mikrokosmos

25: THE REUNITED VALENTINES

Agustus De Villiers from the Land of Terrenes became Lyra Jade's friend in middle school. Although Reverie's the type to not trust anyone easily, Lyra Jade is the opposite. She wanted to become friends with him the moment she saw how he hid his gummy smile after she tripped in front of him during Math class. Nonetheless, he still reached out his hand for her. Normally, kids will feel annoyed or embarrassed after being smiled or laughed at by other people. But with Agustus, Lyra Jade did not feel any embarrassment. She even felt kind of happy, now that she saw the gloomy boy smiling because of her. With that, Lyra Jade befriended him.

Tonight, seeing this version of Agustus reaching out his hand to her once again, reminded her of that exact moment that she decided to make friends with him.

"Give me your hand," Agustus said, his free hand reaching out for the girl to hold.

"What?" Lyra Jade said as she reached out her hand. "W-" and then she yelped when Agustus pulled her up and made her sit behind him.

"Hold tight on the rope around Light's body," Agustus instructed before telling his dragon to fly up.

For the whole 2 minutes, since they flew, Lyra Jade was screaming and spewing incoherent sentences while she hung on for dear life.

"De Villiers, just why did you bring her with us?!" Jinx yelled behind Lyra Jade, who was now silent because of exhaustion.

"I wanted to piss the General off." Agustus answered back. "Don't act like you don't want to as well."

"Your father will surely kill you once he sees you," Jinx shook his head and watched the ground while Light slowly descended.

Lyra Jade groaned as Agustus helped her get down from Light. She felt lightheaded during the flight and all she could think of was to get some sleep.

She settled on the nearest tree she found and tapped the ground. "This would do," she mumbled, half-asleep. "V, you are so dead when I see you," she added before drifting into sleep.

Jinx and Agustus watched as Lyra Jade talked herself to sleep and then passed out seconds later after mentioning someone called V.

"Why did you let her be with us, really?" Jinx asked Agustus.

Agustus sighed and said, "Don't be jealous. I just want to help her. She looks fun to be with."

Jinx rolled his eyes. "You're taking responsibility for her."

"Like you don't want to take that role, Valentine," Agustus smirked before waving his hand at his friend.

In the morning, Agustus woke up with two voices bickering near him.

"Are you sure that you're a Valentine too?" Jinx asked, his foot tapping the ground while his arms were crossed over his chest. "You're not just trying to get on my good side, are you?"

Lyra Jade groaned and leaned back against the tree. "For the last time, Jinx, I am a Valentine. My father is Philip Valentine but that's all I know about him."

"Philip Valentine?" Jinx's eyes went big. "Huh," his voice became soft, "He has not visited you yet, has he?"

"Yes, actually." Lyra Jade replied, hugging her knees. "He abandoned me when I was just a baby."

Jinx chuckled bitterly. "Same old Philip. Even as a father, he's still a coward."

"Uh- you know him? As in, know him? Not just a second cousin or anything?"

"Of course, I do." Jinx took a rock on the ground and threw it away in anger. "He's my brother."

"What!" Lyra Jade exclaimed. "You're- but- My m- I mean, aunt Penelope never mentioned another brother. I thought she came here to find her br-" She covered her mouth with her hands dramatically. "You're the brother that she's trying to find!"