Iridescent

13 | Dawn

After the game, it was lunch. I invited Vel to come with me to the trees we saw during training. It was usually open for students to hang out, and some, not all, like to go there for walks or picnic. When we got to a bench, we both flopped down with a sigh. 

I gave Vel a wary glance.

"You seem tense."

"What! Oh, no..." Vel shrugged, stifling a chuckle. "Still pumped from training, that's all."

I eyed her suspiciously but didn't push her. Two girls walked past, chatting with each other. Suddenly, they turned their heads to look at us, smiling and waving as they did. I waved back and Vel didn't.

"Something's on your mind," I said quietly. 

She looked startled, "I... um..."

"I can understand you don't want to tell me," I added, "but just so you know, I'm all ears if you do."

Vel's purple eyes danced. She pulled off her gloves, finger by finger. "I've been alone since day one, so I think it'll be good to have someone to talk to."

I didn't reply, willing her to continue. I was going to be a good listener. 

"I was acting weird on day one, sorry," she said, unable to meet my eyes, "I was not being myself, but you really gave me a second chance today," a small smile bloomed, "most people would just think I'm weird and give up."

I let out a playful breath, "everyone's weird in their own ways! And that's an honest word."

She tilted her head, purple eyes blinking, "you're right, actually."

"If that's what you're worried about, don't worry about it. People just need to learn to mind their own business," I smiled, "everyone has their down days, even me-"

"It's not that," she sighed, "I never wanted to come to this school."

Her voice went quiet and I sat a little bit straighter; subtly though, I didn't want to startle her. 

"I only came to this school because-" she released a sigh of frustration, her eyes giving an alert scan to the environment "-I need to find my brother."

Brother? Robin!

"Who?" I asked quickly, and sorry, it was for selfish intents – to feed my curiosity. "I could keep a lookout."

"That might be true. I don't really... move around a lot in school," she glanced to the deeper part of the woods, biting her bottom lip. "His name is Jaxton Dawn. Do you know?"

I grew rigid. 

Know? Do I know him? DO I KNOW HIM! I literally... oh my god...

"I-"

"He hasn't been in contact with me, and I haven't seen him. I did go to his camp once... to find him, his friend said he wasn't in camp. In fact, they said he hardly stays in the camp. Sometimes it's hard to catch him even during evenings." She closed her eyes, pained, "at least I know he's alive."

"I'm sorry, girl," I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. God, Jaxton, why so cruel?

"Truth to be told, I think... I think he's searching for Robin."

What? I wanted to spit, but I held my tongue.

"I'm not sure if he actually is," Vel's focus was wandering, "he should be..."

"Robin's your...?"

"Oh, sorry, Robin, Jaxton and I grew up from the same orphanage," she said, and I stilled. I didn't know how to react to that back story. "Robin is not our biological brother, but we grew up together so we practically are. Some people say he went missing and some said he was on a solo mission. I heard it was part of the graduate program for seniors."