Bitten

   “Cheer up Evangeline.” said Raphael back at mine and Violets room. Well, not Violets anymore, she had been forced to move out and live with – Urghh – Elliott. Lets just say he wasn’t the most gentlemanly guy ever.

   I whirled around, eyes blurred with tears “Stop fucking telling me that.” I said, rounding on him. He smiled apologetically.

   “Would it really be so bad to just be with me?” He said, grazing his finger on my face. I stopped in my tracks.

   “I – you – what?” I stuttered. Raphael moved forwards, and cupped my face in his firm hands. He started to lean forward.

   “Wait, no, Raphael!-.” I was cut of when his lips met mine, cool and, well, neutral. He put his hands on my waist and tugged at my lip, clearly enjoying himself. I on the other hand, was not. All I could think about was Damen and the strong sense of betray. I grabbed Raphael’s hair and pulled him away from me, but he seemed to mistake it for passion. He picked me up off the floor, leaving me no other choice.

   I kicked him where no man should be kicked.

   “Stop!” I screamed, and Raphael was rolled over in pain. I realized it now, the horrible awful truth.

   He loved me.

   “Evangeline, I love-.”

   “Rapheal, don’t say it. Please. Don’t make this more of a mess.”

   He got up off the floor “I love you.”

   I shook my head, refusing to take it in. This wasn’t right; he was supposed to love Violet. He was supposed to end up with her in the day of unity, as I was supposed to be with Damen. But really, nothing had worked out, had it?

   “I’m sorry, I don’t feel the same.” The hurt in Raphael’s eyes almost made me feel sorry for him but he had kissed me without permission.

   “It was always him…” He whispered, putting his head in his hands “I’m so stupid.”

   Mouth opened and closed again and again, searching for the right words, the words that would convince him everything was going to be OK. He just shook his head and threw open the door, leaving a scorching hand mark where he had touched it.

   **********

   “Hey, Evangeline!”

   I looked back and saw Amy running up behind me, bag banging against her thigh. She grinned at me but it looked kind of forced.

   “Hey. How are you doing?”

   She smiled sadly “Alright I guess…Annabelle giving you any grief?” She scrunched up her knuckles in a wordless threat. I laughed dryly.

   “I think she’s given me as much grief as she can.” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. It had been days since I had seen Damen; I wanted to just fall down a well and die or something. Amy hugged me briefly before stepping back.

   “Did you hear about graduation?” She asked, leaving me standing in puzzlement.

   “No…what about it?”

   “It’s in a few days time…did you not hear? You have to turn up with your partner.” She choked slightly on her last word and I remembered Kade.

   “Right…Well, I have to get to light class.” I mumbled, hating this whole god-damn thing. A stupid rule, Phoenix was corrupt with a capital C.

   “See you. It will all work out fine.” Amy said, smiling at me and turning on her heel.

   I opened the door to light class, and Millie was strangling Kade.

   I stared at the scene with horror – Millie had Kade in death grip while Lisa stared at them in dismay and helplessness.

   “What are you doing?” She screeching, clearly useless. Kade was slowly turning blue, so I shut my eyes and imagined the light shining through the window hitting my hands and flowing through me like a fountain.

   I opened my eyes and watched as the thin beam shot out my hand and hit Millie square in the chest. She flew to the other side of the room, crashing into a table full of potions.

   “Kade? What the hell?” I grabbed his hand and hoisted him to his feet. He shook his head, staring at Millie crumpled up the corner of the room.