Tenacity

Sorry for the later update, midterms are keeping me very busy.

Hope you all enjoy!

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"My, how the time has flown. It seems as though we've just begun, but here we are at the end."

Dante stood before them, leaning against his desk.

He was the devil.

The king of the underworld brought to life and dressed in a tailored suit.

She bites her lip until she tastes blood.

"Having each of you in my class has been such a joy. I hope you all feel you have learnt a great deal. Both about writing and about yourselves." His emerald eyes flash at her.

He is covering up his exhaustion well, hiding it behind confidence and an alluring smile.

But she can see it in the shadows beneath his eyes and the tightness in his shoulders.

Her heart urges her to take care of him, to make him feel better.

To make his smile reach his eyes.

A headache throbs as her mind fights against it.

Enid shifts in her seat, aware of Emilia's concerned gaze from beside her.

"Since your final was the completion of that article, all you must do is turn it in to me and then you disciples are free to go. Have a wonderful winter break." He smiles charmingly.

There is a rustle as the pairs group together, pulling out their articles and getting in line.

Enid turns to Emilia, watching as she pulls a folder out of her colorful backpack.

Emilia glances up at her, a question in her eyes as Enid stops her from opening the folder.

"I thought we were going to just turn in the unfinished draft?" Emilia whispers in confusion.

Enid glances over to Dante, noticing he was speaking to Jake and Marcell.

Opening her satchel, she pulls out the article she had finished writing that morning.

"We'll turn this in." She turned it so Emilia could read it.

Her dark eyebrows arch, her mouth parting.

"You're the most incredible person I've ever met." Emilia stares at her in wonder.

Enid leans over and squeezes her hand.

She doesn't feel incredible.

They join the short line in front of Dante's desk.

"How are you? How did things go? Did you find-" Emilia's voice is hushed, but still too loud.

Her words nearly frantic with worry.

Enid nudges her side, shaking her head and glancing purposefully toward their professor.

Emilia pales as she realizes Dante is watching them.

Their turn has come.

Enid steps up before him, Emilia doing the same.

Her hand brushing against Enid's in a comforting gesture.

"Now, you two did an article on the missing boy, right?" Dante asks casually, a charming smile on his face.

She's the only one who catches the infinitesimal tightening of the skin around his eyes.

"Actually-" She is cut off by a voice from behind her.

"Well, he's not missing anymore. Unless you mean in the spiritual sense." Sophie rolls her eyes and shoves her article onto the pile before him.

A pop sounds as she blows a bubble with her gum.

It is a startling pink against the bright red of her lipstick.

She turns, glances at Enid and gives her a small smile.

And then she is gone, out the door.

The only students left are her and Emilia.

Wanting to get this over with, she shoves their paper into Dante's waiting hands.

Tremors racking her hands as she studies his face.

It is silent for a few moments as he stares at it, an expression of raw surprise cloaking his features.

"Little bird..." He looks up at her, his eyes dark with understanding.

With wonder and pride.

He sets the paper down on top of the pile.

She avoids his gaze, glancing down at the top page.

By Any Means Necessary: Fraternity Forms Culture of Assault

The article details the contest, the date rape drugs.

The lack of accountability.

How the dean had turned her away, told her she was confused.

There is a list of the names of the boys.

Patrick Thomas II right at the top.

Her story is there, ink on paper.

The fire, the rough bark of a tree.

A girl left powerless.

A boy demanding that which she had not offered.

The words are powerful, furious.

It's the best thing she's ever written.

"Are you sure?" Dante asks, his voice gentle.

Enid glances back up at him.

Her heart twists at the softness in his eyes as he looks at her.

"I want it to be anonymous. I don't want my name on it." She tucks her shaking hands into her pockets.

She shivers and Emilia wraps an arm around her shoulder.

"The police will want to investigate this." Dante's dark eyebrows furrowing in thought.

Emilia clears her throat, shifting in place.

"I'll make sure they don't come searching for the writer. Jessie will tell her dad to leave that part of it be and just focus on getting the boys." Emilia said confidently.

"Thank you, Emilia." Dante glances at the girl.

Enid can tell he's wondering how much she knows.

There is an awkward silence as Dante straightens the papers and puts them in his briefcase.

A burst of noise comes from the hallway as a group of students leave their final exam.

"I've got to study for my physics final tomorrow, you want to come with?" Emilia pulls on her backpack.

Enid glances at Dante over her shoulder.

His answer is clear in his jade eyes.

No.

She sighs, rubbing a tired hand over her freckled face.

"I can't, I'm sorry." Enid bites her lip.

Emilia searches her face and a look of understanding dawns on her face.

The two girls hug and as they pull away, Enid slips a scrap of paper into the other girl's hand.

She keeps her eyes on Dante, making sure he doesn't notice the sleight of hand.

One of her father's suitors had been a magician.

Emilia gives her a worried look and she tries to smile reassuringly.

Her friend exits reluctantly.

And all that is left is her.

"Close the door." He commands, his eyes on the chalkboard as he erases it.

She does as he says, pressing her back against the frame as she watches him.

Hazy sunlight streams in through the old windows, casting him in a heavenly glow.

His Mediterranean coloring bronze in the gleam.

The devil was an angel once.

"Come here."

Her feet bring her before him, such small stature in comparison.

He towers above her, her neck bending to look him in the eyes.

"I'm so proud of you." His praise brings a small smile to her lips.

His hand reaches out, tucks a curl behind her ear.

The moment is so warm, so loving that she almost forgets.

Almost forgets what they have done.

She starts to step away, but he catches her.

Pulls her into his embrace.

His strong arms wrap around her,

"I can't handle this distance, ciccino. Every time you move away, I die." His voice is thick with sorrow.

She listens to his heart as her ear presses against his chest.

It is strong, like the beating of a drum.

Her heartrate slows, starts to match it.

Inhaling, her eyes flutter as she drowns in his scent.

Expensive cologne and old books.

Home.

And a hint of something sharp.

Like blood.

She pulls away.

"You shouldn't have killed someone then." The words leave her mouth before she can stop them.

The devil was an angel once, but he had fallen.

His expression shutters, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Dante tugs a hand through his hair, the strands falling into his eyes.

He's impossibly beautiful.

"We're having a family meeting tonight. The four of us. And we're going to settle this once and for all." Dante grabs his suitcase.

Outside, on the bench that she usually sat with her friend, Emilia stares down at the small piece of paper.

The writing is neat and concise.

Small words meticulously formed.

Need your help. Don't text or call. Meet tomorrow in Math building at 8:45 am.

And then, a little further down.

They are dangerous.

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Our last day in Dante's class.

Makes me feel nostalgic.

I'll hopefully have another update up before the end of the week.

All my love, Sappho ❇