Cheating Life

Chapter 3

A worried face appeared in my line of vision.

Carol.

“Odette, are you all right?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern. “You’ve suddenly become so quiet.”

I gave her a weak smile. I was so close to bursting into tears.

“Why though? You have no reason to cry. You are alive after all.”

Noir.

It had been a week since I first learned of his existence. Four days. Those four days had been the most agonizing, painful and vexing half-a-week of my entire life.

First of all, I learned that Noir is someone to fear. He, after all, has all this scary powerful abilities that I’ve never even dreamed of. Secondly, he loved reminding me how much I owe him since he combated death for one whole year for my sake. Thirdly…

…He is irritating as hell!

Stop reading into my thoughts, I retorted, my mental voice hissing.

A dark chuckle. “But your mind is so open – I cannot help it.”

So just who is this insensitive monster who’s in my body?

Well, he’s from a different world. Secondly, he needs my heart to survive. Also, I am stuck with him for at least a year as payment for saving my life. Plus, he needs to go looking for his body.

All of this he shared with me for the one week I have been with him – well, consciously anyway.

“I’m fine, Carol,” I told my best friend out loud. She looked hesitant but smiled. But then I saw Rupert walking towards us with David and Winifred right behind him. I sighed.

Poor Odette has no one as usual.

“You have me,” Noir purred.

Oh, I feel soo much better.

Not.

You might be wondering at my sudden lack of fear. The thing is, Noir also sort-of let on that if he hurts me, he hurts himself.

So for the moment, I’m being brave.

“How do you know I don’t enjoy inflicting pain on myself?” Noir asked in mock seriousness.

You don’t seem the type, I shot back. I think you’re above that.

“You are getting to know me,” he said in amusement.

Ignoring him, I turned towards the others. I smiled at Rupert and the couple politely. Rupert smiled back and he bent down to give Carol a kiss. David and Winifred each greeted me with a “Hey”.

As we sat down for lunch, I tried hard to think of anything but Noir. His favorite past time when he wasn’t busy – which was every single bloody second – was annoying me. Yes! Annoying me! Constantly taking my attention off class, off my friends… Always threatening some innocent by-stander… Making cruel jokes and scaring me… Continually pestering me about the possibility of blowing a few buildings or cars up!

ARGH!

“Now, now… No need to be so uptight. We wouldn’t want you to have wrinkles so early now do we?”

I stiffened and growled.

The two couples looked at me.

“Uh… Dee, are you all right?” David asked, confused.

I quickly beamed at him. “Oh yeah! I just remembered something.”

“Oh… Okay, if you’re sure.”

He hesitated but a word from Winifred and he was absorbed in their conversation again.

I discreetly rolled my eyes before clamping my teeth on my sandwich.

Noir’s voice popped in my head once more.

“You’re bored, aren’t you?” he asked, delight lacing his words. “I can think of a few things to liven you up.”

No, thank you, I answered as I continued to eat my sandwich.

But Noir ignored me.

“What about placing a coercive spell on that girl over there? Or playing puppeteer to that boastful boy over there? What about setting the science labs on fire?”

No, Noir, I told him, trying to sound patient.

“Yes, yes, you’re right…” THAT surprised me. “That’s too miniscule. How about we make the girl commit suicide, give the boy immortality and nightmares for eternity and then burn the whole city down to the ground? That better?”

I trembled. He sounded so happy and excited talking about it! And those things he talked about…

I had no doubt whatsoever that he meant them…

…And could do them.

But before I could answer – if I even had the courage to talk back – light brown hair caught my eye and I found myself looking at Sol Vandyke.

He motioned me to come to him.

I bit my lip.

“E-Excuse me,” I told my friends. They looked curiously up at me and I nodded towards Sol’s direction. They followed my gaze and gasped.

“What does Sol Vandyke want with you?” Winifred asked, eyes wide.

I stood up. “A date.”

More gasps as I walked towards Sol. I knew David stood up and was about to follow me but Winifred and Rupert pulled him down. Carol had an anxious look on her face.

“H-Hi,” I greeted the unsmiling Sol weakly.

“Do you remember our date for tomorrow?” he asked, his eyes intent on my own ones.

Oh… Yeah… That…

“I-I remember,” I stuttered. I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest when he gently yet firmly grabbed my chin and tilted it, making me look directly into those unsettling hazel eyes.

“You’re lying.” The air suddenly felt chilly. “But I’ll let it slide.” Weirdly, the temperature went back to normal. “I’ll pick you up at the time I said, all right?”

I nodded numbly and he let go of me and walked away.

I thought I was going to collapse.

But something held me up.

“Relax. I don’t want you to get a heart attack now.”

I did not know whether to be thankful or fearful of his support.

I trudged back towards my friends, not feeling too well. Rupert and Winifred gave me pitying looks while my best friends’ look of worry bordered on alarm.

“We’re going on a date tomorrow night,” I whispered loud enough for them to hear.

David quickly jumped up. “You don’t have to!”

But we knew that there was nothing he could do about it.

Sol Vandyke was too strong and good at fighting.

Plus, he had a gang.

I gave them a brave smile. “I’m sure I’ll be all right…” Especially since someone’s watching over me now…

I felt Noir smile evilly – almost as if I was the one doing so. “Right you are, darling…

…Right you are.”

oooooooooo

What does one wear when forced on a date?

I don’t want to doll myself up since I don’t want to encourage him and have a repeat of this date.

But I don’t want to make myself ugly since I’m sure he would be suspicious and maybe just take me into a dark alley and slit my throat or something…

…I can’t do this.

My breathing was starting to become erratic. I really, truly, feared for my life.

“If you can’t decide between pretty and ugly, then be normal,” Noir said in a bored tone. “Actually, I have a better idea! What if I kill him for you?”

Tempting…

But I had to say no. Sol Vandyke hasn’t done anything yet, besides forcing me on a date, that is.

“No thanks,” I said out loud.

“Sure?”

I nodded firmly. “Positive.”

Noir sighed heavily. “You’re no fun… I wanted to play with dear Soleviel again…”

I stiffened. Soleviel? I knew I’ve never heard it before but it sounded so familiar…

Hold on… By Soleviel, did he mean Sol? As in Sol Vandyke?

Did… Noir know him?

But how?!

“Darling! Your date is here!”

SHIT! I still don’t know what to wear!

Having no choice, I grabbed the first thing that was closest to my hands. It was a simple and modest black dress with flower prints. I grimaced. I thought I already gave that to charity…

But then I remembered the threatening way Sol looked at me. Squeaking, I quickly wore the casual dress and slipped into close shoes.

“If only the dress were shorter…” Noir sighed. I glared but since I wasn’t looking at anyone, I felt stupid.

Remembering that I was making Sol Vandyke wait, I quickly rushed out of my room. I ran down the stairs. Unfortunately, I didn’t expect him to be waiting at the last step. I couldn’t stop in time so I slammed into him.

I gasped – and so did Noir I think… The reason? I have no idea.

But then I realized what just happened…

I SLAMMED INTO SOL VANDYKE!

I shut my eyes, not wanting to know what he would do… Slap me or… or… maybe he’s carrying a knife and he’ll stab me! Or maybe-

“You can let go now.”

My eyes fluttered open and I looked at slightly amused amber eyes. I looked down at me hands and realized that I was clutching his shirt…

I quickly let go as I felt my whole face catch fire…

…Figuratively speaking of course.

The corner of his lips tilted slightly in a small crooked smile. To most people, it might look funny but on Sol Vandyke, it was nothing short of hot.

“It’s funny how you looked so afraid even though you held on to me.”

I didn’t know what to say to that… So I just kept silent and waited.

“Darling, I hope you have fun,” my mom said happily as Sol led me to the door. I knew why she was happy… I have never shown an interest in boys. Unfortunately, my own mother is homophobic and so, she was terrified to think that I was lesbian… I still don’t know the story behind that phobia…

I was practically dragged outside as I tried to linger and wave my mom good-bye.

“What movie are we watching?” I finally asked Sol as he led me to his car.

He waited for me to get on. Shutting the door, he went to his side and got on himself. As he started the car, it was only then that he answered my question.

“We’re not watching movies anymore… Change in plan.”

I felt my blood freeze.

“W-What are w-we doing t-then?”

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “We’re going to the docks.”

I swear I had a heart attack.

“Oh, please don’t,” Noir drawled. “It’s my heart too, you know.”

No, it’s not! I shot back. But my thoughts were racing.

“Are you going to dump me in the harbor?!” I almost shrieked.

Sol rolled his eyes. “Why would you think I want to kill you anyway?”

I glared at him. “Oh I don’t know… Maybe it’s because you’re in a gang, you always get in trouble and suddenly, you have a weird interest in me!”

Sol glared back. “I’ve always been interested in you. I just never acted on it.”

I had to admit… That admission made me blush. I mean, no guy has ever told me that he was interested in me…

…And I just had to admit that Sol Vandyke is one of the hottest guys in our school…

Not that I’ve ever considered that before…

Yup…

Never…

“Good, because you’re mine,” Noir hissed.

I am not yours! I retorted. Besides, I was being sarcastic… I have always thought that he was gorgeous but of course, I would never tell him that.

I could feel Noir sulking and I felt oddly satisfied by it.

“Besides,” Sol continued. “How can I hurt you, Odarette?”

I paused. What did he just call me?

Odarette?

A sharp pain shot through my head… Suddenly, I heard a voice… A voice that I never heard before and yet… I knew it belonged to someone important to me…

“I will send you to a new world… A world where you won’t have to live with the pain and anguish that this world is full of… I send you to new life with my love…”

Who was this person…?

Sol seemed to have noticed how I clutched my head.

“Are you all right?” he asked urgently as he parked the car.

“Your sacrifice will never be forgotten…”

The pain became much stronger…

“I only wish you can forgive me for bringing you into this…”

I could barely hear Sol yell out my name. Everything else was fading… Everything except for that one voice…

“You are one of my greatest treasures…”

Who…?

“…And I love you with all my heart…”

What…?

“You are the strongest Pillar of all…”

“Odette!” Noir… That was Noir’s voice… But he seemed so far away…

“You are the strongest Pillar of all… my Second Pillar…”

Noir continued to yell even though his voice was getting fainter. “Odette, don’t lose yourself!”

“…Odarette…”

A sudden flash of silver eyes and an ethereally beautiful face… Five pairs of white angelic wings…

Palantha…

The angel-like beauty smiled at me as he opened his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Four shadows appeared behind him – four shadows of four figures. The others were blurred but one on the angel’s left side began glowing before he too was visible…

Four pairs of gold metallic wings and golden robes created a creature that demanded awe. To my shock, he suddenly turned his head and his amber eyes focused on me…

Amber eyes… Cold, emotionless amber eyes…

…Sol…

It was Sol! A more majestic version of Sol!

The image shattered and this time, everything was dark. Only one figure appeared… Ebony hair and flashing red eyes…

“Not yet!”

Suddenly, Noir was in front of me, blocking the view. He placed a hand on my head and then…

…Everything faded and I knew nothing more…

oooooooooo

Sol gave the person in front of him a hard stare.

“You followed her after all... I think I was mistaken after all in thinking that it was one of your usual obsessions.”

It was Odette’s body in front of him… But it was not Odette he was talking to.

Red eyes glinted malevolently as Odette’s lips curved into a smirk.

“I thought dear Xyntiel would be given the task to watch over Odarette… Not the First Pillar Soleviel.”

“No one expected the Gyriem’s First Pillar Noirn to try to destroy the world,” Sol retorted coldly. “So don’t cling to your expectations of me.”

The smirk disappeared. “She almost died, Soleviel…”

The amber-eyed seeming teen stiffened. “What do you mean?”

A helpless shrug. “She contacted a disease… I had to fight death for her.”

Silence…

“Will you take her back?” Sol asked quietly.

The smirk returned. “Depends.”

Eyes narrowing, Sol demanded, “On what?”

But the eyes closed and Odette lay sleeping on the car seat. Sol sighed, annoyed.

“Damn Crimsen.”

A/N: I hope that wasn’t confusing… Just keep on reading and more shall be explained! Haha!

JesterKing’sPawn – Really? Thanks! Here’s my update! I hope you like it!

SimplySweetnSour – Yeah… It wasn’t supposed to be humorous as it was SUPPOSED to be dark but the plot got out of hand so now, there will be SOME humor to it. The prequel is “The Chronicles of the Five Pillars”. I hope you read that too! Thanks again for reading!