Unexpected Bloom [OCs X Highschool DXD]

Chapter 4

(Aebelle's POV)

The world swam back into focus slowly, the remnants of a hazy dream clinging to the edges of my mind. My head throbbed a dull ache that pulsed with every beat of my heart. "Hmph... W-what happened?" I mumbled, my voice hoarse from disuse. My eyes flickered around the familiar space of my bedroom, the floral wallpaper and the slightly chipped nightstand a comforting sight.

"How... did I get here?"

"Hey, you're awake." My mother, Marissa, stepped into view, her usual cheerful demeanor softened with a hint of concern.

"Mom? How did I get here?" I pushed myself up, a wave of dizziness washing over me.

"Your friend found you and brought you home?" she replied, her voice laced with a cautious tone.

"Friend? Oh, that girl Rael..." I vaguely recalled a blur of black hair and worried eyes.

"What do you remember, sweetheart?" Marissa asked, her brow furrowed.

"I..." My mind felt like a tangled mess of yarn, the threads of yesterday's events frayed and impossible to unravel. The only clear image that surfaced was the bustling marketplace, the cacophony of sounds and smells filling the town square.

"Strange..." My mother murmured, a puzzled expression on her face. "But... your sword... it's broken."

"What?" My heart stuttered in my chest.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stumbled to my feet, grabbing for the familiar weight of my sword. My fingers brushed against the shattered hilt, the cold metal shards sending a shiver down my spine. It was broken, cleaved in two, the once-gleaming blade now a jagged mess.

Marissa sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken worry. "Worry about it later. It's time for school."

"Y-yeah..." My voice was barely a whisper. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, something that my fragmented memory refused to reveal. The broken sword, the hazy memories, and a sense of unease settled in my stomach like a cold stone. School suddenly seemed like the last place I wanted to be.

My mind was a blank canvas, refusing to paint any images of what had happened on Sunday. It was as if my memory had decided to take a vacation, leaving me with a frustrating emptiness. Lost in thought, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, and the next thing I knew, I'd bumped into someone, stumbling back with a startled gasp.

"M-Mari!?" I managed to stammer out, my eyes widening in surprise.

The voice that replied was like a warm melody, instantly familiar and comforting. "Aebee!!!!"

Before I could even process what was happening, Marinoah was engulfing me in a bone-crushing hug. Her familiar scent - a mix of lavender and sunshine - filled my senses, a nostalgic wave washing over me.

I managed to pull back slightly, my cheeks flushing a light pink. "W-what are you doing here!?" I sputtered, still slightly breathless from the unexpected embrace.

"Don't you remember?" she asked, her bright eyes twinkling with mischief. "I got accepted. And here I am!"

A wave of understanding washed over me, a silly grin spreading across my face. "Oh! Silly me!" I chuckled, running a hand through my hair. "I completely forgot about your application."

Marinoah laughed, her melodic laughter filling the hallway. "Well, I'm here now. And I'm not leaving anytime soon."

"That's great!" I exclaimed, my heart swelling with happiness at the prospect of having my best friend by my side again. "We can hang out like old times! We can... we can..." I trailed off, my mind buzzing with possibilities. It had been far too long since we'd been able to just be ourselves, without the pressures of everyday life or the distance that had separated us.