Rather than pushing forward with Nevin, Abel opted to remain at the back of the group. Even given his lack of total competence in terms of social interaction, he could feel the blonde's discomfort radiating like heat from a microwave. Clearly this was a major introvert—the hardest kind of people to be around. As such, he unwittingly gave off the impression of recalcitrance to the students around him. His hands, hanging awkwardly, folded across his chest. 

Aurelia? He had to strain himself to hear. A pretty name, entirely representative of the rest of her; a more creative person might have drawn parallels between the willowy teenager and some flower. It was almost a relief when the conversation tipped back to Nevin. After the other boy excused himself to prepare for bed, Abel decided that it was time to pipe up. “This early? Gonna be a while before the sun goes down. I'll keep lookin' around for now.” An invitation for Aurelia to join him died on his lips. If she wilted before Maggie and Nevin, he -the largest and probably scariest of the group- would do more to frighten her than to comfort her. 

Still, it was hard to deny those protective instincts. A moment of hesitation passed, during which Nevin abruptly left and Abel uncomfortably scratched his gills. “Well...tag along if you like.” He acknowledged Maggie with a nod before following Nevin's example by walking away. Rather than his counterpart, he headed down a nearby walkway, this one winding around the building. He successfully resisted the urge to turn his head and stare at Aurelia.