I smelled something extraordinary. It smelled so beautiful I could cry, My eyes open to see something white in front of my face as I sit up, and rubbed my eyes. "Awake, angel?" Cerix teases, holding a cup of what I hoped was Nutella hot chocolate.
"Is that.." I say groggily as he nods, and places it in my welcoming hands.
"Thank you," I say happily, sipping the delicious beverage.
"No problem, angel," Cerix says with a smile.
"My name's not angel," I grumbled.
"But you didn't complain when I used it before," Cerix argues smugly.
"Well, I-" I started to say but was cut off when Cerix thrust the book I was showing him in front of my face.
"I think we may have a good lead, so we should notify the Headmaster," Cerix informs me, "that way, people like Macy can get off your case."
I look at him strangely, as he piles all the other books in order to put them back where he found them. After he disappeared behind one of the selves, I place a hand against my cheek and it was true! Not even a scratch.
I lift up my shirt to check my shoulder, which sounded like it cracked when I was thrown against the barrier wall but it was completely fine like I didn't just voluntarily involve myself in the beating of my life. I sighed, sliding my shirt sleeve in place and I place my head on the table.
Seriously, I think to myself, how is this happening. First, the internship then finding out this school was for the supernatural races and then finding out that I could possibly be some kind of half-angel hybrid.
"This is not what I expected to happen in my life," I muttered, playing with a page from a book.
"Alright, so ready to talk to the headmaster?" Cerix asks cheerfully. I looked up at him sullenly.
"Do we have to?" I mutter.
Cerix nods, "here, I'll make you a deal if you go. If we go tell him this piece of information, then I'll buy you dinner."
I look at him, "Food is complementary with the internship."
Cerix chuckles, "No, angel, I was talking about outside campus. In the town. Any place you want, on me."
My mood felt lighter after hearing that and my ears perked in anticipation as I raised my head, "Deal, but no complaints on the place."
"Fine," Cerix chuckles, "Now, let's go."
We both head out of the library, as the librarian watched us go with a creepy megawatt smile on her face. Feeling a bit creeped out, I walked a little faster than Cerix so his large form would hide me.
"So, where is his office again?" I ask curiously, looking up at Cerix.
"Right here," Cerix says, as we pull up to a random oak door that was so ordinary that you'd think the library door was the entrance and not this decaying wood door. I inspect it closely and even saw the door was cracked in several places and had invasive vines that inhabited said cracks.
"Are you sure?"
"Bet on my life," Cerix says, before opening the door. A wave of what I hoped was dust flew out the entry and I coughed as I waved my hands to get the air cleared.
"Ah, Cerix," the headmaster's voice greeted, "And who do you have with you, dear boy?"
"One of the students from the freshman group, Mila," Cerix answers formally, "We think we found a clue of her heritage."
"I see, then please come in," the headmaster says, "We have a lot to discuss."
We both entered and I stunned to see the room wasn't as decrypted as the wooden door. In fact, the office was honestly beautiful. It had rows of wooden shelves that held all sorts of floating colorful substances. The desk was simply a large piece of bark, and the Headmaster's chair was formed like a cocoon of a tree. The branches formed a seat that was the Headmaster's chair and then branched upward to the ceiling, making a full bloom tree at the top.
"Forgive me for the dust," the Headmaster says, "I was doing a little light reading."
"Now what is it that you two found about dear Mila's heritage," the headmaster continued folding his hands together.
I still couldn't get over the fact that despite his tone and behavior, he looked fairly young for someone to be Headmaster. I cleared my throat, "We think I might be a half-angel."
"Hmm," the Headmaster responded, tapping his chin, "That species is quite rare."
"It is, but all the clues are there," Cerix argues.
"It might be possible but we can't be too certain," he says, "Come here, dear."
I walked closer to his desk, as Cerix gave me a supportive smile. "Do you mind if I use my magic on you?" he asks gently and I shake my head.
"Close your eyes, it'll be only a moment," he says soothingly, and I do. Suddenly a gust of air lifted my hair up, and the warmth from my power within me wanted to come out. It struggled against some imaginary invader and suddenly my eyes opened on my own. The Headmaster's eyes were staring straight in mine but they were rapidly changing colors like it was trying to a specific one.
The glowing orb inside me throbbed once before completely disappearing and I lost sight of its presence. The Headmaster's eyes returned to their normal color before he smiled, "Extraordinary. You, my dear, have rejected my magic and even attacked it."
"Did you find what she is?" Cerix asks as he helps me back to my seat.
"No, but that in itself is a clue," the Headmaster says, "The only ones that can reflect or reject my magic is divine beings, half angels being one of them. Like I couldn't figure out what you were dear boy, I cannot figure out what she is."
"So, what does that mean?" I say.
"In other words, I too, don't know," the headmaster says, "but don't be discouraged, that is precisely why I want to advise that you grow under Cerix's supervision since both of your ancestries are unique to those that are already in the academy."
Both stay quiet as the Headmaster looks at both of us with a small smile, "I'm sorry I couldn't be much help but even I have my limits."
I give the Headmaster a gentle smile, "It'll be okay, thank you for your time."
Cerix thanks the Headmaster and we both leave his office. Cerix was still quiet which was unlike him. I tap his shoulder and he jolts, realizing I was there. "Are you okay?" I ask, worried.
He looks at me before grinning, "Yeah, just thinking. So, what place do you want to go?"
He walks away, and I could tell he wants to escape. But from what?
I hurry to catch up to him as I grab his arm to stop him. "Hey, seriously, what's going on?" I say, genuinely worried now.
"Not here, there are ears everywhere," he mutters before grabbing my arm and hurrying us to the exit. Outside the campus, we head to the academy park lot. Sending a quick text to Liz about my whereabouts and plans, I hurry to catch up with Cerix who was standing by a sleek black car.
"Woah, a student can afford this?" I say in awe.
"Perks of being part of some ancient family line," Cerix shrugs, opening the door for me. Thanking him, I slid in and am pleased with how comfortable the seats are. Like pillows.
"These seats are amazing," I comment as Cerix slide into the driver's seat, "Like really amazing."
Cerix grins, "Thanks. Now the most important thing, where are we going?"
I tap my chin, "Oh, there's a small ramen shop on the main strip near Howard St. It's called Calamity, and it's in these huge capped letters. They have the best ramen."
"Huh? I always pass by that place when I'm driving into town," he says, "How could I miss such a great food place?!"
"Bad eyesight?" I joke. Regardless of how bad the joke has he still chuckled anyways.
"So," I say trying to somehow integrate how he was feeling into the light conversation, "how are you?"
"Fine," he answers a little too quickly. It was suspicious since he contradicted his previous behavior. He was only saying that because it was something I wanted to hear but it was the opposite of what he truly felt.
"I mean, honestly," I say.
"Honestly?" he says, gripping the steering wheel, "Not too good at the moment."
"Wanna talk about it?" I suggest softly.
He shakes his head, "Don't worry about me, it'll pass. It always does. And besides, we're almost there."
"Cerix," I say cautiously, "I know I might not seem like the most friendly or affectionate person but I'm told I'm a great listener. At least that's what Liz tells me when she needs to vent."
Briefly sparing me a glance, "I just don't like the fact that we're uncertain of your origins is all."
"Why?" I question.
"Because you might go through what I went through," he says sighing, "The Headmaster said that his powers couldn't get to you, the same it didn't with me and it took me at least half a year to find out that I had demonic origins. During that time, other students who already knew of their ancestries slowly seemed to isolate me."
"On purpose?"
Cerix nods, "Look, it might not seem too bad when I say it out loud but it was a real low point for me. In other words, I was basically an outcast because I couldn't really learn the things they were teaching in class, especially since the classes dealt majority with the attributes of whatever lineage you were from."
I looked at him with concerned eyes, "I'm sorry."
Cerix glances at me before sighing, "And this is why I didn't want to say anything. It always turns out to be a pity story to the receiver."
I shake my head, "I don't pity you. In fact, I admire you. You realized that you're telling me that you basically preserved your determination to find out what you are even though you were struggling, along with being ostracized because no one knew what ancestry you were off. That seems pretty admirable really because I know I wouldn't be able to do it on my own like that."
Cerix parks in front of the restaurant, and turns to me with a sheepish smile, "You really are something else."
I nodded, smiling, "That is actually true." He laughs at my little inserted joke and we both get out of his car, the atmosphere a bit lighter than it was before.
"So, angel, what do you recommend?" Cerix asks me, as the hostess escorts us to a table. Of course, as cliche as the books say, she indiscreetly slid a piece of paper towards Cerix while winking and then making her way back to her post with what she hoped was a seductive catwalk.
I cover my mouth with my hand as I try to muffle my laughter, "I think she was hitting on you."
Cerix looks down at the piece of paper with a disturbed expression, flicking it to the side. "So those recommendations?" he asks again.
"Well, I usually get the chicken ramen with miso broth and thick noodles with a side of fried tofu," I say, "And to be biased, it's the best ramen they have here."
"However, if you like meat, they have beef ramen that has a lot of other goodies too," I say, pointing to it on the menu.
"I might just take you up on that offer," Cerix says, "And feel free to order what you want, this meal is on me."
"I honestly thought you were sort of joking about that," I say, crossing my arms, "I came prepared to split the bill."
"Well," Cerix leans over the table, "consider it a welcome to Nightingale Academy meal then."
I stare at him and he stared at me back, not one of us blinking until the other gave. "May I take your order?" a waiter asked, trying to hold his judgment back in his eyes.
I blinked, smiling up at the waiting waiter, "Yes, chicken ramen for me, with the miso, thick noodles and extra tofu."
"Ok, any appetizers,"he asks.
I glance at Cerix mischievously, "As a matter of fact, yes. An order of vegetable gyoza, the house fried rice, curry fish balls, chicken skewers, and the house fries."
The waiter wrote it down quickly and took Cerix's order. Though he had a stunning face as the waiter left, he gave me an are-you-serious mixed with a did-you-know-what-you-order look.
I only gave him a smug smile, "You did say spend to my heart's content."
"Now I'm worried about your stomach," he says.
I laugh, "You would be surprised but I eat quite well for my age."
"I'm sure you do, and I'm still surprised I managed to miss this place," Cerix says, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well, this is the only place around here that serves decent Asian food because Liz and I know that Chinese takeout can only go so far," I said shrugging.
"So, you're half Asian?" Cerix asks out of curiosity.
"Yeah, and half European," I say, "Part of both worlds I guess."
"That's amazing," Cerix says with interest, "Where in Europe?"
"Somewhere in France and Greece," I say, "What about you?"
"Mostly from Italy," he says before lowering his head, "Ah, sorry this is starting to sound like an immigration interview. Let's talk about something else."
I laugh, trying to see his hidden face. "Are you blushing?" I tease as he looks up with furious eyes and a slightly pink cheeks.
"You so are," I teased again, and he glares at me, which really did not help with blushing cheeks, "Aww, you look adorable."
His blush deepened as I teased him endlessly. "It's okay but we talk about something else, how about we play twenty questions since we'll be spending a lot more time together," I suggest.
"Favorite color?" he says, curiosity swimming through his eyes.
"Hmm purple, silver, and gold," I say sheepish, "Can't choose one. You?"
"It's really generic but black and gray," he replies, "Favorite food?"
"Obviously it has to be the ginger garlic chicken wings that Liz makes," I gush with excitement, "She was trying out a few new things with Asian ingredients and then she made these wings, and I swear I could die at that moment. They were really good."
Cerix smiles, "You get really happy when you talk about food-related things."
I scratch my neck nervously, "Well yeah, I love food. How about you?"
Our conversation is cut off when the appetizers come and are placed before us. With the food in sight, I could feel myself start to drool. "Looks so good," I say happily, before grabbing a dumpling and shoving it in my mouth.
"Good?" Cerix asks, eating one himself. I nodded quickly before trying some of the fried rice.
I sigh at the beautiful taste, and Cerix comments. "It seems like you're in your own little world," he comments.
Immediately my cheeks warm and I become flustered, "S-sorry but the food is just so good and yeah."
"No worries," Cerix reassures me, "Just as long you can enjoy your food is all that matters."
"And you're right, all of this is really good," he compliments.
I swallow before speaking, "We can go back to the question, what's your favorite food of all time?"
"That's easy. That'd be any type of pasta," Cerix answers with ease, "In fact, I think I prefer my garlic and bacon pasta the most."
My eyes widened in surprise, "You can cook?"
Cerix nods, "Yeah, is that so weird?"
I shake my head, "I've never met a guy who can cook. They are usually like me, utterly helpless in a kitchen, unfortunately."
Cerix chuckles, "You can't cook?"
"Not even to save my life," I say sadly.
"Well, I think I might have to teach you someday," Cerix suggests.
"I gladly accept," I said smiling, "Your turn by the way."
"Right, so favorite movie?"
"Oh that's hard, I have a few," he gestures for me to continue, "So, I really love the Greatest Showman, Incredibles 2, Rise of the Guardians, Venom, and Howl's Moving Castle."
He looks at me in slight confusion, "I think I only heard of the Incredibles one. Did the other ones come out recently?"
I look at him in shock, "You, sir, are missing out. I really have to force you to watch them."
"Is that an invitation?" he says, a smirk growing on his face.
I nodded, "I really advise you see them it'll make your life significantly more meaningful and happier."
"Then I'll be waiting for a set date, angel," he says, smirking.
I throw a piece of rice at him, which he dodges. "Are you really gonna call me that forever?" I say with a frown.
Cerix face brightens, "Yep, so I suggest you get used to it, angel."
I glare at him as I continue to shove food in my mouth. With great timing, the waiter comes back without ramen and then takes his leave. "This looks so good," I compliment my ramen, "Enjoy the best ramen in your life."
Cerix chuckles but starts to eat regardless. His eyes widen with surprise, "This is really really good."
I laugh at his shocked expression, "I told you so."
He continues to eat earnestly and soon he was done before me (I had half a bowl or so left). He wipes his mouth before folding his hands and looking at me seriously.
"Okay here's one, but you have to be honest. Do you regret accepting to go to Nightingale Academy?" Cerix asks, though his eyes were serious.