Eviliana's POV
"Avy, can you help me find my brother?" I asked softly, glancing around the hallway filled with unfamiliar faces. I hadn't seen him at all since I arrived—and part of me hoped he just didn't know I was here yet. Maybe that was why he hadn't looked for me.
Avy's face turned bright red like a tomato. Huh? Why is she suddenly blushing?
"Avy, are you okay? Your face is really red right now," I asked, concerned. I tilted my head to get a better look at her expression.
"It's nothing," she blurted out, quickly turning her gaze away like I just caught her doing something embarrassing. "I-I'll help you find him."
I raised a brow. That's suspicious. Her face was growing even redder. Was she sick? Or… wait. Could it be…?
Hmm. Aha! Realization hit me like a lightning bolt.
"W-why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, pouting now, clearly avoiding my eyes.
I sighed dramatically and crossed my arms. "Avy, I know you and my brother don't really get along, so it's fine if you don't want to come with me," I said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to force yourself."
She blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. "Huh?"
"What? Am I wrong?" I asked, confused at her reaction. They always bickered or ignored each other, so I figured she was just annoyed at the idea of seeing him.
"No, no, you're right. Haha." She scratched the back of her head awkwardly, like she was trying to hide something. "But even if we don't get along, I'll still help you find him," she added with a determined smile. "And when we do find him, I'm seriously going to punch him for not coming to see you. That guy, seriously!"
I couldn't help but smile. That was so like her. Even if she acted tough, I knew she cared.
Kayleigh's POV
"Good morning, big bro, big sis Chanfie, big sis Andi, and big bro Ax!" I greeted them brightly, waving my arms. They told me to call them that, and I happily agreed. It felt warm... like I belonged.
"Good morning!" the three chorused back cheerfully.
Except kuya didn't respond.
I turned to him with a pout. "Kuya, aren't you going to greet me?"
He sighed like I was being overly dramatic. "Morning," he muttered flatly.
Still, I beamed. Hehe! That still counts!
Then I saw two new figures entering the room. "Good morning!" I greeted Eviliana and Aviel with a smile that reached my eyes.
Eviliana blinked, clearly surprised, while Aviel raised an eyebrow, like he was assessing me.
"Good morning, too," Eviliana said, offering a soft smile.
I turned to her. "Eviliana, right?" She nodded politely. "Can I call you Lia, like Aviel does?"
She opened her mouth. "Su—"
"No!" Aviel cut her off sharply.
Huh?! I blinked. "Why not?" I asked, my smile faltering. Did she not want to be friends with me?
"I'm the only one allowed to call her that, hmph!" she declared and turned away like a sulky cat.
Eviliana facepalmed at Aviel's reaction, clearly used to his antics.
"Eh? Okay, I'll just call her Liana then? Is that okay?" I looked between the two.
Aviel gave a shrug. "Ask her."
Liana nodded. "That's fine."
"I'm Kayleigh Oddessa," I introduced myself with a bright smile. "From now on, we're friends, okay?"
Liana's eyes widened a little, but she smiled back, a bit shyly. "O-oh, sure. Okay."
I turned to Aviel next. "You too, Aviel. Can we be friends?"
She paused, looking at me like he was trying to figure out if I was serious. "Hmmm... as long as you'll be nice to Lia," she said after a moment.
My heart warmed. "Of course!" I chirped. I was so happy I could burst. Back in the Wolf Kingdom, I had no friends… but now, I was finally starting to find my place.
Jaxon's POV
I watched my little sister from a few steps away, my heart squeezing gently. She looked so happy. It made my chest ache with both relief and guilt.
We'd been apart for so long. I hadn't been the brother she deserved. But starting today, I promised myself—I'd make up for everything. No more letting her down.
"Kayleigh, want to go out with me sometime when there's no class?" I asked, my voice soft but hopeful.
Her eyes sparkled. "Of course, yes!" she grinned.
"Promise me, okay?"
She raised her right hand like a little kid. "Of course, big bro, I promise! I really miss hanging out with you too. Hehe!"
Just hearing that made me feel ten times lighter.
"What about us, Jax? You're not taking us?" Axel cut in, fake-pouting.
I looked at him flatly. Oh. Right. I forgot we weren't alone.
"Nope," I said simply.
"Huhu! Bad Jax!" Axel mock-cried, dramatically clutching his chest like I'd betrayed him.
"Cut it out, Ax. That doesn't suit you," Andi said, shaking her head.
"Exactly," I agreed.
"You're all so mean to me," Axel huffed. "Chanfie, tell them off!"
Chanfie only chuckled. "Oh, come on, Ax. They're right. That doesn't suit you at all."
"No one's on my side? You're all terrible! And I'm this handsome, too! If Gale were here, maybe he'd take my side… maybe?" Axel added with a flourish.
Then a hesitant voice broke in.
"W-wait... You guys know my brother?" Eviliana asked, eyes wide.
Axel blinked. "Yeah, he's our friend."
"Really? Where is he?" she asked, visibly brightening.
"No idea. Probably in the student council office," he said with a shrug.
Ah. I remembered now—Gale had mentioned they bumped into him yesterday but didn't recognize him. Poor guy almost cried because someone mistook him for a girl. Again.
"Student council?" Eviliana asked, confused. "What's he doing there?"
"You don't know?" Andiana asked, surprised.
"Know what?"
"Gale is the student council president," Chanfie explained.
"What? No way! That guy? Student council president? Huh, ridiculous!" Aviel burst out.
"Oh, I see," Eviliana mumbled, her smile faltering. "That's probably why he didn't come see us. He must really be busy."
"It's okay, Lia. Let's go see him later," Aviel said softly beside her, voice surprisingly gentle.
I crossed my arms. "He's busy."
"Huh?" Eviliana blinked at me.
"Wait until tomorrow."
"Oh, okay, thanks for letting me know," she said with a soft smile.
For some reason, that smile bothered me.
Why is she smiling like that?
Gale's POV
"Pres, are you okay?" Orfa asked, looking worried. The deer secretary peeked over a mountain of documents on my desk.
I gave her my best scowl. "Do I look okay to you?"
Papers, forms, schedules—ugh. I was buried under a mountain of student council work. I could cry. No, actually—I was thisclose to doing exactly that.
I groaned dramatically. "Waaaah! When will this ever end?"
"Just hang in there a bit more, Pres," Deur said calmly. The wolf was always too chill.
"I have been hanging on," I grumbled, dragging a hand down my face. "I'm so done. Why did I even agree to this? Why me? Out of everyone, why me?"
Hiare must've been laughing somewhere. If I ever see that guy again, I swear, I'm punching him.
I glanced at the door. "Where the heck is Lizyo anyway? He's been gone for days."
"He's on a mission, so don't expect him back soon," Orfa said.
What mission? I didn't approve any.
"What kind of mission?" Deur asked, raising a brow.
"I heard he's retrieving new students from the human world," Orfa replied casually, reclining in her chair.
Oh… right. The half-bloods.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaustion washing over me again. I missed Eviliana and Aviel. I wanted to see them. But this cursed paperwork…
Hang in there, Gale. Just one more day.
~•~•~