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I find my brand-new slate tucked inside the front pocket. It’s a sleek black, with not a single fingerprint found on it, and I almost don’t want to mar the device.
Powering it on, I send a quick message to Dina then set it aside and flip through the rest of the papers. I glance at the school map, noting the different campus buildings and a beach not too far from the Fallen house. Beside the main hall is an odd-looking circle of trees with a structure in the center that piques my interest, but I put that thought on the back burner before I race outside to explore. There will be time for that another day. Beneath the map is a list of extracurricular activities, a contact list for faculty, and my schedule. It’s almost overwhelming. The class schedule has my fingers shaking slightly. History, Angelic Powers — finally — a few core subjects … Wingology. Studying the one thing I’m trying to keep private in front of a whole class. I need to do this though. I knew I was going to have to add some classes I’d really rather avoid to get my answers, so I’ll deal. Somehow.
An SCU catalog sits tucked into the very back, showcasing the school’s branded clothing line, including the specific uniform and colors for each house. Power is purple. Knowledge is blue. And, to my surprise, Fallen is red.Finally! No more forced black outfits for me.
I rush over to the large closet along the wall, sad to find it empty. Do I have to purchase them separately?
A knock sounds on the door, making my heart skip a beat. Has Ezekiel come back or is it someone else?
With a deep breath, I open the door, only the hall is empty. A large box sits on the floor, and I have half a mind to leave it there. Back home, we’d never open unexpected packages. Not that we’d receive bombs or anything. Very little could hurt us. But I’ve seen way too many glitter bombs in my life to want to see another.
I don’t bother pulling the box into my room. Instead, I rush inside to grab the pair of scissors from my desk, then open it in the hallway.
Nothing explodes and no glitter streams through the top as I peel open the flaps. Only clothes. Piles and piles of uniforms in different options, all a silvery gray with red trim. Beneath them lies other SCU branded clothes in an array of colors, including sweatpants, sweaters, T-shirts, and even a few pairs of shoes.
I pull the box inside, shutting my door and locking it from habit before throwing myself into taking every single piece out of the box and trying it on.
This might not be exactly how I expected my life to go, but if this room is any indication, I’m in for one wild ride.
3
“Shit,man.HowamI supposed to choose?” My eyes drift over the array of food in front of me. They have everything someone might want for breakfast. From waffles and French toast, to cereal, pastries, and even an omelet station. From sweet to savory, there’s a new scent at every turn.
“Who the hell said anything about choosing?” Theo laughs, grabbing one of everything and setting them on his tray.
I follow his lead and snatch up everything that looks appetizing until my plate is overflowing. Why not take advantage of the full meal plan? They built it into the steep tuition cost, so clearly they want us to use it.
Just because the Archangels considered us adults doesn’t mean we’ve stopped growing. At least, not with all the fun we plan to have while we’re here.
While Theo grabs us a table, I jog over to the row of fridges along the back wall. I might like options, but this is ridiculous. There’s freshly squeezed orange juice, mixed fruit smoothies, water, and that’s only in the first fridge! I grab an OJ for myself and water for Theo, but when I turn around, I almost drop both drinks and my entire damn tray.Fuck me.
Walking through the cafeteria door is a total fucking bombshell. She’s laughing at something her friend says, and just witnessing it feels like I’m basking in a sunbeam.
I rush back to our table, keeping the new girl in my line of vision in case she tries to disappear. Theo hasn’t noticed yet, too absorbed in the video on his slate to pay attention to anything going on in the cafeteria.
“Dude. The hottest girl I’ve ever fucking seen just walked in. A literal goddamn angel.”
He smirks, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Sometimes Theo gets like this, hyper-focused on the news. Absolute tunnel-vision. I can’t blame him for it, not after what he went through when we were young. I just wish I could do more to help.
“Let’s go sit with them,” I practically beg. I don’t want to ditch my friend, not when he’s the closest thing to a real sibling I’ve ever had, but something about that girl draws me in.I have to know her.
“Nah. I’ve got to finish this,” he replies distractedly, his curly brown hair flopping slightly into his face. “But you go, Raph. I’ll be fine. We’ll catch up later.”
I suck on my bottom lip, considering his offer. Theo and I have been best friends for years, so I know that when he says something, it’s not just posturing. I pat him on the back, grateful that he understands. He and I can discuss whatever video has him all wound up later, but for now, I have a stunning creature to charm.
With the jitters running through my limbs, I probably look like a psychopath. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find my eyes crazed and drool pouring from my mouth, none of it for the food piled on my tray.
Before I get very far, three angels block my path. It’s clear from the first glance that the blonde one in the middle calls all the shots. The other two must be her wing-women.Shit, that’s funny.I stifle a laugh before they notice. “Raphael, is it?” the leader says, her lips somehow smiling and pouting at the same time.
“That’s me, pleasure to meet you,” I respond, shifting to look around them and make sure the angel I seek hasn’t left yet.
“This is Seraphina,” the girl to the left says.
“She’s a first-year Pure from the Power house and comes from a strong, successful family of Pures,” the angel to the right says.
Seraphina holds out her hand, and I stare at it for a second. What the hell am I supposed to do with that? Kiss it? I almost gag, but manage to keep my composure. We might share blond hair and white wings, but there’s no fucking chance in hell that I’m telling her we share a house too. These girls give me the goddamn creeps. But I’m nothing if not kind, so I smile like I care and shake her hand.
“It’s lovely to meet you all. I’m actually on my way to meet a friend though, if you’ll excuse me.” I sidestep around them, beelining it for the table that holds the angel who already has her claws dug into me.
