Meet outside?
I respond: One second!
I sprint down the stairs, my backpack in hand, and swing the door to Ari's house open. Kara pushes in with Lisa behind her. They're both dressed to the nine's with lipgloss applied, mascara and eyeliner coating their eyes.
"I can't believe this year is already starting," Kara says as she hops on one of the kitchen stools.
"I can see why you gave up the dorm room. This place is sick," Lisa says as she walks around the room.
"Let's go. We can't be late for our first class."
"All right, second years! This is how it's going to go down. I'm going to need you all to line up. It's going to be a pleasure grouping you all by skills this time. First heat, let's go!" Magdelina hasn't lost an ounce of her grit.
I roll my eyes and walk towards the side of the room. There are a ton of new faces in the group. Mikey and Shane line up with the boys, while the three of us girls line up on the opposite side.
"Hey, I'm Jessa. I heard about what happened over the summer. You guys are heroes," she gushes. She's pretty, with dark brown hair and light green eyes.
I don't have time to respond because Alex walks into the room, the doors banging loudly behind him. Magdelina glares at his entrance.
"What are you doing here?" she asks, her tone laced with anger.
"I'm your co-teacher."
"Linus said I'd have the class to myself since Ari picked up more academic classes."
"Well, he changed his mind. You're stuck with me." He grins at her, and I swear she softens just a little bit. She looks away fast, training her eyes to the ground, and then looks back up at him.
"I'm making them do drills and then grouping them by their skills."
"I'm good with that," he says and then faces us all, who stare at the two of them in amusement. "You heard the lady, line up! Heat one get ready to sprint." Alex claps his hands, and we all listen.
But I look past him and watch Magdelina smiling, a true smile that I don't think I've ever seen on her face before. I nod my head and then get ready to dominate the drills.
"Thank the gods you're in this class with me," I tell Kara as we step into Ari's classroom. He's teaching a combat history class, and unfortunately it's required. And again, unfortunately, he's the only teacher.
Kara and I sit in the back of the room next to each other. People start to file into the room. I recognize a few faces from last year, but none that I really talked to. That is until the girl Jessa walks into the room. She smiles when she sees Kara and me and sits in the seat in front of me.
"Hi guys! I'm so excited to see you again."
"I'm Ryder," I say, nodding at her.
"I know who you are. You're like legendary. It's such an honor to be in the same class as you."
"I'm not really legendary. I'm just a normal student, like you."
"Okay. I'll try to pretend that." She turns around in her seat, and Kara and I look between each other. Then he walks in the room.
"Hello students, welcome to Combat History." Ari walks to the side of the room and drops his briefcase on the desk. I have a perfect view from the back of the room of all the girls swooning.
It's actually kind of funny.
"Professor Aristeus?" Kara asks, raising her hand. He turns, a frown on his face, and nods his head for her to continue. "I just wanted to make sure that Eurydice won't be getting any special treatment."
I look over at her and kick her. She yelps and runs her hand down to her shin, rubbing it up and down. Ari's eyes flash with humor, but I doubt any of the other students pick up on it.
"Good point, Kara. I'd like to address this from the start. Nobody, not even my beautiful soul mate will get special treatment. Including you, Kara. This is a classroom, after all." He turns back to the white board and starts scribbling.
"You're such an ass," I angry-whisper across the aisle.
"I had to play around with you."
"You're too much."
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
the building blocks
"I swear, we're always waiting for her," I growl as I straddle Ari's bike just outside of Aphro Hall. Kara and Junior are driving my car to the house, but we figured we'd all leave together.
"We should just leave. Junior drives this route twice a week. It's not like he doesn't know where to go," Ari says, revving the engine. I contemplate his words and then agree, shooting off a quick text to Kara telling her that we ditched her and will meet her there.
I fasten my helmet over my head and grab onto Ari's waist. He reaches down and pulls my hands lower. And then we're off.
The sun begins to set on the cool October evening. As Ari drives through dimly-lit New York streets, I lay my head against his back and watch the landscapes zoom by.
Before I know it, the drive has gone by. I perk up when I recognize the street sign and watch my childhood home come into view. Nothing has changed; yet at the same time, it feels so different.
When Ari parks, I jump off the back and tear the helmet off my head. My hair is probably sticking up on all ends, so I pat my hair down with my palms. Ari comes over and fixes my hair, tucking it behind my ears.
"You're beautiful." He kisses me and then lifts me into his arms, twirling us around until I laugh so loud I think I might pee in my pants. He places me back on the ground and takes my hand.
"Is it weird that I'm kind of nervous?" I ask him as we walk up the front walkway.
"No. This is the first formal time we're all together." Ari knocks on the door, and by the second bang, my dad swings open the door, a huge smile on his face.
"Welcome, kids!" He reaches towards me and tugs me into his chest for a hug. "Missed you, Ryder." He kisses my forehead and then reaches his hand out to Ari.
"Hello, sir," Ari says as he takes my dad's hand. My dad smirks at Ari, who refuses to call him anything but 'sir'. I reach back for Ari, and we follow my dad into the kitchen.
"Is anyone here yet?" I ask Dad as we sit down at the kitchen table.
"Nope. Your mother said she'd be a few minutes late. Atee is with her. Weren't Kara and Junior riding with you?"
"We left them," I tell dad. "She was taking too long, so we left before them. They shouldn't be too far behind." Just then, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it!" I yell as I jump up from the table and sprint to the door. I swing it open and am so excited to see my new family.
"Hi Mom, Atee!" I open the door wide, giving them room to come in. Atee squeezes by and kisses my cheek before moving right through the house like he knows it.
"I missed you. It's been, what, two weeks? Come here." Mom tugs me into her chest and shuts the door behind her. Her touch is warm and comforting. I've missed it.
"Let's see what your dad has cooked up," she says, and we walk together to the kitchen, where everyone is congregating. A few minutes later, Junior and Kara walk into the house and join us. And then a few minutes after that, we're all at the dining room table, sitting and sharing a meal.
"Who wants to say grace?" my dad asks after our plates are full.
"I will," I say and bow my head, staring at my mashed potatoes on the plate. "I'm thankful for everyone coming here today for this special dinner. You are my family, and I love you all. I'm so thankful to have a chance to build relationships with my mother and brother. And I'm thankful to my dad for being so awesome. I'm thankful to my friends, Kara and Junior. And my soul mate, and best friend, Ari. So let's eat, enjoy each other, and have a great night."
"Amen?" Kara says, full of questions.
"Yeah! Amen!" I say, laughing. Everyone's first mission is food. Forks and knives clank on the fine china, and all I can hear is grumbling and slurping. But we're all comfortable.
I sit beside Ari, with Atee on my left. My mother is at one end and my father at the other. Kara and Junior sit opposite me. I can't help but feel like we're missing one person—Ollie.
It's been months since I spoke to him. Luckily, Cristos has been keeping track of Dimitri who's with him, so we k
now his general vicinity. Last time he checked in, they were in southern Europe, skydiving in Seville.
"You okay?" Ari leans over to me and asks.
"Sometimes I wish he was here. I feel so bad."
"He'll come around," Ari promises. I lean against him and look across the table at Kara and Junior.
"So, girls, how is school going?" my dad asks.
"Alexandros has been running us ragged. Although I think he and Magdelina have a thing going on. Even though she's generally an awful person, I kind of like them together."
"I totally like them together," Kara chimes in. "They're both so beautiful. Can you imagine their babies?"
"Oh my god. You're right," I say, reaching across the table and clapping hands with her. She giggles into Junior's side as he continues to shovel food into his mouth.
"DGA offered me a position as a counselor," Atee says from beside me.
"Really?" I question, excited.
"Yeah. Apparently one of the new students has the ability to contain and create portals. Linus gave me a call and asked me to be on board for the next couple years while the student is still there."
"Are you going to do it?" Mom asks.
"I think so. We're hanging in this area anyway. I might as well get something out of it."
"We could get a house just outside of the school!" my mom says, looking right at Atee. "Oh my gosh. I drove by the school and saw this cottage right off the highway. It would be perfect for us, Atee!"
"How do you know I want to live with you, Athena?"
"Oh please," she drawls as she tosses a dinner roll at his face.
"Fine. But just for a few years," Atee relents.
"I can't wait to have you guys so close!" I grab Atee's hand and squeeze it. It feels like my family just keeps getting bigger and better. I look across the table at my dad, who has a proud smile on his face. He raises his glass to me, and I nod at him, smiling as I lean against my soulmate.
It just doesn't feel complete with an empty seat at the table. I don't even care if he never likes me again. I just want him to be happy. And I know running away won't help.
After dinner, I excuse myself to the bathroom.
I miss you. I know you hate me, but you're one of my best friends. Come back home.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
new years
Tonight is the night. My mother is finally all moved into her house with Atee, and as a housewarming-slash-New-Year's-celebration, we're having a party. It wasn't too hard to convince her, especially when we went over the list of those invited. Apparently, party planning is her thing.
"What if he doesn't come?" I look at myself in the mirror as I put a pair of sparkly silver earring on. I'm dressed to the nines, wearing a short cocktail dress with pumps that I can barely walk in. Kara will be proud. My hair hangs in loose ringlets down my back, overgrown from months of not cutting it.
"I don't even know which he you're referring to. But whichever one will come. I know it." Ari kisses the back of my neck and then continues to fix his tie in the mirror. "I have a gift for you."
I turn around in amazement and look at Ari as he retrieves something from the bedside table. My heart stops when I recognize the wooden box from the vision of my very first life.
"What's wrong?" he asks when he sees my face fall.
"That box. I've seen it. In my first vision."
"This box? I've never shown you this."
"The first time we ever met, I took that box from my house and shoved it into my getaway bag. I never got a chance to open it because I died shortly after."
"When did you see the first time?" He sits on the bed and pats it for me to sit beside him. I scoot over and angle my body so I'm facing him, our knees touching.
"I saw it the night we came back from the Underworld."
"I never knew."
"Honestly, we had the memorial service after, and we had just gotten together. I forgot about that vision until now. We've been so busy; I guess I just forgot to bring it up."
"Well, you didn't see what was inside, right?"
"Right." I nod, smiling in anticipation.
"It's for you." He hands me the box and it feels heavy in my hands. I don't know if it's just my nerves or what, but my stomach rolls. I tentatively open it, and inside is a circular locket on a silver chain.
The locket has a circle of red stones, with diamonds in between them that circle around the outside. I open the locket, and in it are two pictures in black and white.
The first is a picture of just Ari and me. Obviously they didn't come with the first locket. He must have added these much later.
"That first picture is my favorite lifetime, the Navy one." I notice he has a white cap on his head, and I'm in a cap-sleeved dress. I'm facing the camera, a huge smile on my face, while Ari is facing me, only having eyes for me.
I look at the other side of the locket. I double take because I don't believe my eyes. It's a photo of Ari and me with Ollie also. It's from the school dance a year ago. We're all in costumes.
I don't even remember when this was taken. I'm sandwiched between my favorite men. Ollie looks pissed off, but he's faking his way through a smile. Ari has a blank face, but again, his eyes are on me and me alone.
"I absolutely love this," I say while I try not to cry. I've never met a man so thoughtful. I wrap my arms around his neck and tug him close to me.
"You can change the pictures if you want. I just figured you'd want us both close to your heart."
"I would never change them. You're perfect."
"You're perfect. Don't object," he says and places his finger over my mouth. "We're late." He jumps from the bed and pulls me up with him. I nod and finish getting ready for our celebration.
Tonight is Ollie's last shot. I've texted him constantly. Whenever I think about him, I write it down as a text. I wouldn't call myself desperate, but that's exactly how I feel.
But if he doesn't show up tonight, then I'm stopping this charade. If he doesn't want me in this life, then he's not going to get me. I can't just keep trying when he's not putting in an effort.
My mom initially described her house as a cottage, but it's about the furthest thing from it. It's situated back on ten acres of untouched land. Her long cobblestone driveway makes her monstrosity of a castle seem magical.
There are four pillars on the front porch, spanning two stories high. It's a white house with stone embellishments. The driveway is a semicircle, and as we pull up in Ari's car, a valet walks out from the side doorway and takes the car away.
"Athena went all out tonight," Ari whispers as he takes my hand.
"I knew when I asked her about having a party, she'd go too far. Do you remember Thanksgiving?" He laughs because Thanksgiving was like a small wedding. She invited all of her relatives and friends. Four Originals showed up, and when Zeus and Hera got into a fight, they created a forest fire behind the house.
"Linus!" I spot him the second we enter through the high double doors of the mansion. He's grabbing a drink from one of the busters who walks around with a tray in his hand and a three piece suit on. Linus spins around and hugs me back before handing me a drink.
"How are you?" I ask him when he releases me from the hug.
"I'm doing well. Have you been practicing like I told you?"
"Tonight is about fun, so no school talk. But yes, if you must know. I practiced last night."
"Good. Two weeks and school's back up. I bet you're thrilled."
"I'm excited to get back to work actually. Weird, I think that's the first time I've ever said that." I cut my glance across the room, quickly shuffling though all the faces, but there's no Ollie in sight.
I spot Ari off to the side with Magdelina. I excuse myself from Linus and walk over.
"Hello, lovely," Ari says and invites me into their circle. He drapes his arm over my shoulder and tugs me close. I take a sip of my very strong drink and try to act normal, like the burn doesn't leave a trail of fire down my throa
t.
"You can stop being jealous," Magdelina sighs, swaying on her heels. "I can't compete with a soul mate; now that it's proven, I have nothing to give him. Put the claws away."
"They're gone." I smile at her as fake as I possibly can. Despite her waving her white flag, I still don't like her. I probably never will, but that's okay.
"I've set my sights somewhere else for the time being."
"Does this sight happen to be named Alex?" I smile again at Magdelina and then pat Ari on the butt as I leave him. "I'm going to mingle. I see Kara." I can hear Magdelina humph from behind me, and Ari chuckles at my exit.
I hug Kara from behind and scare her. She jumps and almost spills her half-full drink. She downs hers, and I hand her my drink, too. She downs it in one single slurp, and I envy her gusto.
"Thank the gods I found you."
"Mag-da-bitch being a bitch like usual?"
"Surprisingly, no. But, I still don't like her. Where's Junior at?"
"He had to stop on his way in. He'll be here."
"Have you seen Ollie?"
"Unfortunately, no. I'm sure he'll show up. Oh shit." She cowers behind me, using me as a human shield. I try to back up, but she's pushing me forward and I can't hide myself. I crouch down.
"What is it?" I look around, bending and swaying.
"The Louisiana hicks are here."
"Oh my god, Kara. They aren't that bad."
"That boy has got some serious angst. I thought only girls are caddy."
"What about girls?" Mikey appears right in front of us. I grab his shoulders and turn him around to face us. He hugs me, kissing me on the forehead before grabbing Kara and doing the same thing.
"Nothing. Save me from talking to people and come with me to get a drink?"
"Surely," he answers, guiding me towards the bar.
The main area is very nice. Four sparkling chandeliers hang in the large room, and two more in the foyer. The cocktail tables have candles displayed in a circle around the middle centerpiece that envelop the room in sugar-cookie smell.
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