Elena
As Noel walked away upset, I watched him go, unsure of what to do. Did I give him space and let him work out the issue on his own and find him later to talk about it? Or did I go after him now and make sure he was as okay as he made himself out to be. I mean, obviously he isn't okay okay, but I didn't want him to say or do something he'd regret.
Don't take it personally that he didn't open up to you, Eevie told me. He just is hurting, and it's not always so easy to open up to others. You'll get there one day.
Austin hurried after Noel, hopefully to talk it out. I was going to follow, but I turned to Alexa to apologize. "I'm sorry this isn't the roommate bonding I had hoped for," I told her.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't worry about. I just hope Noel and Austin can work out their differences. It would really suck to not get along with your roommate." She gave me a small smile as if to say she was glad we got along. "I'm just glad we at least signed up for the Dance Club. What did they say the first dance we'd learn was, again?"
"Salsa dancing," I smiled. "Remember, if we can't find someone to bring, you have to be my partner!"
She returned the grin. "The only way you wouldn't have a partner would be if Noel was dying. Something tells me he wouldn't be able to refuse your invitation."
I blushed sheepishly, but I didn't disagree with her.
"Why don't you catch up with Noel and make sure he's okay. I'm going to keep looking around. I want to finish up here. I'll meet you later."
"Thanks, Alexa. I squeezed her shoulder before turning to find Noel and Austin, who ended up not being too far away from us this entire time.
You found yourself a really good roommate, Eevie told me.
I nodded before catching myself. Ya, she's been really great so far. I was very lucky.
“I thought you were going to be a really cool roommate, but obviously you’re only thinking of yourself and not what others think.” I heard Noel say. He sounded like Noel, but his voice was slightly off, and I couldn't place why. He was obviously upset, and he was sticking up for himself. Both of which surprised me.
You better hurry and help them. Nori and Noel are doing a partial switch, and beings it's probably their first, they won't be able to keep it up for long. Try to get Austin out of there. Eevie ordered firmly. Her voice was very demanding and in control.
I hurried to Noel's side and stepped forward towards Austin. "Austin, you know what you did was wrong. I think you need to leave. Nothing's coming of this conversation. You don't even look sorry."
"I don't need two of you berating me. I'm out of here," Austin waved his hands at us as if washing his hands of the situation. He turned on his heal and made his way across the gym and out the door.
Turning to Noel, I asked, "Nori, I know that's you. You guys can switch back now."
"Thanks for helping there. I don't know how much longer we could have held out a switch right now," Nori replied with Noel's voice.
"I was glad to be able to help," I replied with a smile.
They are going to be tired now. You may want to help Noel back to his room. OR at least away from prying eyes at the moment. Eevie told me.
By this time, Noel and Nori had time to switch back, and Noel looked worn out. "Come on," I said, lifting Noel's arm and swinging it around my shoulders. I put my hand around his waist and supported his weight as I led us to the gym doors. Guiding us out onto the green, I decided our flower garden where our kiss had took place would be a good place away from prying eyes.
"Are your shoe laces tied this time?" I teased as we made it to the stairs. Noel and I both glanced down at his shoes, which were in fact tied.
He flushed at my comment, and stammered a retort, "I-I d-double knotted them th-this t-time."
I laughed as I led him over to a bench and plopped him down. I knelt in front of him, placing one hand on his knee. "Noel, I want you to know that I am your friend and you can tell me anything. But I also understand that certain things will take time for you to feel comfortable telling me. So never feel pressured to tell me anything. Take your time. When you're ready to open up, I'll be here." I smiled reassuringly as I gazed into his eyes, which were wide open in surprise.
I stood up and sat next to him on the bench. This moment seemed perfect. The weather was beautiful with fluffy clouds in the deep blue sky. It was warm but not too warm.I glanced at Noel. We were content in this moment, and I relished the calmness. The quiet before the storm.
Eevie
These two. I didn't even know what to do with them. They were almost disgustingly adorable. How did Nori put up with shy, quiet Noel? Timid, self-conscious Elena was hard enough. I was just glad she could sometimes speak her mind. Most of the time. When she didn't have to show emotions.
Staying quiet, I didn't want to disrupt their moment. I wondered if either was thinking about the last time they'd been here, they'd shared a not really a kiss first kiss. I was waiting for one of them to make their move now that they were actually alone. They should have their real, actual first kiss here, too.
I sensed something faintly. Something was moving in our direction. It was coming up fast. A demon, and as it got closer, I was able to identify it as a weasel demon. Not very formidable foes, but a good workout nonetheless.
I'm sorry to break this little moment, but there is a demon approaching. It's not too strong, so I should be able to handle it. Switch with me already.
Elena barely had to concentrate this time, and I was suddenly me again. I breathed in, my shoulders heaving with each breath I took. Noel's eyes widened as he wasn't expecting us to switch.
"Sorry I startled you big, guy, but there's a weasel demon approaching, and I don't want either of you to help."
"B-but-" Noel started, but I shushed him with a finger to his lips.
"Hush, Nori. Your partial switch wore you out. You'd be a liability right now. And I can't chance battling this demon at the same time I'm worrying about whether or not you're going to collapse on me or not," I replied sternly.
Noel nodded reluctantly. He was quiet a moment and then he said, "Nori w-wanted me to comment on the fact that you w-worried about him?"
I raised a perfectly scultped eyebrow. "Of course I worry about him. He's clearly weaker than me. As his elder, it is my job to watch over him." I winked, bopping Noel on the nose playfully.
Suddenly Nori was sitting next to me. "Weaker than you my ass," he insisted.
I leaned back, "Of all the stupid," I shook my head, a frown on my lips.
"You shouldn't frown, my lady. It is unbecoming on a face as beautiful as yours. Besides, this is the first time I've seen your face since the bonding, and I would much rather cherish the moments you smile than the times you frown." Nori leaned in, a smile playing on his lips. But I could tell he was tired.
"You're being stupid. I want to fight a demon with you at your best, not you all weak and lame," I scolded standing up. The demon was upon us, emerging from the bushes on the other side of the garden.
"I am not so tired that I can't handle a weasel demon," Nori replied.
"We shall see then, won't we?" I asked skeptically as I stood up.
"I missed looking at your exquisite body," Nori commented before standing up beside me. "WE have a short time together, let's not waste on a pety argument."
Are you two like an item or something? Elena asked. Because you guys flirt exceptionally well with a demon standing not too far away.
We actually just met the day of the bonding, so no, we are not an item. I didn't comment about how I wouldn't really object if we were.
Flicking my wrist, I brought the weasel demon over to directly in front of us. It had been trying to scurry away from us to go prey on weak college students. "I got this. Don't even worry about it," I told Nori.
I had barely gotten the words out when he sent a fireball at the demon, setting it on fire. 'I'm not about to let you have all the fun," he smiled wickedly at me.
Narrowing my eyes, I decided to not even play around and nip this in the bud early. With another flick of my wrists, I snapped its neck in half, severing the spinal chord. "And now it's done. It wasn't even worth the energy it took for you to do another switch," I told him. "I am over 100 years older than you. I promise you that I am not so weak." I stood with my hip thrusted out.
The demon lay motionless, dead and smoldering from Nori's fire. If you could snap necks, why didn't you do that with that other demon we battled? Elena asked annoyed.
Some demons don't have the same anatomy, so I won't be able to always severe the spinal cords. But, yes, I could have killed that demon doing the same thing, but I wanted to play a bit. Use more of my abilities.
"You're suck a spoil sport," Nori pouted, though he did look cute doing so.
"You're actually very cute when you pout, the look becomes you," I remarked, turning to face him.
It was stupid, but I had actually missed interacting with Nori. He had been fun at the council. And he was incredibly good looking, so of course that helped. I stared into his eyes, seeing my dark ones reflected back at me. For the first time, I was actually at a loss for words.
