The ground floor of the student dormitory was bustling with life for the first time since Ray had stepped into it. Large groups walked away towards the Arena while others stood waiting for their late friends.
Many students were sprawled all over the stairs, joking amongst each other and whiling away their time. Most of the room doors were wide open, with many students walking from one room to another, introducing themselves and getting familiar with their neighbours.
Ray treaded carefully as he walked up the stairs, avoiding the people spread all over them with great precision. While his room was located on the second floor, Ray stopped at the first floor, hoping to find Nova there. The two had written to each other before arriving at Zychs, so Ray knew which room was hers.
Her room door, like many others, was also swung open, but very few students seemed to walk in and out. Most of those who passed her room just whispered something amongst themselves as they shot mocking glares into it. They kept their distance since the rumours surrounding Nova had escalated and turned into a mess.
In the span of a week, Nova's rich and vibrant image had been slowly chipped away at by the constant influx of downgrading rumours. Though there were many who still looked up to her, the vocal minority that despised her was beginning to get louder.
Ray found Nova sitting on the edge of her bed facing the door, waiting for someone to walk in.
"Oh hey Ray!" She exclaimed as she shuffled over to provide space for him to sit.
"What's up?" She asked awkwardly, as Ray continued to remain standing.
"Nothing much. Just getting by like usual."
The two laughed a little, and Ray followed up with a serious question.
"Where had you gone for a few days earlier this week?" He asked. "And what the hell happened here?" He pushed her hair aside and rubbed her cheekbone that had a fading bruise painted on it.
She immediately brushed his hand away, letting her hair fall back down to cover the bruise. She didn't want Ray to know that she had been attacked, but at the same time she wished to talk to someone about it. She needed to vent, but did not want to make it seem like she was trying to steal everyone's sympathy.
"Alright then. Tell me whenever you're comfortable" Ray said as he saw Nova thoroughly avoiding eye contact.
A few kids walked past Nova's room door. "Are you coming to the Arena?" A boy asked Nova as he leaned on the doorframe.
"Yeah. Just give me a minute." She said, and the boy walked away with the rest of his group.
"Is something going on at the Arena?" Ray asked cluelessly.
"You rushed out of the class before they announced it - Some sort of competition amongst the first year students. Those who are interested in taking part have to go to the Arena today and register for it."
Nova tied her shoelaces tightly and got up. "Are you coming?" She asked Ray who was very unsure.
"Just come. It'll be fun."
Ray finally gave into her pestering and the two formed a plan to meet at the door of the student dormitory in 5 minutes. Ray rushed up to his room to quickly freshen up before heading out.
Nova, on the other hand, found herself knocking on Wolfe and Axel's door. Axel swung the door wide open and greeted Nova wholeheartedly. She peeked into the room to see Wolfe lying down on his bed, reading a book he borrowed from Axel.
"Are you guys signing up for the competition?" She asked nonchalantly, as if the horrific events from the past week had never occurred.
"Listen, I don't mind joining," Axel whispered. "But he still hasn't recovered from that." He was pointing at Wolfe, who was so engrossed in his book that he hadn't realised Nova was here.
"I honestly can't deal with him like this anymore." Axel began. "He's too scared to step out of the room except for when he's forced to during classes and lunch. He refuses to stay out after 6 in the evening, which is annoying because I have to get dinner all the way from the Kitchen for him.
"I understand that he fears for his life, but I think it's about time he gets back to normal. If he doesn't make an effort to do that right now then I doubt he'll ever be able to."
Nova knew that Axel's concern was genuine. His expressions were just like her family's when they chose to help out the poor in their area of jurisdiction. The Emblaze family was known for their kind nature, and Nova, though a little harsher than the others, still had that compassionate flare burning inside her.
Nova sympathised with Axel's situation and was worried for Wolfe's future just like him. She had gotten to know both of them a little more over the course of the week and the three were getting closer. Axel was much more outspoken and cheerful than Wolfe. If Nova ever had any problems, she knew she could fall back upon Wolfe for help. If the problem was more technical than emotional, then she would head to Axel who was more calculating and meticulous with what he did.
Needless to say, the bond the three shared was getting tighter as each day passed.
"Can you try convincing him?" Axel pleaded, hoping that Nova's presence would have a different effect on Wolfe.
While Wolfe was definitely shocked to see Nova in his room, he still wouldn't budge no matter how hard she tried to convince him. His conversation with Nova the night after the attack had aided in reducing his fear, but it hadn't been enough to completely free him from it.
In the end both Nova and Axel gave up on persuading Wolfe and decided to wait outside for Ray. Wolfe sat up in his bed, feeling guilty for disappointing the friends who cared so deeply for him. Axel didn't deserve to act as his butler, and Nova's good-willed nature shouldn't have been wasted on him. He could tell that Axel was starting to get frustrated with him, and he completely understood why. He would be annoyed too if he were in Axel's shoes.
A few minutes later, Nova introduced Ray and Axel to each other and the three walked onwards to the Arena, leaving Wolfe behind as he sulked in bed.