Free Ex Nihilo Academy by Jennifer Watts

the sleeves rolled up, paired with a skinny tie. His mop of auburn curls fall all around his face and he runs a hand through it before waving to his band to join him on stage.
    “Hello everyone! We are ‘The Fallen Ones’ and we thank you for being here tonight.” His voice is warm and deep as it echoes through the crowd. There are three others in the band, all blond-haired, broad and easily
     as tall as Rowan’s six foot five inches. I’m immediately struck by how handsome and commanding they all are. They start into their set and the music is just as Rowan promised - punk with a softer more melodic edge. His voice is rich and
     mournful and he looks right at me when he sings. His eyes search mine and I blush and look away feigning interest in the décor of the bar instead. The place is low ceilinged with dark wood panels on the walls and floor. Vintage bar signs advertising different Irish beers are mounted above the bar and there
     is an unlit fireplace in the corner with an all-too-familiar vampire standing beside it. Luca is dressed from head to toe in black clothing that looks more expensive than my entire wardrobe combined. His mahogany hair is slicked back
     and his full lips are twisted into a smirk. The way he stares back at me makes me suddenly feel very self-conscious. How long has he been looking at me? A group of students I recognize from school are sitting at a table beside him
     talking and laughing but he just stands there staring in a way that makes my stomach flutter, so I stick out my tongue at him and turn back to the stage. I wish I could say that I’m surprised he’s here but I’m not considering there are no other options for entertainment in this hellhole county. I glance over at
     the fireplace again and he’s gone.
    “Enjoying the show, princess?” He whispers in my ear and I just about jump out of my skin. He is standing beside me now, leaning against a
     wooden post.
    “Yes, actually.” I recover myself while wondering if his new nickname for me is meant as a term of endearment or an insult.
    “What brings you to Portaferry?” He asks.
    “My friend is in the band.” I gesture at the stage.
    “Your ‘friend’? So you’re sleeping with the enemy now? That didn’t take long.” There is an edge to his voice that I can’t quite read. I scowl at him and repress the urge to slap the self-satisfied look right off his
     face.
    “I’m not sleeping with anyone and what exactly do you mean by the enemy? Are you referring to humans?” He ignores my question and just shakes his head. “What are you doing here then? Isn’t a place like this filled
     with the ‘enemy’?” I mock whisper, rolling my eyes.
    “There are a few of us from school come into town to mingle with the locals. It’s a lot like watching animals at the zoo. And if I’m lucky a beautiful girl might stick her tongue out at me every once in awhile.” His
     voice is smooth and confident, laced with just a trace of his Italian accent. He moves close enough so that our toes touching and I can feel my heart beat speed up. He must feel it too because he raises an eyebrow in question.
    “Look, if you don’t mind I’m trying to hear the music.” I say as I step away, embarrassed by the way my body’s betraying me.
    “I’m sure it’s the music you are interested in.” He shoots a
     pointed look at Rowan. “Why are you still here?” I raise my voice and shove against his chest, which feels like slapping my hands against a brick wall, but he just captures my hands in his and holds them against him.
    “Let me go.” My heart beat is now thudding in my ears.
     Rowan’s band has finished their set and out of the corner of my eye I see him on stage watching the exchange between Luca and I. He doesn’t look impressed. I push past Luca through the crowd and make my way outside. I can’t figure out
     why he has such a problem with me or why he even cares what I’m doing here. The street is crowded out front and