Bruised

Chapter 4: Mall Rats

Before they left the bookstore, the group hanged back as Victor made a purchase. When Sang asks what it is he answers saying its music sheets.

"He still plays the piano?" Aya who still has her arm around Sang quietly listens to their conversation. Her mind starts to drift to a memory from long ago, but she shakes her head to snap herself out of it. The past has no place in her present.

"You ok?" Kota inquires seeing Aya run a hand through her hair with a sigh.

"I'm fine." She says and to stop any more inquiries from him Aya points to an empty table. "C'mon lets go claim those seats before we lose them!" She pulls Sang along who stumbles for a step or two at the sudden discourse.

Plopping down into a seat, Aya puts her bag underneath the table. Sang takes a seat next to her that Victor pulls out being the ever so courteous gentleman. He would've done the same for Aya, but for a tiny thing she sure is fast on her feet. Victor sits next to Sang, to which Aya can breathe out in relief. Had he chosen to sit across from her she would have hard time enjoying lunch under those intense eyes of his. Instead it's Kota who takes a seat at the head of the table, and Silas takes a seat near him that's also by Aya.

"Um..." Sang starts, gathering the attention of everybody. She gulps and looks down at her hands in her lap. Kind of hard to speak when so many people are staring at her. "I-I don't have any money f-for food." She stutters out thinking herself stupid for not bringing any cash along with her, not that she has any in the first place.

"Don't worry about it Sang. I got you covered." Aya says starting to pull out her wallet from her backpack when Victor leans over stopping her.

"It's alright Aya. It's my turn to pay this time." He says as Aya looks his way with a pout. Although in truth she's looking at the wall above him. It doesn't change the fact that Victor finds her incredibly cute with that pout on her lips, making her extremely kissable.

It seems he isn't the only one thinking that as Silas coughs and turns in his seat to face away from Aya. Kota on the other hand has been watching his team's reaction to the two girl's throughout the whole day. Leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed, he couldn't help but think that they have the prospects of two birds on their hands.

He for sure wants Sang to be apart of their group but not in the Academy which could be a problem. Not to mention if she can get along with the others as she is doing now. Personally he wants her with them regardless. As for Aya....he's still not sure about her. She's definitely flirtatious and attractive, but she seems completely normal. Content. And not in need of the Academy's service. Not that Kota wants to put her through that either.

Still he couldn't shake off that harmless comment of her saying she hasn't laughed in a long while. Kota can clearly remember the split millisecond of sadness flashing across her eyes. Aya was so quick to cover it up, Kota thought he imagined it.

Looking back at the table he sees that neither Victor nor Aya is present. "Where'd they go?" Kota asks sitting up.

"They went to go buy the food. Victor said he would pay, but Aya doesn't want to owe him so..she's up there with him to pay for her own food." Sang tells Kota and gestures to the line behind him.

Sure enough when he turns in his seat to look in that direction, Kota sees Aya at the counter ordering a sandwich with her own money. Victor's next in line with his black credit card in hand and a small frown on his face. It didn't sit right with him to allow Aya to pay for herself when he could've, but she was adamant about it.

When they got back to the table Victor still has the frown on his face. Aya lets out a loud sigh of exasperation when an ingenious idea comes to mind to cheer up Sir Mcfrowny-pants.