Again, everything felt like a dream. I awoke in a daze and found Jaxton sleeping on the floor next to my bed. He only had his jacket draped over himself and I worried briefly of the temperature last night. My eyes landed on the lamp and quietly flicked it off. Jaxton probably forgot to turn the lights off last night.

I slowly, carefully, leaned over the edge and peered at his face, studying it intently. He was relaxed, his breathing was steady, and I felt... I don't know. I wasn't sure what I felt, except a relief that he was here. Was this all temporary? One day, he'll go on with his life and I'll go on with mine? Would it all be over after today? A part of me wished that it wouldn't be over, and another part of me warned me over and over again that I should stay away. Except, I felt that latter voice weaken significantly, its hold on me was slipping.

I blinked, unable to comprehend the fluttering in my chest. It couldn't be... would I ever have a crush on Jaxton? I dismissed it with a small breath, unwilling to think of the prospects. It was those effects. It's easy to get attached to those who saved your life. A police officer who took you away from danger, a firefighter who saved you from the blazing fire; it was all psychology, because it's not everyday where someone would risk their lives to save yours.

I leaned on my arm and my stare continued, my gaze always finding its way back to his face and linger there, and maybe... just maybe trace my eyes along his jaw and neck, follow the angles of his arms and fingers. My mind often flitting to what he usually does in his dorm, and during his free time... does he also like reading? Does he practice his combat skills with Yoan in the courtyard? What was his favourite colour?

I swallowed and leaned back, slipping off the bed on the other side, careful not to wake him. I tested my grip. I felt significantly better, but my fingers were weak and there was a subtle emptiness in my stomach. I grabbed my t-shirt and shorts and left for the bathroom. I washed myself up in front of the mirror. I planned on going to my classes but not training. I was going to take it easy after that incident.

When I flicked the tap off, I heard a noise outside. Jaxton was probably up. I had to mentally prepare myself to face him, a strange nervousness tightening my throat.

Put on your strong face. Put on that mischievous, teasing stare.

I walked out and allowed a grin to slowly bloom on my face. "Morning, Mr. I-strained-my-back."

He stifled a chuckle, a hand on the nape of his neck, "did you know that you talk in your sleep?"

I nodded, feinting seriousness, "oh no, I accidentally revealed my plot of cursing you. Tragedy."

He barked a laugh, "ungrateful child."

"I'll make you coffee," I offered but he rejected with a wave of his hand.

He stood up, stretching, "I'll be heading off."

I could sense my disappointment rise and I forced it down with another grin. "No coffee? Really?" Deep down, I wasn't really sure what to say. I had said my 'thanks' and he was determined to leave.

"I'll pass," he pushed back his hair and rolled his shoulders.

I softened and walked close to him, my tone serious, "I'll talk to Vel and let you know."

"Then I better leave you my number," he said, a twinkle in the eye. I flattened my look and handed him my phone. When he was done, I looked at the name he saved it under.

My balcony lover

I gave him a glare, changed the name and showed him the screen.

My worst nightmare

He chuckled, flipping over the railing, "at least I'm in your dreams."

"Huh, smooth," I muttered, trying to sound casual, except my blush rose like the breaking sunlight, and he had noticed, acknowledging it with a wide grin. Then, he pushed himself off and waved casually as though he wasn't falling a few feet down from mid-air. I waved back, my glance moving only when he was out of view.

Unfortunately for him, Jaxton had no idea how grateful I was for everything he had done. All the teasing was for hiding the fact that I... I felt something toward him.



***



I hopped down the stairs of the lecture room to grab my test paper, only to realise to my disappointment that I got...

"B," I whispered to myself, resisting my urge to sigh in front of everyone. I went back to my seat, sitting next to the girl in my Defence Class. Today, the sophomores weren't here – it was a one-time thing – so obviously, Jaxton was nowhere to be seen. I flopped down, slumping on my seat as I flicked through my paper.

"How did you do?" She was the same girl who complimented my 'disarming' trick. I learnt her name was Yasmine. I shrugged, "just average, you?"

She flashed her 'A' at me and I felt an unpleasant clench in my chest. I managed a smile, "nice!"

How do you even get an A, someone tell me, please?

"Thanks!" She had a pleasant smile and although I felt envy towards her, I would never act it out. Her pride wasn't without content, she had something to show off and be proud of, so what am I if I had ever minded that?

We exchanged our papers to look over. "Wow," I gasped, "you got this question right?"

"It was a trick question," she tucked a piece of brown hair behind her ears, "it says in the textbook."

"Damn, I never read the textbook," I admitted, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work I had to do, "maybe I should."

"It's pretty helpful," she added and then leaned closer to me, her jasmine perfume lingering around my nose. "Me and some of my friends are going to the pub tonight to chill out. Do you want to come?"

The introvert me panicked profusely, rejection already at the corner of my lips, but the other side of me wanted to... live a little. I found myself nodding, "sure, would your friends mind?"

"No! Absolutely not! The more the merrier," she grinned. "Invite anyone you know to come along too!"

"That's nice of you," I replied and I instantly knew who I was going to invite. I was going to get Velvet out of her room whether she liked it or not.

When class was over, Yasmine and I walked side by side against the setting sun. I eyed Yasmine occasionally, as she talked about how she was the secretary of the Weaponry Club and her volunteering work. Dreaded anxiety crept my back like the devil they were.

She sounds like she has her life together.

"Sounds great," I said, only to encourage her to talk more. I clutched my tablet to my chest, absentminded for a while until I decided to interrupt her. "Do you mind if I go and invite my friend now? She should be at her dorm."

"Oh," she stopped, hazel eyes looking a bit blank, "yeah, go ahead!"

"Where's the pub?"

"Well, the school pub," she shrugged, checked her watch, "you know the one around the corner. There's only one, really."

"Oh, yes," I said and waved her goodbye, making a beeline for Vel's dorm. As I was doing so, Kristen came into view. She looked beautiful, with her lock of blonde hair fluttering in the wind, her eyes sparkling when she saw me.

"Cassie!" Kristen embraced me in a tight hug.

"It's so good to see you," I said, taking a good look at her.

"I wanted to come and thank you," she had a blue tassel in her hand. "This is a small gift. An accessory for your sword."

The tassel was in the colour of royal blue, shimmering in the light. I tied it onto my handle.

"It's lovely," I grinned, and Kristen did the same, but her gaze soon became sheepish and I knew she had something to spill.

"I'm going to ask Marty out," she cleared her throat. "I've decided."

I widened my eyes. "Where do you plan on going?"

Kristen shrugged, clasping her hands behind her back, "I'm not sure... I just... I just wanted to do it. I desperately wanted to know how he feels about me."

"That's brave," I complimented and at the same time, realised that someone was going to be a tad bit disappointed at Kristen's actions.

"Thanks," Kristen let out a breath. "I'm glad I could tell someone, I feel like I'm going to burst! I can't tell James, you know how he's like?"

Extremely depressed and disappointed is what he's going to be.

I nodded and touched her by the shoulder, "let me know how it goes."

"Of course," Kristen hugged me again and left me to go to Vel's room.

I knocked exactly three times and waited, holding my breath. Vel opened the door, her eyes were swollen and she looked frightened.

"C-Cassie..." she stuttered, zipping her jacket to her chin, holding her grip there, "I didn't expect to see you here!"

"And I didn't expect to see you looking so terrible," I decided to be blunt. It stunned her slightly but she held the door, blocking the gap with her body.

"Oh, I wasn't feeling well, that's all," she shrugged, trying to dismiss what I was seeing, but she couldn't stop me; my mind was already whirling around all the possible scenarios.

"I'm going to take a nap," she went to close the door but I held it there.

"I need to talk to you," I feinted seriousness, pretending it was something else urgent.

She seemed reluctant, licking her lips and glancing to the side, "I..."

"Are you my friend?"

"Of course-"

"Then, please... hear me out."

Vel paused for a brief moment and eventually nodded, loosening her grip on the door. The moment she did, I entered like a breeze snaking through the cracks on the wall.

I closed the door behind me, "Vel, tell me the truth."

"I am," Vel said, her shoulders tense, "I am telling the truth..."

I shook my head and clutched both her hands at her zip, "show me the injuries."

She unzipped her jacket and let it fall to the floor. She wore a blouse, her arms bare without a single mark on her. My eyes rounded. I walked around her, taking her shoulders to spin her around, "where did they hit you?"

"They didn't hit me. No one's hurting me."

"You're lying," I shot, "a person who's really confused about my question would ask 'who's they?' They would never go straight to denying."

Tears were brimming, she looked at me, her mouth opening and closing, unable to utter anything besides a quiet whimper.

"Vel, please..."

"I-I can't," she scanned the room, frightened.

"Are they still here?" I mouthed. She shook her head.

"Whoever they are," I said, feeling my blood boil, "if you don't stop them they might... they might kill you."

"I'd rather it be me than anyone else," she said each word with force, her eyes gazed to the distance with a rebellious glint. "I already dragged enough people into this."

"What do you mean?"

"I dragged you in too, Cassie," her purple eyes watered, "I wanted to get help. I wanted to get your help but they told me to stay away."

"Who's 'they', Vel?"

She closed her eyes, speaking in a quiet voice, "they said they owned the Weapons of Iridescent."





***

A/N

The suspense, the drama, the pain! Before you get too overwhelmed, press that little vote button or vent it out in the comments!

Till next chapter, readers!

L