"Don't be an idiot, Troy!"

I pouted playfully, pushing the girl's head gently. "Aw, be careful what you say about me, Natanya," I muttered and she stuck her tongue out at me, blowing a raspberry like a little child. "Mature, just real mature," I stated casually, listening to her laugh as I looked out of the window of the main school building, watching it rain and rain endlessly. "Hey, Tanya," I piped up, nudging her with my foot as we sat opposite of each other in the makeshift window seat. "Hm?" She replied with a tilt of her head and I sighed. "Why the hell does it always rain?" I pointed to the ghastly zing of lightning, shivering with the rattle of the harsh thunder.

"I mean," I shrugged. "I can't recall a day where there was ever sun. I can't recall a day where it never rained," I faltered, wondering about the mechanics of our world and our time. "I mean, in all of those god damn textbooks that tell us about the demon lord and his ability to make the world prosper, you would think that it would've done well to capture the absolute truth because all we had is rain upon rain," I rolled my eyes. Everyone believed that the demon lord would make Earth rise once again, but I haven't seen one good thing come out of this affair. All we have done is suffer.

And for what exactly?

It was just frustrating how someone could promise eternal happiness one day, and then treat us like shit the next. He was no worse than our old president. At least President Daniel Colfax didn't have men that abused us and held our lives in their hands. He was terrible, no lie, but this demon lord was entirely another species. He had no regard for the human life, which made no sense since he took over OUR land.

Natanya's eyes flashed yellow and it made me question if I was hallucinating or what. "What makes you think that it's the demon lord fault that it rains?" With a turn of my head, I looked at her, seeing a faraway look in her eye and a frown on her lips.

"I mean," I bit my lip, wondering why the atmosphere of the room dimmed. "Who else could it be?" I arched my brow, trying to understand what she was getting at. "Come the fuck on. There's no one else who took over our world like he did." There was a fire in her eyes and I jolted just a bit, wondering why she seemed so pressed about it. "Please don't talk so surely of things you have no idea about," She whispered and I said nothing, trying to process what just happened. Her mood mellowed out and I swallowed, trying to ignore the last few minutes as we admired the landscape of the city.

Though we had levitating cars, there was not one in sight.

It just proved the fact that people were too afraid to do what they liked. It just proved that the life here in this city was not enough. Everywhere one went, they saw the same people. It didn't matter if you went near or far, you saw the same people over and over again and after a certain point in time, it got old real quick.

But this, nah, this was a refreshing moment.

It was unexpected, though welcoming, how Natanya and I got closer over the span of a few days. She wasn't like the other people in this city. She didn't berate me for using profanity or having a lack of respect for authoritative figures. No, she laughed it off and told me that she wished she had the tenacity and grit that I had. She was the breath of fresh air that I had been looking to breathe in this mundane world. She was everything that Avery and Jade weren't.

Though it didn't mean that I didn't want to be friends with them anymore because I definitely did. Though my friends were paranoid and fearful pieces of shit, they were my homies and I wouldn't just leave them like that. Not after everything that we had been through together, everything that we had seen thus far. There was just no way that I could leave them to fend for themselves. They'd get killed the instant I walked out of that door. They knew it even if they didn't want to admit it, but I saved them from the brink of death.

Without me, they would be demon fodder.

"Hey Troy," The girl in front of me whispered, throwing her hair over her shoulder as the sound of thunder shook the building tremendously. "Yo," I replied, wondering what she had to say. "Do you want to love someone?" I blinked back and forth, making sure that was what I heard. "Huh," I snorted. "You're really asking me that?" I raised a brow, shaking my head comically. "Yea. What's wrong with that question?" It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the question because there wasn't. It was just the concept of love, everything that everyone in this city longed for, but couldn't have. 

They could all thank the demon lord for that. He was the reason why things were the way that they were, even if they so desperately try to deceive themselves into believing that it wasn't, that everything just happened for a reason.

"Is it sad to say that I don't believe in love?"

I never have and I never will. It was beautiful seeing the love between my parents, how pure it was. Vasily Morelli was the example of how a man should love a woman. He treated my mother with so much care and respect, giving her all of the love he had in his heart. He was everything for her and he made sure she knew that every single day. It was beautiful, but I didn't think that I would need to love someone like that. It wasn't that I couldn't be tied down, because I could with the right person. It was the mere idea that I didn't want to be. Being in love brought too many problems. Being in love took you down routes that you had no business being on. I loved watching someone else love and I loved my parents.

But romantically?

It would never happen. This world ruined that concept for me.

"Really?" Natanya gaped, clearly shocked. "Yup," I popped the p, making sure she didn't forget. "But you're always with a different girl, does that not bother you?" She asked and I smirked. "Of course not. Someone like me has to get off and what better way to do it?" I licked my lips, wondering when she was going to let me have her. I wasn't pushy, but genuinely curious.

She stared at me. "I'm not stupid. I know you want me to sleep with you," I snorted, not denying it. "And what of it?" I asked and she shrugged. "If you can wait just a while," She put a hand on her chin, piquing my interest heavily. "Maybe I'll think about it." She winked at me which got me in the mood and I smirked. "You're asking me to hold out on my raging libido?" I cajoled, finding the situation amusing.

No female had ever asked me anything like that. "This would be a way to calm your playboy tendencies." She blinked her eyes at me as if she was trying to persuade me and I had to admit, it was working. 

"I'll think about it," I bit my lip, staring at her and taking in her beauty. Her father had to be one ugly man if her mother was really pretty because she was too good looking. 

"You know," Natanya chuckled after the fact. "You remind me of my father," She stated and I raised a brow, questioning why she would compare me to that prick. I didn't even know him, but I hated him already. "No, not like that!" She grinned, turning her head to the window. "You and he share the same views on love. I don't think I've ever seen my dad with someone else since my mother died. I don't know if it's because he can't get over her, or if he just doesn't want it because it ends badly." She hesitated, wrapping her arms around her knees. 

It made me want to listen and hear more about this mysterious man. "I just want him to be happy, you know? I just want to see a smile on his face because he never smiles. I can't remember a day where he genuinely smiled and it bothers me because he's so closed off and distant from everyone, including his friends, people that work for him," I wondered what she meant by that because no one here worked for anyone. Everyone was on the same level, save for the demon cops.

Those belonged to the demon code enforcement ran under Sir Alistair.

Heh.

"Have you ever been so greatly let down and disappointed to the point," Natanya bit out, her voice cracking and I listened intently. "Where you just don't believe in anything or anyone anymore?" I shook my head in reply and she nodded. Sure, I have been disappointed but there are still certain things that I still believe in, to this day. "Sometimes, I wish he would just talk to me. I remember one time we had a conversation about nothing and he looked at me and he said, 'Natanya, in this world, caring less is the easiest and guaranteed way to be happy.' I mean, I thought it was true, but then I see how miserable he is. Such a powerful and intimidating man without a smile on his face. 'If you care too much, it'll be your downfall.' Troy, I thought it was a load of shit," Natanya chuckled hysterically, the thunder and crack of lightning affected by her mood.

"It turns out, he might just be right." She whispered hollowly and I shook my head. "That's such bullshit," I spat, watching her jump in surprise. "Yea, it is true that not caring relieves you of problems, but it brings you an immense joy when you can care for others. Seeing that they're happy because you care is all that matters. Take that away," I clapped my hands, giving her a show. 

"You have nothing."

She gazed at me with deep thought written in her eyes. "Why do you constantly break the laws when you know there are people you care about?"

I shrugged. "I care about people, certain people, don't get your facts twisted. I care for Jade, Avery, and Ayara. Everyone else can suck my dick because they're pansy sons of bitches. I was forced to come here because my parents were killed." I put a finger up, heart clenching painfully as I thought of my parents. "So if you think for one god damn second, I'm going to do what the fuck someone else says, especially if that someone else is responsible for the reason why my life is shit," I shook my head, grumbling as I smirked maddeningly. "You're outta your fucking mind."

I didn't like thinking of their death. I didn't like being reminded of my fourteen-year-old self crying and hoping that my parents would return one day. There was no way that I could forget how that demon cop bashed their head in once with his gun. I'll never forget his face. 

The hallway was silent.

"So...." Natanya mumbled, making me grin. "Is it okay for me to say that you're my new best friend?" She smiled and I chuckled. "For now," I smirked lecherously. There was no way that she could the charm that was simmering inside of me. "Sooner or later, you'll give." I winked. "Just wait on it." She nudged me with her foot as we laughed in unison, this moment marking a point in time.

"Hello, Miss Natanya," I heard a voice and we turned to see Pazul floating over to us with her head bowed like she addressing someone formally. The fuck? "Oh! Pazul!" Natanya smiled as she hopped up off of the seat, greeting the evil demon with kindness. They looked at each other as if there was some sort of affection rendered between them and I stared, pondering just how that affection came about. As far as I know, Pazul didn't care for anyone but the demon lord. "How are you doing?" The demon fell on her feet, clasping Natanya's hand with the utmost respect.

What in the hell? 

Natanya had to tell me her secrets. 

I kept my comments to myself as Natanya reached over to give me a hug, one of goodbye. "I'll call you later, okay?" She smiled sweetly and it made me think about how we would function as a couple. Though I had no intention of being in one, it was nice to think about. "Coolio," I smirked, hugging her back. "I'll be waiting," I could sense Pazul glaring daggers into my soul and I was trying to understand why. It was beautiful and touching if she saw Natanya like a niece or whatever and even if it was odd that a demon felt affection for a human, she needed to pump her brakes and calm down.

For fuck's sake.

Natanya bid both of us farewell before leaving the premises. Pazul turned to me, fixing her purple glasses as she looked at me, her eyes turning a dull red. I knew it was time for me to get the hell out of dodge. "May I talk to you for a moment, Mr. Morelli?" She asked in a calm tone and I chuckled uncomfortably, not wanting to be in her presence. "Oh," I feigned ignorance. "Would you look at the time? I need to go walk my goldfish."

I moved over to stand up and within milliseconds, I had a floating demon in front of me, narrowing her eyes into slits.

"Sit down."

With the utter of a sharp commandment, I raised a brow, not feeling deterred in the slightest. She didn't understand that I dealt with people of authority like her all day long, every single day. Orders like that didn't faze me at all. She had to know.

"Am I supposed to be scared?" I looked at my fingernails. Man, I was gonna have to get Jade to file my nails once again. I didn't like how chipped they were. I couldn't properly grip the sheets when I was with a sweet lady if they were chipped and ugly as fuck. "You must understand that I do not have respect for even you. Just knowing you have his blood in your veins irks my fucking nerve." I folded my arms, glaring at her.

She sighed and took a seat next to me. I shuddered at the intense heat her body gave off. The door was just a mere foot. I could zoom my ass there if I wanted to. 

Nah, I wouldn't make it.

"I know you hate me, Troy. May I call you Troy?" She asked, her green eyes twinkling in amusement. "...not like I care." I rolled my eyes, trying to figure out why she was talking to me, much less sitting next to me. She nodded before looking at the glass wall across from us. "You are solely the talk of this town, you know that?" She hummed and I huffed, not feeling deterred in the slightest. "People can say what they want about me," I shrugged, knowing that these sons of bitches talked a lot of shit. "As long as they don't get their scared asses in my face, I don't give a fuck. At the end of the day, I'm going to do what the hell I want, Pazul, and don't you forget it."

Pazul shook her head, her body vibrating with small laughter. I see she found me funny. "You know, you remind me so much of my husband, Troy. It's uncanny," She whispered and I could hear the sadness in her demonic voice. "Oh? Why do you say it like that, like something happened to him or something?" As far as I was concerned, demons lived forever. Pazul let out a sharp breath, her eyes softening. "No, he's not dead. I just can never see him again," She confessed and I was taken aback.

"B-but why?!" I screeched incredulously. "I'm sure you aware of the rules, zes zira," I had no idea what she just called me, but it better not have been anything insulting. "It applies to us demons as well. There's no way that I can love my husband because it goes against everything that I stand for." She sounded so sad and I wanted to comfort her.

Pause.

Me, comfort a demon? I done lost my god damn mind.

"But that's literal bullshit. You work for the man. The least he could do is allow you guys to be happy. Happy workers mean a happy company, ain't that right?" I scoffed. The nerve of this demon lord. "You would think so," Pazul turned to look at me. "But I'm not upset about it because I never said that it was sir Alistair's fault," With a soft smile and easy eyes, she sighed. "I fell in love with someone who I never should've. He wasn't one of me, of our kind. But even so, sir Alistair tried," She was being so completely vague that I couldn't understand her message. "What do you mean, he tried?" I groaned in annoyance. "He's the damn demon lord. He can do whatever he fucking wants, Pazul!" Her eyes flashed black at the many laws I was breaking in front of her but she just smiled, shaking her head.

She stood up, fixing her dress as she began to lift up off of the ground. She whipped around to look at me. 

"My only advice to you: don't be so quick to judge the cards that have not been dealt."

With that, she floated off. 

I blew air out of my nose, standing up to the vibration from my phone. The holographic screen before me opened up, exposing my texts and asked me if I wanted to see an actual form of my friends speaking to me. I didn't want to see that creepy shit.

Avery Carmichael: Where are you?

Jade McKinley: We are outside waiting for you.

"Ah," I grabbed my bag and walked to the entrance of the history building, my hoverboard coming out with the raise of my hand along with my umbrella. "What's up, fuckfaces?" I greeted my two friends as they turned around, their faces filled with dread as they stared at something next to me. "Troy Victorino Morelli, 4,865 offenses," I heard an evil voice and I turned to stare at the large demon cop with a gun raised. "What do you want, hot Cheeto?" I glared at the red bastard, his piss eyes narrowing into slits.

"Another," He growled lowly, his fangs creeping over his nonexistent lips. God, he was damn ugly. It made me wonder if the demon lord was this ugly too. "Troy!" Jade called out, running up to me. "Stop making it worse! You know the demon lord will come up here as some point!" She reached out to drag me on my hoverboard and I let out a sigh from all of her paranoia. 

"God, Troy," Avery rolled his eyes, anger flashing in those grey orbs. "Stop making things worse for all of us," Again, how did what I did affect them? But he wasn't done yet. He continued to reprimand me like a father  ̶e̶x̶c̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶,̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶d̶e̶a̶d̶   and berate me for getting myself into situations. He was annoying as usual, but this time, he was getting on my fucking nerves. "I don't understand how what I do concerns you. If you care, maybe tell me instead of yelling your fucking head off. Otherwise, you're pissing me off," The sound of the rain crashed against the ground as we floated through the campus. 

"You always cause so much trouble!" Avery seethed.

"Don't I?"