Beyond Good and Evil

Chapter 8: Guilty conscience

Dandy left Alicia well alone after his encounter with Robert, bringing her relief. She had been immensely shellshocked to witness Robert's angry side; especially in action.

Her mind was clattered with illogical, confused thoughts afterwards. The way he'd held her, like she was the only human being that mattered, had been comforting and warming. But she knew it was a one-time thing. She wasn't expecting him to be understanding, patient and attentive all the time, given his lifestyle.

Andreas was waiting in front of the FWD when Alicia walked off the school premises. He wore a black jacket, zipped up, with matching black skinny pants, his shaggy black hair curling against the nape of his neck. Elsa had stayed back to shoot a text to Sean, asking him to a movie that had just been released.

Upon seeing Alicia, Andreas approached her, his hands dug deeply into his pockets. She hadn't interacted with him for an extended period of time, leaving her stuck for things to talk about without boring him, or offending him.

Just as he was about to talk, Elsa bounded over screaming and flailing her arms in the air, as if at the concert. She barrelled past Alicia, and flung her arms around him.

"Andreas!" She squealed, jumping up and down excitedly on the spot. "Agh! Omg, omg, omg! You're so amazing!"

He cocked an eyebrow at Alicia, his gaze quizzical, before he distanced himself from Elsa. "Um, hello?"

"This is Elsa," Alicia explained, smiling. She was hoping to sound polite, provided that he was Robert's friend and would not socialise with her otherwise. "She's been my best friend since we were practically babies."

Andreas smiled tight-lipped, extending his hand to her. "Nice to meet you, Elsa."

Elsa shook his hand like a kid excited to meet Santa Claus, grinning up at him with perfect white teeth. "The pleasure's all mine, Andreas. I'm sorry I fan girled so badly." A blush spread across her cheeks. She turned to Alicia then, mouthing oh my god he's so hot!

Alicia smirked, pulling the back door to the FWD open and sliding in gracefully. Tomi and Jonas were in the back with her, their eyes scanning the campus. Students poured out from the two front doors, their heads moving with animation as they recapped with their friends. The sun had finally emerged from its hiding place, bathing the navy blue uniforms in golden light.

"Howdy," Tomi smiled across at Alicia. "It's been a while since we talked. How have you been doing?'

She turned her attention to him, offering a genuine smile that touched her eyes. "I've been well. I have another question for you. Sorry."

Tomi shrugged, stretching his arm up behind his head as he cracked his neck. "It's always a pleasure answering fans' questions."

"What was it like working alongside Daniel Freyeberg?" She asked. "You know, when you were filling in for Kristian Ranta in Norther."

He paused, his hazel eyes growing distant in deep thought. Alicia took the opportunity to study his features - a strong, masculine jawline, his chin lined with a thin layer of hair. His face remained serious, his thin eyebrows sitting low just above his eyes. His mouth was pressed into a firm, serious line, his hair tied back into a neat bun, leaving his forehead bare.

"It was incredible," he smiled, causing Alicia's heart to accelarate inside her chest. His smile, too, was extraordinarily beautiful. "He's one of the most amazing guys I've ever met, and it was such a privilege to have worked with him."

The car jerked forward, slamming her into Tomi. She flushed, drawing back, and sheepishly rubbed her elbow. "Sorry."

He shrugged, averting his gaze out the window to the passing scenery. His arm rested across the top of the back seat, a black sweat band around his wrist brandishing the Machinae Supremacy logo.