𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒

𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠

TW: SA

Every second of the following day felt achingly slow for Isolde. Tomas had tried to catch up with her numerous times throughout the day, but she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes, let alone have a discussion with him. Her regular, uncomfortable attire had been yanked on earlier that morning making her feel even more overwhelmed, which was no easy task.

Garrick stayed within arm's reach during their lessons, and walking around the school which she found both endearing and annoying. However, the irritation was less directed at him and more towards herself and the fact she had been so pathetic that someone was worried about her.

Their group had just finished their session on the gauntlet and her timing moved her from the second spot down to fifth making her go from one of the top positions to one of the lowest. "Don't worry these times don't mean anything." Corey said cheerily from her left. It was easier for him to say though now that he was in the third spot. She gave him a weak smile and continued walking down the path back to the college.

Darkness started to envelope the skies above them meaning that her only saving grace was nearing. Clean-up duty. For many cleaning up after hours when they could be getting extra sleep was not their idea of a fun time, but for Isolde the thought of her being alone and free for a couple of hours spurred her through the whirlwind of emotions that she was experiencing.

As she queued up for dinner, she let her eyes fall over the food, none of it really making her feel too excited. To make her disappointment of the food choices even worse she noticed the familiar mess of blonde hair and bright blue eyes walk over to her. Crap.

"Lyra, please I just want to speak with you." He begged, cutting in behind her and picking up a tray, so that he had an excuse to be by her. "Tomas, don't. I'm not in the mood." She picked up an apple placing it on the wooden plank in front of her.

"Don't you think I deserve an explanation as to why you ran out on me last night? I thought you were enjoying it as much as I was before you bolted." He spoke breathlessly. Isolde placed both of her hands on the side of her tray and turned to look at him. "You absolutely do but can we speak elsewhere and not in the middle of the fucking dining hall?" She said through gritted teeth.

"Well, I've been trying to do that all fucking day, but you kept avoiding me, so no I want to have this conversation here and now." He crossed his arms in a firm manner. "You don't have to be such a dick about it." He raised an eyebrow.

"I am not speaking to you about it here so if that's what you're wanting you might as well just piss off now." She was no longer in the mood to eat. Leaving her tray behind, she tried to leave but Tomas, trying to stop her,  placed his hand on her wrist and tightened his grip.