Part 45 (1/2)

Chapter 46.

Thank The Devil For Demons.

My history cla.s.s didn't go quickly enough, but at least I had Sophia there with me to help keep my sanity in check. I had to submit my a.s.signment and held my breath as I made my way down the steps to Reed's desk. Sophia hadn't ever handed in anything but just made him think she had. She offered the same service for me but I declined.

”I have this crazy idea of pa.s.sing this cla.s.s by handing in actual work,” I had said before getting ready to leave.

”You're right...that is just so crazy!” She mocked and I couldn't help shaking my head in laughter. Sophia was one of those people that was so infectious to be around that it was hard to remember any problems I had. She had a way of making them fade into the 'not important' part of your brain. That's where Hilary was right now....way back there, where my mind just said ”why do we give a s.h.i.+t?”

”Keira, you're smiling at yourself again.” For this she received a little flick on the arm making her giggle. We walked down to the front and I watched in amazement as she handed him a newspaper making him think it was her a.s.signment, of course the newspaper deserved an A star, even though it really was a lousy paper. Of course the biggest stories were about the Dravens themselves but considering no one really knew anything about them, there really wasn't that much printed holding their name.

I remember reading the paper and scanning it for any details about them but they were mainly only mentioned when they donated to a charity or paid for any new construction the town benefited from.

I handed my paper over and Reed looked over it as if he wanted to throw it in the bin before even reading the first line. I gulped as those beady eyes found mine and then returned to his laptop without saying a word.

”Did you see that, the way he looked at my work, like he knew it would be rubbish or something? Could you read his mind....he's going to fail me right...?” I whispered to Sophia as I trailed behind like a blubbering fool.

”Don't be paranoid Keira. He was actually looking forward to reading it.” I frowned unconvinced.

”What? It's true. Anyway forget about Reed, we have bigger fish to scare.”

”It's fry....bigger fish to fry.” I corrected but she just looked at me from the side and gave me a confident smile.

”Not today it isn't.” She said in a way that displayed the true nature of what she was. I was close to feeling sorry for what she had in store for my cousin....well, almost!

We were soon outside and I found myself glad that my cousin was nowhere to be seen, that was until my phone started up and Abba filled the courtyard we were sat in. When I saw it wasn't a number I recognized, my heart sank.

”h.e.l.lo.”

”Kizzy Cat, where are you?” Hilary's voice grated on me even when she was putting on the nicey, nicey act, that's how I knew she was still with Jack. I explained where and I heard her repeating it over to Jack.

”We will be there in five, Jack has been called into work so you have to take me home now.” I knew she was still trying to sound fake in front of Jack but even he must have heard the cheek in that demand.

”Well I still...” And that's when she hung up leaving me to finish that sentence with only Sophia as my audience.

”Have cla.s.ses.” I finished weakly.

”She hung up didn't she? You know I don't think I'm going to like this girl.” Sophia looked half delighted and half furious at the idea.

”Good, because giving how fast my cousin works, pretty soon she will have sucked everyone I know into her twisted lies and G.o.d only knows what they will think about me then?”

”I gather you're referring to her most recent work?” Sophia nodded past me and I turned to see Hilary and Jack both walking, arms locked, in the distance.

”How'd ya guess?” I asked sarcastically.

”Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that I can smell the hate for you, coming off her like cheap perfume.” I turned my eyes to hers to find them glowing with the same hate. I suddenly felt wary about introducing my cousin to my Demon friend but before I knew it, Hilary's voice was making my skin crawl and grating on my last nerve.

”There you are, you're so hard to spot in a crowd, being so short and all.” She would have carried on but the sight of Sophia had her stopped dead in her tracks. Sophia was, as always, in her designer wear that screamed money! She was one of the most beautiful creatures the world had to offer and when coming faced with her for the first time, she often took your breath away. This is what happened now and I couldn't help but smile. Hilary had always been a jealous person by nature. Never being satisfied with what she already had, but trying to take or crush what those around her had, that she wanted!

No one seemed to be saying anything so I decided to intervene.

”Guys, this is Sophia,” I said trying not to look at Jack but finding it hard when he seemed to be searching out my eyes. I didn't understand why, but I got the distinct impression that he wanted to talk with me. Whatever the case, I didn't fold. I was still too hurt and felt far too betrayed to give in now. If he wanted to believe Hilary's lies over what our friends.h.i.+p meant then that was just fine!

”And this must be Hilary, nice to meet you, of course I feel like I already know you, with everything Keira has told me about you.” Sophia said this with a sharp tone of knowing in her voice and I don't think Hilary missed it. She just stared blankly at her, as if still in a state of uncertainty. Surprisingly, it was Jack to break the tension.

”Hi Sophia, I'm Jack, I've seen you around but don't think we have ever been introduced properly.” He said being his usual ultra-friendly self.

”Hi Jack, of course I have heard a lot about you too. You're one of Keira's best friends aren't you? She's always saying what a truly great friend you are.” The way she said it made Jack look down at me with sorrow in his eyes. As though he had just been reminded of the fact and felt my betrayal for himself. I looked away and gave Sophia a warning look which only made her smile.

”So, how do you two know each other then, 'cause no offense, but you don't look like you would have much in common!” Hilary had found her voice and unfortunately the shock of Sophia's beauty hadn't curved her wonderful way with words. She looked back at me with my baggy jeans and overly big jacket that made me look like I had dressed for an expedition. Her eyes floated back to Sophia's delicate little frame that was dressed in winter chic. A designer red, fitted coat and black leggings that disappeared in fur trimmed boots. Looking at us both side by side then she was right, we looked like unlikely looking friends indeed.

”My brother Dominic is in love with your cousin!” She said as simple as pie. I coughed out a word not even I knew and Hilary looked like she had swallowed a bug. Meanwhile, Jack looked hurt and turned his head to one side as if trying to hide a reaction already seen.

”Your brother is Dominic Draven, Keira's boyfriend?” Hilary asked as if to clarify it clearer.

”Yes, but that's not why we're friends, it's only how we met.” Sophia said, clarifying herself.

”Well Kizzy Cat, I have to give it to you, you certainly work quickly with the locals. If I didn't know any better I would say that the Dravens consider you one of the family.” Hilary said this as an insult but one disguised as a compliment.

”We do, but where are my manners, you should come up to the VIP tonight after Keira's finished work to meet us all... properly.”

”WHAT!” I shouted by mistake, making everyone, including people not in this conversation stop and stare at me. I decided to try this diplomatically instead of screaming.

”Do you think that's a good idea, I mean, you know how your brother likes to keep his business private?” I was pleading with her mentally but she ignored me and looked at Hilary more closely.

”Nonsense, she is after all family and I'm sure Dominic would like to meet her properly this time.” I almost growled at her.

”Sorry Sophia, I'm sure Kizzy is just trying to keep Dominic all to herself, she was always a bit selfish when comes to men, there's been quite a few.” Hilary finished this by laughing at herself but it was at my expense, which I never appreciated coming from the unfunny viper that was my cousin.

”Fine, well it looks like I'm out numbered on this one.” I said not being able to keep the spoilt tone from seeping into my words. Sophia didn't even look sorry, which made me think she was planning something. Actually the only one that looked sorry for me was Jack, which made me wonder, had Sophia's cutting manner made him think twice about being so quick to trust someone he barely knew, over someone he respected not so long ago? I really hoped so.

We all said our goodbyes but as Hilary was giving Jack a more thorough bye when I took Sophia to the side out of earshot.

”What's the big idea here?...I mean, I'm all for knocking her down a peg or two but even I think a room full of ”energy sucking” Demons and Angels is a bit much!” Sophia just smiled like I would imagine a cat to do when walking the fence and winding up the neighbor's dog. It was both evil and cute at the same time.

”Keira my dear...don't you trust me?” She added this little innocent act by fluttering her eyes at me.

”You forget Sophia that I know what you're capable of and remember your relentless schemes when trying to get me and Draven together.”

”And it all worked out well, did it not?” Well I had to give her that. In truth she had ended up playing a ma.s.sive part in our 'union'. However, I didn't tell her this, but she took my silence in her favor all the same.

”Great, well tonight should be a breeze then!” I said sarcastically but she just laughed and gave me a wink before fake coughing which drew me to my cousin's unimpressed face.

”So are we going or not?” She asked looking down at me like I was some b.l.o.o.d.y chauffeur of hers that she just caught without wearing their hat or making a wrong turn....well she wished! I was close to saying ”To h.e.l.l with it” and making her walk home, 4 inch heels or not!