Cursed Read online

  “I’m sure you’re not that bad,” Neru said, giving Gabe a slight nudge.

  “Take the tests for example, I studied all summer. I skipped nearly all the social events going on so that I would be prepared when the time came for my tests.”

  “And so you were. Are you annoyed you had to give that all up?” Neru asked, pulling a strand of hair back from her face to reveal a confused expression.

  “No,” Gabe quickly interjected. “I didn’t mind any of that. I was actually happy to do it all if it meant catching up to the rest of my friends.”

  “So what’s the problem? Seems like you nailed the tests.”

  “You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Gabe asked, looking off into the distance again.

  “Didn’t you?” Neru asked. “That’s what it looked like to the rest of us. I could have never come up with half the ideas you did.”

  “Well, I thought I did really well, but then…” Gabe thought better of revealing his frustration with Michael to this girl he barely knew. Instead he revised his statement. “Then some friends pointed out that I could have done better.”

  “Gabe, you can’t let a few friends make you doubt yourself.” Neru assured him as she reached over and took a comforting hold of Gabe’s hand, wrapping her tiny arm around his. “Your test was to defeat the three creatures and you did.”

  “Yeah,” Gabe said slowly as he considered her words. “I suppose you are right.” He thought, ‘If you knew it was Michael that did not approve of my methods, I bet you would be saying something else right now.’ He remained silent about that detail, however.

  “That’s all that has been bothering you? That’s not so bad.” Neru said, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Sort of,” Gabe replied, glancing over at her with a smile again.

  “Oh my. Gabe, how much do you have going on up in that head of yours?”

  “More than you would probably care to know.” Gabe added, looking down into the water, unconsciously picking at his cuticles with his teeth.

  “Alright, spill it.” Neru demanded.

  It was like a flood gate opening for Gabe. He couldn’t hold back any longer. “It’s not just one thing. There are a bunch of little things really. I start classes and my girlfriend doesn’t even care that she gets pulled out of all the ones we share. Two of my friends that I consider to be the model couple are bickering. Let’s not even get started with the fact that Baal and who knows what other demons, are trying to hunt me down and kill me. I don’t even get…” Looking over at Neru’s expression, Gabe knew he had completely unloaded on her.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Gabe began.

  “No, it’s fine.” Neru said, pulling Gabe closer in a reassuring way. “I didn’t realize you had so much on your mind. If I were the protector I am not sure what I would be feeling. Nobody can blame you, not even your girlfriend.”

  “Gabe!” Sophie’s voice shouted behind them. Quickly they pulled apart, Gabe turning around to look at Sophie.

  “Sophie, where have you been? I was looking for you.”

  “Yeah, it looks like you were looking real hard, Gabe.”

  “What?” Gabe asked, confused by Sophie’s tone. He considered telling her that she was full of nonsense, and then thought better of it.

  “Whatever, Gabe,” Sophie said, turning to walk away in a huff.

  Gabe glanced at Sophie, then Neru, and then Sophie again. Lunging forward, Gabe took hold of Sophie’s arm and spun her to face him. “What is your deal? This is Neru. I met her in one of my classes today. We were just talking.”

  “Yeah, Gabe, I always talk arm in arm with guys I just meet.” Sophie argued, pulling, trying to break free of his grasp.

  “Are you serious, Sophie? I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Gabe pleaded.

  Sophie stopped struggling and turned to face Neru. “Hi, Peru. I’m Gabe’s girlfriend, maybe he mentioned me.”

  “It’s Neru,” the girl replied, clearly annoyed by Sophie’s attitude towards her. It was clear Sophie had mispronounced her name on purpose.

  “Oh, so sorry, N-e-r-u.” Sophie added sarcastically.

  “Gabe may have mentioned you.” Neru added with equal spite. “Hey, Gabe, we’ll talk later. I should really take off.”

  “Okay, thanks for the talk. Sorry about this.” Gabe told her.

  At Gabe’s apology, Sophie crossed her arms, giving him a disgusted look. Neru simply ignored her and walked away in the direction of the dining hall.

  “Sophie!” Gabe yelled. “What has gotten into you?”

  “Into me?” Sophie defended herself, giving Gabe a slight push. “I come here looking for you and find you practically making out with some little twig of a girl.”

  “Whoa? Making out? I was upset because of our fight earlier and she was trying to make me feel better.”

  “Yeah, I just bet she was.” Sophie made no effort to hide her anger.

  “Look, this is ridiculous! I don’t see what this is accomplishing. There was nothing going on. I guess you can either believe me or not.” Gabe had never seen Sophie become jealous. He wanted to shake her back to reality, back into the girl he had come to care so much about.

  “Fine, Gabe! Whatever you say.” Sophie replied and then turned towards the dining hall; from her tone she was still clearly irritated. “Let’s just go eat.”

  “Fine!” Gabe rejoined. The two walked off together in silence.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The group of six sat in silence in the bustling dining hall. Dina and Raimie giving each other glaring looks of frustration and disgust. Sophie avoided looking at Gabe altogether.

  “So…” Uri said, drawing out his word in an effort to make it clear he was trying to relieve the tension. “How was everyone’s first day of classes?”

  Nobody responded after a few moments. Uri decided to push the conversation further.

  “Gabe, what about you? Your very first day of classes, how was it?”

  Gabe looked at Sophie again. She still kept her gaze averted. “Fine, I guess.”

  “Well, that’s not much of an answer.” Uri prodded.

  “Hey, wait,” Haim interjected. “What about that hot little number in the hall today? What was her name?”

  Gabe looked down at Haim in complete disbelief of the words that were coming out of his mouth. Suddenly Sophie was completely absorbed in the conversation, looking back and forth between Gabe and Haim.

  “Oh yeah, Neru. That was it.” Haim exclaimed.

  “UUURRRGGGHH!” Sophie growled as she got up and stormed away from the table.

  “Thanks, Haim!” Gabe yelled, slapping Haim on the back of his head. “What the hell was that all about?”

  “What?” Haim squealed shielding himself. “I just wanted to know if she was single.”

  “You’re interested in Neru?” Gabe asked, surprised. He had never seen Haim show much interest in relationships or really the opposite sex at all. Haim nodded enthusiastically.

  “Well, I don’t know. I barely know her. Just ask her out if you’re interested.” Gabe replied

  “Yeah, because I am just that smooth.” Haim dismissed.

  “She seems like a nice girl,” Gabe added in an effort to comfort him. “I am sure no matter what her choice is she would be considerate of your feelings.”

  “Humph…” Dina huffed.

  “Oh what now?” Raimie snapped.

  “Nothing, just seems like a foreign concept that someone would be considerate of the feelings of someone they care for.” Dina growled, glaring at Raimie.

  “Get over yourself Dina! I am so sick of your crap.” As the words left Raimie’s lips the entire group stared in disbelief. In the time they had all known the couple, nobody had ever seen them fight.

  Without another word, Dina hopped to her feet. In a similar manner to Sophie, she stormed out of the dining hall.

  “Fine. Go!” Raimie yelled after her. “See if I care.”

&
nbsp; “Raimie!” Uri exclaimed sarcastically. “What have you gotten yourself into?” The group chuckled lightly at Uri’s jesting.

  “Oh please,” Raimie said. Standing up and leaning over the table, he rested his hands on the top of it. “You have no idea what I have been putting up with. She can be so exhausting!” Without further explanation, Raimie turned and left the hall.

  The three remaining boys looked at each other, puzzled by what had just unfolded in front of them.

  “So about Neru,” Haim said, dismissing the odd display.

  “Really, Haim? Come on!” Gabe exclaimed.

  “What? You’re with Sophie. What’s it matter?”

  “Thanks to you and your big mouth, Sophie doesn’t want to even speak to me. She thinks there is something going on between me and Neru.” Gabe explained, giving Haim a look of disgust.

  Gabe stared down at the untouched mound of mashed potatoes in front of himself. A small drop of congealed gravy hovered at the edge.

  “Well, is there?” Uri asked.

  “Is there what?” Gabe replied with his own question.

  “Is there something going on between you and this Neru?” Uri clarified.

  “What? You can’t be serious.” Gabe defended himself. “I just met the girl today.”

  “Well, if nothing is going on, than I would say you have nothing to worry about.” Uri said disdainfully, not entertained by the couple drama going on all around him. “I have known Sophie for a long time. She blows hot, but eventually cooler heads will prevail.”

  “I hope so. I don’t really get what her problem is. I’m friends with Dina and she doesn’t care about that. I don’t really understand the jealousy. She has never acted like this before.” Gabe griped to no one in particular. He shook his head in disbelief of the situation. “If anything, I should be mad at her. She is the one that completely ruined my first year of classes.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” Uri asked, confused and frustrated by the turn of the conversation.

  “Sophie took on an independent study this year, so now we won’t have any classes together.” Gabe even thought his words sounded petty as they left his lips.

  “What independent study?” Uri asked, glancing over at Haim who was piling in the food as quick as the spoon could facilitate it.

  “I don’t know. Something Professor Beatrice asked her to do with cataloging the artifacts.” Gabe replied.

  “The ones Raimie and Dina went to retrieve?” Uri furrowed his brow as he asked the question, trying to better understand the situation.

  “I don’t know, I guess.” Gabe sounded annoyed as he replied. He was confused by Uri's interest in the unimportant details.

  “So you are mad at her for not following you around like a puppy all year?” Uri accused, staring directly into Gabe’s eyes.

  “No, that’s not it, I ….” Gabe struggled.

  “This is what Sophie does. She loves that stuff and if you can’t get that, maybe she is not the problem.” Uri reproached.

  “Well, wait. It’s not so much the fact that she is doing the study. I just know the real reason behind it.” Gabe contended, straightening his posture a little.

  “Now you lost me, Gabe.” Uri replied.

  “Me… too.” Haim mumbled between bites.

  “I know Michael is behind this. He wants to keep us apart.” Gabe stated proudly, as if uncovering some huge conspiracy.

  “What are you talking about, Gabe? Why on earth would Michael be involved in some conspiracy to keep you guys apart?” When Uri asked the question, Gabe began to doubt his own logic.

  “He told me I needed to spend less time with Sophie and then suddenly she is given an independent study. Just seems odd, doesn’t it?” Gabe inquired while squinting his eyes in disbelief.

  “So he wants you to concentrate more. That doesn’t mean he is trying to split you guys up. It’s not like it would do any good anyways.” Uri’s words didn’t seem to bring Gabe any comfort.

  After a moment passed, Gabe asked defensively, “What do you mean it wouldn’t do any good?”

  “Come on, Gabe.” Uri began, giving Gabe a wink and a nudge. “It’s like you and Sophie are written in the stars practically.”

  “Huh?” Gabe was genuinely confused by Uri’s statement.

  “After the Oracle spoke to Sophie, it was like none of the rest of us even had a chance.” Uri added.

  “Wait a minute.” Gabe said, lifting a finger as he tried to process Uri’s statement. “I don’t even know where to start with that. How about the part of the rest of us having a chance. Do you have the hots for my girlfriend?”

  “Oh please, Gabe, don’t be so naive. Before you came here, who do you think Sophie spent all her time with? It was clear where our friendship was headed.” Uri’s words sounded spiteful.

  “Come on, Uri. Don’t do this.” Haim pleaded.

  “No. He is the one complaining about Sophie. I am fine with them being together as long as he appreciates her.” Uri replied to Haim as if Gabe were not even present.

  “So you are in love with my girlfriend?”

  “No, idiot! I am just saying I was interested at one time. You came along and after Sophie spoke to the Oracle, things changed.” Uri snapped.

  “What do you mean after she talked to the Oracle?” Gabe's head started to feel as if it were spinning.

  “I don’t know many people who are actually told by the Oracle the person they are going to fall in love with.” Uri looked down at his hands as he spoke the words. As soon as he said them, he realized Gabe may not know about the Oracle and Sophie’s encounter. He regretted saying anything.

  “But the Oracle never told me… Oh…,” the reality of Uri’s words dawned on Gabe. “When… When did this happen, Uri?” Gabe questioned.

  “Just after you came here. Why does it matter?”

  “Why does it matter? Don’t you get it, Uri? Sophie doesn’t love me. She thinks she does because of what the Oracle told her she should feel.”

  “Gabe, that is not true!” Haim exclaimed.

  Uri reached over and grabbed Gabe’s arm. “Look, I’m sorry. I should have never said anything. You know how much Sophie cares for you.”

  “Do I?” Gabe mumbled. He began to replay all the instances in his mind of their relationship. He thought back to their first kiss that night in the crystal rooms. Their dance under the stars. The entire time Sophie had been thinking she was destined to fall in love with him. Not because of whom he was, but because of what someone told her. The thoughts were making Gabe’s stomach ache. All he wanted to do was slam his fist into something. Hard.

  “You’re being ridiculous, Gabe. Nobody here doubts how much Sophie loves you.” Haim said, wiping the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “Yeah, I guess. Look, I better go. I have a full day of classes tomorrow.” Gabe said as he stood.

  “Hey man, stop. You know better than anyone that even if the Oracle predicts something we all still have a choice. Sophie is not that naive, she gets free will just like the rest of us.” Uri insisted.

  “I guess,” Gabe replied turning to exit.

  “Are you sure you’re alright?” Uri inquired, quickly jumping to his feet as well.

  “Yeah, don’t be silly,” Gabe lied. “I’m fine.”

  Gabe smiled tightly at his friends in an effort to dispense any concerns they might have for his state of mind. He turned and exited the hall. Stepping out under the moonlight though, suddenly Gabe felt that loneliness that used to haunt him before he had come to Rampart Manor. The reality of his and Sophie’s relationship was coming into question for the first time since they got together.

  CHAPTER NINE

  It was a new day and Gabe was determined to make things better with Sophie. He had thought about their argument all night and planned out the different directions their conversation could go today. He knew Uri and Haim were right, Sophie’s love was unquestionable. After being inseparable all sum
mer and with how close they had become, he wondered how he could have doubted their love even for only a moment.

  Gabe was positive he had thought of every scenario. No matter what Sophie said, he had an answer for her. Stepping out into the hallway, he took a deep breath and then pulled the door shut behind him. Just before he turned to search for Sophie, Gabe heard a throat clearing noise. Startled, he spun around to see Sophie leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and lips pursed.

  “Sophie!” Gabe exclaimed, surprised by her presence.

  “Expecting someone else?” she asked sharply.

  “What?” Gabe thought he had prepared for all possible options. It was clear he had not prepared for this one.

  “Do you think I’m stupid, Gabe?”

  “Umm, well I wouldn’t have said stupid, but I am starting to wonder if you might be crazy. What on earth are you talking about? Who else would I be expecting?” Gabe felt an overwhelming sensation of drowning as the questions flew out of his mouth.

  “I went back to the library and worked most of the night away trying not to think about it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the image of the two of you, arm in arm, out of my head. Urgh! If that little slut were here right now, I would tell her exactly what I think of her.”

  “Oh my God! Sophie, what has gotten into you? I don’t even know who you are talking about.” Gabe looked intensely at Sophie as he spoke to her. Just as she was about to say something, Gabe thought he saw a flash of red flicker in her eyes. As he saw the unsettling color change, Gabe felt his knees go weak.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Sophie demanded at the sight of Gabe’s stumble. Her voice was lacking all compassion.

  “I don’t know. I thought I saw…” Gabe paused as he tried to collect his thoughts. He told himself he had to be imagining things. Sophie was not a demon. There was no way her eyes could have flickered red.

  “What? What did you see?” Sophie barked, her voice even more commanding.

  “I don’t know, Sophie. I think I need to go to the infirmary.” Gabe quickly suggested, trying to change the focus of their conversation.