[IC] Malicious. Unintended. Super & Elegant (Muse) [VKAllen x Rhapsody]

[VKAllen]

"...Erm... Well..." Her voice curdled. Lann continued to hold Emilia by her arm just about nervous as she was in the darkness. He didn't want to accidentally kick things over or suddenly touch or graze Emilia around places that he shouldn't be. The thought of darkness within the house managed to get him away from wistful imagination that he envisioned. He hoped that she had candles. Otherwise trying to bandage his hands would be a little bit of problem without adequate lighting. Lann himself wouldn't appreciate the pain. "Candles... I think I've got some in my room." Oh no. It's coming back. The thoughts that he didn't want to have. Although he admits that Emilia is pretty, they just can't do it on the first day they met with each other. How would Lann look to his new friends? Sirius, Kat and Daniel would definitely become enemies, and then rumours will spread around and that girl would also hear it... Lann would be labelled just as terrible as those kids from Angelo High School. He didn't want that. Not on the second day of his new school.

Lann needed to be cautious, not to make any kinds of hints that may make Emilia think that he was going to abuse her. At least.. He wouldn't do it if... ... "No! No! Noo! Not going to do it regardless! First friend, got to remember that! Just met today! I'm not like that..." The struggle was so great, Lann thought he was about to kneel on his knees. They finally kept on moving, cautiously and carefully in the dark. He felt his hand being entangled by something, but the way it felt made him sure that it was Emilia's hand that entered to the ridges of his fingers. He blushed within the dark, but kept a steady face and a steady eye as she said;

"Up the stairs at end of the hallway and the first door on the right." There were footsteps, Emilia was making her move. No, no, no. A move. Lann fought his thoughts again and followed. He entered the same hallway he crossed previously but did not notice the stairs that was directly behind him. It was incredible how perfectly placed that staircase was placed. There was a creak when Lann placed his foot over the stairs. It was hard, and cold like ice. It must've sat there for a while to make it feel so cold. That's probably because nobody was inside using the stairs. "Here, hold on to that." Somebody whispered. Wait, that was Emilia. Why was she whispering?

"Umm... Why are you whispering?" Before he could realise, Lann too was whispering. He shivered when his palm met the freezing cold railing of the stairs. "Oh. Wait, I think I get it." Giffles broke out and the two carefully took their stairs up. He heard more whispers, with the same tonality but just slightly softer. Emilia was doing something and it kept occurring every time they took a step up the stairs once. "Is she counting?" Of how many times you thought about something that's gonna happen in her bedroom? "Curse you narrator." Lann heard the number '14' and they finally reached the top of the stairs. A number just above the terrifying thirteen. The railing seemed to have finished there too. He stood still, and could see Emilia's shadow from where he was and followed, before seeing a hand out of darkness reaching quickly for his neck and Lann gasped, thinking that a ghost must've gotten pissed at him.

He was ready to just grab that hand and slam it aside, but the hand quickly pulled away with a wince before he heard the familiar voice again. "Sorry." She whispered. There was a sigh for Lann. Emilia was able to reach his other hand still resting on the railing. The entire thing would be more romantic if they could actually see each other. What about I prepare something to heat things up a little... And test Lann's resolve a little? "This way." Feeling his hand pulled, he followed the flow of physics and heard an open door. That was it, it was her room. Since everything was so dark, there was nothing different than pitch black darkness, except for the bleeding moonlight entering from the window. Right underneath that window was her bed. There was silence again and he waited. "You had some kind of torchlight juts now." Lann's face was equally stupefied when she had said that.

"Oh yeah, that's right... I completely forgot about it... Wow." He removed his phone, and pressed several buttons on it and the blitz light for the camera turned on. The same torchlight he used to find Emilia. "Where are-- Oh there." He also used this opportunity to flash about her room so that he could get an idea what sort of space he was in. It was neat, clean and the floor was visible. She was a neat and tidy person and Lann was surprised. "I don't know how you can be so diligent about your room. Anyway, here you go!" He handed his phone over to Emilia. He smiled as she crouched down a cabinet to search for the candle. He sat on her bed, waiting as she tried to look for her candles hoping that she would find it soon and before her father arrives. That could complicate things even worse. Lann wanted to ask, but if he did, would it make her think that he planned to... "Better keep my damn mouth shut!" He just waited, with a slightly frustrated face towards god knows who. It softened after a moment, realising that there was nothing he should be angry for.

When she found her set of candles, he was surprised that the matches were with the candles. How convenient was that? It was as if it was placed there in case a black out happened. Although it was a disappointment that there was just one candle stick. It was a scented aromatic candle, the one you would use to make your room smell a certain way. Lann felt Emilia shuffling until he could see her revealed under the moon light. "Are you... Patching it up in your room? Or should we go downstairs again?"

[Rhapsody]

He is sitting on my bed. that was all Emilia could think about as she searched for the candles. She glanced back and could clearly see him, bathed in moonlight and sitting on her bad, his face unfortunately in the shadows. She would have really liked to see his ecpression. Her hands hit something waxy and when she grabbed it a vanilly scent wafted up. Yep, that was her candle. And now she remembered that it was her only one, the others had been so burnt down, she had thrown them out some time ago. She grabbed back inside, feeling for the matches she always put beside the candles, since she didn't use them for anything else anyway. The she got up and walked over to the bed, Lanns phone lighting away and still warm from his body temperature. Not that she was thinking about his body or his temperature.

Emilia stepped into the moonlight and stopped in front of him as he asked: "Are you... Patching it up in your room? Or should we go downstairs?" he asked and she realized she had left all the medical supplies she had gathered in the bathroom downstairs. She put the candle on the bed, holding a finger up at him. "Wait a second, I'll get the things from the bathroom." and before he could say anything, she turned around, mildly hurrying out of her room, down the stairs and into the bathroom, as fast as the phones torchlight would allow her. It didn't take long and she was enterin her room again, placing the things she brought on the bed beside Lann as well, then went to grab a chair, pulling it in front of him and sitting down, so close, their knees were bumping together. Realizing she had to light the candle, she got up again, pulling her small, mostly empty bedside table towards them, placing the lamp and alarmclock on top of it away, and instead arranging the candle and medical supplies on it. She sat back down, reaching out and lighting the candle, illuminating both their faces besides the moonlight.

Emilia smiled at him, knees bumping together, him sitting on her bed, in her room, in her house, she blushed, hoping he wouldn't see it in the semi-darkness. She was a little nervous, but told herself there was no reason to anticipate anything. She trusted him and was sure he wasn't the type to force himself on anyone. How can you be so sure? You just met him this morning, for gods sake! strangely that voice sounded a lot like her father's. She scowled, hoping he wouldn't be home anytime soon. Not for that reason. No. But he'd freak if he found her alone with a guy he didn't know and her unable to say more that just having met him that day, though feeling like having known him so much longer.

Shaking off those thoughts, she reached out for his hands, holding them over her knees and leaning forwards, into him, to get a closer look. Enjoying the smell of him, just a little. "Let's see.." she murmured, starting her inspection.

[VKAllen]

Her expression under the moonlight's shine was surreal. Even though she looked perplexed in the realisation of something, she still looked beautiful regardless. "Perhaps this was what they would call natural beauty?" They being the boys of Angelo High School. She held her finger gracefully towards Lann, a goddess trying to tell her faithful servant to remain quiet in her presence as she revealed her appearance.

"Wait a second, I'll get the things from the bathroom." Her voice just sounded divine in Lann's imagination. He muttered 'okay' and a silent nod as his goddess turned her back and hurried away from her holy shrine. Things were getting dreamy for Lann as he slouched onto the wall and waited, looking towards the candle that sat dead straight next to him. His fingers crawled and caught upon the coloured, fused wax stick. The label was a brand that he never heard of, perhaps the said brand is the manufacturer of items like this. He continued to read over the description label, how clearly it was written 'vanilla scented candle' directly in front that could last for over 48 hours. He placed it back where it was, sitting calmly under the moonlight, gazing upon the stars. He wanted to check his phone but as his palm felt over his pocket, he remembered that Emilia was using his phone for its torchlight feature. He sat patiently, until the crescendo of a musical concert could be heard in the form of quickly beating muted drums.

The flashlight lit the front of Emilia's door, reflecting her hazy appearance before the shine flashed over Lann's eyes and he covered his face. He thought he was seeing God. He knew it was Emilia. She was hurrying, and Lann can understand being home alone with a guy that you just met for the first time in your life. All fathers would see that as a horrible turn of events. She dragged her studying chair with her, level to the height of her own bed and sat close to Lann where their knees would be pushing against each other. The candle was still unlit. Was she going to patch him up in the darkness after all? Her sudden reaction to lighting the candle disproven that fact. Her alarm clock and her small bedside lamp was placed on top of one another, allowing room for the candle to sit by and moved it towards them. Close but just enough. The matches lit, and burned the fuse attached to the candle as it sprung bright into life. There was no smoke, but a hazy wave carrying the sweet vanilla scent around her room. Lann's sensitive nostrils immediately tasted the vanilla scent, easing his mind and relaxing the intensity of his muscle. The candle light shone, illuminating both of their faces underneath the romantic moonlight.

She smiled, and Lann smiled back at her with their knees hitting one another, playing a game of 'tag'. The situation was perfect... Lann was sitting on Emilia's bed, inside of her room and inside of her house. The familiar feeling of heat around his cheeks came and he crossed his fingers that she wouldn't realise what is happening to him, and what he was thinking. Like any guy or girl, placed in a room on their own together-- He was nervous. What mystery would happen tonight? His body nearly shook. No, he will resist. Emilia is his first friend and he will not take their friendship for granted. Just because it was the perfect scenario, it doesn't mean that it was the time. But why does it feel like he has known Emilia for such a long time? What is up with the gaping memory inside of his head? Is Emilia having these feelings too?

The scent of the candle eased his mind. It filtered away all the thoughts that he currently have and he could focus. Emilia reached out, and he could feel her fingers pulling it towards her knees as she leaned down to inspect Lann's hand. "Let's see..." He heard her muttered. The scratch marks looked as if it had dried, but the injury was still noticeable if one would look at his hand. There were several slightly less red rashes over his knuckles and bruises. She first took a disinfectant from the box of first aid kit and a cotton bud with a small container. She poured some of the disinfectant into the container and used the cotton bud to paint Lann's wounds with it. He tried his best to ignore the stinging pain it brought, and held in his cry in pain deep into his stomach. Although you could tell from a gentle jolt from his fingers that he felt the pain.

"I-I'll be alright. It's nothing." He scoffed and tried to hide it away from Emilia. She shone her smile at Lann again as before continuing. She continued, wound after wound and Lann was on edge every time that cotton bud was going to come around. After one of his hand was done, she moved to the other, feeling the same pain all over again one last time. This continued for a while. Emilia had taken good care of Lann. After she finished disinfecting her wound, she took the bandage roll and began patching up the part of his hand that she fixed. Her hands ventured along his wrist and forearm as she wrapped it around firmly. It was finished, and the fists didn't feel so sore anymore. He took a good look at Emilia's care and was happy that she could patch it up for him.

He wanted to lean forward towards Emilia and give her an appreciative hug, but the softness of her bed made his backside slide forward, tipping him to Emilia and accidentally bringing Emilia down with him as they begna to fall to the floor. His quick reaction immediately reached for Emilia's head, covering her back skull from the floor's impact. After their heartbeats softening, Lann realised that he was above Emilia, looking down as the two gazed in awe again. Both were speechless, even in that accident. His body wanted him to lean down and kiss her, but what he had in thought stopped him while uttering an apology. "I'm... I didn't mean to do that... Uhh..." It was now a complicated situation. They were still on her chair and on the floor at the same time. "Thanks... And sorry." He tried to get up, and then fixed her chair up before helping Emilia back to her feet.

[Rhapsody]

Emilia winced with him every time he jolted as she put the disinfectant on the scratches. She knew it had to hurt but her was keeping remarkably quite about any protest and she tried to be thurough but fast and careful about it. Fully concentrated, only slightly distracted by the fact she was holsing his hands or that she could smeel him underneath the war, vanilla scent that filled the air. It took a while to tend to his hands and some more time to wrap them up, cleanly and firmly wrapping it around his hand, wrist and forearm, making sure not to make it too tight.

She sat up, inspecting her work from a bit of a distant and was proud of it, looking up when she noticed Lann getting closer. For a second she thought he'd wanted to kiss her, but his outstretched arm told her it was more along something like a hug. Making her almsot as happy as the first possibility, but it didn't come to that. In a blur of moments she couldn't quite determine, he was slipping off the bed, somehow tipping to her and shoving the chair over, ending up with her on the floor. She gasped in surprise as she looked up at him, perplexed. Then she noticed how very close he was, his hand covering the back of her head, securely keeping it from bumpin onto the floor. Her heart went crazy, leaving her speechless and gazing up at him, eyes flicking to his lips. Just a little, a small movement and they would touch hers. What are you thinking about?! a voice in her mind scolded and she felt herself blushing furiously. She noticed the look he gave her. Is he thinking the same thing? No, that can't be... can it? "I'm.. I didn't mean to do that.. Uhh.." he stuttered along. "Thanks.. And sorry." he added and tried to get up, scrambling off her, righting the chair and helping her to her feet.

"Thanks." she muttered, her thoughts and eyes, still focused on his lips. She blinked. "Oh, no, it's alright. I don't min.." Wait, what are you saying? she stopped herself and cleared her throat, eyes glancing at his lips again, before she turned them to the floor, her face now burning red, up to her ears. She cleared her throat, embarassed that he had likely noticed. She sat down again, this time on the bed her not sure where to rest her eyes.

Emilia looked up at him again, then reached out to pull him down onto the bed to sit next to her. Think, girl, think! How will he think of that? she jolted, letting go of his hands, awkwardly keeping them in her lap, unable to look him in the eyes. "I.. Erm.." she tried to say something, but her words came out almost in a whisper and she lost track of what she had wanted to say as soon as she made eye-contact with Lann, who was watching her with an expression on his face she couldn't quite decipher. She ran a hand through her hair, nervously pushing some strands behind her ear.

[VKAllen]

The entire situation became awkward. Of course, that would be awkward. His face remained tomato red over it. "Thanks." Emilia muttered and Lann was speechless over it. He scratched his own head and crossed his arms, pacing back and forth in anxiety. "Oh, no, it's alrigh. I don't min--" That statement made him stop and nervously looked at Emilia looking at him. No, at a part of him. She cleared her throat yet again but Lann rolled his eyes away. Was she gazing on his lips? Silence ensued and the two remained solid until she sat down on her bed side.

He moved closer, where he could see her but was taken by surprise when she pulled her down to her bed beside her with a bewildered look on his face. "Does she...?" In the middle of that thought, her hands let themselves away to her lap as she directed her eyes somewhere not on Lann. He was extremely indecisive about the entire situation... But what can one make out lead into? If she didn't mind then perhaps the two of them could sta-- NO! Lann shook his head hard as Emilia fixed her tiny strands of hair behind her hear. "I think I should leave before your dad returns. It's the best for the both of us." He stayed where he was, not wanting to get closer for the time. It may seem like a really mean move to do so to a girl, but like he said, it was for the best of the two of them and their friendship.

He stood up, but not without looking at her. "There's still tomorrow to spend time together for the both of us... At school. It'll be fun, I promise." His bandaged hand took hers, lifting them towards his lips before he smooched it. "Tonight... Let's just leave it on a safe note." Since he didn't know what else to stay, he stood and waited if Emilia wanted to say something else. If she didn't then Lann would say his farewell before leaving for home.

As he left, his phone remained on Emilia's pocket, suddenly beeping as a message arrived from his dad, written;

"Congrats on your first friend! But she looks awfully like someone you used to be friends with..."

[Could you please also do the next day post?? :3]

[Rhapsody]

"I think I should leave before you dad reaturns. It's best for the both of us." he said and she looked up, feeling dejected. Bu despite his words, he remained sitting next to her a little longer, giving her the feeling that he was slightly hesitant after all. The thought made her feel better. Then he got up and she watched him do so, noticing him looking back at her. "There's still tomorrow to spend time together for the both of us.. At school." he added the last part, making Emilia smile. That he had to specify that part made her realize his thoughts were probably somewhere close to hers. "It'll be fun, I promise." he finished and reached out, surprising Emilia by taking her hands in his and even more so as he lifted them to his lips, kissing her fingers. She gasped, her skin tingling where he had touched it, the feel of his lips surely not leaving for a while. "Tonight.. Let' just leave it on a safe note." Inside she melted at the realization that she had not been rejected. He was just too nice a guy to use this situation and do something that was too early, considering their short acquantaince. That, she could accept. And the thought of him willing to go further than a kiss on her hands after a more appropriate amount of time having been spend together, amde her giddy.

She got up, nodding, suddenly shy. "You're right." she said, giving him an affectionate smile. Her hear was fluttering as she kept his hands in hers. "I'll show you to the door." she declared and just as she said so, the lights came back on with a light clicking sound and a flicker. Not in the room, though, since they hadn't turned the switch coming in, but the light coming from the hallway showed the power was back on. "Oh.." she excalimed. Not sure what to make of that timing.

"Come.." she told him, pulling him along and leading him down the stairs, to the door. It felt a little awkward, watching him put his shoes back on and when he turned around to say goodbye to her afterwards, she reached out, opening the door and holding it open for him: "Good Night." he said and she looked up at him. "Thank you.." she answered and he stepped through the door. She took a deep breath, her free hand holding on to his shoulder. He turned around in surprise and, collecting all her guts, she got on her tip-toes, lightly kissing his cheek. "Good Night." she whispered, blushing. He seemed speechless, nodding, then heading off.

She closed the door behind him, leaning her back against it, heart beating loudly and butterflies in her stomach. A smile on her lips, she stared into space when she heard an unfamiliar sound. A light 'bing' came from her own pocket. She gasped. His phone! She pullid it out, staring at it, diplay alight and showing he had gotten a message from his father. She whirled around, ripping the door open, frantically searching the street, but he was already gone. Instead, her father stood in the drive-way, looking at her as if she had lost it.

She blinked, composing herself and calmly putting Lanns phone back into her pocket. She really couldn't use any questions about it right now, she had no way to believably explain it. "Dad!" she exclaimed instead, smiling at her father, who was coming to the door now. She gave him a hug. "I thought I had heard you.." she added and he laughed, confusing her. "Were you scared?" he asked and it took her a second to determine what he was talking about. Ah. The power outage. Right. She scowled at him. "I was not! I'm not a kid anymore!" of course totally sounding like a kid saying so. Her father chuckled, clearly having made up his mind about her and they went inside together. Bantering as they cooked dinner together, her father apologizing again and again for coming home so late and Emilia telling him not to worry.

About two hours later, she was in her room, face fashed and teeth brushed. She could hear her father downstairs, still watching TV. Soon he'd fall asleep, wake up an hour later and then go to bed, she knew. SHe closed the door behind herself, and proceeded to change into her pyjamas, when something dropped onto her bed as she left her uniform there. She stopped, picking up Lanns phone, and staring at it for a bit, recalling everything that had happened. His hands holding onto her worriedly after the fight, the later again when the power had gone out. The contrast to that firm hold and the gentle one he had used for her head when they'd fallen to the floor and then, the sensation of his lips on her hands. A goofy smile spread on her face. She placed the phone on her bedside table, putting the bandages and disinfectant onto her desk and proceeding to rearrange her bedside table, keeping the vanilla scented candle on it. Even now, when it wasn't lit, she could still smell the hint of vanilla in the air, amking her emember and smile as she climbed into bed. She reached out, taking Lanns phone in hand and holding onto it as she turned off the lights, immediately falling asleep with a smile on her face.

---

She woke up the naxt morning by the beep of her alarm clock, habitually turning it off and sitting up groggily. Her mind empty as she stared on. Then music started to play from somewhere. She blinked, feeling something vibrating in her bed, next to her hip. Ah.., right! she pushed her blanket away, picking Lanns phone up and sliding her finger over the display, stopping the alarm and the unknown song. Lann..

The rest of the morning flew by in a blur. She showered, dried her hair, got dressed, wished her father a good day and put on some light make-up before going down to have breakfast and put her lunch-pack together. All the while she hummed along to a tune in her mind happily. When she was done with breakfast she took a look at her watch and, realized she was a little later than usual, though still well on time. She hurried up-stairs, grabbing her bag and putting Lanns phone inside, which she had kept in her skirt-pocket until then. Then Emilia hurried to put on her shoes, leaving the house with the best mood she'd been in since a seemingly long time.

[VKAllen]

Everything was going to be alright. Nothing terrible has happened and he definitely had taken it on a safe route. He sighed gladly underneath his own layer of cold breath of the night. "You're right." Emilia replied. His eyes turned and saw the sweetly inviting smile that was offered to him as she gazed. Their hands remain to tangle upon one another inseparable. Not that Lann would ever let go anyway. He returned his look to Emilia. "I'll show you to the door." It was good to see that the both of them came to a positive decision and perhaps the safest. It wouldn't be funny if all of a sudden, about four weeks into his new school to find out that Emilia was pregnant. Lann forced a smile and did everything in his power to show her a visible nod... Before the sound of surging electricity was heard downstairs, and light bled from the stairway directly next to her room. "Oh..." Looks like the power had come back, and definitely after this entire situation. Did somebody knew that these things would happen? What if Lann actually decided to go ahead, would the power remain to be off? He set the thoughts aside. "Come."

Lann followed her promptly after as she tugged on to his hand. They had to go through the stairs again but that was okay, the light was on and they were able to clearly see the flight of stairs in front of them and quickly slid along the steps deftly, the cold surface remaining strong as he placed his sock-covered foot on it. The door was close and now he was standing at the exit of Emilia's home, ready to go to the place he calls home-- That messy floor and his unkept bed he belonged it which was completely different from Emilia's neat and tidy demeanor. He looked at the shoe rack and searched for his pair of shoes that obviously stood out from the other shoes that was either leather or girly. He seated himself on the ground to put them on and tied them together as quick as he could but the bandaged hands made the feel a little weird. Once that was ready, he stood up nice and tall to say his good-byes to Emilia who already opened the door for him and staying with her arm preventing it from closing on its own. "Good night, Emi." When she heard her name being called like that, she looks up to Lann cutely.

"Thank you..." Alright, time to ride off in the middle of the night, dark knight. Lann stepped once outside of the door and felt Emilia's hand over his shoulder trying to get his attention. Surprised, he turned around. Smooch! And a kiss to Lann's cheeks from Emilia. Her petite feet tip toeing up to Lann's face and her lips gently met his cheeks. It felt sweet, warm and addicting. Kind of like ice cream. Hot ice cream. Melting ice cream? That's still cold... So perhaps warm melted ice cream? He felt the chemicals punching together inside of his stomach and his face being glazed with a rosey pink hue again. His joints became rigid, he had to walk or turn like a robot as he moved. "Good night." Her whisper reverbed in his mind. Lann gave his nod, but he swore he heard his bones creak when he nodded. Speechless he turned and towards his bike he marched forth, mounting into its seat and ringing the bell before the gates open and he rode off into the distance... Slowly fading...

On the way back... He crossed over the kindergarten that Emilia had mentioned. He stopped his bike and took a good look at it, thinking if he really was there before. It was all a blur, and he couldn't put his tongue on his memories. The name of the kindergarten though... It did sounded familiar. A picture of an image popped in his head, but he knew that picture didn't exist. So why was it in his mind all along? Enough with the dreaming. It's late and Lann's mother is probably worried sick right now. How come the thought of his mother did not appear when he was at Emilia's house? The sound of wheels drifted again as he rode back home fluidly without problems.

Home sweet home. Or would it be so sweet? It's late. And Lann's mother were not informed that he was going to be home at such a late time. What was she going to say? Would she scold him? He parked his bike near the front gate of his home, and quietly walked along the concrete path towards of his home thinking about the events of today and the night. Spending time with Emilia... Around the school, after school and in pitch black darkness. He thought it would all come down to that, but he stopped himself from allowing it to happen. Perhaps it was the best decision he ever made, and the worst too. He was able to experience Emilia on a whole different level on their first day, although it remained funny that he has this feeling that they've known each other. He turned the door knob and sled inside, slamming the door shut. The sound of the television echoed inside as he untied his shoes and socks. He tried to act normal and look over to the open doorway to see mother knitting and listening to whatever was on TV. "Alphonse?" Was her immediate response to the sound of the door slamming shut. That's right...

"No, it's me." The difference of voices in Freyja's ears made her feel a little uneasy and frustrated. The knitting kit she has on her hands ceased as she placed it behind her and standing up, approaching Lann. Yes, she looked angry.

"Where have you been? Don't you realise that it's late?!" Her voice didn't thunder, but it was just enough to assert her worry and her frustration. Lann cringed at Freyja for a moment, sweating as he breathed irregularly thinking over what just happened today for a second time. He can't tell her that, otherwise that would just bring him deeper into trouble. "Answer me Lann! Lann?" He made a sound to signify Freyja that he was still about. She looked directly towards Lann, as if she could properly see his face which was a little creepy at first, seeing how her pupils did not dilate or adjust. Lann sighed. Even though she may be blind, she still has her feelings, ears and mouth to use. He tried to come up with a lie, but crossed his fingers that she would believe it.

"Uhh... You see mum... I saw some more people from Angelo on the way home... They decided to play a prank on me and unattached the front wheel of my bike so I had to run about to try and get them back..." Freyja stooped for a moment at his lie. Although looking at her complexion, it seems as though she already knew the truth.

"No, you're lying to me Lann. How dare you! Your father called me and told me about your new friend! You were hanging out with her weren't you?!" That entire claim made Lann's jaw drop in surprise and his eyes opening so wide that it nearly popped out. What a way to keep a secret, dad! Feeling defeated, he began to explain the entire situation with her. How there was an initial confusion with the tour guide... The story was altered a little by the way, not telling Freyja about the zipper and all, then explained how after school they went on a tour and yada yada yada... Then it was dark and he had to take her home. He dismissed the entire fight-- Which reminded him to lay all of his hands off Freyja in case she would notice that there was bandage wrapped around them. He left the story at that and his mother looked slightly different now. "And it took you that long to take her home?" She asked Lann again. Lann laughed dryly and his mother then hugged him. "I'm glad that you're okay... I was worried that you were hurt." Her hands luckily didn't reach his forearm's. Otherwise, there would be more explaining to do.

"Alright mum. Did you realise that there was a black out earlier?" The black out popped in his mind when he asked. Did mum realise?

"Oh. Is that why the microwave wouldn't work? There was a black out?" What do you mean mum? You can tell if there's a-- Oh wait. Lann shook his head, forgetting the fact that his mother was blind. He facepalmed himself so hard, he thought his palm might just go through his face.

"Yeah, that's probably why." He said as he released his palm. "I'm going to eat dinner before showering and heading off for tonight. Can you please keep my late arrival a secret to dad??" Before he was going leave, Freyja cut him off.

"No! Alphonse will hear about it." Lann began to groan over it as he lugged away. Freyja giggled. "I'll just say that some things happened." He groaned even more before deciding to just forget about it and face it when he gets home-- if he brought it up. He arrived at the kitchen, the food table being empty. Yeah, he needed to cook for himself if he wanted to eat. So he went on to the frozen fridge and defrosted one burger patty and prepared himself a swiss-cheese beef burger for him to eat and some water. Then came the shower, where he thought over the moments that they had during the black out how it felt so surreal and dreamy. Perhaps it was a good memory to keep betweem Lann and Emilia. He smiled in the shower as he stopped the water flow and dried himself with a towel and put on a white tank top and boxers before moving to his room and tip toeing over his messy stuff to his unkept bed. Something felt like it was missing, but Lann didn't give a damn about it, enveloping inside his warm blanket falling asleep like a log when he hit the sheets.

--The next morning--

"Lann! What are you doing? Wake up!" Alphonse yelled.

"Wha wha wha?! I'm awake!" He jumped form his bed and looked around as his father stood by the door angered.

"Do you know what time it is?! It's 9:30 am! You're already late for school!" Lann's head was numb, unable to think as he reached the level, panic.

"Oh shit! What the hell, didn't my phone go off?!" He tried to look for his phone, below his bed and over at his desk. It wasn't there. He got up and began to look everywhere for his phone, including underneath the mess that he has all over the floor-- It could not be found. He continued to panic and it felt impossible for him to calm down and think where it might be. deciding to just let the fact go that he lost his phone, he quickly ran for the shower. In literally under five minutes he emerged dry clean and got himself dressed before packing his bag and running straight for the door-- Not even bothering to address to Alphonse or Freyja on that matter as he rode off to school. "Shit shit shit shit! My second day and I'm already VERY late!" He said as the wind rushed against his face. He went on full speed, near-missing everything in his path as he blasted through the road and into the front yard of Hill View High School. Since he didn't have a watch or his phone, he looked at the clock by the entrance, and it was 10:20 AM. Wow. He was VERY late.

He didn't think anymore and rushed for Mr. Collin's class on the second floor. The hallway was dead empty and students kept looking at him when he went past their classes. Way to make yourself look like an idiot, Lann! Finally, there was the door to his classroom. He went on full speed and opened the door to the classroom, huffing exhausted even though he was already late for more than an hour. Mr. Collins fixed his glasses as the everyone looked at him and laughed. "Mr. Langley. You're awfully early today." He said and the crowd just laughed even louder. Sirius at the back was laughing, Kat was laughing. Daniel was laughing. He looked at Emilia however, and found her to be giggling. At least that's better than a full blown laugh. It still embarrassed him.

"Sorry Mr. Collins. Looks like the boogie man's at it again." They continued to laugh as Lann hurriedly sat down and took his seat. The people around him started calling him names about how late he was and what not.

"Alright boys and girls, that's enough! Back to your books everyone." The teacher's voice hushed the students quickly before he continued his subject. "Back to the mixing of sodium and chloride ..." Mr. Collins went on and on about science and Lann looked confused at what they were talking about until Mr. Collins turned back to Lann. "Oh yes, page 163 on your text book Mr. Langley. The rest you can read on the board."

[Rhapsody]

Arriving at school, Emilia had entered the yard, keeping an eye out for Lann all the time, while meeting up with Kat and Daniel and heading inside. She hadn't seen him anywhere outside and she was pretty sure, or at least hoped, that he was going to look for her as well. So she thought, maybe he would be inside already. He wasn't. And he didn't get there before class started either. It was possible he had overslept because she still had his phone, which had had an alarm set, but her mind found the possibility of something having happened to him, probably on his way hom from her house yesterday evening, way more interesting. Resulting in her having trouble properly concentrating during their science lesson because she was worried about him.

She made notes as best as she could, getting the gist of what Mr.Collins was talking about, but otherwise not managing to memorize much of it. Over an hour went by until running footsteps could be heard in the hallway and the door opened suddenly, revealing Lann completly out of breath and huffing in exhaustion. The whole class was silent for a few seconds, then broke out laughing. "Mr.Langley. You're awfully early today." Mr.Collins mocked dryly, making everyone only laugh harder. That last comment had her giggling a little as well, now that she was relieved, knowing he was fine. She noticed him looking and gave a slight wave of her hand. He seemed plenty embarrassed and it made her feel a little sorry for him. It seemed he had simply overslept and the thought of that made her feel guilty, because she was the one that had forgotten to give him back his phone. She wanted to speack up and explaing that it was her fault, not Lanns, but explaining the situation would turn out badly for sure.

"Sorry Mr.Collins. Looks like the boogie man's at it again." Lann answered and hurriedly sat down, not noticing the raised eyebrow and generally annoyed look he earned from the teacher, instead being teased by some of the other students. Emilia scowled, but knew those kinds of things would be forgotten in a few weeks at most. "Alright boys and girls, that's enough! Back to your books everyone." the teacher's voice cut in, hushing the students. He went on with his lesson, then stopped and looked at Lann, explaining: "Oh yes, page 163 on your text book Mr.Langley. The rest you can read on the board."

Unfortunately, now that Lann had arrived safe and sound, Emilia couldn't concentrate any better. Her mind was replaying the scenes from the former evening again and she had to force herself to keep from glancing back at him all the time. Mr.Collins seemed to notice her being distracted, and had some fun with asking her questions here and there, which she could answer mostly, though it took her a second to put her answer together coherently every time. Noone else seemed to think much of it, but as soon as the lessong was over, Kat tapped her shoulder.

Emilia turned around, looking questioningly at her friend, who seemed a little worried. "You're acting weird, is something up?" Kat asked, probably thinking af the time of her parents divorce, when Emilia had been inattentive and restless, closing herself off a little. It had been easily resolved back then, by spending less time at home and more time at Kat's or Daniel's house. She had even slep over at theirs a lot back then. Now, Emilia gave a reassuring smile and shook her head. "I just didn't sleep well." she told her, and then proceeded to change topics. "Did you notice the power outage yesterday evening?.." she started, getting into conversation with Kat until the short break was over and the next lesson started out. After which she would finally have the time to seek Lanns company, and give his phone back.

[VKAllen]

The laughs and names didn't stop. To Lann, such name calling and insults were the bread and butter of his old school so he mostly ignored them and prepared for the lesson at hand as instructed on the white board. Page 163 of the Science text book, it detailed the chemical structure of everyday things like table salt. He had his pen ready in hand, prepared to do any work that he needed to catch up but found himself hung up over the vivid memories of the black out night yesterday. He thought flowers were going to grow on his head when he smiled and giggled on his own before writing down notes on his book, as much of it as possible about Science. He wondered what it would be like today. The lesson went on and Sirius behind him watched Lann's flowery vibes around him and gave him a quirk of his brow, confused on what the hell was happening.

Mr. Collins seems to be at it with Emilia today. Everytime he poses a question to the classroom, he was determined to narrow it down to Emilia. It annoyed Lann to see him being such a jerk about it and he seems to do it often-- Judging from the way he acted on his first day too. The other students didn't seem to realise this pattern. Or were they used to it? Lann shook his head before eyeing at Mr. Collins and kept on writing the notes down whenever he needed them. Minutes flew by and the church bell echoed into the classrooms again and he wrapped up the current lesson. Lann made his final notes before closing his science books and prepared himself for the next lesson. "Hey, you sure was Lanning-Late!" Sirius joked and laughed before ruffling Lann's hair. He only gave it a defeated grin.

"What the hell happened to you? Did you forget your underwear or something?" Daniel seemed keen to want to know what happened when he turned around his seat to look at Lann's defeated grin. "Yeah, you look like you're half-asleep. Go ahead and have nap! Haha!" Everybody seemed to enjoy their little break and Lann was coping with their comments well. He was still upset though by the fact that he lost his phone.

"Ahh... Well I couldn't find my phone and it was my alarm for school. I wonder where I dropped it. Couldn't find it anywhere in my house." He tried to think a little clearer inside his own mind but it all came down to the night he spent with Emilia. Even though there was no aromatic candle, his nose could vividly remember the smell of the vanilla. He also remembered the butterflies he felt when their fingers intertwined with one another and how they spent it inside Emilia's home and Emilia's room; and then the kiss. If people knew about it, rumours were certainly going to spread and become viral quickly. "Oh... I think I remember..." That was when Lann looked at Emilia, busy chatting with Kat.

"Better go look for it before somebody overuses your credit." Lann knew that Sirius just wanted to show that he cared a little, but he undermined the statement.

"Don't worry. I know for a fact that they wouldn't spend a cent on it making prank calls or messages. I'll bet anything on it." Sirius seemed entertained by Lann's determination that he had to make jokes and comments about it. He didn't know, but Lann had an who would have it. Mr. Collins demanded their attention again and all of the students turned around, expecting the next lesson to start before he assigned everybody to turn to a specific chapter of their history text book and picked a random female to read the section out. Lann was able to focus this time, equipping his hands with an uncapped bright yellow highlighter ready to work.

And the boring history lesson was over. The church bell echoed several times to signify the morning break for students. Mr. Collins seemed to have finished a little earlier than normal and the class was rowdier than normal. As soon as they heard the scream of the holy bell, they took whatever they needed on their tables and made their way out. Lann, in his struggle to get to school today did not bring any food or water with him. He realised that when he opened his backpack that was only filled with books and papers. "Forgot something else Lanny?" Daniel's irritating voice entered Lann's bored out of its mind ear. His shoulders sagged with another defeated sigh.

"I'll be alright." He carried his weight with him as Sirius and Daniel joined Lann to pick up Kat and Emilia.

"So! Are we going to ditch Daniel again today with his swimming buddies?!" He said specifically to Kat, wanting to start another argument with Kat. Sirius interjected.

"Come on dude, must we do this again?" Lann remained speechless as he waited for them.

[Rhapsody]

In the chaos of the start of the break, Emilia sighed with relief. She wasn't used to being unable to concentrate like that not even when she was tired. She hoped the notes she made were coherent enough to help her repeat everthing when she got home. She grabbed her water and lunch, holding the water bottle to her body with her arm while her hand carried the bag and got up, her free head pulling Lann's phone out of her skirtpocket.

She had heard the guys coming over, started quarreling as soon as they arrived and of course pulling Kat into it. Emilia stepped towards them, only granting them a grin and an eye-roll at the suggestion to leave Daniel behind again like the day before and then turned to Lann, who was waiting without saying anything. She held out his phone. "I am so sorry! When I realized I still had it you were already gone." she apologized earnestly, giving Lann her best puppy eyes and biting her lip.

"Wait,.." Sirius exclaimed, his attention now focused on them. "So it's Emilia's fault that you were late!" Emilia glared at him. "I never meant to.." she was cut off by Daniel looking at them suspiciously. "Why do you even have his phone?" he asked, focusing all of Sirius and Kat's attention on her as well. She swallowed. There was no way she would tell these gossipers anything about what had happened yesterday evening. Kat, maybe, but only when they were alone and she had sworn not to spill the beans to anyone. She smiled innocently. "He lend it to me." she answered, using a tone of voice that said: 'Isn't that obvious?' and raising an eyebrow at Daniel.

Daniel sighed and reached out to ruffle her hair, purposefully to annoy her for giving him such an answer. "Shall we go?" she asked casually, turning around and throwing Lann a wink when she could be sure the other three wouldn't notice. He took the phone and they left the classroom first, the other three starting to quarrel again as they followed.

[VKAllen]

Kat and Daniel were at it again when they meet up with the girls. Lann stood back behind them as they made one hell of a noise inside the classroom that even Mr. Collins had to look up to them and back down to his work. These two were just as bad as Sirius and Kat together. Well, all three combined was definitely a bad idea. 'Yeah let's go and ditch Daniel' as Kat says and Sirius tries to calm them down. Daniel wouldn't give in to it so he kept having a go. Lann is officially staying out of this. Even Emilia stayed out of it. Her eyes rolled with her grin and approached to Lann nearby and offered him something in her free hand. "I am so sorry! When I realised I still had it you were already gone." She cried out in apology as sincerely as she could. Her eyes wanted to pierce Lann's heart by looking as puppy cute as possible with the quivered bitten lip to accentuate her struggle. Lan giggled and smiled at Emilia.

Apparently Sirius heard what Emilia said and interrupted her there. "So it's Emilia's fault that you were late!" Sirius pointed at Lann with his index finger. Kat and Daniel's attention was caught, turning their eyes onto Lann and Emilia while glaring at Sirius. Emilia tried to defend herself from Sirius but Daniel butted right in into the conversation, pushing the matter deeper that gotten both Lann and Emilia on edge. He said clearly;

"Why do you even have his phone?" With that, Sirius, Daniel and Kat had their eys on Emilia. Lann immediately felt as though he was at fault. Why did she need to take the blame for it? But... That also leaves the question, would she tell them what really happened? How were they supposed to act? They'll look at Emilia as an entirely different person! Lann contemplated to do something so that he could divert their attention, but he doesn't know what. He looked around trying to find an answer. When his eye was looking towards Emilia, she had a seemingly pure smile on her face and took Lan by surprise.

"He lent it to me." It sounded like she just challenged Daniel into an argument. Lann watched Daniel from behind, crossing his fingers that he wouldn't press the matter even deeper. A sigh followed. Then Daniel's hand raised itself into the air and began to ruffle Emilia's hair. Looks like Daniel lost. Of course, even if Daniel would ask if Lann did lent his phone to Emilia he would nod as convincingly not suspicious possible, with a dry smile and perhaps a cold sweat. Either way, Emilia took lead of the group as she said; "Shall we go?" She turned to Lann and winked. All of a sudden, Lann didn't feel hungry anymore when he saw her wink her eyes at him. Butterflies fluttered and he was pink. Lann grabbed her palm where his phone was and placed it inside his own pocket and left the classroom before Sirius, Daniel and Kat began to chat behind them.

Lann and Emilia first turned the corner and when they did, he stopped Emilia for a moment and fixed Emilia's ruffled hair as a sign of thank you for the phone before smiling again. His hands were still wrapped from the bandage last night that clearly reminded them of the messy romance that they experienced yesterday. The two gazed at each other closely until Sirius's voice could be heard near the turning corner. Lann let go of his hands from Emilia so that they wouldn't get the wrong idea and followed with the rest of the group down the stairs and through to the backyard of the school where the large stone was. It felt familiar now and he automatically side step along the massive rock before looking towards the table where that other girl was at. She wasn't there, neither was her friends that were with her. Perhaps they were away or something?

He tried to not make it as obvious as possible that he was attempting to look for her. The group's arrival at their hang out spot was introduced with a surprise. The blonde girl was sitting with two of her friends at their hang out area as if they've claimed it as their own. Kat was the first to voice her surprise, followed by none other than Daniel-- Although he was more like trying to get Kat to calm down because it was Ebony that sat there. Sirius seemed to be content staying back at this encounter and Lann wasn't sure what to make of it. "What the hell?! What are you doing here Ebony? This is our spot!" Kat furiously yelled at them.

"Geez Kat calm down! We technically don't own the place..." Kat glared at Daniel and they began to start another argument. Lann could only look at the blonde, learning of her name from Kat.

"Oh geez, you two just ruin the peaceful view of the hill with your voices. Can't you just settle down and sit somewhere across or something? We're the first ones to be here after all..." Ebony looked up and saw Lann standing and looking at her. "Oh, hello there. Are you that new student who came in yesterday?" Her voice sounded so feminine that it could just about melt any man's ear. It was alluring. Lann could only give a nervous nod but Ebony seems to want to check him out a little more. She stood and dusted her short skirts off from dust particles before putting her eyes all over Lann. He felt as though he needed to step back a little. "You're quite the attractive one. Strong shoulders and solid chest. Although I can't help but wonder why you're hands are patched up so horribly. Maybe its because you were from Angelo Highschool?"

"Give it a rest Ebony... Something came up on my way home yesterday." Lann stuck to his group of friends seeking shelter.

"Hmm... Interesting. What's your name, honey?" Ebony had a charming smile on her face. Lann could only cringe at what he had heard.

[Rhapsody]

As they rounded the corner after having left the classroom, Lann stopped her, reaching up to fix her hair. She blushed at the cute gesture and smiled back at him. Her eyes fell onto his hands, still wrapped in the bandages she had put on them yesterday, since they were messy and deranged. She laughed. "Maybe you should get them changed?" she suggested. They stood there, gazing at each other until Sirius voice cut in the moment, separating them just in time to step away from each other and head on as the other three rounded the corner. They went on, heading trough the yard and around the building to the back. Emilia noticed Lann looking around, not liking that thought that he might be searching fro Ebony, who he'd been staring after the day before. She scowled. It only got worse when they arrived at their usual place and there she was. Ebony sitting there with some of her friends. "What the hell?! What are you doing here Ebony? This is our spot!" Kat duriosuly yelled, Daniel barely able to keep her in line.

"Oh geez, you two just ruin the peaceful view of the hill with you voices. Can't you just settle down and sit somewhere across or something? We're the first ones to be here after all.." Emilia had to admit none of them could say anything against that and was already about to suggest they find somewhere else to go, when she noticed the way EBony was eyeing Lann. She scowled. "Oh hello there. Are you that new student who came in yesterday?" Her voice had a tone she could not stand. Emilias scowl got harder. She was glaring daggers at Ebony as the girl got up, dusting her skirt off, which was way shorter that allowed before looking at Lann. Who, Emilia noticed with a glance at him, seemed uncomfortable at such attention. "You're quite the attractive one. Strong shoulder and solid chest. Although I can't help but wonedr why your hands are patched up so horribly. Maybe it's because you were from Angelo HighSchool?" she asked, making Emilia grit her teeth, her fingers twitchng to grab Lanns hand, to show he was.. What? Yours? You met him only yesterday! she shut the voice in her mind out. And fortunately, Lann was taking it calmly, explaining: "Give it a rest Ebony... Something came up on my way home yesterday.

"hmm..Interestin. What's you name, honey?" Ebony asked with a charming smile on her face. That was the bit she had needed to make Emilias self-control snap. "Not you business." she told Ebony off, grabbed Lanns hand and turned around, pulling him with her, sure the others would follow them. She heard Ebony laugh behind them calling something after them, she could not make out. She walke don sternly heading out of sight of that woman and then onto the grass, only stopping when they had reached a bench unedr one of the trees.

She halted and snapped back out of it. Four pairs of eyes were staring at her when she turned to face them. Her hand was still clutching Lanns. She cleared her throat, face burning at the realization of what she actually done. "I...I just don't like her." she excused herself quite badly. It was obvious noone was believing that kind of excuse. Even more so when they noticed her still holding onto Lanns hand. Her face grew even brighter. "Let's eat." she said, irritated and sat down on the bench, letting go of Lanns hand trying to ignore their shocked stares as she pulled out an apple and bit into it. She was aware just how much out of character she had just acted, but she didn't exactly regret it.

[VKAllen]

He cringed at Ebony's eagerness to make a move, directly in front of Emilia's face at it too. The smile that she put up seemed to have challenged her to see who was prettier. "Does that mean Ebony has been watching the both of us after all this time?" Lann had his attention to Emilia. Behind her closed lips Lann felt her annoyance. The eyes that wanted to penetrate straight into her heart when Ebony stared just as sharp as Emilia with a 'winning' smirk.

"Not your business." It was cold and direct. Lann blushed when Emilia boldly took his hand and guiding him away from Ebony, clearly wanting to show her dominance but Ebony laughed at her as if she was the one who won. In truth, Lann believed that Emilia was the winner from the very beginning. However... Her decisions... When their hands met, her entire group moved away from Ebony and able to see Emilia taking Lann's hand personally to another area around the backyard where Ebony couldn't see. It was a bench underneath a graceful old oak tree.

Her sudden halt made everybody stop, including Kat and Daniel whom had their eyes set on Emilia because her hands clutched on Lann. She cleared her throat again, Lann being able to tell that she was trying to come up with a reason behind her actions and the burning cheeks that she was experiencing. Everybody wanted a reason for her actions. The gulp of saliva could be heard. "I... I just don't like her." Was the excuse she could give to her friends but it raised a whole lot of questions. Lann's hand and Emilia's hand were still together. The two had their faces lit up like a christmas tree in the group. "Let's eat." She commanded them all and sat down with a loud thud before breaking away from Lann and everybody sort of looked at each other and just sat down on the bench and ate. Lann wasn't sure of what to do, since they were all eating their food and he didn't have anything and was standing about around them, casually looking around the area surrounding the oak tree.

"So... Has that got anything to do with Lann arriving late?" Daniel asked. Kat glared at him for asking a question like that. Even Kat knew her boundaries when they were talking in public. Lann was zoning himself out from the frame of the group of friends. His hand was in his pockets and sat down on the grass looking out towards a different view of the hillside. Something about it looked just good. Mhm. There was no telling about that. Or, it was a sign that he was actually hungry and was shy to ask for any. He sat solitarily.

"Lann, why are you sitting there by yourself?" Sirius wanted to still include Lann to the part of the group, even though at the moment none of them really wanted to say anything to one another.

"Oh. I thought... Since i had nothing..." Lann stuttered but Sirius just waved his hand vigirously at him.

"Bah don't worry about it. Just come." He sighed and joined to sit on the bench.

[Rhapsody]

Absolutely uncomfortable, Emilia ignored Daniel question, instead focusing all her attention on the apple. She couldn't explain to herself why she ahd snapped like that. She didn't like Ebony much, that mwas true, but the two of them had barely ever exchanged a word. And now that she had time to think properly, she realized Lann had not even answered to any of her advances. She sighed quietly and glanced at Lann, who seemed to not know what to do with himself. The whole group was silent now, obviously not knowing how to handle the situation and Emilia felt guilty for ruining their break like that and making Lann awkward.

"Lann, why are you sitting there by yourself?" Sirius asked and she watched, a smile slowly forming on her face as Sirius had Lann come over to sit with them, including him into the group. She noticed Lann hadn't brought anything and scowled. Then remembered he'd been over an hour late so, maybe... "Here." she pulled her half of the sandwich from her bag, offering it to him. "I bet you had no time to eat this morning." she added gently. She was not going to accept a rejection. It was her fault and, for once she did already have a proper breakfast.

"So, isn't that tournament coming up soon Kat?" she asked her friend, desperately trying to get them all to think about something else. It worked. In a matter of c´seconds get was going on and on about soccer, explaining a few details to Lann when she thought it necessary and apparently motivatng Daniel to start talking about his sports club and the upcoming tournaments as well. Emilia felt relieved and looked at Lann, giving him a smile, before listening to the two of them walk again. She remembered how she talked with Lann yesterday about clubs and that she was searching for one to join, but was not sure what she'd like to do. Maybe not joining would be fine after all, if that meant she'd get to spent time with Lann, who already seemed so strangely familiar.

[VKAllen]

"Alright... He lent it to you. No need to ignore me!" Daniel unwrapped his lunch and began eating out of spite, from where Lann could see. It appears that their first encounter with one another gotten slightly out of hand. Should there really be any reason for Ebony to act in such a way for the very first time they meet? Perhaps she just as nervous to greet a guy as he was when he arrived here. There really was no need to discern dominance... Or were girls always like that? Competitive and possessive when it comes to a man? Lann continued to speculate with a confused mind. Nobody had spoken a single syllable. Silence befall the group when he sat down. Kat, Sirius and Daniel kept eyeing one another but Emilia seemed distracted at the fact that everybody was eating, but not Lann. He tried to just look a way as if he didn't mind, Emilia insisted as she offered Lann half of her handmade sandwich.

"Here. I bet you have no time to eat this morning." Lann's heart fluttered at Emilia's kind offer, although he was embarrassed at the same time. A youngster like himself forgetting to wake up and eat breakfast before school... It was a funny joke that ran through his mind. Her eyes was determined and Lann was sure that she'll just throw the sandwich at him if he had rejected her sandwich. So he brought his hand, grabbing her hand at first before moving down to take the sandwich. His stomach growled upon feeling the texture of the bread, making his instincts even sharper when he unwrapped it and took a big bite out of it. It was delicious, he didn't believe that the sandwich could taste so incredible. What was in it? It was meat and some greens yet it tasted just right. Was that the power of an empty stomach? He couldn't hold it back anymore and continued eating the sandwich ruthlessly. Sirius's face was nervous looking at how Lann was eating before he continued eating his own sandwich, not believing what he just saw.

'Your sandwich is super delicious!' the thought rung in Lann's mind nearly had let itself out but it was interrupted by her attempt to make the entire group talking again. "So, isn't that tournament coming up soon Kat?" That seemed to have done the trick. The coin that the girl had inserted to the machine sprung to life and began to move. Kat began to talk about her soccer life at school and explaining Lann about what's happening at the same time. He was surprised that everybody started to join into the conversation, but nodded to acknowledge Kat to say that he understood. Daniel began to talk about his tournament that his club is currently having and now the buzz was on inside the group again. Lann had a grin over his face and joined into the conversation seemingly interested, and noticed that Emilia was happy with her smile to hear Kat and Daniel having a go at each other again. Their entire talk about clubs made him feel slightly left out, seeing how he isn't part of one.

Their discussion of who's going to win in the tournament, or who will swim the fastest in the swimming tournament and all the like carried on until break was finished. Sirius spent most of his time dreading over the bell before he took off first on his own. What was wrong with Sirius? He wanted to ask why he was leaving on his own, but didn't want to bring up whatever he was dreading over so Lann yelled out; "Hey Sirius! Not coming with us?" It seems like it worked.

"No, there's something I gotta do. Student Council stuff and their events. Just like what Kat and Daniel are talking about." With that he continued walking, feeling as though what he said had justified the reason why he had to go. Lann watched him walk away before looking at Emilia slightly confused at the entire situation.

"Sirius is part of the Student Council?" Being new kind of sucked. It means that you know nothing of the people you hang about with until they tell you or reveal parts of them that is personal. Like Kat and Daniel, although surprisingly not Emilia. There was always a haunting vibe around Lann whenever he would spend time with Emilia and it always feel like they've done things together and always with one another. Since the bell had already rung, the group was preparing themselves to return to class. Daniel answered Lann's question, and informed Lann that Sirius was an advisory member of the Student Council.

"Basically, he ultimately has the Council President's ear. Whatever he says to them will be heard and considered. It weighs more than a collective of students here." Something new everyday. No wonder Mr. Collins wanted Sirius to be the tour guide for Lann yesterday. He was the type of guy who was quite decisive and clever. Although he rarely had yet seen it yesterday. He thought Sirius was just the kind of guy who didn't give a damn. Kat and Daniel hurried Emilia to go with them and Lann followed behind Emilia. He wondered then about what kind of person the Student Council President might be. Were they a boy or a girl? Were they popular along here or not? He'd imagine that they would be a charismatic young person who loves to socialise with others, taking care of other's needs before themselves. Somewhat inside of him warned him that not all people are as kind-hearted as he thinks. An example of last night's fight would be a good indicator. Lann shrugged out of thin air before they took the stairs up and back to Mr. Collin's class.

The class went on and it felt a little bit more boring than yesterday. Sirius wasn't in class for the rest of the day so the seat behind Lann remained empty. Mr. Collins wrote equations on the whiteboard and pointed at somebody to help him answer his question, at which they failed miserably and Mr. Collins glared at them before explaining in more detail of the equation. Perhaps Mathematics was the reason why class felt so boring and so distasteful. Nobody liked maths and Lann can't imagine himself doing all kinds of equations in the near future. He wouldn't want to study in senior school so he'd probably just pour half of his heart into mathematics during exams week or something and pray that he will pass the subject. Daniel seems to be struggling to understand the math equation written on the board but Lann had it figured out already. He tapped onto his shoulder and passed his notes to Daniel that had annotated detail about the equation before he steadfastly returned it with a thumbs up. he saw his pen sliding a little easier now and smiled. He stared at the ceiling for the rest of the lesson, wondering how Emilia was holding up with today's mathematic problems.

The end of the day came with a loud bang again. Mr. Collins yawned and the rest of the class gave in a silent murmur before packing their bags and begin to leave the classroom. The entire atmosphere was slightly depressing, perhaps the lessons were a little rough on them today. He saw students leaving the door dreading about homework. Yes, there was quite a bit of homework but he was confident that he'll be able to finish it. Out of habit he looks at Emilia, wondering how she'll hold up with her homework and if she needed any help. Lann packed his own bag and strapped it along his shoulders before standing. "Thanks for the help today, Lann. That was cool of you. I'll see you tomorrow!" The appreciative tone that the blonde boy had satisfied Lann and returned it in a form of a smile. "Come on Kat! You can call me now if you need help with that Mathematics stuff!" He ruffled her hair on his way down. Looks like he had a thing with messing people's hair. Kat was shouting at Daniel again telling him how he was an idiot and all. There was a giggle.

[Rhapsody]

It occupied Emilias mind for a while to see Sirius act so strangely before heading for his student council duties. He had almost seemed to be in a hurry to get away from them. Or one of them? She had never managed to figure him out completly. He was open and out-going on the outside, quarreling with Kat and Daniel and sometimes with Emilia as well and overprotective of his little sister, but sometimes Emilia had the feeling there was something he wasn't telling them, or her at least. She left it to Daniel, to explain Sirius' position to Lann, musing over her thoughts until it was time to get back to class.

Her back wandered over to Lann a few times until the next lesson started, during which it would've been too obvious to do. School would be over soon and she wondered what they'd do afterwards. Or if he wanted to spend some mor time with her. Kat and Daniel would have training again, since the tournaments would come up soon and Sirius had his student council duties to take care of.

It was easier now for some reason, to concentrate on the lesson, which as good, since math was one of those things where you had to keep close attention to get anything. She diligently took notes, adding little comments to examples and noting down the pages Mr.Collins mentiones as good study-material. It wasn't like she was some kind of model-student, but she always made sure to get good grades, not only so that her father wouldn't have to worry. Once it was time to choose a university to attend, she wanted to have open options for whatever she intended to do with her life then, even if she didn't know what that would be yet.

The bell rang and it seemed like the whole class sighed in unison, finally free of the heavy thinking and hard questions to solve. The homework Mr.Collins had given was more than usual, but nothing impossible and as far as she could tell, the questions were quite similar, mostly intended to help with memorizing the way of solving their kind properly. As she packed up her things, she already heard her friends voices from behind her and her ears perked up by the mention of Lanns name. She put on her jacket and slung her bag over her shoulder turning around as she heard Daniel say thank Lann for helping him and then turning to tease Kat. "Come on Kat! You can call me now if you need help with mathematics stuff!" he told her, grinning stupidly and ruffling Kats hair the way he always did with Emilias as well. She giggled at the statement. Daniel had never been one to put much effort into math and had never been too fond of it either.

Her giggle caught Daniels attention and he turned to her, raising his eyebrows and pouting, as if angry and hurt at her reaction. "What? You whink I can't do it? You think I'm too stupid for that?" he made a funny noise that was probably supposed to be moping, but couldn't get it right, making her laugh even more. A sly grin spread on his face and she quickly took a few steps away, putting a desk between him and herself as his hand reached for her hair. "Sais the one who needed me to tutor him last year to get through the math exams." she teased him, then stepped to the side again when he tried to catch her, coming around the desk. She ran as he caught up, and, without thinking much about it, hid behind Lann to escape Daniel. "Don't you have to go?" she asked, laughin as she peeked over Lanns shoulder at Daniel.

[VKAllen]

And there it goes with Daniel and Kat again, having a go at each other. Somehow after hanging out with them for a full day yesterday taught his mind to completely accept their arguments as a normally-functioning behaviour between their relationship. He was worried if they really did stop speaking to each other, that would mean that one of them was in conflict with someone or one another. Seeing them two fight felt so nostalgic, remembering a time where there too used to be two people, a boy and a girl fighting when little Lann was sitting in the corner by himself, reading a picture book. He couldn't remember their faces. There was also another one who approached him and was curious of what he was reading until the memory faded.

Daniel looked as though he was insulted by Kat's patronising giggle and probably enjoyed the fact that Kat at least showed some sign of care to him. "Pfft!" She then laughed at Daniel's attempt to mope, which Lann chuckled mid-breath causing him to choke and cough a little. It felt better almost immediately. Kat positioned a desk between herself and Daniel as if she had planned something out and sure enough, she played her cards down that caught Daniel by surprise. "Says the one who needed me to tutor him last year to get through the math exams." Lann and Emilia grinned, but the fact that Daniel reacted made them laugh.

"C'mere you little...!" He wanted to grab her and probably choke her out of spite again, but it wouldn't happen. No way that Daniel would hurt a person, especially Kat. He tried to catch her but Kat's slender and athletic body slip past to the other side of the table and dashed quickly to hide behind Lann, where he was actually surprised that Kat was running and sought shelter behind Lann. Her actions made him think. For only two days, Kat had somewhat placed trust into Lann. Although he doesn't know what's gotten into her to feel in such a way, it does make Lann feel as though he was accepted within the group. Kat was latching onto him firmly, told from the grip that she had on his shirt. "So now you're sucking up to Lann about it. Very cute Katherine, very cute." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice, does Daniel like Kat's attention?

"Don't you have to go?!" She pouted, but laughed afterwards as she peeked over Lann's shoulder to Daniel. "You have swimming practice, go on, shoo! Go and swim with your other buddies!" It wasn't going well with Daniel but he didn't want to ruin the fun for Kat teasing him about either. Lann needed to do something so that at least Daniel doesn't feel like he was being left out because he believes that Lann is supporting Kat. So he told to Kat;

"You know, I can always hand you over to Daniel. He'll take good care of you..." Lann turned around and tried to snatch Kat behind him, but like he speculated earlier she was quick and easily slid underneath Lann's attempt and ran towards the desk next to Lann. "Oh, damn it!" Kat stuck her tongue out to both Daniel and Lann, but Daniel was the one who wanted to take it to the next level. He rushed for Kat and Kat easily outran Daniel from the row of desks. A lot of growling and yelling followed as they played Cops and Robbers. It was a good time to head over to Emilia with a chair and sat beside her, wandering what fun that they could do after school. Should they just walk about the market together or something? "Have any plans besides homework today, Emi?" He sweetly said to her. "I was thinking maybe we should just hang around the market a little before I walk you home again." He twiddled his thumb a little, obviously nervous that he is trying to get close with Emilia.

Daniel's voice and Kat's voice faded in the distance as Kat escaped through the exit door. Daniel quickly ran after her and was nowhere to be seen again, leaving Emilia and Lann on their own in their classroom. You couldn't hear any other thing besides silence. "Or maybe we should do our homework together right now? Then we'll have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves! What do you think?" He hoped that she would like his ideas, although listening to Emilia's idea wouldn't be bad either. She could have something more interesting in mind and Lann just didn't know it. He gazed at Emilia, her glowing eyes and flawless skin mesmerizing him as he looked.

[Rhapsody]

Emilia watched the whole scene with a big smile on her face. The picture of Kat including Lann in her quarreling with Daniel seemed jsut so right and somehow familiar. It took a while but the Kat ran out into the hallway, Daniel chasing after her. Her eyes wandered to Lann, who was now stepped towards her, pulling a chari closer and sitting down next to her. She smiled at him, butterflies awakening in her stomach and making ehr blush a little. "HAve any plans besides homework today, Emi?" he asked and she shook her head. "I was thinking maybe we should just hang out around the market a little before I walk you home again." he went on, making her smile weetly at him. For a moment she was simply relieved that nothing seemed to have changed on his side, sicne yesterday evening.

Their friends voices faded from the allway and silence descended upon them. Not the awkward kind that made you desperatly search for a topic, but the comfortable kind that needed no words."Or maybe we should so our homework together right now? Then we'll have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves! What do you think?" he asked her and she nodded, enthusiastically. His gaze made her blush as she answered him. "Theres that great cafe by the market place, I go there sometimes to do my homework with Kat. The owner is a friend of her parents, she's really nice. How about it? Afterwards we would be right beside the market." she suggested, getting up and, thingking for a second about reaching for his hand, then stopped herself. One after the other, Emilia. Take you rimte! her mind whispered to her and she knew it was right. Maybe later, they would hold hands, but after yeterday it was clear they needed to slow down a little.

[VKAllen]

Lann had started to love seeing Emilia jumping within excitement as she nodded. Her warm and fastening shade of red by her cheeks was also slowly turning itself into an addicting drug. The decision was decided then that they were going to do their homework first before spending some quality time together by the market when Emilia said "There's that great cafe by the market place!" Lann nodded, showing interest in the cafe as Emilia continued. "I go there sometimes to do my homework with Kat. The owner is a friend of her parents, she's really nice. How about it? Afterwards we would be right beside the market!"

"That sounds like an incredible idea! Go for a mug of coffee while we do our homework, I'm all-in for it!" This time would allow Lann to just be a little bit more open with Emilia with how he feels around her and also a time where he could show himself off a little bit when he is required to. Something to keep her on her toes is more like it, than bragging. He was up as soon as Emilia stood and they made their way out of school. He stopped Emilia mid-way to get his bike before following Emilia again down the street close to the marketplace was. The cafe was quite the unexpected. Most of the furnitures were made our of wood and it had the vintage feel around it. Lann smiled at Emilia upon sight of the cafe named Timeless Rivière, but the first 'I' in Rivière was an exclamation mark. He parked the bike somewhere safe and made sure that he chained it before joining Emilia into the cafe, greeted by a young lady professionally dressed in their barista attire. She wore a sort of bandana around her head and the hair was tied back.

"Welcome to Timeless R!vière! How can I help you to--- Oh my! Hello there Emilia. How are you?!" The girl seemed to be well acquainted to Emilia and gave her a little wave before shouting at the back to somebody. "Hey Jimmy! Emilia's here!" The so called 'Jimmy' at the back peeked out from the door before grinning and waving with his free hand. From a far he could tell that Jimmy was of asian descent, given the slightly pale skin, jet black short-cut hair and onyx eyes. The girl in front of them though, he couldn't. Jimmy's eyes weren't narrow, so if it was a school scenario Lann doesn't think that he'd be called China-Man like how most asians that went to Angelo High School were called. The girl then proceeds to provide service for Emilia and Lann. "Please come this way!" The girl guided the two young friends to a place lit with orange light bulbs. The walls were painted pitch black, with hemmed bamboo pillar fences around to provide customers with a little privacy without compensating its vintage look. The seats were wooden but had cushions on them. The table was round, the perfect set up for a study session in the cafe and Lann was super excited about the cafe. He quickly took a seat first on to the chair as the girl provided Lann with a menu. "Who's the guy with you today anyway Emilia? Your boyfriend?" She asked casually to Emilia, but that only made Lann look up and blush at the thought, before covering his face with the menu list.

[Rhapsody]

Happy that her suggestion was received with so much enthusiasm on Lanns side as well, Emilia was already looking forward to talk to him properly, get to know him that much more. She was aware that neither of them knew much about the other. SHe stopped for a bit to get his bike and together they went across and down the street leading to the market place. They went along a few stalls , not really looking quite yet though, then stopped in front of the café. It had a vintage kind of look about it and the wooden sign over the door read 'Timeless Riviére'. Like the sign, most of the furniture inside was wooden, the tablecloths were an old looking beige color and the whole cafe was decorated with flowers and cute little decorative items. It was probabyl a little too cute for Lanns taste, but Emilia had always loved coming here.

"Welcome to Timeless Riviére! How can I help you to~" Lauren, the waitress and daughter of the owner of the cafe broke off her enthusiastic welcome when she recognized her guest. Her business smile widened into an earnest one. "Oh my! Hello Emiia. How are you?" she inquired right away, but not letting Emilia answer more than a warm "I'm good, thank you." before she called out to the cook: "Hey Jimmy! Emilia's here!" Jimmy, of course, instantly peeked his head out the door, waving at her with his free hand. SHe laughed and waved back.

"Please come this way!" Lauren spoke again and led them to a table a little off from the rest, seperated by little bamboo fences. Its walls were black and th light bulbs were orange, giving a comfortable atmosphere. The wooden chairs where comfortably cushioned and the round table perfect for setting up books and whatnot to study. Lann took a seat and Emilia and Lauren provided them each with a menu before she finally broke down and asked the question she'd been wanting to ask ever since she had seen Emilia step into the cafe with an unfamiliar guy. "Who's the guy with you today anyway Emilia? You boyfriend?" she inquired, acting casual about it. EMilia noticed Lann looking up at the last part, blushing and hiding it with his menu. A smile played on her lips, and the blush crept into her cheeks as well.

She threw Lauren a disapproving look, but felt compelled to answer. "He's a good friend. For now." she answered, blushing even more at her own answer. SHe looked down, focusing on the menu, hoping the giggling Lauren would get the hint and leave. She did, though not before trying to get a better look at Lann. Emilia already knew she'd be doing that everytime she passed the table. She read the menu, though she pretty much knew it by heart. "What are you going to get?" she directed the question at Lann, who was still hiding his blush behind the menu. That is so cute. her mind whispered to her and her smile grew a little amused. To sitract her thoughts she put the menu to the side and prdoceeded to pull out her notes and book. "Which do you want to do first? I could catch you up on chemistry from this morning." For a second she contemplated adding that she'd been distracted back then, because of her worry over him, but she held her tongue. She remembered about Lann having helped Daniel though. "You're good at math right?"