"Riven… You're not mad at me, are you?"
The silence of the library nearly swallowed Ash's voice. She and Riven sat alone, a stack of books between them, a half-empty cup of tea, and a silence that trembled with tension.
"Ah… what? No, of course not. Why would I be mad?" Riven mumbled, forcing a tight smile.
"You remember…" she leaned on the table with both elbows. "Back when I said I'd take your money. I never even apologized."
Her lazy eyes drifted downward.
"It was just to get Athey's attention. Stupid, really… I shouldn't have dragged you into it."
"It's… it's fine," he said quietly.
"Is Roy still bullying you?"
"No. Atheron talked to him. I don't know what he said, but since then, Roy's been too scared to even look at me."
Ash smirked, leaning back in her chair.
"Atheron this, Atheron that… He's always at the center. Haven't you noticed how different he's become since last year?"
"Maybe," Riven nodded softly. "By the way… Ash, that ring on your finger…"
BOOM!
