Descendants of the fallen

ms as he wakes up

frightened look on her face. She rushes t

A friend chasing you? A

wers "No, something was

M

face but it chased us a

vy dark brown hair back, trying to soothe him, but Vaxen can see the concern she's trying to h

erent. He shivers, still feeling the we

make some Lavender tea for you,

ka

g the door behind her. Vaxen lies back down, staring at the ceiling

hey become. The figure, the way his mother fought it with a strength he never knew she had-it all felt t

a, the gentle clinking of a spoon against the cup, the soft rush of boiling w

up in hand. The soothing scent of lavender fills th

e says, her voice soft and co

all smile. He sits up, taking the cup in hi

s body start to ease as the warm liquid slides down his throat. The lavender's calmi

is forehead. "Goodnight, Vax

night

t even as sleep begins to pull him under, the figure from his dream remains at the edg

00

chool," Henry's voice booms fro

he rolls out of bed. He goes through his usual morning r

deep-set gray eyes, and medium-length, wavy dark brown hair. At 6'1", his lean, athletic build is a clear reflection of Vaxen's own physique. The only real difference between them is their personalities and i

nry says, nodding toward

ad of four pancakes, two eggs, and two sausages. He wastes no ti

s, and the familiar routine helps clear his mind. Once he arrives, he drops his bike at the rack and heads in

sual greetings whenever they see each other. Vaxen gives a nod and a brief "hey." Chase, with his dark brown eyes and warm s

e two years since Chase started dating Liora. Their personalities are just too different-Chase is outgoing, charismatic, and politically minde

o

first period, everyone leaves, but Vaxen stays behind-he has a free period next. Romeo walks in, probabl

really pretty. Her butterfly locs are styled to the back, and she's wearing a cream-colored, long-sleeved, oversized sweater wit

n the front, paired with loose-fitting, light gray jeans. He completes the look with

BETTER!" Ro

ughs, then turns to me. "

I finally answer, "Well,

yells, while Rome

nd-shaped dark brown eyes, deep and expressive, contrast with his sleek jet-black hair. With medium olive skin, h

riod, interrupting Dionne's little celebr

00

Vaxen says, receiving a

Mr. Sharpe says, sliding a small brown b

s history paper. Just as he pulls it out of his backpack, Liora enters, followed by Fran, her girlfriend, and Romeo. They all drop their phones into the box and take their seats, with Liora and Fran sitting clo

as a subtle radiance. Her short, jet-black hair, high cheekbones, and softly angular jawline enhance her delicate appearance. She's wearing all black, as usual. Fran, on the other h

Vaxen wav

iora says, si

come for first p

l, Fran and I were busy," causi

" Mr. Sha

tays behind to finish up some details on his history paper. When he finally gets up, everyone has alread

d and Romeo's best friend, talking. He walks past them until Dion

Jesse is taking me home. Could you take my books from my locker in the

small task that should only take about ten minut

eads to the girls' locker room. As he's collec

eld, but I thought it'd be faster

y, they hear someone say "perverts" and the sound of a key turnin

e

forth, trying to figure out how to get out. Romeo lounges again

r?" Vaxen asks, frustrati

but it's just a minor inconveni

. "You don't seem very concerned. Som

g to stay calm. No point in stressing ov

ng out; it's about being proactive. You could at

I already texted Jesse; he's on his way. But hey, I figured you'd pref

annoyed that Romeo's

ir initial irritation at being locke

axen mutters. "First de

omeo replies dryly. "But we'll g

o glances at Vaxen. "Soooo,what do you usuall

rst," Vaxe

ther practicing or hanging out with Jesse and Dionne. Now your tur

e having things in order. It

n eyebrow. "Es

ictable, and it's nice to have some

Football's my escape. It's a chance to z

nd Dionne become f

school and just hit

ther or something

"You like he

'm gay," Va

hifting uncomfortably. An

d me attractive?" Romeo asks, ear

rl like each other, but it's j

. "Why are you looki

ust don't kno

g nice or meaningful to say, just shut the fuck up and d

" Vaxe

," Romeo say

d and taken aback by Ro

ening. "I didn't mean it as a comp

gain. "Fair enough. So, if you're not i

e a type. Just someone who's genu

a challenge. I'm pretty laid-back, so

a smirk, "but I don't d

en adds with a smile, "Sometimes it's the

clutches his head, his face going pale

Romeo asks, concern

convulse. Romeo quickly realizes what

ully trying to support Vaxen's head

stay calm, remembers some first aid his mom, a nurse, taught him and tries to ensure Vaxen's

re begins to subside. Vaxen's breathing grad

king slightly. "You're going to be okay,

s at Romeo with a mixture of confusion and

mly. "You need to take care of yo

nterrupts them. Jesse's voice calls

seizure. We need to get him out of her

sessing the situation. "Okay

assist Vaxen out of the locker r

, grateful and a bit

o thank me. I'm just glad I could help. Let's

e me home," V