're the late one," he says, "I've been here for an hour."
My eyes widen, "An hour? Are you crazy?"
"No, I took a quick nap if you are worried about me," he explains, and gestures for me to follow him.
He leads me to a back table, and I see his bag was sprawled across the table along with a bag filled with what seems like to be take out. "Are you allowed to eat in this library?" I ask, pointing to his food.
"In this section, yes."
"Now, down to business," Cerix says, "Rice or pasta?"
My eyes widen, "Is that a trick question?"
Cerix shakes his head innocently, "I just thought it'd be more effective if we work with full stomachs."
"But I'm not hungry," my stomach growls in protest, "Rice, please."
Cerix's mood lightens as he hands me a rice dish, utensils, and my all-time favorite drink. "You got Nutella hot chocolate?" I say, surprised.
"I thought you would ask for it," he says. I give him a teary-eyed smile.
"Thank you," I say, sincerely.
He nods, his lips forming a smile.
"So, since we are friends, wanna trade secrets?" he suggests.
I frown at him, "Friends?"
"You can't dispute it since you didn't correct me when I used it earlier," he says, stopping my next words.
"But-I- okay," I say in defeat, "We're friends, but I'm still pissed you didn't inform me this was a supernatural school."
"Hey, if a kid about your age tells you that you might be a vampire, would you believe him?" he asks.
"Well, no."
"Exactly," he says, emphasizing his point, "You see?"
"Okay, then, here's a real question, what are you?" I say, digging into my chicken and rice. It was superb.
"Hmm, I did promise you to reveal that didn't I?" I nod.
"Well, you could say that I'm part of two ancestries," he tells me, "Half demon and half god."
I stop eating, "You mean like the devil and like God as in the sky?"
Cerix chuckles, "Well, as I said. It's complicated."
I gesture for him to explain. "I personally believe that things that live or speak can be misunderstood. So when I say my demonic side, it doesn't necessarily mean I sin every day 24/7 but it just represents my blood is tied to something dark because my ancestors attached themselves to it," he explains, "And what I mean by my god ancestry, I'm referring to the idea that there are many gods that exists like those Greek myths that you read in middle school. So with those combined, is me."
"So you don't feel the need to kill things or bring some immense wrath on those you hate," I say.
Cerix shakes his head, chuckling, "You have a vivid imagination."
"So, is that why you cover one of your eyes?" I say, as his laughter dies down.
Cerix stares at me, squinting his eyes. Flustered, I glare at him, "Stop staring."
"You're very perceptive," he comments, "And yes, that's part of it. My eyes just also scare people."
"Scare?" I asked confused, "I don't think they are scary, they're far too pretty to be scary."
A side of Cerix's mouth lifts in a smile, "Did you just compliment me?"
"No," I deadpan, and shove some rice in my mouth.
"I'm surprised though, I thought you would need more time to digest what I am," Cerix muses.
I shrug, "You aren't your ancestors, that's for sure. And from what I see, Cerix is just a stalker, food maid, and student-teacher."
"Ouch," Cerix fake winces, "I felt that."
I smile, "Well it was intentionally."
"But since we're both done eating, let's get to work," I recommend, as I help him dump the garbage in the bag.
"Well, I was thinking you could tell me why you can't connect with your power?" He asks, "It seemed like it was a challenge in class."
"It runs for lack of a better term," I say honestly, "Or hides. One of them."
"Like it doesn't want to connect?" I nod.
"Can we try something?" he suggests and I nod. He stands up to sit next to me. Strangely, my senses are aware that he's close by.
He holds out his hand and slowly places it on my cheek. Instantly, I rear back as if his hand burned me. "Interesting," he mutters.
"What was that?" I say.
"I think I know why you can't connect with your power," he concludes, "You're a bit cold towards it."
"Me? Cold?" I ask, "I'm not running from it."
"True," Cerix agrees, "but your heart, your behavior like shown before is guarded. You aren't really vulnerable to your power and that's why it runs because it can sense it."
I touch my cheek, the place where Cerix placed his hand, "It's still warm."
"That's good. I was thinking that some affection or intimacy might spark some sort of vulnerability within you," Cerix explains, "And that's why you reject it, you don't like vulnerability."
"But does anybody like it?" I mumble.
"Maybe not, but it may be because of that coldness, you closed your feelings toward yourself," he comments.
"And you really think that it will help me?" I say. He nods.
"Let's try again," I say, sitting up straight.
"Just focus on the warmth," Cerix says as he places his hand on my cheek. I close my eyes and locate the warmth quickly. The warmth shifts to be an orb of golden light and I slowly reach for it, letting the warmth from it consume me. It spreads like wildfire, as it encompasses my heart and down all the way to my toes.
This time, my power doesn't escape me and instead embraces me. It feels strangely fulfilling and empowering. "Look," Cerix whispers, and I opened my eyes. In between us, is a circular orb emitting golden light as it gently floats above us and kept pulsating like it was alive.
"I did it," I say in disbelief.
"See-" Cerix begins but I cut him off by throwing my arms around his neck in happiness. I did it!
"Thank you," I whispered in his ear.
"Of course, angel," he says, returning the hug. Deluded in my happiness in finally accomplishing something since I got to this academy, I realized a few seconds too late that I was still fiercely hugging Cerix. Poor Cerix, he must feel violated.
I pull back with a sheepish smile, "Sorry."
Cerix shakes his head, with a smile, "I'm not."
We both look up at the orb of light, and I swear I could just burst in joy.