Song for the start of the chapter! Happy Monday!

Gray POV

I weak up to the sound of rain hitting the roof above me. It is constant and calming, almost lulling me back to sleep, I would have let it if I didn't have things to do today. For a moment I lay there, soaking up the peace until my alarm buzzes. For now, I have a few moments, before I run off to do my jobs. 

My phone buzzes and with a stretch, I get up from bed, then slip a shirt on.

A smile to appears on my face, as I remember the conversation I had the Stella a few nights ago. She asked me about the dance again. This time, Else wasn't here to interfere. I was prepared for the question this time. And this time, I knew what I would say. Yes. I didn't care what the consiquenses were. I wanted to go to the dance with her. 

I wish I was with her in person to see her reaction. Instead it was through text so I'll have to imagine. Her smile must have been so large. 

Today is the day. To be honest, I haven't been so excited for a day in a long time. This dance even trumps the training in Churchwell that Else planned for me. 

I glance at the suit stuffed in my closet. The vintage store was too kind for giving me a discount on it. It's not anything fancy, in fact, it barely fits. It'll stay up with a belt. Maybe. Hopefully. And I'm pretty sure someone might recognize it as their grandfather's but it was all I could get in the price point I have. Something tells me that Stella won't mind. 

 With a yawn, I shuffle my feet out of my small bedroom and into the kitchen to see Else sitting at the table drinking tea and writing notes on a pad of paper. I don't have to say anything for her acknowledge my presents. For some reason, she always knows when I come into a room. It's a little annoying.

"Morning," I say causally as I rummage through the cupboards to find something to eat.

"The rain is supposed to change to snow. You should bundle up," Else says as she brushes some of her straight hair behind her ear showing her fine jewels. There is something in her eyes that tell me she's worried about more than she's willing to share. 

Else has been gone a lot since that Darkling attacked me in the field almost two weeks ago. I started to believe that I lived alone. Seeing her is a surprise and I cannot help but worry that she will catch on to the dance later on tonight. 

"Thanks."

"Sure." She sighs, looking at her notes before closing her notepad, hiding it from view. "Listen, I'm getting some push back about you attending classes at the Churchwell Academy."

Her words cause me to frown, but deep down, I saw this coming. Just pull Gray along, he surely won't catch on. He doesn't belong here, keep him at arms length. I'll never get to Churchwell. They want to me, far from everyone. Who knows, maybe if I'm untrained enough, a Darkling will kill me. Boy would they be lucky. 

I wish I could argue my case, ease their fears. Show them that my father's characteristics will not come out in me. But they don't even want to listen to me. They won't change their minds. They don't want to chance another monster destroying what they just recently rebuilt. 

Anger clouds my vision the more I think about it. 

Don't they see I am nothing like my father? I am here working tirelessly for them in Jackson, dealing with a gate in a realm that hates me, but it doesn't matter. They are too worried about shutting my father's actions away, even if that means giving me little chance to defend myself.

 "Ok," I say through gritted teeth. There is no use yelling at Else. She cannot do anything about this.

"Gray, don't give me that face." She frowns. She looks upset, but it has to be a ruse. She's not that involved in my life to care. 

"Ok."

"I'm going to meet with the royal family today, then the dean of the Churchwell school. I'm going to get the last-minute details and push for you. You deserve to learn more about Churchwell, you are from Churchwell but you don't even know much about it. That's not fair for you. But I think for you to show your face before next week is important. People haven't seen you on the grounds since you were a small child. What do you think about taking a tour of the school tomorrow?"

A tour? It's a small act but it's something. I haven't gone to the academy since I was younger. Going back to the school grounds, just the thought, causes my heart to race. It's something. It's perfect. They will get used to seeing me, warm up to the idea. start it slow. It's a good plan. 

When I was with my father, we lived on campus, that is until my father snapped and I fled. Such fantastic memories from that place float around my mind. The teachers, students, and events I took part in, I loved every second of my time there. 

The thought of being back on the grounds, even if it was just for a few hours, excites me. This was the step in the right direction to make up for my father's actions. 

"Thank you. I would like that."

Else smiles at me, causing her eyes to glisten. "Gray, I am on your side, remember that. I am always pushing on behalf of you."

I give her a small smile back. "So, you are meeting with the royal family today?"

She frowns, letting her smile disappear. The light conversation suddenly has a heaviness around us. "There are more Darkling sightings in Churchwell. There are more than we thought."

"You are talking about going to war?" I ask, remembering the stories of the last time this happened. My father led the war wiping nearly all Darklings out. But at the end, he turned, joined their side. The war was terrible, lost of life was extreme. Churchwell had never experienced something like that before and we were told that something like that would never happen again.

She nods. "I am afraid we're on the brink of war with them."

"But who is leading the Darklings? They wouldn't be doing this if they didn't have someone calling the shots," I ask. Darklings often travel alone. It's not normal to see them in groups or have a plan of attack.

She glances at her notes for a second, as if she will find the answers there. "I don't know. But once we find the leader, we are one step from ending this."

"Is there anything I can do?"

She shakes her head, standing up. "Just watch the gate. What you're doing is enough for now."

I don't like this simple task. It feels so useless when there are large fish to fry. I'm capable of more. She knows the power that runs through my veins. If only I was trained properly. That won't happen though. One Gray already turned, so the chances of the other Gray turning is too high. Best not to leave it to chance. 

"Gray, you know what you're doing here, with the gate, you have more power than so many know. Few hold the keys you use and only you know how to use them. Don't think you are useless just 'watching the gate'."

Her words hold little to comfort. I know how useless I am fighting back a Darkling. That's what really matters. Not 'watching the gate'. The gate will not kill me. Darklings will. 

"Well, I am heading out. I probably won't be back until tomorrow to pick you up for that tour."

I nod. Good. She'll be gone for tonight. Not going to question where I'm going all dressed up. S]If she saw me, she would know it is for someone, then she will ruin everything. Then say goodbye with being friends with Stella. I'll be grounded forever. No chance to be friends with anyone. I don't think I want that anymore. I want to be friends with Stella. 

"Sounds good. I'm going to be gone tonight, so if you need anything just call me on the cell."

She stops to look at me. Shit. I shouldn't have mentioned anything about going out. She's going to find it sus... no, don't like that word. Suspicious. That's better.  

"Where are you going?"

Not the school dance with Stella. Let's not mention that. Anything but that. "Just some stupid school thing. It's for extra credit."

She smiles and I am glad. She bought it. "Good. I'm glad you're finally taking school seriously."

"Me too." Don't care about school, just Stella. She makes the world of a difference, and I don't think she even realizes it.

"Ok, well, try to have fun tonight. I will see you tomorrow," she says and with that, walks out the back door to get to the gate.

I glace at my to-do list Else left on the table. It's small, but it is long enough to keep me busy for a few hours. Still enough time to get ready for the dance. How much time do I need? How much time do people normally need for a dance? 20 minutes seems like enough for me. Shower, dress, leave. How much time do I need? 

 I take the list, shove it in a coat pocket then walk out the door into the cold rain. It sends shivers down my spine almost instantly. I hate it. Just like most of the things here. 

Before long, I am crossing off my last task on my way home. I am dirty, tired, and drenched. But none of that matters. Right now the only thing on my mind is that dance with Stella. It propels me forward, running towards the house to get ready. 

Homecoming. It's a big word. A word that I never thought I would use. Let alone in a sentence. But here I am and going to use it willingly.

The house is still empty as I walk through the door. I don't bother to call out for Else, I know she's gone. Instead, I go straight to my bedroom, pulling out the suit that smells like mothballs. I'll be spraying a lot of cologne on it. Probably too much of it. But I'm desperate. Praying that will work. It didn't matter how many air fresheners I placed on the suit the last few days, it still smells bad. Hopefully cologne will fix it. But what if it doesn't? What if Stella laughs. What if she doesn't want to dance with me? 

I freeze. Fear holds me captive as I stare at the suit.

My heart speeds up. 

What if all of this is stupid? 

A sick joke at my expense. 

I got my hopes up for nothing.

No. I shake my head. She's not like that. I know that. I feel silly for even thinking it. But somehow this suit stirs up feelings that I never thought possible. 

Think of something else, Gray. What will Stella wear? Anything will be beautiful on her. Like a goddess.

Think happy thoughts. 

Her in a dress, smiling at me. 

Yes, that will do. 

I walk into the bathroom to get cleaned up. 

After a long hot shower, I put the suit on and look at myself in the mirror. I feel uncomfortable. Stupid. Stuffy. I don't remember ever looking so dressed up in my life besides for my father's funeral. I feel out of place. A poser. I am not a fancy guy. Will Stella see through all of this? 

I tug on the suit as if it's tight. It crushes me. 

Why am I even giving this a shot when I know the school hates me? But I'm not going to school. I'm going for Stella. Only her. 

I take a deep breath. I'm not backing down. This is happening. Even if it is suicide.