Peace Offering ⇢ A Dempsey (Patreon)

Maybe it’s a clash of personalities or the obvious difference between us… they’re supernatural and I’m not. But it’s easier to go for the former, A’s personality isn’t easy to grasp. A’s rude, insensitive, stubborn – and maybe a million other negative adjectives under the sun.

So, of course, A’s personality change was surprising. Not drastically. I’m still accustomed to their sarcastic quips and quick eye rolls, though A’s kinder, caring and ultimately, that’s what caused the disagreement between us.

I let out a sigh before my eyes subconsciously dart around the library, the floor I’m on is practically empty, other than a few students dotted around looking for particular books from the shelves. I re-read a passage from the textbook that’s in front of me, though I can’t help but let my mind drift off to something my mum mentioned earlier.

“Your experience in the supernatural world has only scratched the surface, there’s a certainty that you will encounter much more dangerous situations,” is what she said to me not long ago. The sound of the chair beside me scraping against the floor draws me away from that thought, and as I look up, I see that A is sitting in the seat. They run a hand through over dark hair, their lips are pursed as they let out a sigh.

“I come with a peace offering,” they say as they slide over a hot contents cup towards me. “It’s from the cafeteria, don’t expect it to taste great, but it’s your favourite.”

“A peace offering?” I bring the cup towards me and take the lid off. “Only a peace offering?” I ask whilst tilting my head slightly.

A fake chuckle escapes A’s lips as they lean further into their seat. “You want an apology instead?” They arch an eyebrow. “I don’t do apologies.”

A sneer curls onto my lips. “Such a shocker there,” I mutter. “I’ll be surprised if you even know the meaning of the word.”

There’s a silence between A and me, one I expect them to fill by getting up from their seat and walking off. But I’m proven wrong. They stay. “I didn’t come to argue with you again either.” They then suck in a breath. “So, I’ll, for once, refrain from saying what’s on my mind,” they mutter.

“What do you want?”

I watch A’s eyes soften at the question, the dark green colour in them shimmers under the dim light. They quickly wet their lips. “You can’t be pissed at me because I’m against you being an experiment for supernaturals.”

I sigh as I push the textbook away from me. “You’ve been involved in the supernatural world all your life,” I mutter quietly. “You haven’t got a—” I stop in my tracks and look down to the golden swirls over my forearm, “birthmark that you hardly know anything about.” My eyes flicker back up to A. “If being tested by a few supernaturals gets me some of the answers I want, how can I say no?”

A frown curls over A’s lips, I expect the softness in their eyes to quickly fade, but, if possible, it intensifies. “Because I’ll ask you countless times to do exactly that,” they mumble.

My lips part. “You will?”

A gives a curt nod. “Of course.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I didn’t think you cared.”

A’s eyes lock with my own, such an intense stare from them is enough to get my heart hammering. They blink a few times, open their mouth before shutting it again before they clear their throat. “Clearly you thought wrong, then.” A then tears their gaze away from me before cracking one of their knuckles.

A shuffles in their chair before pushing away and getting up.

"Wait, where are you going?"

A scoffs. "I spent money on a shit drink for you and I don't fancy spending the day in a dusty library." They then smile. It's small, but genuine, one that reaches their hazel eyes. "If you want to see me later, you know where I am."

I tilt my head. "Do I?" I question, wondering whether it'll get A to turn around, whether they'll consider sitting back down and continuing the end of our conversation. 

I'm proven wrong when they just continue walking on, but they do call out to me over their shoulder. "There's a reason you have my phone number. Use it." They give me one last glance with the hint of a smile on their lips.