Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty One

"But if the group or society or whatever it is,  is marking people, I need you to be careful, alright? I know you can handle yourself, but nonetheless. I'll talk to Aurora, too." Every word spoken felt like a dagger twisting inside Abraxas. And at that moment he hated Tom. He hated him for luring Abraxas into his little group with big aspirations. He hated him for making Abraxas feel like he has to do these awful things.

But really, Abraxas hated himself.

He could've said no at the beginning, before anything ever happened. But he was too deep in Tom's plans now, they all were. And his current predicament was no one's fault but his own.

Delilah buried her face in her hands and let out a long breath. "I know, I'm sorry. I knew you had nothing to do with it, I just... sorry." She gave him a soft smile and Abraxas tried his best to return it. "No need to apologize, you wanted to know, I can't blame you for that. But again, be cautious who you talk to."

She should be cautious of him.

"If Professor Ellis asks, I'm in the bathroom." Abraxas felt like he was about to explode and he turned on his heel the moment Delilah nodded. As soon as he was out the classroom door, he took off in a sprint. He was planning on going to the bathroom, but he was on the verge of falling off a knife.

Turning into a cut off which was covered by thick drapery, Abraxas stumbled through the fabric and could feel his chest rising and falling, straining against the fabric of his robes. Merlin what did he get himself into? Lying to Delilah like that, it made his brain feel dizzy. It's not like he hasn't lied before, but this was something else entirely. And what if he had to lie to Aurora? Hell, he already was. The shame of that felt like it was burning him alive.

With his brain moving a mile a minute, Abraxas didn't even register how he raised a fist and slammed it into the wall. There was a dull crack of pain that shot up his arm and he hissed, "fuck." Looking down at his now split knuckles and trembling hand, he sighed through his nose and clenched his jaw.

If he was being honest with himself, he deserved far worse than a broken hand for what he did to Xan's back. Leaning against the wall, he made himself focus on the pain as much as he could for a few moments, making sure it burned, before quickly healing it. Righting his robes, Abraxas sniffed as he ran a hand through his hair. He had to get back to class.

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"There he is, go." Olive gave her shoulder a shove but Delilah shook her head. "No I'm not ready yet." The brunette rolled her eyes and shoved her more harshly, making her stumble a bit and earning a few glances from the other students in the common room. "Go. Now."

"Fine, mum."

Olive gave her a satiric smile and flipped her off before giving Delilah a pointed look. With a sigh, she rolled her shoulders and made her way over to a certain pale green eyed boy sitting near the fireplace. Absentmindedly, she reached a hand up and fumbled with the necklace he gave her. Would he want it back?

She didn't know why, but she felt like it was a part of her, the cool metal felt natural against her skin. So, just before she reached him, she tucked the necklace under her shirt.

Clearing her throat, Delilah shifted on her feet for a second, "Elio?"

His head shot up from his book, his eyes wide for a second before a small smile reached his lips. That definitely threw her off, but it made her relax a bit. At least he wasn't angry.

"Hi."

His voice brought a strange sense of comfort over her like a blanket and she mustered up her own lopsided smile. "Can I sit?" Delilah gestured to the spot next to him and he nodded, closing his book to give her his full attention.