“I didn’t even touch any of my stuff after we arrived yesterday. Hell, I’m still wearing my clothes from yesterday.”
“Okay, gather up anything salvageable, leave the rest where it is. I’ll send someone in to clean it all up while we go to the mall and replace what’s been wrecked.”
“I can’t afford that.”
“I know. I’ll figure it out, just get a move on, I do have a class to teach in an hour.”
It only takes us ten minutes to sift through the small amount of stuff I brought with me. There’s not a single item that can be salvaged. We walk out of the room with what I’m sure is identical looks of shock and turn to stare at the mess. Whoever did all that has taken their time shredding every single item I owned, right down to my suitcase. I’m officially a beggar with not even a change of clothes to my name.
“Who would do this?” I mean it as a rhetorical question, but Tanner answers all the same, “I could take a guess or two. Just how well did you know that Eric kid?”
“I thought I knew him, we’ve been best friends since we were babies, but after today, I’m not sure I ever really knew him.” The words coming out of my own mouth make my heart ache. I struggle to blink back the tears threatening to fall.
“You had a crush on him, didn’t you?” It’s not an accusation, or a question, more of a statement. I don’t bother replying. “I thought as much. I’m assuming you never told him. That can be rough, but if he did do all that, at least you avoided what would have been a very unhealthy relationship.”
“That’s true.” I agree, but it doesn’t make the pain any less.
“First loves are the worst, I know.” Tanner pulls me into a hug, again I get the feeling that he feels like family as we stand there staring at the mess that was once my things. “I thought I was in love with my best friend too.” He drops his arms from around me and together we walk away from the room, not even bothering to shut the door behind us. I feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind, but the further we get from the room, the lighter my steps feel.
Tanner doesn’t give me time to dwell on things, he keeps talking as he steers me away. “She was this amazing woman, however after we dated for a few months, we discovered that our feelings just weren’t the same. I had built her up in my mind as something she wasn’t and rather than try to change her, I talked to her and realised she had done the same with me, we weren’t compatible as lovers, but we were as friends.”
“You said,was.” I point out, “Past tense.
“You caught that huh?” His smile drops, “She died about two years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
We continue walking to the mall, which is a really bizarre thing to have at a school, but this is a school for the Gods so I suppose weird is their normal. After purchasing five sets of clothes, embarrassingly including underwear, Tanner takes me to another store where we get some shoes, then over to the uniform shop. Which is how I find myself staring at a mirror trying to figure out what the F I’m wearing.
“Tanner, I don’t think this is right.” I mutter through the changing room door.
“Show me.” He calls back, his voice sounding suspiciously close. I open the door, but before I can step out, he’s pushing past me and shutting the door behind him.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a teacher to be in a change room with his student.”
“Instructor, not a teacher and we’re not doing anything inappropriate, you’re not at all my type. Besides, we look far too much alike; it’d be weird.”
“Like being attracted to a brother.” I agree.
“Exactly. Although in my case it would be sister. Seriously, are you sure you’re not a Goddess? If you’re in some sort of protective undercover thing it’s fine, you can tell me.” I know he’s joking, but considering I was adopted even I’m starting to have my doubts about who I am.
I’d know if I wasn’t human, right? “I’m not in witness protection. Both my parents are perfectly human.” My voice goes squeaky at the end and I gulp, hoping he doesn’t read too much into my doubts.
“Except that you were adopted, right?”
“No, you’re wrong. I’m human. I’d know if I wasn’t, right?”
“Right.” Tanner doesn’t sound in the least bit convincing so I quickly change the subject. “What exactly is this?” I point to the penguin suit I’m wearing. Okay, so it’s not an actual penguin suit, it’s a perfectly ordinary black power suit with a white shirt underneath, but I can’t figure out why I’m wearing it.
“It’s perfect. Exactly the same as the ones that the other servers will be wearing at the event tomorrow.” He winks as though there’s some great secret.
“Fine. I’ll bite, what exactly is the event?”
“It’s an introduction ceremony of sorts, all the new Gods will be in attendance, so there will be around fifty Gods in total including myself, all the current students, the Committee and of course, Ares, Poseidon, and Zeus. Along with some of the parents of the younger Gods. I’m curious to know what my mother will think of you.”
“Oh.” Is all I can think of to say.