roses of glass { sabo | 1 }

Chapter Nine

Arabella pov

"Well, this is it I suppose." Sabo says as we arrive at my dorm.

'Did I nearly just kiss him just before? How could I allow myself to let my guard down enough to get so close to him? What was I even thinking?! We barely know each other.'

"Thank you for walking me back...and for showing me that beautiful waterfall. It reminded me of home." I thank.

His lips perked up into a smile, "I'm happy I gave you that feeling. Sorry that we had to leave so suddenly...Ace needs me to grab the goods for tomorrow night."

I tilt my head in confusion and scrunched up my eyebrows, "Tomorrow night?"

"You know...the party?"

"Oh! Yes! The party! Sorry...I just..." I stammer.

Sabo chuckles, "You're alright. It has been a long week for you. I just hope that you're finding your way around the Academy okay."

"I am, thanks to you."

We stood there for a moment silently, just staring at each other. There's so much more that I want to say to him. I never normally like to stay around a person or a group of people for so long. But I would love nothing more than to just stick around in Sabo's presence. It's just so...calming.

"Well I suppose I should probably leave you to it then." Sabo says.

"Oh, er yes I suppose...see you tomorrow?" I stammer.

Sabo smiles, "I look forward to it."

•••

I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. The warmth of his hand still lingered in my cheek, and I found it spreading all throughout my body. Breathing out a breath I didn't realise I was holding, my mind wanders to how Sabo has made me feel.

'How am I already feeling this way about someone I barely know? He's just...what is he to me? Is he my first friend? Last time I checked I shouldn't have such a feeling towards friends. I've never felt it with Itami or Kira.'

Arabella sighs and covers her eyes with her arms. Although she is thoroughly enjoying being at the Academy, Arabella was worried about things like this - dealing with emotions. Throughout life she has gotten so used to suppressing her feelings, dismissing them for the sake of the happiness of others. Never did she mention to people how she truly feels about things. Her Father once told her that emotions are to never hinder your performance as an assassin - otherwise you're as good as dead in a mission.

Arabella thought back to what Itami told her about love and life. In complete honesty, Itami had said so much about love and life that it's kinda mushed together.

'Something about being in love making us feel alive. About how the person we love becomes a favourite part of our day, and how they bring out the best in ourselves. What else was there? I swear there was something about...love being about being humane...?'

The idea that partnership with love sounded different to what her Father had told her. Her parents were arranged to marry. Though her Mother claims they still love each other very much, but she barely saw them interact as a child. True, real love simply sounded like a child-like fairy-tale.

Maybe that's why Arabella was feeling so free. Because Sabo gave her a true feeling of happiness. He gave her a different kind of feeling than what Itami and Kira could produce from her. She loved being around him - even if she knew her Father would disapprove of such feelings.

'Will you allow me to explore this feeling, Sabo?'

•••

The next morning was a cloudy, cool Saturday. Arabella quietly laid in her bed, her sheets and blankets from home keeping her warm.