Kiro stared at Alice for longer than he intended. The words that came out of her mouth came as a surprise to him, but not as much as her face. Her face didn't change physically though, but he could tell that that was Heress alright. How could they look exactly the same but feel completely different? "Is that---?" Kiro hesitated.
"It's Heress alright. I could never forget those eyes," a voice in Kiro's head said.
"You haven't spoken to me in a long time, but you speak now? You really are a sucker for her," Kiro goaded, but it only took Alice's puzzled expression to make him realize he was speaking aloud. He gave off an awkward smile.
"Are you speaking with Heron? Oh my God, that's awesome. Can you see him too?" Alice inquired, her eyes gleamed and Kiro was lost in them. "Kiro?" Alice beckoned at him, snapping him out of his fantasy.
"Yeah, yeah," he startled. "Get a grip of yourself man." He said to himself. "Well, yes, I was. He hasn't spoken to him in a long time now, but he speaks out now, when he sees Heress."
"Heress, where?" Alice was puzzled.
"Just now, when you said you loved me. Well, Heron," Kiro replied.
"I didn't say that," Alice chuckled but her smile faded when she noticed he was serious. "Heress spoke now? And I can't remember?" Alice worried.
"What's going on Alice? What happened last night?" Kiro was worried. He knew something was off, but he was worried it might be more serious than they were taking it.
And he was right. Alice was just putting on a brave face. Deep down, all she wanted to do was cry on his shoulder. But she made up her mind not to. She wasn't going to be weak. That wasn't why Heress did what she did. With Heress's memories and experiences, she was far from weak. And she didn't intend staying without her powers. She'd get it back, one way or another. "Heress left a message. As important as it is, we'll have to wait till Auron's back. Hope you're okay with that?"
"Sure."
***
The next day at school was pretty the same as every other day. Nothing out of the ordinary. Well, if you remove the fact that the school's 'freak' was coming to school with the school's coolest kid; Lucas Evans. Lucas had gone to pick up Alice from her hotel, before going to school. Originally, it was just Lucas, then Lucas, Auron and Erica when the 'big three' was formed, then just Lucas and Auron when Erica left or was kicked out, then Kiro joined the bandwagon when he joined their school. And now Alice made it four, coming to school in Lucas's 'not so adored' car. They became the 'big four' now, maybe? Nah, no one called them that. They were all probably too shocked to see the group, that no one could say anything. And no one was more pissed than Erica. To her, Alice had stolen her life and it wasn't something she was going to forget so soon. But even she didn't say anything. Not out of shock however, but out of sullenness. Alice noticed Erica from afar. She wanted to call her but she held herself back.
Upon entering class, Alice stopped by Erica's table, whispering something that only Erica heard, "I remember everything." At this time, Kiro was yet to enter the class. He was still discussing with Auron. They had been teasing him about his date with Alice.
Erica's sullenness still hadn't changed. "What do you want, Alice?" Erica asked, passively.
"The Grill Place, four 'o' clock. Don't be late," Alice said and walked towards her seat without waiting for Erica's reply. And the rest of school continued without a hitch. A gentle breeze blew across Alice's face, parrying her hair with it. Alice picked up an all too familiar scent. Kai was watching.