She got a hug! But from who?
She froze for a few seconds before pulling away to get a better look at the person who had embraced her.
"Nexine!" she called out with joy. "H… how come you're here?"
"Oh, come on, Lilith! Aren't you happy to see me?" Nexine asked, making his way to her bed and sitting down comfortably.
"But I am," she hurried to say as she closed her door behind her and sat beside him. "I'm just wondering how you found my room—it hasn't been long since I arrived."
"I can't believe you just asked me that, Lilith," Nexine said, looking displeased. "I'm the son of Grand Sensei Velskud, head of Triven's Martial Arts Institute and all its aspiring rangers. So all I did was pull your file, find out your assigned room and resumption date, and here I am—easy peasy." He smiled proudly, flashing perfect white teeth that complemented his white hair and gleaming black eyes.
Lilith admired him. He was very handsome, with striking features. His dark skin tone was darker than her caramel skin, and though his hair was an unusual white, it didn't lessen his charm. He looked every bit the dashing young man who could make any lady swoon.
"Oh, okay," she cut off her wandering thoughts and returned his smile. "Actually, I'm glad you're here. There's something I need your help with."
"Anything for you! Just name it, and I'll make sure it's done," he said sincerely.
Lilith hesitated a bit before replying. She glanced over at Andreas, who stood not two paces away, eyes giving Nexine a death stare. She wasn't sure why, so she ignored him and continued, hoping he wouldn't make a rash move.
"I want to make a few adjustments in my room," she said, rolling her eyes. "You know… I just want to make it feel like me. I want to add a bit of…"
"Purple?" he quickly helped, guessing she was struggling to find the words.
"Yes! Purple!" she affirmed with a bright smile. She was so happy he understood her, unlike Andreas. She shot a look at Andreas that clearly said, 'You should learn from him.' But she didn't care—they definitely weren't on good terms.
Brushing those thoughts aside, she turned back to Nexine. "I want to paint my room purple—maybe not all of it, but at least my bedside, wardrobe, and restroom. Seeing purple all around makes me feel alive. Is there any way I can make that happen?" She gave him her best puppy eyes, hoping he could work some magic.
"I'll do my best, Lilith, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow—after the party tonight," he said as he stood to leave.
Party? "What party?" she furrowed her brows.
"Well, we're celebrating our victory over Gorgor today. Don't tell me you forgot everything after your years at the Kid Rangers Institute?" His face turned serious.
Oh no! The one day she never appreciated because of Andreas was today! She looked toward him immediately but found he was gone. Of course, he couldn't bear to hear that the disappearance of his world was cause for celebration.
"Oh, that," she smiled sadly. "I almost forgot. But why are we throwing a party? We normally just sing the anthem and listen to a speech from your father, the Grand Sensei."
"Oh, come on, Lilith," Nexine sounded a bit disappointed. "We're fourteen now—teens too. No one wants that boring stuff anymore, and neither should you. Just come to tonight's party at the Grand Hall and be sure to enjoy yourself." With that, he turned to leave but abruptly stopped as if he'd remembered something.
"Oh, and lest I forget, make sure to look gorgeous—I'm considering making you my date for tonight." He stepped close and pecked her left cheek before finally leaving her frozen in place. She definitely didn't see the peck coming, and there was nothing she could do about it. Yes, she liked Nexine, but she also believed he'd crossed a line. The only one who had the right to do that was her mom—no one else.
She let out a loud, frustrated sigh before collapsing onto her bed like a felled tree. Then the thought of where Andreas could be crept slowly into her mind. She sat up immediately and called him, focusing her mind as he had taught her. "Andreas," she called softly, waiting for him to appear.
"I never thought you'd need me so soon after eying me before Nexine," he spoke from the only chair in the room where he sat.
"Please don't make a big deal out of it, Andreas. You know he didn't see it."
"True, but you did eye me," he said, clearly annoyed.
"Walk it off, Andreas. That's not why I called you back." She sluggishly moved to where he sat and stood before him with a concerned look.
"Why then?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Are you okay? I mean, are you sad about the party? You know it's in honor of the defeat of your world," she said gently, stroking his hair.
"I'm fine, Lilith." He looked into her eyes and forced a smile. "That's been going on for a very long time now. I'm over it."
"Are you sure?" she asked again. "You know I can ditch the party and stay here with you if you want."
"No, Lilith." He took her hands and stood, still gazing into her eyes. "Go, have fun. I can't deprive you of that. Besides, it's for the whole institute and you'd be defaulting if you didn't attend. So you must go."
"You're the best, Andreas." She hugged him.
"You too, Lilith."
Suddenly, she pulled away as if remembering something. "Nexine pecked me," she blurted with eyes closed, unsure how Andreas would react but expecting the worst.
"What?" He fumed. "Are you serious? Why would he do that?"
"I don't know, Andreas. He just did." She answered, tears rolling down her cheeks—not because she minded the peck but because he was mad at her, and she always felt sad when he was, even though that was once in a blue moon. Usually, she was the one getting angry.
"It's okay, Lilith." He hugged her, gently stroking her back up and down. "Enough of your tears now. Sorry I got mad." Oh, that overpampered boy—who did he think he was, trying to stake claim on his Lilith?
Wait.
'His Lilith?'
'His?!'
Was she his?
He only needed her to save his world, her belonging to him was not something he was clear with himself about.
There really wasn't time to entertain that thought now, so he brushed it aside.
He simply resolved to deal with Nexine later, but first he had to meet his father—it was already time for their assembly.
"Ehmm, Lilith," he cut the hug short and looked at her face. "You should start getting ready for the party now. Go and stay calm, okay? And make sure to stay away from that Nexine—I don't trust his intentions anymore." He frowned.
"Okay." She nodded, wiping her tears. "Aren't you staying here?" she asked, sensing his urgency.
"Yes, Lilith. I have something to do now. We'll talk later in the morning, okay?"
"Sure." She smiled at him.
"Good girl. Take good care of yourself." He said finally, before vanishing into thin air.
Lilith was bothered by whatever he had to do and decided to ask him about it tomorrow morning when he returned—or whenever she would see him again, because she was sure she'd be totally exhausted after the party.
'Today is just not in my favor…'