I ignored the dark thought but didn't discard it entirely. I'd have to learn to work with this being of darkness, and it would start today.
I'll overcome what the enemy wishes for me.
Watch Me Soar
~FINNICK~
* * *
"If we're doing something illegal, let me know now so I can get my phone and put Starlight on speed dial so she can bail us out!"
My laughter was unexpected but so raw, full of joyous emotion. I took in her natural beauty, from her ruffled hair that had a few lifted strands from her just waking up to her uniform that had seen better days.
So perfect.
"Red. You're something else." I shook my head but displayed a beaming smile.
"That better be a compliment." She winked and skipped right over to me. I opened my arms to accept her approaching embrace, hugging her tightly while allowing myself this brief moment of reprieve.
That was something Brianne did to you. Just her mere company could push away all your fears and replace them with clarity and rays of hope.
We were staying at an Airbnb tonight due to Starlight, Professor Phoenix, and Miss Electra coming to the conclusion that all our houses had to be checked to ensure there were no hidden devices after the stunt Elijah may have pulled off during the exam.
It looked as though the council had given them the authorization to ensure our safety after the stunt, which was in our favor because they realized that we weren't making things up about being targeted by a dark force.
We didn't know if everyone on the council was out of the woods of potential criminals - especially Mr. Snow - but if they were taking things seriously, it would only make it harder for the criminal to move around and do things under their noses.
Kaito was checking on his sister since they had returned early from their mission from some other country due to hearing about the potential threats at the exams, so he was paying her a visit.
As for Connor, he said he had to go talk with someone in his family about some plans for the summer, which I hoped meant he'd be staying with us or we'd be able to do something as a group.
That left me, Jax, and Brianne, but Jax said he wanted to finish up some student council paperwork so none of them would need to worry about it during the summer holiday.
With that, he was back at the school, which gave me this perfect moment to be alone with Red. We could do anything without any interruptions.
I should take advantage of this, shouldn't I?
My arms only tightened around her curved frame while I enjoyed the mixed scent of her usual floral aroma and the bits of sweat from our crazy exam. None of us had bathed, which left me wondering how bad I must smell, but seeing as Brianne continued to hug me, I could only hope I wasn't killing her with my stench.
I lifted her up suddenly and was surprised that she wrapped her legs around my waist just so we could keep hugging one another. It made me smile so wide with love, my cheeks hurt from the mere action. I walked over to the window; the renovated old house still had those classic windows with the sill beneath that was perfect to place stuff on.
Or sit on.
The glass doors were already open, allowing the cool breeze of the hot evening into the home while the moon shone brightly in the starry sky. The house was surrounded by a lovely garden, one that made you believe an older couple lived in the renovated home rather than it being rented.
The flowers were of various colors, small yet perfect in their rows as they twinkled under the soft glow from the sky. Their aroma was just as breathtaking, which only added to the mood as I lowered her to sit on the white windowsill and kept her in my arms as I looked down at her.
Even with the two of us looking pretty winded after our exam and all that occurred afterward, her eyes shone brightly like balls of luxurious jewels and her lips were even more tempting as their plump pink texture called to me with urgency.
It could have been just my exhausted mind, but there was something different about Red already. Sure, she'd projected a stronger aura of femininity as of late, but now,