"Come on, Jason, you're worrying too much."
The young girl said it with a dismissive look, like she'd already heard this conversation a dozen times before. She wore a snug white top that struggled to contain her generous curves, paired with a neatly pleated blue skirt that matched the uniforms of those walking around her. White stockings clung tightly to her legs, leading down to a pair of sleek black shoes.
Her golden-blonde hair was elegantly tied back into a braid, complementing the striking amber hue of her eyes. With a precisely sculpted triangular face and porcelain-smooth skin that seemed to glow under the light, she was the kind of beauty that turned heads effortlessly, and she was used to the attention. More than that, she knew exactly how to wield it with effortless grace.
"Am I?" Jason asked, his expression tense as he adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder. His curly blue hair shifted slightly from the motion, and his golden eyes flickered with worry as he exhaled sharply.
"We couldn't find her before we left for the academy. Isn't that concerning?" His voice edged with panic. "What if something happened to her? She was still with that bastard the last time I saw her, and I... what if..." His thoughts spiraled, his jaw tightening, fists clenching as his mind raced through worst-case scenarios he didn't want to finish out loud.
"Jay."
A soft hand cupped his face, breaking him from his frantic thoughts.
"She's okay. Stop doing this to yourself." Lisandra's voice was filled with quiet urgency, and pain flickered in her amber eyes as she held his gaze. "It hurts me to see you like this. You shouldn't even be here right now—you should be taking time off to recover. You almost died, for goodness' sake, Jason. Just... stop." Her voice trembled slightly as her eyes turned misty.
Jason looked at her, his resolve wavering before he let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. I just... I feel so guilty. It was my idea to take on that mission, and now Anna..." He trailed off, biting his lip hard enough to hurt.
"She will come back. She'll be okay," Lisandra said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
He hesitated. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know what she's capable of."
For a brief second, her expression darkened before she quickly masked it with a reassuring smile. "So stop overworking yourself. You're making everyone worry. If possible, just take a break—rest, recharge." She added it with a casual shrug, like it was the simplest thing in the world.
Jason gave her a strange look. "You know I can't do that, right? Especially not with the festival only a month away."
She pouted. "You're not the only first-year participating, you know."
"Yeah, you're right," he chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head in that way he always did when he knew she had a point.
"Just remember to take care of yourself," Lisandra said, folding her arms across her chest in mock sternness. "I made a promise to your mom to always stay by your side and make sure you don't overdo it."
Jason froze for a moment, captivated by her radiant smile and the way the light seemed to frame her perfectly.
"Yeah. Thanks," he murmured, smiling back.
Their eyes locked, and the world around them seemed to fade into background noise. The chatter of students, the sound of footsteps on polished floors—all of it disappeared as they slowly leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, warm and shallow, and the distance between their lips narrowed inch by inch until—
"Huh?"
A voice shattered the moment like glass.
Jason snapped back to reality, his eyes widening. He knew that voice, would recognize it anywhere.
"A-Anna?"
He turned sharply, ignoring the hateful glares from the male students around him who'd been watching the almost-kiss with jealous eyes. His gaze locked onto a girl at the far end of the hallway, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Annabelle!"
He rushed forward without thinking, arms wide open for a hug, his bag nearly slipping off his shoulder from the sudden movement.
From behind, Lisandra let out an exasperated sigh, her expression darkening into something cold and frustrated. "That bitch... she just had to show up now, didn't she?" Her fingers curled into fists as she watched him sprint ahead like she didn't even exist anymore. "What a wasted opportunity. And just when the others weren't around too." Frustration laced her voice as she took a step forward, following Jason with measured, controlled steps.
Meanwhile, Jason had already swept Annabelle into a tight embrace, lifting her effortlessly off the ground and spinning her around like they were in some kind of reunion scene.
"Put me down, you idiot!" she shrieked, squirming in his grip with genuine alarm.
He laughed but complied immediately, setting her back down with care. Her face was flushed red, and she shot him an irritated glare that could've melted steel.
"Sorry, guess I got carried away," he said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly with that same boyish grin.
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath, but a smile finally broke through despite her best efforts to stay annoyed.
Jason's expression softened into something more serious. "What happened to you? You had me worried sick." Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her into another hug, this one gentler, more protective.
Annabelle hesitated for just a second before pushing against his chest with both hands. "That's... none of your business. And why were you worried, idiot? Don't you know how strong I am?" There was an edge to her voice, like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.
Jason chuckled quietly. This was the Annabelle he knew—cool, indifferent, acting tough even when she didn't need to. "Come on," he said, taking her hand without asking permission. "Let's go meet the others."
Before they could move, a voice interrupted them from behind.
"Welcome back."
Annabelle glanced over his shoulder, meeting Lisandra's gaze head-on. The blonde girl stood there with that same perfect smile, but something about her eyes felt... off.
"Oh... thanks," Annabelle replied softly, her voice careful and measured.
Together, they moved through the crowd of onlookers who were already accustomed to seeing the young man always surrounded by beautiful women, whispers following in their wake like smoke.