Chapter Twenty-Four

So. What’s supposed to happen after being locked up with a demon and a bunch of Fallen Angels for almost a whole month?

Absolutely nothing.

And I loved every second of it.

I had found out that apparently the Fallen had lied to the school and told them I was on vacation with my parents, who still had no idea what almost happened to me. The school let me catch up on my work and I had plenty of help from Akira, who seemed perfectly content with being back to the same school routine. Only this time, he wasn’t around a bunch of jerks at the student council. In fact, he’d dropped his position and became a tutor-- hence helping me with my work.

Unfortunately, the school nominated Stephen as the student council president once he arrived from a mysterious four days of hospital time as well. He was pretty damn cocky when the teachers presented him with his pin, allowing him to give a eulogy for Jason Banks, who had his own dedication in the student council office, just outside the dorm rooms.

The Fallen had returned to school and acted like they had never tried to kill me or destroy the world. They just put up their fake smiles and playful personalities. Dustin started visiting Akira more often, which was a relief. I could tell Akira was happy too, but he still hadn’t told Dustin he liked him. A load of bullcrap that should be fixed as soon as possible.

I had expected the Fallen to have their gifts taken away due to their failures, but it seemed even Lucifer could be merciful because they were just the same as they always were.

Beelzebub didn’t come back. I had a feeling he wasn’t about to stir up anymore trouble until he was done licking his wounds. As for Asmodeus, he was still sleeping silently under the old wing, sealed in tightly by five tons of rock and dirt.

As for myself, I had a lot of explaining to do seeing as I looked like I took a ride through a trash compactor and then was struck by a semi-truck on a highway. I just told everyone I’d gotten into an accident over vacation, faking a smile at everyone who asked, including the monks and Sisters.

I tried to get back into a regular routine; actually doing my homework this time, though.

I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom of my dorm room, scowling when my hair decided it didn’t want to stay down. I ignored it and moved onto doing the buttons on my shirt when a pair of hands went over mine. I blinked and looked up to see Zeke smiling at me. I relaxed as he leaned in, kissing me gently on the lips before nuzzling my ear as he helped me do my buttons.

“You smell good,” Zeke breathed, his voice hot and gentle against my ear, “Maybe we should skip class today.”

“Fuck that, I’m already far behind as it is. At this rate, I might have to stay here another year. I rather die than be trapped here any longer.” I snorted indigenously. Zeke surprised me by pushing his lips into a pout.

“What about my needs?”

“Your needs will come during lunch time when we bring our lunches back here.”

“That so? Mmm… We should see if they have whip cream.” Zeke mused. My cheeks burned and I scowled, wiggling away from him so my back was against the sink. I put my hand on his chest as he leaned into me.

“Keep it in your pants. I’m still not… quite prepared.” I mumbled, feeling even more embarrassed. Here I was, eighteen-years-old and I still wasn’t ready to have sex with the guy I loved. I suppose I did have an excuse, though. Everything that happened to me seemed excuse enough for me. Zeke saw the look on my face and relaxed, reaching out and tucking a bit of hair behind my ear before cupping my cheeks.

“I’ve waited eons for you. I’m willing to wait another eon, so long as you’re happy.” He murmured against my lips, making me sigh before we kissed. I slid my arms around his neck, pulling him down further to feel his tongue slip into my mouth. I shivered as his hands wandered up and down my back, his groin pulsing against mine. I was about to cave in and just skip classes today, but the sound of someone knocking at the door made us break apart, the idea flying out the window.

Zeke and I shared disgruntled looks before I went to answer the door, Zeke leaning on the sink and grumbling about interruptions. I smirked, rolling my eyes before I turned to the door, opening it up to see Dustin and Akira standing there. Dustin was wearing his uniform lazily, his blazer sliding off his shoulders with a couple books under his arm and a Dum-Dum sticking out of his mouth. Akira wore his uniform appropriately with a messenger bag over his shoulder and a book in his arms.

“Time for school. You have a geology test today.” Akira added brightly.

“Thanks for the reminder,” I huffed, but smiled anyway and nodded, “We’ll be right there. Just need to grab our things.”

“Already grabbed.” Zeke announced from behind me, holding his bag over his shoulder and mine out to me. I smiled and took it with a thank you before we departed from the room, heading down the hallway and  out into the courtyard halls. The air was cold with a bit of a bit to it, making wish I had brought my sweatshirt, but the Sisters would throw a fit saying it didn’t match my uniform. The thought made me roll my eyes and shiver.

I felt an arm slide around me and looked up to see Zeke leaning against me, his arm around me and holding me tightly. He felt so warm and I relaxed as we walked with Akira and Dustin. The walk was just the usual chatter about homework and vacation trips planned for the holidays coming up.

Part of me was jealous. I’ve always wanted to go on a family vacation, but I never went with my parents after the first time. They had almost forgotten me at a gas station and after that is when I started staying home alone-- before I was sent to St. Salvatore’s, of course. I shrugged it off and listened to Dustin ranting about the recent rule changes.

Apparently the school had set a curfew for ten as some students were caught sneaking out and setting pranks-- which is what they summed everything up to. Although I could tell some Sisters were skeptical, they didn’t scare us and just agreed out of kindness. I didn’t take advantage of that anymore either.

I was relishing in this freedom while I still could. I never knew when I was going to end up locked in another chamber underground. I valued every moment I had outside too. Hell, I didn’t even like being inside anymore. I wanted to be outside, even if it was just sitting in the grass with Zeke doing his homework beside me.

So long as things were calm.

And they were…

Except when Stephen was around.

We walked into the dining hall, the voices of other boys carrying through the room in echoes as they clattered and moved about with their trays. As we stood in line, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and I snapped my head to see Stephen coming up behind me to stand in line, a cocky smirk on his face as his student council president pin glistening in the lighting.

“Fallen Prick, two ‘o’ clock.” I grunted, making Zeke frown at me before looking up with a grimace.

“Hello there, Matthew. Zeke. Dustin. Akira. A lovely Thursday morning, isn’t it?” Stephen asked casually, putting his hands in the pockets of his pants. Akira frowned, but said nothing while Dustin snorted rudely, turning his back to Stephen. Zeke gave Stephen a sour look, glaring at him with icy cold blue eyes while I huffed.

“It was until you showed up.” I responded in aggravation. Stephen smiled warmly, but I wasn’t falling for those smiles anymore. They only made me sick to my stomach.

“There’s no need to be so rude. I merely came to inform you that you no longer need to worry about me trying to resurrect Lucifer in an attempt to get revenge on Michael.” He explained calmly.

“That’s like Plankton giving up on the Crabby Patty’s Secret Formula,” I retorted, rolling my eyes, “Fucking impossible.” Stephen’s smile faltered, but only grew angry now as he put a hand on his hip.

“I said I was giving up on that part of my plan. I never said I was done trying to kill Michael, or you for that matter. I can’t tell who’s more obnoxious. His pompous lectures or your outrageous stupidity.” He answered coldly.

“I think it’s your big mouth.” I challenged, turning to face him fully. A tic formed in Stephen’s jaw as he lowered his fists to his sides before Zeke put a hand on my shoulder, pushing me in front of him in line so he was between Stephen and myself.

“Not today,” Zeke snapped at both of us, “Not only am I fucking exhausted from having to deal with demons, angels, archangels, and everything else God created for reasons unbeknownst to me, but I’m not about to explain to the staff here at St. Salvatore’s why my boyfriend and his arch nemesis destroyed their dining hall.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the term Zeke used to describe me. Stephen even seemed surprised as well, his eyes widening for a split second before they narrowed. Stephen stepped up to Zeke, who easily sized him up with an icy glare.

“Not today,” Stephen drawled, twirling his finger around Zeke’s tie, “Not tomorrow, or maybe not even within the next month or year, but some day I’m going to make you sorry for getting in the way of the things I want. You can claim him all you’d like, but he’ll never truly belong to you and we both know it.”

I watched Zeke stiffen and something flash through his eyes, making me frown in confusion before Stephen whirled on his heel, departing from the dining hall.

“Zeke, are you all right?” I asked, giving his shoulder a shake. He snapped out of his stupor before snorting in aggravation, snatching up a tray and handing it to me rather roughly.

“God, I hate him. It’s too bad you didn’t kill him when you had the chance, Matty, because I’m about ready to go over there and rip him inside out.” He growled past clenched teeth, almost busting open his ice cream cup as he slammed it on his tray. I took his hand before he could crush a piece of pizza. He glared at me for a split second before the look vanished and he relaxed slowly as I stroked my thumb over his knuckles.

“It’s okay, Zeke. Calm down.” I soothed. Zeke still seemed tense for a moment, then slowly relaxed with a miserable sigh and, without shame, leaned over and kissed me on the temple before we went through the line in silence with our food before heading to our usual table.

Dustin and Akira sat across from Zeke and I as we ate, the student council as far to the right as possible. Despite sitting there, I still got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and no matter how much I ate to try and ease it, I still felt it, even as we departed to the first class of the day-- World History.

“Maybe you’re just nervous about your geology test.” Zeke offered as we stood outside my class. I sighed, glancing around uneasily before nodding slowly.

“Yeah. I guess that’s it.” I admitted, still not totally convinced. Zeke smiled soothingly and stroked the hair from my forehead so he could kiss it, then trailed kisses down my nose before he came to my lips, resting his forehead against mine.

“You’ll be okay, Matty. I’m here. I’m sure you’ll do fantastic on your test. You and Akira studied hours for that test.” He assured. I smiled back and kissed him quickly on the lips before any of the Sisters could see. Zeke gave me a quick wave before darting through the crowds to his class. I went into my class and to my usual seat by the window, where I plopped down and got my things out.

I paused, glancing out the window at the old wing. It stood as creepily as ever, dark and dreary with enough nightmares to have me awake for weeks. I shivered and started to look away when I saw something.

Something flash through one of the windows and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was Jeremiah, but that couldn’t be possible.

Stephen said he took care of it.

Then again, Stephen said he was my friend while locking me up in Asmodeus’ bedroom for weeks on end.

“All right, class! Pop quiz today!” Sister Mary announced brightly as she fluttered into the room, making all the boys in the room groan. I lost my attention on the old wing to wince.

Well, crap.

What a great way to start my new life.

Ghosts and pop quizzes.

To be continued...

A/N: Well! I like this version of St. Salvatore's much better than the original. This story was posted quite some time ago, but I took it down. Changed my mind, though, and threw it back up. All shiny and pretty and edited. And yes, this is going to be a series. Not sure how many books and I'm known for being pretty freakin' spontaneous, so who knows? I'm not sure when the second book will be posted, but I do know the title, so... Keep an eye out for the sequel:

St. Salvatore's Academy for Boys II: Lapsis

Thank you all so very much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! See you in the sequel :)