Ever got back to her dorms after fully cleansing herself from the interaction she had with Blade. When she opened the door she saw Chase fully on top of Marissa, half-naked with only his jeans on. He instantly looked up with a sheepish grin, his face blooming into a soft red. He got off of her and Marissa let out a giggle, putting on her shirt not seeming to be fazed at all.

"Sorry about that, Ever. I didn't know where you went or when you would be coming back."

"No worries, I'm just glad it didn't go any further," she giggled and Marissa joined in while Chase was trying to figure out how to put back on his shirt in a flustered state.

"Is everything alright?" Marissa sounded concerned.

"Uh — yeah – I'm good. Why do you ask?" It wasn't technically a lie since she did feel better now after her shower. She sat down on her bed brushing her tangled, wet hair.

"Your eyes seem kind of puffy like you've been crying?"

"Um — well — maybe a little bit."

"Blade?" Chase cut in.

Ever could only nod her head because if she even dared tried to speak again she would be welcoming more tears.

"Ugh, Blade is such an asshole I swear." Marissa rolled her eyes, leaving Chase to come over to Ever. She placed her hands over her giving her a warm hug. Ever was grateful for her friend to comfort her and thought that maybe him being an asshole would pay off in the long run.

Marissa pulled away from her, "I'm sorry, Ever. He really can be an asshole, majority of the time, but he's just like that with everyone before he gets to know you."

"Or he just really likes you," Chase added.

Ever rolled her eyes, "I doubt that. After the interactions we had so far, there is no way he likes me."

Chase let out a laugh, "I've seen Blade with many girls before and the way he looks at those girls versus you is way different."

Marissa nodded her head in agreement. Ever couldn't wrap her head around that idea, especially him being a demon and the way he has been treating her — there's just no way that's possible.

"He was eyeing me like a piece of meat on our first interaction, I don't think that's different from others."

"Yeah — at first, but when you left the room during the party, he looked quite sad even though Veronica was all over him. It was like he didn't want you to go. He even left almost right after you and we didn't see him after that." Marissa added.

Ever was surprised to hear such a thing. Did he really leave to go after her, why would he do such a thing? And those comments about his eyes, she could see the change too when he looked at her today. Something was there, something soft and sweet as if he did care about her, but why? He was a demon, she was an angel, it would never work so why even try? She just knew he was trying to get her on his side because that would be the ultimate goal for a demon, even if they didn't have any.

"I don't know," Ever's voice drifted off.

"Well we are having a small get-together at this bar, you want to come? I think it would cheer you up, besides we need one last hang out before classes start!" Marissa squeezed her arm gently.

"A bar? I'm only eighteen, I don't think they would let me in."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Chase's friend owns it and will let anyone in who is with him, so no need if you don't have a fake which I'm assuming you don't?"

Ever could feel her face blushing, "I don't have that, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea —"

"Please Ever! I want you to come because I really like you and want to genuinely hang out with you. Veronica isn't really fun to be around and I would like to have a girl's night with you even if there are other guys there." Marissa tugged at Ever's arm with a puppy dog face to convince her even more.

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Ever caved, letting out a sigh, and before she could even say yes, Marissa jumped up cheering, "Yay! We can get ready with music and help each other pick out our outfits again singing to songs, and —" she let out a little gasp, "I can do your makeup this time! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"

Chase looked at her as if she was the prettiest thing he has ever seen, Ever watched how his eyes fell in love with her, and Ever wondered if that's how Blade looked at her.

Chase left the dorm rooms and told Marissa that he would give them both a ride to the bar once they were done getting ready.

Marissa turned toward Ever with a smile so big it almost didn't fit her face, "I want to spice you up a bit. I'm thinking a little more goth, what do you think?"

Ever laughed, "Um I'm not quite sure. I've never really been goth before."

"I think it would be a good look on you and maybe even shut Blade up. I can make you into an ultimate badass."

"Marissa, I don't care about Blade nor do I want his attention."

"I'm just saying he made you cry, so why not tease him a bit?"

Ever thought about this for a moment and considered that this may be a good idea. Get back at him for all the times he had teased her, maybe just maybe she could reel him in and crush his heart even just for a moment.

"Okay, let's do it."

Marissa clapped her hands together, "We are gonna make Blade wish he never messed with the beautiful, Ever."

They both laughed and Marissa went over to her radio to turn on some rock music to get herself in the mood to create an opposite version of Ever. She went over to her closet pulled out dark pieces of clothing and threw them on the floor commenting "no" to each one that didn't pass her standards. Marissa suddenly stopped looking over a black dress she passed by, "Blade is going to lose it when he sees you in this!"

Ever looked over to see the piece of fabric she was holding and gasp. It looked very short and tight — very very tight. Marissa squealed with excitement, "Let's do your make-up and hair first, and then we will save this baby for last!" Ever smiled at her and nodded her head in agreement.

They both sat down on Marissa's bed, facing opposite each other in a crisscrossed fashion. Ever's eyes were closed and she could feel the bristles of the make-up brush gently run across her eyelids.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Ever. You can ask me anything." She dipped her brush back into the black eyeshadow, swirling it around in the powder.

"Why do you guys hang around Blade so much if you all think he is mean?" She tried to keep a light tone as she didn't want to step on Marissa's toes, at least not now.

Marissa gave her a soft smile and let out a sigh, "Blade — well — he can be a jerk at times, but when it comes down to saving his friends, he is always the first person to do so. I mean he took the blame for Chase when he got busted for drugs. He has always been there for each of us, and that's something we all cherish about him. He's loyal."

"Drugs?"

"Yup, he was throwing a party and the cops came trying to shut it down and of course, they find drugs at the party. Chase was about to get in trouble because it was at his house at the time, but Blade stood up for him and told the cops that they were his and it was his fault all of that was there. So, they let Chase go and Blade went to jail for some time. Chase stopped throwing parties, but decided to —" Marissa searched the area to see if anyone was listening even though it was just the two of them, "Keep this on the down-low as not many people know this, but Chase became a drug dealer like Blade," the words spilled from her mouth so effortlessly.

Ever let out a small gasp, this was bad she thought. "Marissa! I know you love him, but dating a drug dealer? Do you want to go down that road — does he?"

Marissa let out a giggle, "Oh, Ever. It's not that big of a deal. He's only selling minor drugs anyways."

"You have a whole life ahead of you Marissa, you don't want to throw it away because of drugs," she felt the judgment roll off her tongue.

"You don't know what I want."

Ever held her breath knowing she messed up with those words. Blade may be right about her, she couldn't hold back her judgment even if she tried. It would always come out, whipping through the hearts of loved ones. She knew she hit Marissa's cord, she sounded annoyed at Ever's remark, so she tried to redirect the tone.

"I just think that you are a good person Marissa, and I think Chase is too. I just worry you know. Drugs can lead to a dangerous life is all, " Ever hung her head down and Marissa placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you are just looking out for me, Ever. Look it's just a college thing. I'm sure once he graduates Chase will be done with it since this is his last year. It's just to pay for school and other things."

Ever let out a sigh, "It's just playing with fire is all."

Marissa chucked, pulling her friend in to hug her, almost spilling the black eyeshadow everywhere, "Ever, you are just too sweet. I promise that once school is over, he is going to quit. Besides he wants to start a family with me he says, after school and all of that." Her eyes wandered up towards Heaven, dreaming of a life with Chase while Ever dreamed of having to keep her safe for a whole year.

"Okay, if you say so." Ever said with a smile.

They pulled apart, giggling at nothing, but at everything.

"Come on, let's finish your makeover, I'm almost done with your makeup!"

Ever nodded her head, leaning forward while closing her eyes to let Marissa transform her.

She realized maybe this was all she needed to do to save her, and that was to protect her, to be her guardian angel. Just for a year, if she could keep Marissa safe from that lifestyle, she would accomplish what she was here for, then she could go back to Heaven. She could go back to Jake. She wanted to go back to Jake, to someone that would be gentle and soft to her. She needed that, she wanted that — she hoped those words were true.