Hold My Hand Through The Pain

/6/ Proving The Rumors Wrong

You stood off to the side with some of your classmates that had also gotten their familiars already. The strange looks and fairly loud whispering had ultimately continued the longer you stood there. And now you just hoped Orpheus would hurry so you didn't feel so ostracized.

Speaking of the black haired boy, you could see him bounding over to you with an exited smile. "We did it, (Y/n)! We actually did it!" He cheered in victory.

You smiled lightly at him, now noticing the small golden retriever puppy that he held securely in his arms. Seeing that it was definitely a good fit for his familiar since the two were definitely very similar, you thought with an amused giggle. "I'm so happy you were able to do it Orpheus."

"Me too! I was so nervous.. but it all payed off," he replied. And you could understand where he was coming from since you had been extremely anxious about it to begin with. "Oh! I also heard from some of the other people that your familiar was one of those shapshifter creatures? That's quite cool, though.. I'm pretty sure there's not a lot known about them."

You slowly nodded to the information he was giving you now. Wondering if maybe you could at least learn the things that were known about your familiar. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try. "Oh, well then I might try to go to the library after school, if you'd like to accompany me?"

"Indeed, I'd love too!" Both of your heads then snapped in the direction of Professor Dacre who was calling your class back inside, declaring the bell was about to ring.

"Oh, looks like we'll have to go to second period now," you commented a little dissapointed. But Orpheus merely giggled, his brigght smile unwavering as he grabbed hold of your hand and quickly tugged you towards the direction of the Professor. You weren't exactly  sure  why, but you had sent a small glance towards the Chiroptera residents. Catching a glimpse of Eloi waving goodbye before a light blush formed on his pale cheeks when you sent him a smile.

Maybe Eloi wasn't so bad, you thought. Soon following after the overly exited boy.

~Time Skip~

Most of the classes after that had seemed to drag on forever. The only thing you ever saw within the classes was simply just going over what was to come. Which was fine, just quite boring unfortunately. And the people in the classes really didn't make anything much better.

Especially, when lunch for you had come, causing Orpheus to sadly explain he didn't have the same lunch period. So you'd be alone then. So this was just great, you thought bitterly.

Orpheus seemed to feel the same way as he frowned lightly while waving goodbye, wishing you well before he disappeared down the hall and out of sight with his puppy familiar.

You sighed while the bird that still hadn't moved from your head began to tweet fairly loudly. And although you didn't fully understand the creature, you got what it was wanting.

"Okay, okay. I'm going," you spoke to it as it finally settled back down again. You then began the journey towards the school's Cafe to get lunch.

Clutching the food you had gotten as your gaze flickered across each table. The imposing question of where exactly you should sit had ultimately been the omly thing you could think of. Since you practically knew no one here now that Orpheus had left you.

You began to sink further and further into your anxious thoughts, until you caught sight of the familiar red head you had been meaning to find. You supposed now was a good of a time as ever to actually speak to him again, so you quickly went in the direction you had seen him go, ultimately ending up in a small courtyard you didn't remember seeing on the tour with Yuichiro.

However, the place was actually very pretty with large willow trees spaced out and other wildlife. Another thing you had come to notice was just how quiet it was, indicating that no one else but Lumin had chosen to come here. And you could only imagine it to be because of how other people clearly avoided him.

You hummed and slowly began advancing towards him while he sat on one of the benches, looking rather indulged in the book he was reading. Yet when you got close to him, he spoke up. "What are you doing here?"

His tone came out cold, causing you to freeze in your place. You stumbled over what you originally wanted to say to him for a moment before finally gaining some sort of confidence to actually speak properly. "Um.. I wanted to ask if I could sit with you... Please, Lumin?"

His head immediately snapped up from his book to look at you with an almost unreadable expression. Though, you could somewhat grasp the concept on what he must have been thinking. Which ultimately led you to wonder if you were making the right decision. Would he even want to talk to you?

The redhead narrowed his eyes quizzically, still remaining silent before he slowly moved to one side of the bench to allow you to sit down. "Fine. Do as you like," he answered with the same coldness as before, yet it almost felt gentler this time.

"Oh, okay- Thank you." You sat down next to him and placed the tray of food you had gotten on your lap. Glancing over at him you could see that he had gone back to reading. "Hey, um, that isn't all I wanted to speak to you about."

He hummed, giving you a small glance to show he was listening, but still paying more attention to the book. Okay, you thought with a hum. You'd have to somehow start a conversation with him if you were ever going to attempt to befriend him or even somewhat figure out what was going on with the school and their 'unsaid rule.'

So, you did. The conversation started out extremely awkward at first. Infact, it almost felt one sided, until Lumin had finally given you his full attention to answer some of the questions you asked and give a few of his own. And as the lunch period went on, you could see that you were right about all the rumors not have beeing true. Lumin was actually nicer than what Cozbi had said and talking to him was genuinely pleasant.

It soon came to an end however, when the bell rang to indicate it was time for lunch to end. You stood up from the bench with a light smile and turned back to Lumin."

"Do you think we could do this again tomorrow, Lumin?" You asked him, while he seemed to give you yet another skeptical look.

His cheeks then flushed a color almost brighter then his hair as he gave a conflicted nod. "Sure, if that's what you want. But, I have to ask.. why would you even want to?"

You thought over his question for a moment, deciding to answer honestly. "Because I'd like to get to know you better." And with that, you gave him a quick goodbye, leaving behind the surprised redhead.

While he quietly watched your form disappear back into the school, feeling a fluttery feeling in his chest that he knew shouldn't be there. But, for once he was finally hopeful and curious to see just were all of this would lead.