Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 28-New Alliances

The class finally ended, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Just as I began to gather my things, Diarmid's group approached us, led by the girl who had called his name earlier. She moved confidently, her expression bright and lively.

Damn! I forgot her name.

I caught Diarmid smirking out of the corner of my eye. His glance briefly flicked in my direction, and then he returned his attention to whatever he was reading in his book, seemingly disinterested in the conversation about to unfold.

"Hi, Arwen! How are you?" the girl chirped, her voice filled with energy. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she and the rest of the group took seats in front of us, one by one, as if they'd done this a thousand times before.

I was about to respond when I heard a small noise beside me. It was Joshua, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

I smiled and greeted the girl. Diarmid's attention shifted to her, and I noticed how his gaze softened as he looked at her. The girl, in turn, gasped slightly when her eyes met mine, her face briefly clouded with sadness before she quickly composed herself and smiled again.

"I'm Brigit," she said with a small grin, though her eyes flickered with something unspoken. "You must have forgotten our encounter before the semestral break."

She glanced over at Joshua and Leroy, as if trying to gauge their place in this new dynamic.

Before I could respond, Joshua's voice rang out, far too animated for the subtle tension lingering in the air. "Oh! I didn't know my baby girl made some new friends, right, Arwen?" He shot me a playful glare, his teasing meant to cut through the awkwardness.

Brigit chuckled nervously, and before anyone else could chime in, another gorgeous girl with sleek hair and a confident air spoke up. "She must've forgotten it, it was just a short meeting. I'm Rhyian, again," she said, her tone light, but I could sense the slight jab in her words.

Joshua seized the opportunity to pile on, raising an eyebrow at me as he added, "I guess so, seeing how Arwen forgot to introduce us." He smirked before introducing himself with dramatic flair. "I'm Joshua, her best friend—at least, I believe so?" His voice was playful, but the look he gave me was pointed, like he was calling me out.

"And I'm Leroy," came Leroy's smooth, calm voice. He wrapped an arm around Joshua's shoulder and grinned. "Arwen's best friend as well, and this handsome guy's boyfriend." His gesture wasn't just affectionate—it was a signal for Joshua to ease up.

I smiled at Leroy, feeling a surge of gratitude. He always knew how to keep things from spiraling, and right now, I needed that more than ever.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you two," Brigit said with a warm smile, her earlier tension melting away. "It's great having new friends." She gestured to Diarmid, who was sitting next to her, completely oblivious to the world around him, still focused on his book. "This is Diarmid, my older brother."

I followed her gaze, but Diarmid remained engrossed in whatever he was reading, his brow furrowed in concentration. He had that air of someone who often drifted into his own world, unaware of the buzz around him.

Brigit then gestured to the guy standing behind her. "And this is Finn, my boyfriend." Finn was striking, with a tall, athletic frame and tousled blond hair that gave him a carefree yet put-together look. His sun-kissed skin and sharp jawline only added to his appeal, and his deep-set green eyes seemed both intense and easygoing at the same time. He exuded a quiet confidence, the kind that made you feel both at ease and a little in awe of him.

"As she mentioned earlier, this is Rhyian," Brigit continued, gesturing to the girl beside her. Rhyian looked like a model straight out of a high-end fashion magazine. She had strikingly symmetrical features, with large blue-gray eyes framed by long lashes, and her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. Her skin was pale and flawless, giving her a porcelain-doll-like quality, but there was an unmistakable fierceness in the way she held herself, poised and full of self-assurance. She was effortlessly elegant, the kind of person who commanded attention just by entering a room.

"And this is her twin brother, Roisin," Brigit finished, pointing to the tall guy standing next to Rhyian. Roisin had a similarly captivating presence, but with a more rugged edge. His features were sharp, with a chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes that matched his sister's, though his were colder, more distant. His dark brown hair was shorter than Finn's but still slightly tousled, and his athletic build suggested he was no stranger to physical activity. He seemed more reserved than the rest, his demeanor cool and observant, like someone who rarely spoke but always listened.

The group was undeniably striking, each one of them standing out in their own way. It was clear they shared a bond, and for a moment, I wondered what it would be like to be part of such a tightly-knit group.

"Hi, guys, again," I said, flashing a smile to cover up the nerves bubbling inside me. "I'm Arwen, in case you forgot my name." My voice was friendly, trying to ease the tension that lingered from the earlier introductions. "You mentioned when we met at the café that you had just moved in. So, how are you guys settling?"

As I spoke, I couldn't resist sneaking a glance at Diarmid. He was still absorbed in his book, oblivious to the conversation happening around him. There was something about his complete disconnection from everything—like he was in a world entirely his own—that intrigued me. His presence seemed to pull my attention, even when I tried to focus on everyone else.

Brigit's face lit up at my question. "Oh, we're settling in pretty well! It's been a bit hectic, but we're getting there." She smiled brightly, her earlier awkwardness completely gone. Finn nodded in agreement from behind her, his laid-back demeanor making it look like nothing could phase him.

Rhyian leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but confident. "It's been an adjustment, but we're liking it so far. Everyone's been really welcoming." Her words were measured, and I could sense that she wasn't the type to offer unnecessary details.

Roisin remained quiet, his gaze drifting from face to face, as if studying us all. He hadn't said much, but his silence felt deliberate, like he preferred to listen before speaking.

I nodded, keeping the conversation light, but my mind was still on Diarmid. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head as he sat there, detached from the world around him.

"That's great news! Why don't we hang out later if you guys are free?" Joshua offered with his usual enthusiasm, breaking the ice even further.

That seemed to finally catch Diarmid's attention. I noticed him glance up from his book toward Joshua and then, to my surprise, smile—a genuine one that softened his usually distant expression.

"I guess that's a great idea. I'm Diarmid, by the way," he said, his voice smooth, as if he was finally acknowledging our presence.

I leaned back in my chair, giving him space to properly greet my friends. Joshua and Leroy both introduced themselves, Joshua with his usual energy and Leroy with his more laid-back charm.

"Im Joshua," Joshua said, extending his hand with a wide grin.

"And I'm Leroy," Leroy followed, smiling as he gave a small wave.

The conversation continued for a few minutes, but before long, it was time for the next class. I glanced around and saw Joshua gathering his stuff. He leaned over to Leroy and gave him a quick kiss, a sweet gesture I had grown used to seeing. Meanwhile, Diarmid's group was doing the same, packing up their belongings and getting ready to head out.

"See you at lunch, honey," Joshua said to Leroy with a wink, then turned to me with a mischievous grin. "And you, behave, babe," he whispered teasingly before saying goodbye to Diarmid's group.

"See you later, Arwen!" Brigit called out cheerfully as she, Rhyian, and Roisin followed suit, heading out of the classroom. Their departure left me alone with Leroy, Finn, and Diarmid.

As the room emptied out, Finn decided to take a seat in front of us, his back on Leroy and me. Diarmid, still seated next to me, leaned back in his chair, finally a bit more relaxed. It felt strange to be left with just the three of them, a mixture of old friends and new, but I could sense the easygoing atmosphere settling in.