The Chronicles of Fire and Ice (The Legend of the Archangel Book 1) (6 page)

Chemistry

After class, Scarlett and Kat walked back towards their dorms.

“
So have you got plans for tonight? Maybe with Jacob?” Scarlett teased.

“
Shut up, no.”

“
Come on, you can’t deny there’s something there. I see the way you two look at each other, you have so much chemistry.”

“
He’s practically my teacher.
Our
teacher,” said Kat.

“
He’s more like a substitute,” replied Scarlett.

“
Speaking of chemistry—what about you and Dyston? The way you gaze at each other like star-crossed lovers… it’s the most intense thing I’ve ever seen.”

“
Nothing really has happened yet,” Scarlett replied awkwardly.

“
Really? ‘Cause I saw you in the library earlier. He hugged you.”

“
Yeah, he’s kind of intense. I don’t know. I’ve never had a boyfriend before. It’s awkward, yet I feel like I’ve known him my whole life.”

“
That’s deep. I say go for it. He doesn’t seem like a lot of other guys.”

“
He’s unlike any guy I’ve ever met.” They reached Scarlett’s door and paused. “Go see what Jacob’s doing tonight. Okay?”

“
Fine, and you see what Dyston’s doing.”

“
Okay, deal.”

“
See ya.” When the girls parted ways, Scarlett unlocked her door and stepped inside. Something crinkled underfoot. Scarlett looked down and saw that someone had slipped a note under the door. It was slightly scrunched, but she smoothed it out and read it.

“
Can I take you out tonight? If yes, meet me out in front of the Academy at six.–D.”
It was written in a beautiful intricate calligraphy. Her stomach did a little flip and butterflies used it as a flying space. Dyston had just asked her out, officially. She cursed to herself. She didn’t have a clue what to wear. Casual, smart-casual, or formal, she didn’t know. Where would he be taking her on a Friday night? She decided she needed advice, and fast. She booted up her laptop and clicked on the messenger icon.

Bing! She already had one instant message.

“What are you doing? I thought you were going to find Dyston?”
it read, it was Kat.

“
I thought you were going to find Jacob?”
Scarlett typed back her counter offensive.

“
Yeah,”
came a delayed response.

“
You’re chicken, aren’t you?”

“
No!”
she said. But a few seconds later, she added,
“Yes.”

“
Well… Dyston asked me out!”
Smiley face.

“
OMG! That’s great! Wait, you’re the one who’s scared now, right?”

“
No, well, yes, I don’t know what to wear. I don’t know where he’s taking me.”

“
Easy, I always go for smart casual, something sexy yet practical when I’m not sure.”

“
Okay, so skinny jeans and vintage blouse?”

“
Sounds perfect.”

“
Oh, and what shoes?”

“
Those kick-arse boots you were wearing yesterday. I love them,”
said Kat. She added a heart and smiley face emoticon
.

“
Thanks, Kat. How do you know so much about dating?”

“
I have two brothers. Plus, I’ve been on a few dates before.”

“
So you should be confident enough to woo Jacob?”
Scarlett asked.

“
LOL. Who says woo anymore?”

“
Sorry, bookworm here.”

“
Anyway, give me all the deets later. Have fun.”
Kat added another smiley face and then signed out.

“
See ya.”
And Scarlett was left alone to ponder her clothing options.

At precisely 5.55
p.m., Scarlett opened the front door of the Academy and stepped out into the cool twilight air. She was glad that she had worn her military coat. She hugged it tight around her body. No one was around except commuters leaving work and families and couples going out for a Friday night dinner across the street. Where was Dyston? Was he running late or had he changed his mind? She glanced at her watch. She still had four minutes, so she sat down on the steps and waited. Approximately two minutes later, the door opened behind her and out he stepped. She turned and took him in—he was entirely dressed in black with black boots, black skinny jeans, a long black coat, and black and white-striped scarf, which brought out his dark hair and eyes. Scarlett realised she had forgotten to breathe.

“
Sorry, I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” he said, giving her a smile.

“
No, it’s okay. I barely got here myself,” she said. She couldn’t take her gaze away from his face.

“
Part of me thought you weren’t going to come,” he said.

“
Why would you think that?”

“
I don’t know. But I’m glad you are here. Are you ready?”

“
Yep.” He began walking down the steps and paused on the one below her. Turning, he held out his hand, and she took it with no hesitation.

“
So where are you taking me?” she asked as they strolled down Flinders Street.

“
I thought we would go to dinner first, and then I want to take you to one of my favourite places.”

“
Sounds good.” They turned left onto Exhibition Street, past Collins Street, and then right onto Bourke Street.

“
Why aren’t we flying?” she asked out of curiosity.

“
I like to experience the city on foot as well as by air. Plus, it wouldn’t nearly be as fun since you don’t have your wings yet.”

“
You could carry me,” she suggested, flashing him a grin.

“
You better not have just given me permission.” He laughed. “You’ll get too reliant on me. And when you do eventually get your wings, you won’t know how to use them,” he joked.

“
Ha, ha!” She playfully shoved him, but he shoved her back harder causing her to lose her balance. She would have gone over if it weren’t for both of their fast reflexes. She managed to stop herself and he grabbed her arm at the same time. When she met his eyes, the world seemed to slow down around them.

“
Sorry,” he whispered.

“
It’s okay,” she managed to say.

“
It seems like I don’t know my own strength sometimes,” he muttered as they paused outside an Italian restaurant.

“
Oh, Pellegrini’s, I’ve always wanted to eat here,” Scarlett stated.

“
Good. Because this is one of my favourite restaurants.”

“
It must be good then.”

“
Extremely.” Dyston pushed the door open and the scent of pasta overwhelmed her senses. It was crowded, but Dyston managed to find two bar stools along the front counter that looked over into the kitchen. The restaurant was narrow and decked out in a retro design, black and white linoleum covered the floor, and red and chrome bar stools ran along the counter. And the back wall was actually a mirror to give the effect of a larger establishment. It was also covered in artefacts and memorabilia from Italy. Just as Scarlett had just read on the menu, the restaurant was family owned and served traditional home-style Italian cuisine.

“
I recommend the Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s fantastic,” Dyston told her.

“
Okay, I’ll have that, and a Merlot.” Dyston nodded and ordered for the both of them, in Italian nonetheless. Scarlett was dumbfounded.

After they had eaten their fill
, Dyston paid the bill and they left, continuing down Bourke Street.

“
So where’s this favourite place of yours, Apart from Pellegrini’s, that is?”

“
You’ll have to wait and see.” He paused on the footpath and looked back up the street and then up into the sky.

“
What are you doing?”

“
Do you want to fly?” he asked. She could hardly refuse.

“
Yes, I’d love to fly.” She smiled. Dyston walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“
Are you sure?” he asked in a low voice right into her ear. His breath was warm and it sounded like he was purring, which made her shiver.

“
Yes,” she whispered.

“
Okay.” Then in two swift movements he let out his wings and pushed up into the starry night sky.

Jacob opened his door just as Kat had raised her fist to knock.

“Oh, hi,” she said as the door opened.

“
Hi.” He smiled back.

“
Um, what are you up to?” she asked.

“
I just ordered a pizza, but I was heading to the student common room, if you want to join me.”

“
There’s a student common room?” asked Kat. Jacob grinned.

“
There’s several, actually. One for each year, but you can come in ours. Everyone’s out, so we’ll mostly have it to ourselves.”

“
Sounds cool.”

“
So, how are you?” he asked when he had locked his door.

“
I’m fine, a bit bored since Scarlett, Emer, and Del have all gone out on dates tonight.”

“
So, that’s why Dyston didn’t want to hang out.”

“
You guys are pretty close, right?” she asked as they walked up the stairs.

“
Yeah. We’ve known each other since we were five. Our families are friends. What about you?”

“
I’ve never really had a best friend like that, until now. I’ve grown up with my two brothers.”