XVIII

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"It's okay, I was fine, great actually!" Lavender countered when Victoria kept apologizing to her for not coming the other night. Victoria finally shook her head as they entered the lecture room for the course they both had.

Lavender wouldn't tell anyone, but she had never slept better than that night. Granted, her heart constricted thinking of the way she had broken down in front of her professor. Her embarrassment was gone thinking of what he had told her during the drive to her apartment.

'Do not punish yourself for craving the things you do, if they provide you comfort.'

Lavender's heart rate started to awaken just thinking about it. He had given her so much comfort that her mind had already deemed him worthy of her dependency.

Don't get attached. Lavender had been repeating in her head since that night.

She felt like it was bad to need someone so quickly. Though Lavender didn't stop or choose who her mind deemed important. It wasn't just because of her attachment issues. It was because of how he responded to her, and the things he had made sure she had known.

Lavender smiled and tried her best to pay attention. Though when her eyes landed on her Professor, she couldn't help the smile that graced her pouty lips.

Vincent's gaze fell upon the virtuous angel in his lecture audience. The ethereal smile that he loved was back where it belonged.

"Lav! Were you even listening to anything I was saying?" Victoria exclaimed as she let out a loud laugh.

Lavender bit her lip to control her laughter. It didn't stop the string of giggles that bubbled out from within.

"I'm listening now! I promise." Lavender exclaimed with a quick laugh escaped from deep within her soul. She felt good.

Victoria's heart warmed at the happy state of her friend. The girl had started to blossomed into her wings. The support of all of the people around her were the cause of such growth.

"So do you?" Victoria teased her knowing that Lavender had no clue what she was going on about.

Lavender's smile fell and her eyebrows pulled together as if she was in deep thought.

"I- Uh. Um yes?" Lavender smiled after answering hoping that Victoria would explain what she was talking about.

"You are so funny, Lav. I was asking you if maybe we could hang out this evening? At my house. Movies and pizza! What's your answer now?"

Lavender's body was filled with warmth. Happiness seemed to course through her blood, her grin only seemed to grow. With a big smile, she felt included.

Loved.

It was getting better.

"It's the same Vicky!" Lavender said as she continued the small conversations and silly laughter with Victoria the rest of class.

————

Vincent was contacting other professors and advisors after his last class of the day. Formulating a group that will observe the projects for this semester. It was helpful for not only his students but himself to get feedback on project and project formats.

His headache only got worse when Victoria had barged into to his office.

"What-" Victoria had cut him off.

"I am here to tell you, whatever you did or said to Lavender helped her. I haven't seen her so happy. So you better not hurt her. She's too sensitive!" Victoria had explained, making sure to protect her friend.

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