Mystic Academy: Accepted

🝔🝔🝔🝔

Tristan and Katie caught up with me as I had sat down leaning against the wall outside the Duel. They settled down on either side of me, Tristan on the left and Katie on the right.

They looked at me worriedly, before turning to each other over my head, confirming their next move.

"What happened, Aline?" Katie ventured to ask. "We saw you come storming out of Mr. Brock's office."

"What happened with the lesson with Liam?" Tristan looked at me. "Wasn't he there or?" I had noticed now after knowing these people for a few weeks that Tristan wasn't as good at comfort talk as Katie. He was kind who tried, but there was always some comment that only made the situation worse.

"Something like that," I replied, wiping the tears that were still falling with my shirt sleeve.
They looked at me tensely, waiting for the continuation.

I sighed deeply, preparing myself. After a few minutes of pause, I was about to answer. But then something else caught my interest. Nico was standing in the corner of the Dining Room looking at me. He waved at me as if to tell me to come.

"Wait here," I said, standing up. "I'm just going to check on one thing."

I walked towards Nico with as steady legs as I could. I didn't want him to see me sad.
"How is it?" he asked.

My answer was short, simple. "Good."

"You sure?" He looked into my eyes. "I know you and Liam got close. And now he's gone and could potentially be a traitor."

I nodded. "I know. But sure. It's fine."

He smiled and held out his thumb for confirmation. "Thumbs?" he asked.

"Thumbs."

He then disappeared around the corner and when I looked there again he was gone.

I went back to Tristan and Katie.

"Who was it?" Tristan asked curiously.

"Wait, don't say anything," Katie said. "Let me guess... Another one of your overprotective boyfriends?"

"Eww, no." I gave her a meaningful look. "I don't have a boyfriend. He's my cousin. I... how do I put it? I just happen to have a bunch of overprotective guys around me."

"But Liam then?" Katie asked. "He likes you. And he's just too cute. If I were you, I'd make him mine already."

"I don't know...," I said uncertainly. "He's Simon's best friend. I don't want to ruin their friendship."

Katie sighed, but agreed with my argument. "If you say so." She looked at me. "Your loss."

Tristan looked at me as I sat back down between them. "Where is Liam by the way?" he asked. "He always makes sure you're doing well."

I sighed and felt the tears start to come again. "He... He's gone missing."

--------------------

Four weeks passed without a single sign of Liam. He was blown away. Plaster folds.
The Sapphires—being the warriors—had sent out a search party that had searched the country without success.
Tristan and Katie supported me morally and Nico's visits became more and more frequent. They were worried about me.

Izadora took over Liam's role as instructor the first week after the disappearance, but as it was mentally difficult for her to keep her mind on the training because I 'resembled Simon so much', as she put it, Mrs. Downhill got to take over.

She was harsh, strict and yelled at me. The exact opposite of what I could need after going through such a difficult and tough situation. Her training was not helping my ability at all and it felt like I was losing control of it rather than mastering the technique.

Because of everything that's been going on lately, I'd forgotten about Ravenna and Alastor a bit, so once I let them out they were pretty upset with me.
It was about time! Ravenna exclaimed. What has flown in you?
Alastor was not as angry. I hate to admit it, but I agree with Ravenna. Has something happened?

Of course they would be worried about me too. Everyone seemed to be these days, so it was just a matter of getting used to it.

As the tears began to flow, whatever anger remained in them quickly disappeared and both immediately began trying to get me to stop by interrupting each other with various comforting sentences.

I laughed and wiped away the few tears that escaped. "It's good now," I said, laughing a little. "Thank you guys."

Alastor nodded weakly. No worries, Aline. That's what we're for. Help you.

I laughed once more. "And I really appreciate it," I replied.

As soon as footsteps echoed in the corridor, both Alastor and Ravenna became on their guard, anxiously waiting for the owner to appear. To my relief it was Katie with three girls I didn't recognize.

"Aline," Katie said. "This is my sister Desma." She pointed to the tallest of the girls. "And these are her friends Aliyah and Samantha."

The two girls waved. I waved back.
Alastor and Ravenna had both gone into rest, so now I sat alone again. "What are you doing here?" I asked as normally as possible. "Don't you have classes to attend?"

"Lunch break," Aliyah replied. Her black bangs fell into her face, and she hurried to move them away.

Desma looked at her little sister. "Katie told me how you've been lately...," she began.

I looked accusingly at Katie. "What have you said?"

Katie shrugged. "Just everything," she replied. "You need help, Aline."

"And that's exactly what we're going to do," Desma said. "Help you."