I left the class feeling cold. The sky was striking blue, the sun was warm on my back, but I didn't seem to enjoy it. I went to Defence Class, sitting at my usual seat with Yasmine, and consciously began to dim my voice as I spoke to her.

Overly enthusiastic voice?

"Have you heard? One of our healers is missing," Yasmine whispered. "She hasn't been to work."

Only one missing? I'm pretty sure we got rid of two more.

"Really?" I feinted surprise but also toned it down with a look of weariness as though I was too tired to care.

"Yeah! First, we have that boy Robin and now we have a healer gone too," Yasmine tapped her pencil on the table. "I wonder if it has anything to do with Iridescent."

"Me too," I said quietly, a dull ache in my chest that I was learning to grow numb to. I watched Professor Mortimor stride in with her heels clicking and slanted my glance to my tablet. As I wrote the date, I realised... maybe the other two people weren't in this school. They were from somewhere else? Maybe they weren't enrolled and only disguised themselves here. It wasn't exactly hard to exit and enter the universities grounds and it wasn't exactly hard to pretend to be a student here.

Whoever was walking with the girl the other day should also be part of this whole dealing. Except, I didn't see her face again. With the thousands of people on campus, I doubt I'd recognise her when I do see her again.

During class, the subject and Yasmine's small chatter managed to take my mind away from the incident with Kristen, though the memory was still there in the background, probing my thoughts.

I left the class with Yasmine, who enthusiastically linking her arms with me as she read her sheet of yellow paper. "Camp! This is the first camp I've ever had since I got into this Academy."

I offered a small smile at her and folded the sheet of paper, tucking it into my pocket.

"I like your accessory, by the way," Yasmine was eyeing the blue tassel that swung around on the handle of my sword. I caressed it softly, the tip of my fingers slipping through.

"Thank you, you can have it if you want."

"Really?"

I was already untying the tassel from Reflecta and handing it to her with a smile, an unpleasant tightness in my throat. If there was regret in there, it was all too late by then.

"Absolutely."

***

Night had fallen quickly. I went to my dorm after dinner and checked my phone. My eyes widening when I remembered the text I still had to reply to.

My dad.

I inhaled deeply, my thumb hovering over his message, pausing when my phone gave another vibrate.

Thanks for the lights. I see someone is not completely cold-blooded.

My worst nightmare

I rolled my eyes but I already felt my smile slip onto my face. With avoidance mechanism on full alert, I checked his message first. Jaxton gets priority only for that reason, of course!

Me? Cold-blooded? With your cold hands and all, I'm pretty sure you're the reptile here.

I don't recall ever having any physical contact with you. Remind me?

I raised a brow.

Don't pretend you don't know.

;)

I exited the message with another shake of my head and inhaled another deep breath. This is it. Just click it open, Cassie.

I opened my dad's message.

Cassandra,

When we first saw your message we couldn't believe our eyes. But since you ran away, your mother had been worrying day and night, and I had to witness all the pain she had to endure. It's fair that we let you wait for some time too, am I right?

I bit my lower lip.

We are disappointed in you. We never thought you would do such a thing. Knowing it will hurt me and your mother. It's even more disappointing that you didn't even text us anything after you got there. Wherever you are right now.

Your mother couldn't eat and sleep for weeks after you ran away. So, when we got your message, we had to sit down and read it again and again.

I had to sit down too. I found I could no longer stand without feeling fidgety and if not, slightly weak in my legs. I slowly lowered myself onto the bed and continued reading.

Your mother hadn't said anything but since you texted again. I feel as though I should let you know that we got your message. I'm glad you are safe Cassie.

I let out a breath.

I am disappointed in you. I was very worried but... one part of me seems to understand where you're coming from. Who hasn't once wanted to discover the world for their own? I know I have. Even when it came off with risks. And when I did go out and see the world, I met your mother.

This doesn't mean we're flipping the page. If you don't get a yes from your mother, then it's not a yes from me.

Text us often.

I let out a half-gasp of relief at the end of the message and a droplet of water fell on the screen.

I was crying.

I didn't realise I was.

I wiped the tears away and let out a deep breath, falling back and sagging into the soft mattress of the bed. There was a pleasant warmth in my stomach, as though knowing that I was wanted. I was still wanted by my family. I had a chance to be my father and mother's daughter again.

I quickly replied a text back.

I'm so sorry, dad. I'm so glad, happy to read your message. I know I did this the wrong way.

I sent it first, out of eagerness and excitement. Then I typed:

I'm at the Phoenix Academy. They saw my grades and accepted me. I've met so many people and learnt so much! I'm also going to camp soon! It's a thing they do before we have our semester break.

I pursed my lips, holding my tongue about going back home for the semester break. I'll ease into it later.

Love you both,

Cass

***

It's funny how during the night, when the noise of the world dies down and the air renders themselves into a nice, cool chill, your thoughts become chaotic. A mess. They surface like stars at night, whether or not you see them there in the sky, they'll always be in existence.

The night before camp, I tossed and turned. I first blamed it on anticipation, then, I realised it was because I had a lot on my chest.

I spent the past few days ignoring the question that plagued my mind. Does Marty like me? Because I did respect him and find him to be a good guy, but I had never liked him that way. Then, I remembered the way his hand held my hand for a second too long, the soft yet longing gaze as his dark orbs stared at mine. But Marty never made any move — that was as far as Marty would get.

I turned to the other side. Kristen was being ridiculous. Whoever Marty fancied, that was his freedom. Kristen had no say in it. If Marty liked me, so be it! There was no need to be mad at me!

I pulled at the corner of my blanket aggressively, tugging it upwards so it covered my shoulder. I let out a huff, snuggled my head deeper into the pillow, the furrow in my brows never leaving me. Because logic told me that Kristen was being irrational, that it was none of my fault, but my emotions still stirred waves inside me.

Sometimes, you know all the life principles, you know all the rational sayings and necessary inspirational quotes, yet you still couldn't get past your emotions. The emotions that keep you awake at night and distract you during the day. Your logic will explain things through, but your emotions are what really makes things personal. In the end, you'll have to surrender to time and trust that... time will do its thing. It'll numb your senses and make you forget.

If Kristen no longer wants to be my friend, so be it.

My weary thoughts slowly drifted to Jaxton. My head was pounding by then and I tried my best to unknit my brows and relax, except Jaxton's emerald eyes were gazing back at me. My brain instinctively flicked through all the memories Jaxton and I had shared together, the best snippets of Jaxton that I had unconsciously begun to accumulate and store in my mind.

I thought back to his secret smile after I commented on Yoan being his wingman, his head turned away from me so that I wouldn't see. I also saw Jaxton on the floor, in my dorm when his shadows attacked him. The way his words slowed, the way he couldn't help himself but shift his eye away from mine, the slight shyness I managed to spot on his face.

I opened my eyes, already sensing light seeping through the curtains. There was no point trying to ignore my feelings. I knew a part of me wished and hoped that Jaxton had feelings for me. The other part of me was... frightened. I was scared of knowing that Jaxton had feelings for me because what would happen after that?

It didn't take long before I decided to get up and check my items one last time for camp. I warily eyed different spots on the floor, where each of the three bodies had been, and shivered. I had thought about covering the floor up with something — a funky rug, perhaps — but I thought against it. Anything out of the usual would raise suspicions, especially if there were eyes and ears everywhere.

They were in the dark and I was in the light. I was at a disadvantage so that only meant I needed to be extra cautious.

Once it was almost time, I went to the door. I eyed my room one last time, specifically, the locked balcony door.

Do I need to let Jaxton know I was on camp?

I shook my head, my heart pounding. Taking a deep breath, I walked out of my dorm and clicked the door shut.

***

A/N

Hello reader, you've come so far! What do you think?

Set the ship to sail, my friends!

L