A chilly atmosphere was in the air as Kian was facing the headmistress with a cold gaze staring at her. The headmistress was a tall person with a stern look who was in her mid - thirties or so, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.
The atmosphere was killing but it seems that Kian was used to this kind of treatment.
The headmistress didn't offer her a seat and just let her stood at the same spot for about 40 minutes before getting to the main topic.
She heaved a sigh and fixed her posture before speaking and spoke about the main topic in why she has requested for her presence.
"I called you here for a favor..." She stared at the girl with serious eyes.
[ "A favor in which I could not refuse.."] Kian thought to herself. Knowing quite well that she had no reason to refuse.
The Headmistress continued her words and Kian was shocked.
[ What did she just say?] Startled and didn't know if this was all a trap or not
The words that made Kian Watson shook were–
"I want you to escort a new student coming to our school premises tomorrow, she was transferred here due to her family's business."
" And who knows you might enjoy their company as you were acquainted with her once before, right?" As she menacingly smirks toward Kian who was still holding a facade.
" Right, if I remember correctly the name of the person was ———"
'Woooshh....' the sound of the curtain as it was being blown by a strong gust of wind.
The name of the person who she didn't want to hear or see will now be escorted by her tomorrow, Just by that Kian's face started to turn pale but kept up with the facade and answered the headmistress immediately.
" Of course headmistress I will do my best to ensure that the new student will be welcomed with open arms and to not disgrace the Prestigious Vermillion Academy. It is my duty after all, as one of the most highest ranking in the Academy." She said those words with a smile that seemed to mock a person.
[ "This kid..."] She thought with a hint of annoyance on her face.
"I expect good results from you Ms. Watson." Staring at her with a menacing look. "Do not disappoint me." She spoke once more before telling Kian that she may go and be off with her day.
Kian was exhausted from talking to the headmistress, she was tired. If anyone were to find out that the Moon Flower of Vermillion Academy was in such a state they would all laugh or pity her. Just the thought of it made her shiver.
And yet she only lets one person see this weak side of hers. And that person was Shane Collins.
Waiting outside the door was Shane Collins, She wore a worried look to her friend and asked if everything was alright. Kian stood there and smiled, a smile that says everything's okay.
Shane knew that Kian was putting up a front but didn't want to ask again since they were in front of the office.
She sighed.. "Okay, it's getting late now, lets go home. She took Kian's hand with a gentle and cute look and walked away from the office.
[ ––––––––––––– ]
Cold breeze can be felt in the streets, since it just turned night. The two were walking without saying anything to each other.
They stopped for a minute and looked at the dazzling scenery. It was beautiful. The lights from the houses looked like shining stars in the night sky.
Before walking once more, Shane stepped forward and stopped. While Kian who was stunned by the sudden action, shifted her gaze to the girl in front of her.
'cute' Was the word inside Kian's mind at the time but immediately let go of the thought, Before staring at her again.
Shane spoke...
"Are you alright Kian?" She asked those words again, but it was not inside the school premises, it was with the beautiful scenery. Shane felt really worried and held Kian's hand. "You can say anything you want and do anything, I will stay by your side." She leaped and hugged Kian who was standing still at her words.
Kian who was at a loss for words for the sudden action, Struggled to hug her back. She was feeling quite odd towards her friend moments before but that didn't change anything as it was normal for them that Kian doesn't reciprocate the act of skinship Shane gives at times.
And right now she wanted to be honest and tell her her worries. She felt the need and want to tell her. She wanted to let go of the worries and feel the sense of being comforted by someone as if she was being protected and cared for. Wanting to feel free and safe was what she wanted.
Her facade finally downed. "I will tell you the details later when we get back." She let out a tired voice. In which, Shane smiled a little and was glad that she finally put off the facade.
Though what caught Shane off guard was what she said next. "So let's stay like this for a little longer." Her ears began to red after she said those words while leaning on the shoulder of the person hugging her.
*Pooofff.* Her thoughts flushed at the sudden answer. 'Whaa!??' Shane almost squealed because of the cuteness she had witnessed. She was also slightly blushing.
Clearly, the reaction from Kian was quite different but not so different at the same time, As she can see Kian reacting like that because of her shyness in her thoughts only.
She was glad that Kian couldn't see what she looked liked, because if she did Shane wouldn't know how to react.
After a few minutes they broke off the hug and continued to go home. Shane was smiling towards the streets while holding the hands of her best friend. And her best friend who was smiling quietly followed her with a gaze she didn't know she could make.
–––––––––––
They soon reached Shane's home and entered together inside. " Pardon the intrusion." Kian was greeting Shane's parents and her siblings inside the house.
As Shane started to help out inside even though they were just outside earlier.
A lady stood in front of her who was holding a pillow. " Oh! You're here Kian! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?" The lady was quite chatty and a little loud.
"I...Uhmm...I'm just here to talk with Shane–." She was interrupted but didn't make a fuss over it. Since the lady means well.
"OHH, Yeahh," as the lady rolled her eyes when she remembered, still holding onto the pillow. "Shane did say that you might come, but she really doesn't need to do that. You're more than welcome to come here anytime you want, You know? Speaking of... Where is Shane?"
Kian pointed to her right and saw Shane helping her mother in the kitchen to make and prepare the food. She too wanted to help but got rejected by Mrs.Collins by saying that she was a guest and that she needs to rest and stuff...
" Oh, I see. Well then, you better eat a lot, you hear?."
Kian gently nodded and the girl giggled and left to sit on the couch after saying those words.
The house was lively and the people inside were warm and welcoming just like Shane. She liked it here, but she knows that she doesn't belong here.
*Ding Ding Ding* " It's time to eat! Come now and get her at the table or else you'll get no food~." The woman said teasingly with a look of warmth in her eyes.
The family gathered on the table, saying grace before eating.... "Now let's dig in!!" There was a lot of noise earlier but now it has a nice yet lively atmosphere around.
The sound of people eating and the clattering of utensils suddenly died down as soon as the lady spoke again.
"Anyways, why were the two of you late? I mean, the moon was out when you came home so I just thought that something happened at school." Speaking was the lady who Kian was talking to earlier, the lady was Shane's older sister.
Skylar Collins was her name. She has short curly blonde hair and unlike Shane, her eyes were blue as the sky in the daylight. Looking at them was quite calming at times.
*Cough Cough* Shane cleared her throat before responding.
"...Ahem, Ahem... There was a task that the headmistress wanted us to do before going home so that's why we were late." A sweat was starting to form in Shane's forehead.
'Hmmm.' Skylar didn't seem to buy what Shane was telling but, there was also a hint of truth behind her response.
"Are you sure you two didn't do anything else aside from the task that was given to you?" Skylar turned her gaze at Kian who was eating quietly. Kian noticed and finished what was in her mouth before speaking.
Wiping her face with a napkin she finally spoke "... We watched the lights that was coming from the houses on the kingdom." Calmly speaking in a mannerful tone and drank a glass of water before continuing. "It was a beautiful scenery and we were mesmerized by it and didn't noticed that time flew by quickly." Kian stood and bowed her head. "I apologize, it was my fault that Shane came home late and made you all worried. Please don't tell her off, she just listened to my request so it's not her fault."
Everyone was startled by her actions. Mrs.Collins asked her to sit and settle down but she gently rejected the offer because she was waiting for Skylar's answer. So Mrs. Collins told Skylar off for asking such questions and made her stop what was happening.
Sylar sighed and told Kian that it was alright, and neither is at fault because the request was sudden and they couldn't possibly reject the headmistress.
She stood up and went towards Kian.
*bonk* "....??.." Skylar lightly hit Kian's head and Kian who looked quite confused on what happened, made her giggle.
"Look up Kian and stand up, You don't need to bow like that. I forgive you okay?"
Kian nodded and thanked Skylar for her forgiveness. 'Really this kid is quite humble if I dare say.' She smiled and gently patted Kian's head before telling Kian and Shane to go wash up and sleep.
'What in the world is wrong with me today??' Shane asked herself while feeling flushed and confused. 'Its just like any other sleepover we had together, there's no reason to be so frantic about. But.... seeing her blush at that moment made me feel like I want to tease her and see her more like that...ughhhh...Am I.... Am I being a bad friend?...I just want to tease her and see her cute reaction and right now my heart can't stop beating so fast.'
She was thinking and being confused to not get an answer and was waiting for Kian in her room, cause Kian was currently bathing.
On the other hand Kian was lost in thought thinking about the favor the headmistress had for her.
Kian was finally done and Shane had also composed herself after a while of frantic blushing and feelings of confusion.
Silence filled the atmosphere between the two.... But it broke as soon as Kian spoke.
"Let's talk about the favor the headmistress requested me to do." A guilty yet annoyed look appeared at Kian's face. Shane knew something was off if Kian were to suddenly react like that. She held Kian's hand before simply nodding and told her to take her time as much as she wants.
Kian gave out with a gentle smile and though surprised Shane was able to calm herself and listen to Kian.
" Her favor is that..." The atmosphere went gloomy by the second.