A Z R I E L (A Freenbecky Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 19

AELIA'S POV

I am outside the campus, on the way to a diner.

Earlier, Eirene and Celestine had invited me to grab a meal off-campus. I was hesitant at first—after all, the last time I left Ravenwood, it hadn't exactly gone well. But their enthusiasm won me over, and the idea of a quiet dinner somewhere normal sounded... nice. 

Kali was supposed to come along, but she's still recuperating from her duel with Ronan last week.

Speaking of Kali, I notice some changes in her since her last fight, I think what happened really emotionally shook her, because despite her playful demeanor returning alongside her physical healing, there are moments when she seems distant. Although she insists she's fine, I sense something is troubling her, but I won't press her; she'll confide in me when she's ready.

Surprisingly, Izel's been different lately. Not in a dramatic way—she hasn't suddenly become warm and friendly—but there's a noticeable shift. She's quieter, more reserved, and she avoids confrontation in a way that feels new. I've caught her glancing my way a few times, not with malice, but with something almost like guilt. Maybe the fight and Kali's injury shook something in her. I don't know.

She and Kali haven't spoken since the duel, not that I've seen, anyway. There's this strange tension whenever they're in the same room. Izel looks like she wants to say something, like she's carrying words she doesn't know how to let out. And Kali... Kali just avoids her entirely. Maybe it's easier that way, or maybe neither of them knows how to begin. But if Izel really is changing, then I guess this silence is her first step. Trying not to make things worse. And honestly? That's more than I expected from her.

We borrowed Kali's car and drove to a cozy-looking diner. The second we walked in, a blonde girl waved us over from a booth near the window. She was sitting across from someone with their back turned. 

As we approached, I realized who it was. Azriel.

"Hey, Ria," Eirene greeted, hugging the girl named Ria, Celestine does too, after their brief embrace Ria glanced at me and smiled warmly.

"Hi," she extended her hand, "I'm Aria."

I shook her hand, "Aelia, nice to meet you."

 "It's good to finally meet you," she said, placing a playful emphasis on finally and casting a look at Azriel, who remained indifferent.

"Aren't you going to greet us, Fran?" Eirene asked Azriel with a smirk.

Fran? Is that her second name or something? How does Eirene know her?

"What for? I saw you on campus this afternoon," Azriel replied coldly, making Eirene chuckle.

"What about my friend here—Bella?" Eirene nudged, clearly trying to stir something up.

Azriel's eyes flicked up to me for a second—blank, unreadable—before she went right back to her meal.

"Would you like to join us?" Aria offered.

"It looks like you're almost done eating," Celestine replied with a polite smile. "We'll sit somewhere else."

Ria nodded, and we found an empty table nearby.

"I didn't know you were friends," I whispered to Eirene as we sat.

"Blair said she doesn't have friends." I added.

"That's what she wants people to think," Eirene said with a shrug. "We've known her since before Ravenwood, but she prefers to keep her distance on campus. Keeps things quiet." She explained then let out a humorless chuckle.