Figment of Dreams
Chapter sixteen: Campus Kings

I was shown around campus. Still very much impressed with all the extraterrestrial lavishness I saw all around me. From the most fancy classrooms I had ever seen to the state of the art library and food court.

From everywhere I got strange, sometimes hostile looks, so I clung unto Kai’s arm for dear life. As we were just about done with admiring the main dining area. We bumped into the Briareve twin hunks.

I was still figuring out what they were doing here, since they couldn’t possibly be young enough to still go to college as things became instantly clear regarding that subject.

’Miss Elmrose, nice to see you again. Welkin.’ The dark haired one, Oak, curtsied and kissed my hand and shook Kai’s as well.

While the white haired one winked brazenly at me and nodded at Kai. They had name tags on their blazers which stated Professor Briareve on both of them.

They were Professors here, it made sense now.

‘Have you gotten your schedule yet?’ Ash asked, voice warm. I nodded and searched for it in my backpack. ‘They said they had given me an adapted schedule, since I lack so much knowledge.’

I carefully admitted. Not giving a shit about looking feeble in their eyes but cheeks flushing a little anyway.

Ash and Oak both looked at the paper and smiled. ‘It seems we have lots of tutoring together to make sure you catch up to the others more quickly. I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other miss Elmrose. Looking forward to it.’ Oak added with a genuine smile.

I felt Kai stiffen beside me. He was not so happy with that. Ash continued. ‘It is not every day we get to interact with humans. My Paramore brothers all had the privilege of being young enough to go to earth. My twin brother and I weren’t that lucky I’m afraid.’ He winked at me again, or did he have something in his eye?

He started a conversation with another student who happened to pass by. I guess we were dismissed.

Kai took my arm and guided me to the dorm rooms. ‘This is where everyone is staying. The Paramore’s all got the option to stay at home and come here just during the day to partake in classes. Jax and I were thinking to not stand out, we might as well stay on campus. We would prefer it if you stayed at the Skylars or at my place though.’ He was matter a fact about this and I slapped his arm away from me.

‘Are you kidding me Kai? You know how much I was looking forward to my college experience back home. Staying in dorms was part of it. I want to stay here on campus as well.’ He grabbed my lower lip, which was apparently pouting at him. Which he always told me he couldn’t stand. He pulled it gently and laughed. ‘You will be the end of me, you know that right. With that goddamn pout.’ I slapped his hand away and snickered. ‘I’m staying here.’

Kai rolled his eyes. ’Jax is going to kill me. And you. When he replaces out about this.’

‘Well that is on him. If he wants to make a big deal out of this. If all students stay on campus and I’m the only human student, who is already standing out like a sore thumb, I want to blend in as much as possible. Staying here will be the better option.’

‘I guess you are right.’

‘I’m always right, Kai. When will you learn.’ I joked.

He hugged me with a big grunt. ‘Baby, what you want to do for the rest of the day? Classes don’t start until tomorrow.’

I shrugged. ‘I have still literally everything and anything to explore around here. Do you guys have movie theatres, malls, that kind of things? Or is everything just weird forests and lavish schools?’

He laughed out loud at that. ’We have literally everything baby. Everything you want. I know a place you might like.’

17. Skylark

Kai had spent the entire afternoon showing me around their town square. It was nice and cosy and reminded me of similar beach towns from back home. All white pebbled roads, small houses with red roofs which all led to a gigantic cumulation at the middle of Rivellin City where all the debauchery happened with giant skyscrapers and neon lighted nightlife ventures.

After a lot of backlash from Jax, I finally was able to enrol myself for the dorm rooms. I learned from Kai that Maddox had pulled some strings and he had put me with the Briareves little sister as a roommate.

Skylark was her name. As I entered my new accommodations with my luggage full of the new clothes they had provided me with, I immediately saw the resemblance to her two older brothers.

She had the long white hair that she shared with Ash, but the deep intense cobalt blue eyes of her other brother Oak.

I also spotted a tattoo on her left wrist. She was of average height and I had a good few inches on her, but we were both slim and toned.

She was dressed to the nines, with a low cut white top that revealed her prominent cleavage and a ripped jeans short. She also had white sneakers on.

‘You must be Lux!’ she squealed and immediately came in for a big hug. I hugged her back and already liked her. She smelled like rosemary and lemons.

‘Let me help you with that!’ she grabbed my bag, which was way too heavy for her petite frame, but she took care of it without any problem. Swinging it over to my double bed. Hers was on the other side of the large room.

Everything had white and pink accents, like the rest of the building. I could spot a lavish bathroom to the far right and a dressing room to the left. We also had a small living room area, with a big television, a few chairs with a round table on the other side. Also a small terrace with view of the forest. They really liked their views of the forest here.

‘Are you ready for the welcome party?’ she asked me, eyebrows wiggling suggestively. I shrugged. ‘Kai told me, but I’m not sure. I was warned a lot of Rainers would not be so welcoming to me.’

‘Girl, you have Kai as a boyfriend, Jax as some kind of older brother figure. And me as your new roommate. Nobody will lay a finger on you!’ She pointed at me and winked.

What was it with these Briareves and winking?

‘Kai is not my boyfriend though.’

‘He isn’t?’ she sounded genuinely surprised.

‘No, he is my best friend. We are maybe a little more than that. But we haven’t really talked about it yet.’

‘Too bad, you two would make a great couple. I have a good radar on those things.’

‘You know Kai?’

‘Yeah, I’m best friends with his little sister Melixes. So I’ve known him for years. Or at least, knew him before he went to earth for those last couple of months.’

‘Oh that’s cool.’ Again feeling bad about the fact that Kai had never told me about his sister.

‘She is one year younger than Kai, but she also attends the first year at Rivellin College. We will meet her later at the party.’

‘Great, I’m looking forward to meeting her.’

‘Now get your ass in that shower and get ready for the night of your life girlfriend!’

She slapped my ass and pushed me towards the bathroom. I still had no idea what I was going to wear, but I already knew that Skylark would make a good friend. I had felt instantly at ease with her and that never happens to me. Or at least, didn’t happen after it once had with Jax.

As I was putting on my earrings on there was a knock on our door.

‘I will get it!’ Skylark sprinted towards it, how she did that in those high heels I had no clue.

‘Hey Sky, how you doing?’ it was Kai. ‘I’m looking for my girl, she in there?’

I felt a blush creeping up at his words. My girl.

Skylark let him in and he joined me at the vanity. Hugging me from behind and kissing my neck. ‘You look amazing.’ He whispered while kissing a trail from my ear to my lower neck, making my body squirm in all the right places. He was wearing that dark blue shirt I loved so much.

‘Thank you.’ I glanced in the mirror and was really liking my little yellow dress. It was bodycon and a little tighter than I’d liked, but I’ve had no choice in all clothes I now owned so beggars can’t be choosers right?

I turned around as soon as my earring was in place and kissed him lightly on the lips, grabbing my purse from the countertop.

As I was passing Skylark she whispered. ’Yeah, not your boyfriend, right…’ while rolling her eyes.

I playfully slapped her on the upper arm and grabbed Kai’s hand in passage. Together we walked out. Joking about the campus and they told me a few funny stories about their childhood.

Skylark had indeed grown up with the Welkins. It appears Kai had also spend a good amount of time with the Briareve twins.

I also learned that Kai used to be best friends with that douche canoe Sebastian Barrington. They had a falling out and ever since Kai came to earth they had no more contact.

Because Jax and his twin brothers had grown up on earth, he was kind of the odd one out where the Paramore’s were concerned and didn’t share any real connection to his Paramore Brother’s like the others did. Sebastian had three younger brothers who also attended this academy. I was wondering if they were the same type of unhappy as him.

The welcome party was in the courtyard that was near the forest, at the backside of the Academy. It was called ‘The Broom’ and was one of three open air night clubs in the city. The only one on campus actually. The other two were in the city centre according to Sky.

It looked like a midnight summers dream, with candles and wishing wells. Birds and butterflies in the brightest colours were flying around our heads and there were canape’s and fancy drinks being poured by actual waiters with black suits on. They had spared no costs.

A beautiful girl in a tight lavender dress, with long dark brown, straight hair that fell to her ass, came our way with two drinks in her hand. She had bright blue eyes, dimples in her cheeks and she was heading for Kai.

I felt a bout of jealousy coming up. She was so beautiful, I looked like a piece of dirt compared to her.

‘Brother!’ she yelped. I felt stupid. Off course she was his sister. They looked so much alike it was uncanny.

Kai hugged her tightly. ‘Little sister!’ he chipped.

She gave one of her drinks to Skylark, which Sky happily received and kissed her on the cheek in welcome. Melixes let go of Kai and I was expecting the same warm welcome that she had given my two companions but instead she scowled at me.

’This is her?’ she said, an icy tone to her voice. Her eyes wandering all over my body. Nose crinkling in disgust.

Kai was pretending to not hear her tone of voice but Skylark did. Together they said:

‘This is Lux.’

I sheepishly waved at her. ‘Nice to meet you Melixes.’ Ignoring her look of disapproval.

She eyed me up and down again. ‘I guess so.’

‘Melixes!’ Skylark peeped. ‘What is wrong with you?’

Kai was baffled at his little sisters tone of voice. I could tell by the way his eyebrows rose up.

‘Lux has been through quite a journey. After everything that happened on earth. I was hoping you girls could help her around campus when me and Jax are in other classes. I’ve seen the three of you will have a lot of the same ones.’ Kai added casually, shifting the subject.

Melixes kept on staring at me and that smirk never left her lips. ’Oh come on now big brother, I’m not sure she will want to hang with my crowd.’

‘I’m in your crowd!’ peeped Skylark again, flipping her long white mane over her other shoulder. This time more agitated than flabbergasted. I was really liking her.

I had not noticed that Melixes had company. Behind her Sebastian Barrington had put his arm around her waist. He was wearing this flamboyant Bordeaux two piece suit, with no shirt on, so you could really see all his tattoos creeping up towards his neck. A couple gold chains hanging from his neck and I spotted a giant gold ring on his right index finger.

He kissed her cheek softly. Kai instantly tensed up. Skylark rolled her eyes, clearly not liking them as a couple. Which was blatantly obvious to me now.

’The little human wants to have a drink with us?’ Sebastian’s English accent drawled mockingly at me, but he handed me a cocktail anyway and I took it without thought. Kai took it from my hands and threw it over his shoulder. I gave him an appalled glimpse. He gave me a look back that halted me in my tracks. He wasn’t kidding.

’Sebastian, I would appreciate you not giving my girl a drink that is way too intense for her too handle right now.’ I was not following. Skylark noticed my confusion and whispered softly: ‘It was a Fae drink, they have stuff humans will instantly black out from. Or do other stuff… from…’

Ice cold fear was going through me. He was trying to drug me?

’You see little human…’ Melixes sneered mimicking Sebastian. ’You will not be able to hang with my crowd. Come on Sky, let’s replace other company. Brother, I do hope you come to your senses.’

With a long flip of her hair she turned her back on us and stalked away. Skylark was heavily protesting as she followed them along, sheepishly turning back to me to mouth ‘I’m sorry’.

Sebastian was still staring at me. ‘This is going to be an interesting year for you little human.’ My skin got goose bumps from his proximity, somehow this insanely rude guy was under my skin already and I could feel his attention on me like his eyes were a pair of burning daggers.

He was smoking a cigarette, puffed out the last of the smoke in my face and threw the blunt at my feet. I just stared at it as if it was going to spring up and burn my face off.

Kai was rooted to the spot. Definitely not expecting his sister to be the first one to give me trouble. ‘Are you okay?’ he sighed tiredly and turned to me. He grabbed my body and pressed it against his.

I felt like a ragdoll being dragged around. I was literally frozen in place by that little exchange. ‘My sister just needs time.’ He added. I looked up at him and nodded. ‘It’s fine. I can handle it.’

I was not so sure about that but Kai did not need another thing to worry about. ‘Besides, Skylark seems cool. She has my back.’

Kai nodded. ‘She is fantastic. I’m grateful for her. She always had a good influence on my sister. I guess the year that I spend on earth had not done much good for my little sis.’

‘Melixes and Sebastian never went to earth? How come?’ I figured that out last night.

’That’s a long story… I will tell you some other time. For now, let’s have some human friendly cocktails and have fun okay?’ he kissed my nose and dragged me to the cocktail table. My eye fell on a purple one that smoked. ‘Is that one doable for me?’ Kai sipped from it. ‘Yes, this one will work.’ He gave it to me and grabbed a black one for himself.

The night continued. I spotted Jax and the Briareve twins on the side of the dancefloor, hanging back and scowling at the dancers.

Off course they would not be dancing.

Me and Kai however tore up the dancefloor. I felt happy and I was able to finally let go of all the horrors of the last couple of weeks.

Exhausted and out of breath I ran to one of the chairs on the edge of the dancefloor. Kai was still going strong with Skylark, who had ditched Melixes and Sebastian. I knew I liked her.

Kai turned his body so he could keep an eye on me but I was not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

I smelled Jax before I saw him. He had taken the seat next to me. ‘How’s it going?’ Oh now he speaks to me. Go figure.

I shrugged. ‘Besides almost getting drugged by that Sebastian dude and losing my nose to Kai’s sister. It was a fun night.’

Jax growled. ‘He did WHAT?’ he sprung up from his seat, eyes frantically searching the dancefloor for Melixes and Sebastian but they had just left to get themselves some more drinks. Jax had not seen that thank god. ‘He is going to fucking die.’ He said through clenched teeth with even more tightly clenched fists.

‘Relax Jax, Kai took care of it before anything happened. Sit your ass down!’ I patted his chair and angrily glared at him. He still remained standing, ignoring me and scanning the crowd for his victim. I rolled my eyes at him. Fucking do it then for fucks sake. He would never listen to me anyway.

‘What’s gotten him so riled up?’ Beside me Ash took another chair and sat on it with the back to the front. Casually sipping from a pint in his hand which he pointed towards Jax.

I noticed Oak was here also who slapped Jax’ back and murmured something in his ear. I saw Jax answering in angry, hushed syllables. They were speaking Mons.

‘Oh, you know… just some testosterone issues.’

He chuckled. ‘That will probably happen a lot with Jaxon Skylar.’

‘You have no idea.’ I joked back. ‘So Professors are allowed to drink at parties here? What a vibe.’

He tilted his head back and let out a bouldering laugh, his man-bun almost coming undone from it. ‘You fucking humans with their weird little rules. You will replace no bullshit like that here.’

‘Apparently.’

I wanted to ask what he was drinking, since as I was looking closer at it, it definitely wasn’t a pint. When I heard commotion.

Oh god here we go.

Jax had spotted Sebastian and was barrelling his way towards him in a straight line through the dancefloor. Pushing everyone aside who hopped or boogied in his way. Oak had his back though and I saw Kai also moving towards the situation. They would handle it.

‘Well look at that. That’s about to be a fun watch.’ Ash adjusted his jacket with a sinister smile on his face like he was really going to enjoy the show.

‘I think you and me have different definitions of fun.’ I was feeling embarrassed for riling Jax up earlier. I knew I shouldn’t have told him that. But a small part of me was liking that he cared. That I almost had my old Jax back. My best friend who would never let anyone mess with me. He had once put a fellow kid in our seventh grade in the hospital, because he had called my freckles ugly.

‘Sebastian can be a little punk sometimes. A good beating would do him some good.’

As he saw my shocked expression he added casually. ‘You can add that to my bad teacher resume sweetheart.’

While running one giant hand through his white hairdo, his man-bun came undone with the motion. Smirking devilishly at me. Damn he was good looking.

I was opening my mouth to reply but Skylark was by my side unexpectedly. ‘I’m about done with this stupid party. Are you ready to go back to our dorm?’ she glanced to Ash beside me. ‘Hey brother. You still here? I thought you hated these things?’

’Yeah, but I found myself some interesting company. Who is shocked at everything I do.’ He winked at me.

’I’m not shocked at everything.’ I quipped.

’Whatever you say, sweet cheeks.’ He sipped from his drink again, with a slight smile on his face, looking intently at the fight on the dancefloor but I could tell he wasn’t really looking.

I rolled my eyes again and glanced at Skylark. ‘Yeah, let’s go. I need to say goodbye to Kai though.’

‘Well he and Jax are giving it good too Seb and Mel at the moment. They are kind of busy.’

I glanced over to the dancefloor. Kai was holding back Melixes who was furiously yelling at Jax, while Oak had Jax wrapped up. The latter was kicking and screaming at Sebastian. He on his end was held back by two of his goonies, whom I had spotted earlier around their clique. Kai noticed me putting on my shoes and mouthed to me from behind Melixes that I could go. That he would replace me later.

I shrugged that I could wait but he mouthed back that it was fine. I turned to Skylark to tell her that we could go but she had seen our exchange and was already on her way.

‘I will walk you girls back to the dorm.’ Ash downed his entire drink and straightened from the chair. A whole lot of man rising up from that little wooden thing which creaked under the impact of its release from the giant.

I had very painful feet. Reminder to myself to never again go out dancing with high heels on. Damn you Sky for the bad advice.

The little she devil had no such troubles. She was still prancing around in her heels like she still could run a marathon. Happily chatting away to her older brother who was mostly answering in one word syllables. Not being able to get much in.

Sky loved to talk. I had already noticed that. I was falling behind further and further. ’Fuck this.’ I said agitated and kicked my heels of unceremonially.

I saw Ash stop in his tracks to look back at me but Skylark was just going on without even noticing her brothers absence, still raging about Melixes and Sebastian, clearly bothered by her former best friends betrayal. I had my heels in my hands and painfully throbbing feet. ‘I’m sorry… I’m coming though!’ I winced as I took several more steps on the cobblestones.

‘No worries I got you.’ Ash came over and lifted me under my ass. I yelped in surprise. ‘Ash put me down! What are you doing?’

He chuckled. ’Not a chance, you walk way too slowly little sweet cheeks.’ He patted my ass like I was a dog. Bastard.

The effortless way he had pulled me up made me feel nice though. I weighted featherlike for him probably, since he was holding me up with one arm and one hand splayed over my lower back and ass. He was even carrying my shoes in his other hand.

Sky had noticed our absence and was waiting a while further. ‘My brother the hero.’ She crooned.

’Yeah, much more like your brother the barbarian.’ I growled from behind his huge shoulder and he chuckled. Clearly replaceing me very amusing again. He was literally caveman like dragging me to my dorm though.

He snickered again at my protests and it vibrated through my body.

We arrived and he softly planted me on my feet again. ‘Are you okay?’ his brows furrowed as he really looked at me.

I was a little nauseous from being carried upside down for a few minutes and probably looked as white as a sheet.

‘Sure….’

He tilted my chin up to look me in my eyes. He stared in them for a few seconds before telling me

’I can tell when you’re lying, sweetheart.’

‘Okay, that made me hella nauseous and I’m about to hurl all over your feet. Is that better?’

‘Way better.’ He let out a broad smile which reached his eyes and let go of my chin hesitantly.

Skylark was already inside and she threw the door back open. ‘Are you about done? I want to go to bed.’

He looked at Skylark and saluted her. ’Sweet dreams little sis, sweet dreams sweet cheeks.’ He added before turning his back on me and walking away without giving me a backward glance.