Episode 6

I arrived at college and no sign of **Noah**, thank goodness, at least this time I'll manage to dodge him. I didn't have breakfast; I was too tormented by the nightmare to eat anything. I have my head resting on a table in the corner of the courtyard when I feel two people sit close by, one on each side.

…Noah…

Good morning **Zaya****** I brought breakfast.

Zaya

Good morning, thank you, but I'm not hungry.

I just said that and my traitorous stomach growls, but I swear it was low; I don't know how he heard it, but he did because of his husky laugh.

So, there I was, busted; I'm forced to lift my head.

Noah

Zaya, this is my friend Thanatos; he's going to study with us.

Zaya

Good morning, nice to meet you, Thanatos. Interesting name, the same as the god of death.

Oh my God, such a big mouth. Sometimes, knowing about these things, about legends and other beliefs ends up making us embarrassed. I'm self-conscious now, but they both just look at me and laugh.

Thanatos

That's right, Zaya, like the god of death.

Noah

Now that your stomach has already given away that you're hungry, let's eat.

I really needed to eat; I hadn't had dinner either. Work was tiring, and I ended up falling asleep wrapped in a towel and only woke up this morning.

After our hearty breakfast, we went to study. To my dismay, it wasn't just Thanatos who was a few days late for class, but Mia, the demon who haunted my life, also entered the room. She thought she owned the place, that ridiculous princess. I couldn't believe that one day I gave my sincere friendship to her.

We were heading to lunch and it felt like I was being escorted, two men almost two meters tall by my side; it was even funny to look at.

Mia

Hi, Zaya, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?

Zaya

If they want to meet you, they'll introduce themselves.

Mia

Gee, why are you being like this to me? We are friends.

Zaya

We are not friends. I was your friend, but how did you put it again? Oh yeah, I remember: for me not to get close to you anymore because my poverty contaminated your air.

She turned red, but it wasn't from shame; I was certain it was rage.

Noah

Get out, Dia, Kia, Lia, whatever your name is; you are contaminating my air with your arrogance.

She was about to explode, and I knew she would want to get back at me later, but I didn't feel like a prisoner in this moment; seeing her ordinary face on the floor was satisfying.

We sat down in the cafeteria, and when I did, I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

Zaya

Noah, thank you so much.

He held my hand, and it was as if small currents of energy danced over my skin. I looked into his eyes; I could swear they changed color. Soon, besides dreaming of giant wolves, I was having hallucinations while awake. Thanatos was silent, looking between me and Noah with a curious look.

After class, I managed to make up an excuse to go to work without Noah taking me. Besides, it was too much every day, and arriving in that car in front of the diner made my coworkers ask questions and think we were a thing.

It had been about fifteen days since Noah introduced me to his friend. I managed to convince him that he shouldn't take me to work, that people were gossipy and would speculate about us. He didn't seem to like it, but he respected my decision.

However, today is Saturday, and he convinced me that after work, I should go out with them for a bit, and since I would leave later, he would pick me up. It sounded crazy to go out with two boys. They had proven themselves to be friends, but it still seemed crazy.

I got off work at 11 pm. As soon as I left, I could see Noah's car across the street. But when I was about to cross, I felt someone grab my arm. Oh no, not this guy. It was a drunk customer from earlier who had been harassing me. I felt disgust and dread spread through my body. Then Noah grabbed him by the shirt and punched him in the face. The man seemed to want to retaliate, then looked at Noah's face, and all the blood seemed to drain from his own. The man was shaking like a twig. With a commanding voice that sent shivers down my spine, he told the guy:

Noah

Get out of here and don't you ever dare go near her, touch her, or even think about her again.

The man fell to his knees on the ground as if in a trance, and I put my hands on Noah's arm, which made him calm down and look at me. The man recovered and ran away screaming as if he had seen a monster. I didn't understand much, except for that color that flashed in the depths of Noah's eyes. As if nothing had happened, he led me to the car and opened the door for me. Yeah, I definitely needed therapy.

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