I'm... back?

Chapter 4

(I know this chapter is short, but I promised a chapter and as some unexpected things came up I couldn't write as much as I wanted to. i might write another chapter in the next 2 days)

All Sunny wished for was to eat his breakfast quietly with Nephis, but that seemed impossible at this point.

The glares from the surrounding students felt like spears piercing his back.

The news spread fast in the academy, and practically everybody knew about his win against Changing Star.

Luckily, Nephis was there swatting away the incoming students with her fierce glare, after a few minutes no one dared to come anymore.

Quickly devouring their breakfast, they both got up and went to Sunny's room.

Locking the door behind him, Sunny laid down on his soft bed.

Letting out a tired huff, he stared at the ceiling.

It seems that standing out was more bothersome than he imagined.

"This is so tiresome... how much longer until the winter solstice?"

He knew the answer already, but he just wanted to start a conversation with Nephis. It was incredibly boring here, so he mostly spent his time talking with her.

"About a month more, what do we do about Cassie? Do we stay back or should we go befriend her?"

The question lingered in his head, it was difficult to decide. Do they go approach her?

Sunny opened his mouth but quickly shut it, he couldn't decide.

"Won't it look too suspicious? If we approach the lowest-ranked sleeper in the academy?"

Nephis shook her head, staring out the window, she answered.

"It might, but she's always sitting alone so we could wait until all the tables are full and sit next to her."

Sunny pondered and quickly accepted the idea.

Sitting upright, he answered.

"Yeah, let's do that."

Scooching over, Sunny patted the open side of the bed next to him, gesturing Nephis to lie down with him. 

Letting out a small yawn, he said meekly. 

"I'm exhausted, let's take a nap."

Smiling softly at his suggestion, Nephis took off her top and plopped down with him. 

Surrounding her with his small arms, Sunny looked into her eyes. Getting lost in her mesmerizing eyes, he slowly drifted into the deep embrace of the dream world.

 Admiring the sight of her lover sleeping, she quickly joined him in his rest. 

The sun slowly rose up from the horizon, signaling the start of a new day, the cycle of life continuing.

Sunny always was an early bird, he liked seeing the sunrise, it reminded him of how Nephis appeared in his life, slowly working her way into his heart, just like the sun appeared over the horizon. 

2 weeks have passed since Nephis brought Cassie up, and Nephis has become pretty close friends with her. 

Sipping on his black tea, Sunny pondered. He couldn't help but worry. 

He knew Nephis, and it was the undeniable truth that she would try to save everyone this time.

Sunny wished nothing more than for that to happen, yet he felt in his heart that it was a bad idea.

Shaking off those thoughts, he gently smiles. 

"What am I thinking, it's Nephis, she will manage."

Standing up from his wooden chair, he left his balcony, preparing for another day. 

Putting on his uniform, he stepped out of his room. 

Nephis was already there, waiting for him in the hall. 

Giving her a good morning nod, they both headed for the dining hall. 

The cafeteria was relatively busy, with almost no table without some people sitting at it. 

The glares had eased the last 2 weeks, and Sunny didn't feel as uncomfortable as before. 

He and Nephis approached a table with a small blonde girl sitting behind it, munching on some bread. 

Nephis spoke up first, notifying the girl of their presence. 

"Hey Cass. I brought my boyfriend today, do you mind?"

Not startled at all, Cassie looked in their direction and gave a small smile. 

"Not at all!"

Even though she spoke happily, Sunny could hear the faint fear in her voice. 

But he knew it wasn't because of him, it was because the solstice was near. 

In the approaching 2 weeks, he wanted her to grow comfortable with him, and forget all this needless fear. 

Greeting her with a quiet, "Hi" he sat down at the table. 

In the following minutes, Cassie and Nephis talked about Nightingale, with Sunny sometimes joining the conversation with his limited knowledge.

With each passing moment, Cassie's voice grew more enthusiastic, the once fearful voice changing into a happier and more relaxed one. 

Sunny withdrew from the conversation and admired the sight. The memories of them three flooded his mind, painful memories, and happy ones too. And he couldn't help but smile at them. 

He felt like they were one family, who couldn't be broken apart. 

mumbling softly so they wouldn't be able to hear, he said contently. 

"I wish this could last forever..."