The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of Wellston High's library, casting a warm, golden hue over the rows of bookshelves. Remi sat at one of the tables near the back, her fingers idly tracing the spine of the book in front of her. She wasn't reading, though. Her mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of the conversation she knew was coming.
Seraphina, her best friend, had asked to meet her here after class. Normally, Remi would have been excited to catch up with her, but today, there was a tension in the air that she couldn't shake. The reason was clear—Seraphina had found out about her and Arlo.
It had been inevitable, of course. They hadn't exactly been hiding their relationship, but they hadn't broadcasted it either. Remi wasn't worried about people knowing; what concerned her was how Seraphina would react. And knowing her friend's history with Arlo, she had every right to be.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Remi from her thoughts. She looked up to see Seraphina making her way toward the table, her expression unreadable. Seraphina had always had a calm, almost serene demeanor, but today there was a certain stiffness in her posture, a sharpness in her eyes that put Remi on edge.
"Hey, Sera," Remi greeted her with a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Remi," Seraphina replied, her voice as composed as ever, but there was a subtle undertone that hinted at the storm brewing beneath the surface. She took a seat across from Remi, folding her hands neatly on the table.
There was a brief silence between them, the kind that felt heavier than it should have. Remi knew Seraphina well enough to understand that she was carefully choosing her words, trying to balance her concern with her usual level-headedness.
Finally, Seraphina spoke. "I heard you're dating Arlo."
It wasn't a question; it was a statement of fact. Remi nodded slowly, trying to gauge her friend's reaction. "Yeah, we've been seeing each other for a little while now."
Seraphina's gaze was steady, almost piercing as she studied Remi. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Remi sighed, glancing down at the table. "I didn't want to worry you," she admitted. "I know you and Arlo don't exactly get along..."
"That's an understatement," Seraphina said dryly. "Remi, you know what he's like. I've worked with him before, and it was... difficult, to say the least."
Remi bit her lip, her heart sinking. She knew this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. "I know you had a rough time as queen, Sera, but Arlo... he's different with me. He's not the same person he was back then."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "People don't change that easily, Remi. Arlo has always been manipulative, controlling... He's cold, calculating. You remember how he was when I was queen. He doesn't care about people, only the hierarchy and his own power."
Remi shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "He's more than that. I've seen a side of him that most people don't. He can be kind, Sera. He can be gentle. He just... doesn't show it to everyone."
Seraphina's expression softened slightly, but the concern in her eyes remained. "Remi, I'm worried about you. Arlo is not someone who lets his guard down easily. Even if he's being nice now, that doesn't mean he won't revert to his old ways. I don't want you to get hurt."
Remi reached across the table, taking Seraphina's hand in hers. "I appreciate that you're looking out for me, I really do. But I trust him. He's been nothing but supportive, and I wouldn't be with him if I didn't believe in him."
Seraphina sighed, squeezing Remi's hand gently. "I just don't want to see you get caught up in something that could end badly. Arlo is... complicated. And I'm not sure he's capable of giving you what you need."
Remi smiled softly, her eyes filled with a quiet determination. "Maybe he's complicated, but I'm willing to navigate that. He's worth it to me."
Seraphina studied her for a long moment, searching for any sign of doubt in Remi's eyes. But all she saw was conviction, and it made her heart ache a little. She wanted to trust Remi's judgment, but the memories of her own experiences with Arlo made it difficult to shake the unease that had settled in her chest.
"Just promise me you'll be careful," Seraphina said finally, her voice tinged with worry. "If he ever hurts you, in any way... you need to tell me."
"I promise," Remi replied, her voice unwavering. "But I don't think it'll come to that. Arlo... he's trying, Sera. He's really trying."
Seraphina gave a small nod, though she couldn't fully banish the doubt from her mind. "Alright. I'll take your word for it. But I'll be watching, Remi. I won't let him hurt you."
Remi squeezed Seraphina's hand one last time before letting go. "I know. And thank you for caring so much."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Remi knew it would take time for Seraphina to come around, and she couldn't blame her friend for being protective. After all, Seraphina had seen a side of Arlo that most people didn't, a side that had left its mark on her.
But Remi was determined to show her that there was more to Arlo than the cold, calculating king he portrayed himself as. He had walls, sure, but Remi had seen the cracks in them. She'd seen the vulnerability he tried so hard to hide, and she believed in the goodness that lay beneath.
As they left the library together, Remi couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was grateful for Seraphina's concern, but she was also resolved to prove that her relationship with Arlo was different. That he was different.
And deep down, Remi knew that Seraphina would come to see it too, in time. Because what she and Arlo had was real, and no amount of skepticism could change that.
