‡ Promise 22: Creature Rejection‡

-As told by Keith-

y writer's block has ended for a while now. I had finished half of my new book, but decided to take a break, sitting at the kitchen table with my drink. I feel worried, even though Fray did a good job getting Lily to start living again. I often see her now, coming home from school, smiling and chatting with her friends. Things seem back to normal, except she no longer spies on me or visits the woods. Could it be that I feel a little lonely now? I shake those feelings away, knowing the danger of them. It's better this way, I tell myself. But I'm not sure I believe it.
I finish my drink and decide to go back to work. Before I could reach the computer, the phone rings, stopping me in the middle the floor. There are only a few people who have my cell number, one of them being my editor. I grab the cell from the counter and hit the send button. "Yeah," I answer, bored, "This is Rolmir." It was my editor, starting with praise, and then a request. The town of Promise Falls thought it was time for their celebrity resident to give back to the community. They need a speaker for a local highschool, to give a speech of education and achievement to the children.
I hate the idea of standing before adolescent mortals, but it was Lily's school. Without hesitation, I agreed to the event, and my relieved editor began giving me the details. "Okay," I said, writing down dates and times, "I understand. Thursday, right. I'll have to clear away a few things, but I'll be there." After assuring her that the new book was halfway done, I hung up and looked towards the woods. Now, I had to tell them what I was up to. And I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
That night, I sat on my throne and decide to just get it over with quickly. "I'm not going to be here tomorrow night," I say to Dore and Fray, "I have to be somewhere early. A event." Faldan looks up from across the room. "Another book signing?" frowns Fray, "How boring for you." "Yes," nods Dore, "Well, we shall be fine without you, until you get back." "I have to tell you the truth." I said, hesitant, "It's not a book signing. I've been asked to speak at the local highschool." Dore turns away, Fray plays with her dolls uninterested, and Faldan drops his jaw.
"What?" I frown at Faldan, already knowing what he thought. Dore refuses to speak and Fray becomes particularly interested in her doll's dress. But Faldan never has trouble going against my authority or speaking his mind. "You're obsessed!" he laughs. "With what?" I sigh. "The girl!" he grins, "You want to see the girl. You're ditching us to see the girl!" "Stop saying that!" I yell, feeling myself blush, "It's not true! Promise Falls wants me to show up at that school. If I don't, there will be bad press and then citizens may start to resent me. And if that happens, they may start to poke their noses around here, and they may find the gate."
"That's true." nods Fray, "Humans don't like to be rejected. They may sniff around, if Master smacks them in the face." "Yeah," shrugs Faldan, "True. But, I have a suspicion that's not the only reason you've agreed to this, Keith. If there were no girl, you would have dragged your feet on this one." Dore grunted in agreement. "That's funny," I frown, "Because there is no girl. I'm not interested in Lily. I'm just protecting my kingdom." "Yeah, right." snorts Faldan. "Fine!" I snap, "Then I won't go! And then you and the others can fend for yourself, when the holy crusaders march in!"
"Oi." sighs Fray. "Calm down, cousin." waves Faldan, "Just go to your little meet-up with the girl. We don't care. Like Dore says, we'll have everything handled, until you get back." "Why are you here!?" I yell, now angry, "Don't you have work to do? Go!" "Fine," he sighs, shaking his head, "I'm going, I'm going." Faldan disappears and an awkward silence fills the room. Dore and Fray doesn't say a word to me, for the rest of the night.
By the morning after next, two bodyguards and a black SUV show up in front of my door. I wave goodbye to Talon, telling him to be good, and get into the vehicle. It's almost ten and most students are already inside, not knowing who the guest speaker will be this cold fall morning, in the huge auditorium. These things were usually loud, full of children screaming, and I didn't look forward to it at all. But, all I could focus on was Lily's hurt face, from that night in her yard. I didn't get a chance to say sorry to her again, for my insensitive words. Maybe I could get a chance now.
As I step onto the modest stage, screams and shrieks started from the students. I look into the crowd, spotting a very angry Lily sitting next to her surprised friends. I waved to her, but she returned with a icy stare, the girl next to her shudders and the boy looks away. I went on with my speech, knowing that none of these children were really listening to it, but focusing on my celebrity. And I wasn't really into the speech either, glancing towards Lily and her friends, hoping her features would soften a little. By the end of the speech, I noticed that Lily had skipped out the room, leaving her nervous friends behind.
"Thank you," smiles the principal, "Mr. Keith Rolmir." And the crowd cheers and hoots, except for Lily's friends. The children were then dismissed, as I headed backstage, disappointed. "Ready to go, Mr. Rolmir." ask one of my bodyguards. "Yeah." I shrug. They quickly began talking fast on their talkies, finding the best exit from the school. We had to wait a while, until children were back into their classes, and then I was escorted quietly through the hall. As I passed the boy's restroom, the next door which is the girl's room burst open, and a shaken Lily flies into me.
"What luck I have." I smile, towards a confused Lily. My guards spring forward, "Stop right there!" "It's alright!" I wave, "She's my neighbor, not an attacker. If she were, I'd been dead by now." Both guards look embarrassed, knowing that I was right. "Look," I said to them, "Go spread out. I want to talk with her, please." They reluctantly moved further ahead down the hall. "I don't want to talk with you." she hiss. "I know." I sigh, "But just listen for a second. I want to say I'm sorry. I was insensitive. I didn't mean to be. I'm sorry." "So?" she says, folding her arms.
"So," I shrug, messing with my tie, "The truth is that I miss you. And I'm a little jealous of your friendship with Fray." "You don't care to be friends with mortals." she said, dryly, "So, what's to be jealous of? It's not like you're missing out on murdering mortals." "Perhaps not." I nod, ignoring her tone, "But I do miss you, regardless. I mean, you were annoying at first. But I miss seeing your face peeking over the hedge and your bothersome questions. And that sharp attitude of yours too. I think no matter how hard I try to deny it, you've became a friend to me anyway."
"Well," Lily snaps, "I'm not your friend! And you're not mine! Fray's cool, but you're just a murdering bastard." "Lily." I said, trying to find the calming words to say. "No," she growls, walking off, "Just leave me alone! And get a life!" I felt rejected, something I haven't felt in a very long time, and it stung. I walked numbly out of the school, my guards following close, and headed for my van. That didn't go the way I thought it would. I thought maybe she would be less angry and could forgive me. But she was still too angry and this whole thing have been a waste of time.
I had told her the truth and spilled my feelings. Things I didn't feel comfortable telling even Fray or Dore. And she still didn't care, or didn't believe me, and just spat in my face. But I'm not angry about it, I understand why she hates me, but it just hurts really bad. I'm not use to being rejected. The last time that happened it was... And then I realize why it hurts so bad. Lily reminds me of her. This whole situation is similar to one with the girl before. "I guess history really does repeat itself." I grin, but it was a sad ironic one. "What that, sir?" asks one of my guards. "Nothing," I sigh, getting into the SUV, "Just take me home."
That night, I realize that Lily's hate for me was for the best. And this time, I believe it for certain. I was quickly falling into a old pattern and the results would've been devastating. But at least this way, Lily can go on and live her life, without me. She was going to be fine, so it's better that it ends this way, instead of another. I scold myself for falling into my mortal-self whims. I was about to make the same mistake I've made once before. And how could I live with myself then? I step out into the yard, drink in one hand, and Talon following behind.
"It's for the best." I said to him, taking a sip. Talon gives me a doubtful stare. "I'm sure it is." I nod. The cat rolls his eyes, but then stiffens towards the movement in the woods. A dim glow of a light travels in the distance, bouncing in soft waves, in tune with the person's steps. Talon growls darkly. "Lily?" I whisper, thinking maybe she had changed her mind and was looking for me. But then I realized who it really was. "It can't be." I growl, hoping the fence, "She's dead!"