Al was getting on his nerves. Ever since Al and Sera had arrived, Al had done his best to interfere with Fidelis's trying to touch Sera. His fated mark was throbbing with pain. He wanted to reassure himself that she was alright or at the least see if she needed help.
By third period he was fed up with the other boy's behavior. "This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath before grabbing his phone and texting Liz.
[Liz, SOS.]
[What's up?]
[I need you and Penelope to get Sera away from Al during lunch and bring her to me, please.]
[Is something wrong with her?]
[I'm not sure yet. I want to check but Al keeps interfering.]
[Roger. One friend rescue coming up during lunch. Make sure you go out to the back patio table. We'll get Sera to you.]
[Thanks, Liz. You're a lifesaver.]
[That's what friends are for.]
Fidelis smiled and put his phone away. His eyes strayed to Sera. She seemed to be focused on the teacher, but he still felt pain through the mark. He couldn't see anything but that meant nothing. She was in baggy clothes making it harder to spot an injury. He frowned. Now that he thought about it, he had never seen her wear that type of clothes before. She was covered from head to toe. Did she do it to hide injuries? If that was the case, it begged the question of who had hurt her.
The thought of someone hurting her made Fidelis see red. She was his fated one. He would protect her even if it meant making enemies.
Lunch arrived and he took a shortcut to the cafeteria. He grabbed his food and made his way to the back half of the patio tables. He chose one that was in the shade and waited for Liz and Penelope to bring Sera to him.
He didn't have long to wait. His mark heated up and he watched the girls approaching with Sera.
He saw her shocked expression before she schooled it and came to sit beside him.
"Hey," she shyly whispered.
"Hi." He grinned at her and took a bite of his sandwich.
They sat in a comfortable silence and ate until Fidelis broke it.
"Homecoming is in two weeks. I can't wait for it. I'm sure you'll like it."
"Really? What is it exactly?"
"It is a rite of passage for all high school students. We have a week of fun activities and then we play a football game here on our field against a visiting team. The goal is to have fun that week and win the game that Friday night. There is also a dance. Everyone dresses to impress and have fun."
"Dance?"
He grinned at her reaction. "Yeah. Also," he turned to fully face her. "I'm hoping you would be my partner for the dance."
She gasped, staring at him in surprise.
Fidelis kept his expression as neutral as possible. His mark was alerting him to Sera's raging emotions. He didn't want to push too hard.
"Oh, um, I…"
"Please, say yes," he pleaded, taking her hand in his.
"Yes, I'd like that."
"Great! We can work on the details like when and what time you want me to pick you up from your house."
He felt a surge of panic and fear at his words through his mark. He looked at her, but she was staring off into the distance.
"Um, yeah let's talk about that later." She stood. "We should get going. It's time to go back to class."
"You're right. Let's go."
They threw away their trash and walked toward the doors. Sera tripped and Fidelis grabbed her arm to stop her fall. He was surprised at her hurt yelp. He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong when she jerked free with a gasp.
"Thanks. That startled me," she said without looking at him.
"Sera," he reached for her, his concerned gaze focused on her.
She shook her head and evaded his grasp. "Come on or we'll be late." She hurried inside.
Fidelis was irritated with her behavior. He could understand it but it didn't mean he liked it. He followed her and spotted Al making a beeline straight for Sera.
Inside they were met by a very pissed Al. Sera halted and flinched, her head dropping as she hunched her shoulders.
"Sera."
When Sera flinched, Fidelis's emotions got the best of him and he snapped, "Hey, not cool, Al. Stop treating her like she's some criminal."
He glared at Al and ignored Sera's gaze on him. He had to put Al in his place.
"Stop making her feel bad. I mean it," Fidelis asserted, refusing to back down.
Al returned Fidelis's glare with one of his own. He didn't say anything. He turned to Sera and held out his hand in a silent demand that she take it. She took his hand and stared at her feet.
Fidelis was irked by Al's triumphant smirk in his direction. He watched angrily as Al dragged Sera away. Not even her mouthed "I'm sorry" could calm his anger.
"What the hell, Romeo? Why didn't you stop him?" complained Liz who had walked over with Penelope.
"I wanted to, but Sera didn't want me to. It's alright. I have something planned that will allow me to really talk with her without Al butting in."
Liz grinned. "If it's you, it'll be epic. Give me all the deets later."
Fidelis laughed and gave her a salute. "Yes, Captain Nosey."
This time Liz and Penelope laughed with him as they headed to class.
~***~
Fidelis eyed the clock and cursed its slowness. Fifth period couldn't come fast enough for him. His surprise for Sera was ready. He would reveal it during fifth period. He was getting nervous. He hoped he got the answer he desired. Absently, he stroked his mark. It wasn't throbbing as much now, but he could still feel the echo of pain and sadness from Sera.
The bell rang shaking him from his thoughts. It was time. He stood and nodded to Blainel and Sodalitas.
"You got this, Romeo," Sodalitas whispered before going ahead of him to their art class.
Blainel fell in step with him, and they arrived at the art room where a grinning Ms. Dale greeted them.
"Romeo, everything is ready," she whispered to him as he entered the classroom.
"Great," he murmured and took his seat quickly. He frowned when he didn't see Sera. He almost panicked. Was fate conspiring against him? He gripped the sides of his desk tightly.
"Romeo!" Blainel hissed.
Fidelis eased his hold and took a breath. He glared at the door. The tardy bell was going to ring any second. "Come on, Sera."
The bell rang and a flushed Sera ran in the room with Al on her heels. Fidelis smiled. She made it!
Ms. Dale didn't scold the late arrivals. She simply gave them a look and Sera and Al hurried to their seats.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin." Ms. Dale pointed to the digital TV screen with the day's assignment. "You will be working with your pair partner for today's assignment."
Fidelis felt Sera's emotions through the mark. Fear, worry, and happiness flowed into him from her. He didn't like the first two. He could work with the third. He focused on the instructions and moved to where Sera sat in the corner.
"Hello again. You ready to work?" His eyes searched her face for any hint to her thoughts.
"Yes," she replied, her answer short and bland.
Fidelis didn't mind. She was trying to repress her feelings, but the mark was telling him the truth. It changed nothing. He was sticking to his plan. They started discussing the assignment and settled into work. Sera kept her answers to short sentences. Fidelis's responses were light and kind. He watched Sera grow more relaxed and rejoiced that his plan was working.
"Sera and Romeo. It is your turn. Take your stuff with you and here is a pass for the next class in case you run late," said Ms. Dale.
Fidelis stood, grabbed his backpack, and took the pass from Ms. Dale. "Thanks." He turned to look at Sera who got her stuff and moved to his side. "Shall we?"
He grinned at her nod and lead the way out the classroom. They were quiet as he swiftly made his way outside. He didn't speak nor did Sera. It was fine with him. The mark told him everything he needed to know about her emotions. She was distracted, which would make his surprise even better.
In the distance, he spotted the tree where they'd taken their first pictures together. On the ground was a picnic blanket, a dozen roses, and a plate of cookies. He had discovered that Sera had a bit of a sweet tooth and that cookies were her favorite.
Fidelis slowed his walk. "We got the best time."
"What?"
He came to a stop. Sera was behind him and hadn't seen his surprise. "I said we got the best time of day to take our pictures."
"Oh."
"Sera, close your eyes."
"Wait. Why?"
"Please? Consider it as a mood setter."
"Umm, okay."
He chuckled at her reluctance. He knew she would do it though. Sera had a healthy amount of curiosity.
"Done."
He moved aside to check. She stood there, eyes closed, posture tensed, and waited for his next move.
"Sera, I'm going to touch your hand," he warned before taking her right hand and gently leading her to the blanket. He stopped and let go. She frowned. "One moment."
He picked up the bouquet and returned to her side.
"Romeo?"
"It's alright. You can open your eyes."
He couldn't hide his grin at her surprised gasp when she spotted the flowers in his arms.
"What?" she stammered, her mouth falling open and then closing.
Her bewildered expression was so cute. He decided that he would make sure to tease her in the future if her reactions were always going to be this adorable.
"These are for you, but first," he paused to rearrange the flowers so he could take her hand and kiss it.
She startled, her eyes wide and focused on his every movement. Her cheeks were a lovely bright pink. He mentally scolded himself. He needed to focus and finish his proposal.
"Sera, not only do I want to go to the homecoming dance with you, I also want to try going out."
"Going out?"
Her violet eyes were bright with emotion. He felt all of it through his mark. Her joy, uncertainty, and some fear; he accepted it all. He would soothe all of them with time and his honesty. She was, after all, his fated one.
"Dating, Sera. I want to be your boyfriend."
Understanding dawned and she blushed harder. He gently squeezed her hand. Her gaze dropped to their hands and back up to his face before she shyly answered him.
"Yes, I'd like that."
He grinned and let go. He handed her the flowers, and she took them, tears sliding down her cheeks. He reached out and stroked them away. Her eyes briefly closed before opening to focus on him. Fidelis enjoyed her gaze.
"May I kiss you?" He wasn't sure why he asked, but it felt right. It would also let him know how much physicality she could handle.
She blinked, dropped her head, and took a breath. When she raised her head, he saw the gleam of desire there.
"Yes."
One word but so thrilling to hear. He stepped closer and carefully pulled her closer. His eyes were locked on hers. He lowered his head and her eyes fluttered closed. His lips touched hers and a jolt of awareness ran through him. He wondered if she felt the same and then he deepened the kiss. Her reactions were hesitant and sweet. He could tell this was her first kiss. He wanted her to always remember it.
Her hesitancy changed and she allowed him to do more with the kiss while doing her own exploring of his mouth. He let her. He wanted her to enjoy herself. He broke the kiss when he felt tears on his face. He opened his eyes and stared into hers.
"Sera?"
"I'm just so happy," she whispered, wiping away her tears.
"I see. Oh, and here." He slipped his class ring from his finger and slid it onto her left ring finger. "I'll bring a chain for it tomorrow." The ring was big on her delicate hands, and he didn't want her to lose it.
She brushed her finger over it and smiled. Her happiness flooded the mark, and he grinned. "Shall we eat?"
They sat down beside the tree, and he fed her cookies until the bell rang and they headed to their next class holding hands.
Fidelis was overjoyed and couldn't wait to get home and let his father know the good news.