On Monday, the next day, Hexia was to attend classes again at Yuanting Academy.
Carrying a bag filled with notebooks and textbooks, the girl descended the stairs lightly, then stopped at one of the landings, where a girl with deep purple hair was waiting for her.
"Hexia, you're finally back," Mel said with a hint of a sob in her voice, relieved.
"I'm back," Hexia nodded slightly.
"I've been tied up with other things, so I wasn't at the Academy."
"Boo-hoo, I was so scared going to class alone without you," she said clutching a grey moon cat in her arms and rubbing the tears brimming in her eyes with its fur.
"There, there, it's okay now," Hexia patted her back, thinking what a crybaby she was.
"Will you be with me today, Hexia?" Mel asked softly, holding up the small cat in front of her as a shield.
"Yes, I will," the girl promised in a gentle voice.
"Really?" Mel tilted her head to peer at the girl next to her from beside the little cat.
"Yes."
