Make Me

It has been almost a week, that I had forbidden our unwritten rules, and used our bond to beat Jude up, yet the demon did nothing to me so far. I was worried since he was positively planning something against me, something horrible at that, but he acted... normal. As if nothing had happened.

He was called in again, by a demon he only refers to as "prick," so I spent the day alone at the campus. I didn't hate it, sometimes I felt like I would need a little distance from him... I became numb to a lot of things, and the last topic that could leave any sort of taste in my mouth became my vengeance.

Jude had also kept his touchy behaviour to himself, ever since that night, and I wondered if he only ever flirted with me, to prove his point of my... not necessarily straight attraction. It somehow left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I could never tell, why did I miss something that had annoyed me to the core. Well, I didn't miss him being a pervert, I just... I was deprived of human touch, that's all.

Maybe not even the touching, just the interest. Throughout my life, there have been very few people who cared to know me or knew me and liked me. And though I know, Jude is only interested in tormenting me, it still feels better than being alone.

"Seth?" It was a familiar voice, so I looked up, only to be shocked to my very core. Veronica's beautiful and tender features looked back at me, her eyes almost apologetic, and I couldn't react to it for a long while. When did she get here? Were we sitting next to each other this whole class, and I didn't even notice?

"Oh... I..."

"Please don't" she topped me gently, I presume not wanting to hear my apology. She seemed hurt, to say the least, yet I could not detect the slightest bit of anger in her eyes... it was something entirely different. But what was it?

"Could we talk after class?"

No.

At least that's what I wanted to say, I had no intention of talking to her, especially after I ditched even to explain myself, and now, she comes here looking all kind and peaceful, and it somehow angered me... It angered me because it just helped me recall what an asshole I was to her. God damn it.

I dropped my gaze from her and nodded absently.

"Why not" I murmured, before turning away again. She did not attempt to talk to me afterwards, so I did not either. Guilt slowly spread through my chest, and I wanted to disappear, but there was nowhere to go really in the middle of the lecture.

Trying to distract myself, I went back to my original thoughts. I wonder how and who did manage to annoy and anger Jude so much... After all, most of the times even when I tried, he couldn't be bothered to get mad at me, but anytime he had to go back to the underworld, he appeared to be all gloomy and unwilling.

As class ended, I already felt a knot in my throat, but regardless, there was no way out of it. As I neared the exit, I suddenly heard a voice, calling out my name.

"Mr Wilson, can I have a bit of your time?" I turned around to face my professor, as the other students escaped the lecture room... was I in trouble?

I shared a glance with Veronica, who just gave me an understanding nod, and motioned with her hand that she is going to wait outside. Swallowing, I walked back into the room, and up to the teacher's desk. "What seems to be the problem?" I urged, and he shook his head gently.

"Hmm... Nothing. Or well... it's not a problem, just something we should talk about. It's a pity your partner isn't here today, I guess it's more something I would address to him, rather than you..."

I started getting nervous, as the professor adjusted his tie, and laid out four drawings on his desk, before carefully scanning the room, if there was anyone around.

"Your project... was the most magnificent thing I had ever seen in my 20 years of teaching here... So sensual... So real." my eyes dropped to the papers, and I felt my blood running cold, as my gaze met with my own... The first paper titled "Anger", displayed me, looking down with a threatening glow in my eyes, appearing to be furious and on the verge of crying at the same time... Also, my hair was wet, and from the angle, I soon realized that it was a sketch from the night that I had made Jude kneel before me. I couldn't help as the satisfying memory crept up my back, to this day, nothing quite as victorious happened to me, seeing that bastard ruin his expensive clothes in the dirt, just because I said so. The next, Joy... I appeared to be eating spaghetti with an unhealthy amount stuck in my mouth right now as the picture was drawn. I couldn't help but conclude that Jude had an incredible visual memory, not to mention his style and expressive skills. I hated to admit, that these were very impressive works, even if they were made without my permission. I stared at the pieces in awe, trying to collect myself.

Sorrow... It was a little more confusing. I seemed to be just sitting, listening to a lecture, as I could take it from the background, and my face didn't betray much of strong emotion, no tears, or frowns, my features were in their usual state... Did Jude see me so sad all the time? Well... truth be told, here I kinda look sad. Lonely even. The drawing made my fist clench, suddenly having a thousand different questions in my head. I don't know why I was flattered and attacked by these so much and at the same time... Maybe I underestimated Jude's notice of the world around him. I always took him as a cold psychopath, who could not understand that he is not the only thing that exists on this earth, but these pieces somehow... They clearly needed a great understanding of emotions... of my emotions at that. I couldn't help but feel noticed, and seen, understood even. It was warm, unnatural feeling, that I have rarely experienced, but wanted to keep now. "Yeah, so as I said, they are breath-taking... but... The one you guys gave in for "Desire" he now pointed at the fourth drawing, and I forgot to breathe for a good two minutes.

"This is more than obscene; I can't even push it through the other teachers as nude art... This is pornographic... Great, sensual work... Very good..." he seemed to dwell on the picture for a good while and it made me incredibly uncomfortable, given that I was the main star in it. My head was thrown back, back arched, resting against the wall, and I was aggressively holding onto a man's hair, pushing his head down on parts that were elegantly not drawn...

"Where was I? Yeah so... I will grade you guys on the first three, but I'm afraid, I can't really put anything on this one." I didn't really hear him, my blood pumping in my ears made it hard to listen to anything else. All the pictures before were drawn from a real experience... But this never happened...

"Should I stop?"

"Don't you dare"

Images flashed before my mind, and I wanted to cease to exist right at that moment. The professor went on to praise the works, and he also mentioned that he will not grade us down, but he simply cannot present the 4th one anywhere, so he'll just put it away.

If I would have not been in such a furious shock, I would've probably questioned, why the fuck would my professor keep a heavily graphic sexual picture, featuring me and my flatmate, but I was too deep in thought and fight or flight mode to ask about it.

I just left, a thousand thoughts running through my head.

"Hey, are you okay?" Veronica's voice ripped me from my embarrassment, and my gaze settled on her once again. I took a deep breath nodding a little before throwing my back against the wall, signalling that I'm ready to listen. "Look, Seth... I'm not sure why you did what you did to me... And to Suzy" she began as I wished that Jude would drag me down to hell, just so I would not be here anymore.

"But just because I don't understand you... Doesn't mean I should turn a blind eye when you are in danger" as she continued, her words caught my attention and I lazily raised one of my brows. If only she knew that I had Jude. My very own guard dog, even if he was very pricy, he worked just fine. What danger could come to me really?

"What do you mean?"

She swallowed, looking at the floor, then up into my eyes, as if she wasn't sure how I'll take what she was about to say.

"I'll just say it because there is no way to sugar-coat this... I don't know, who Jude is to you... But he is a very bad influence over you... He is a toxic person, Seth, and I know you might not see it, but it's the truth..." I stared at her in disbelief... What the hell even?

I narrowed my eyes, unreasonable protective over Jude. I didn't understand why, but it absolutely infuriated me that she talked so lowly of him. Only I can do that. He is a demon, of course, he is a bad influence. But... The bad influence I needed. She doesn't understand, how could she?

"Did Suzy tell you something stupid?" I questioned, suspecting that this is about the sexual assault story.

Veronica shook her head, now turning a little desperate as she scanned my face.

"Seth, please try to believe me. I have the best intentions... I know Suzy is worried too. Jude just suddenly appeared in your life and polluted every part of it... Can't you see? He managed to cut you away from everyone you were even vaguely close with. Every time there is anything else in your life, other than him, he acts up..." I kept shaking my head as she spoke.

"That's... you don't get it, Veronica. I can't explain, but he is only doing what I allowed him... It's complicated" I murmured, scanning the floor nervously. Could it be true? I mean no... all that happened because I fucked up... and because I needed to distance myself. I see through Jude's manipulation; he has no influence over me...

"You are less and less yourself, the more he is around..." She pushed the topic, and as our eyes met, and I felt an uncomfortable ball forming in my throat.

Before I would have spoken up, a sinful aura broke my train of thoughts, and I couldn't help but feel saved.

"Oh, Veronica dear, you seem all worked up. Is everything okay?" Jude's silky and dark voice filled my ears, and Ver' trembled a little, glancing quickly at our side. There was something threatening in Jude's eyes, as he stared down at the girl, and since I started to worry he will eat her alive, I stepped in to say something.

"You are back" I concluded dumbly, and he nodded, his piercing gaze finally leaving the poor girl. I felt a hand around my shoulders, grasping my arm a little, not aggressively, but neither gently.

"It's best if I go" she murmured, offering a glare to Jude, which he only answered with an ever-so-sweet grin.

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"Oh no, so early?" his beautiful voice now dripping from sarcasm, successfully sent Veronica away. She gave me a meaningful look before she turned away, but I had no time to react since Jude started to escort me out of the building. His steps quicker than usual as if we would be running away from something. His fingers grasped my shoulders stronger and stronger with every minute until I couldn't help but wince at the pain.

"You are hurting me!" I alerted him quietly, which to he glanced down at me and let go of my arm immediately. It seems it wasn't on purpose then.

"I'm sorry..." he apologised absently; his mind somewhere else still as we headed back to my flat. He seemed troubled, and I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I felt like he would tell me when he was ready to do so.

Entering our home, I threw my jacket off, and keeping an eye on the gloomy demon, I attempted to make a coffee for both of us.

"Tell me, Seth, do demons scare you?" the question was rather random, so I just gave him his cup of coffee and offered him a strange look before sitting down from across him.

"The general idea of demons... or you?"

"Of course, you are not afraid of me if you would be you not be such a brat all the time..." rolling his eyes, he even frowned a little and I couldn't help my grin.

"No, I mean... I've never met any, other than you"

"I thought you might... Need a break. From school, from the Veronica drama... from the preparations." I carefully watched as he began explaining something. I found it hard to believe that Jude was genuinely concerned about my mental health, and so I kept my suspicion up.

"And let me guess, you know just the way for me to relax?" I prompted with a sly smile, and he mirrored me, probably because I saw through his game.

"Have you ever wanted to meet Satan?" the question shocked me for a little while, and I wasn't sure if he was joking or not, so I stared at him for a good minute before replying.

"No of fucking course not, Jude..." searching his eyes, I demanded an explanation of all this, while I tried to get it through my head, how could the demon even wonder if I wanted to meet Lucifer. What's wrong with him? Jude gave me a pleasant, but overly wide smile.

"Well, he is dying to meet you..." he grinned like a cat, while he watched all blood run out of my face "So... How about a little trip to Hell, darling?"