~Recap~

“Hmm… Yes, there, right next to Azura. She's always just sitting alone so make a use of her. Now quick before the professor asks Theo to sit with her!” Cindy motions in a rush as Leanne also follows the summit and takes a seat next to Azura.

Azura flinches at the sudden contact. “Don't worry, it's just me.” Leanne assures her but she just lowers her face and averts her eyes which makes Leanne roll her eyes.

“So, Mr. Lance. Could you please introduce yourself a little to your batch? I'm pretty sure that your batchmates would love to know you some little about you.”

Theo nods to the professor's request as he steps forward and in the center of the area. Soon he begins his take. “Good day, everyone. My name is Theo Lance. I'm here to join you for the semester of history and arts. And, I'm from the lands of Aurelius.”

______

Neither did Azura ever hear such a name like that, nor did she even think that it was possible for such a place to even exist. Like, Azura has been learning and studying about the history and the natural geographic chain and she was pretty sure that there was no such province or just place in general named Aurelius.

However… A part of her heart was somewhat, or could even say pretty much convinced regarding the existence of that planet, place or whatever it was called… Pack Aurelius?

“Aurelius you said? I'm not pretty sure if I've ever heard about any place such as this because we've been learning geology like everyday and even in the latest editions, none of us were introduced to it. Perhaps, we're missing something or somewhere out?” The professor wonders with a glimpse of interest and curiosity.

That makes Theo release a soft chuckle before he adds up, “Oh no, no. It's nothing like that, Professor. You're not missing anything and especially not the geology by anh means. It's just, we have a small village in the lands of Arizona. We locals just mischievously address the area as Aurelius. It's a sign of pride and mischievousness blended with love. And this is obviously an inside thing because of which it's technically nonexistent.”

The professor seems to be amazed with the elaboration given. “That is really thrilling to know these facts about your place. Or, is it more like a tribal thing? Like a tribe of people?”

“No, Professor. Good guess but I won't really say it's a tribe. We are not just cooperative for the needs of each other. We feel everyone's need as our need. We believe in empathy. Our spirits are just like animals. Precisely wolves. We are like a pack of… People.”

As soon as the professor's face was amazed by the first statement of Theo, their face went disturbed with the second statement given. Though, there wasn't something that creepy about Theo's words. He was simply reflecting his people's loyalty with the references of animals. Specifically wolves as per the man himself.

Maybe it was the breed wolf that was terrifying the professor internally or maybe it was just Theo at that very moment who just looked as if he was hinting at something that the people would rather choose not to know.

“Professor?”

If it wasn't Theo to call the teacher, they would have not even realised that they were in class and were supposed to be back in reality. “Yes, Theo?”

“Should I move ahead with my introduction?” Theo interrogates innocently.

But the latter was quite obvious with his innocence. But anyway, “Oh, no, no.” The professor almoststarts shaking as they most likely refused to know more about Theo. “I think that is more than enough already. We're really glad to know you and looking forward to growing with you. Please go ahead and have a seat next to… Miss Cindy Sean.”

Theo nods and looks at the motioned direction only to find an overly dressed and exaggerated young lady. He then looks back at the professor before thanking and making his way towards Cindy. “Hey, right here, please. I'm Cindy.” The lady introduces herself.

“Well hello Miss Sean but I guess you didn't really have to do such an over hyped intro since I already got your name. You just wasted your energy and my time.”

Judging the transformation of expression on Cindy's face, it was confirmed that she was shocked, offended and most of all, furious at the same man she was just crushing over moments ago.

And the weight of crushing was still beyond the rage because of which she chose to continue being the sweetie pie, which she wasn't. “Oh, right. But, how can I just forget my etiquette? It would be rude to not personally introduce myself to such a gentleman like you.” Cindy purrs charmingly.

A soft chuckle is released by Theo which assures Cindy that the guy was impressed by her. But the statement the young man said, said otherwise. ”Hmm… I see. But, are you sure about the part etiquette? Because, I don't see it as much as you're claiming to have.” Although Theo most probably whispered his sentences, it could be heard by a few students around them including Leanne and Azura. While Azura was just clueless to react, Leanne releases a slight giggle in an attempt to keep them inaudible.

But it didn't seem to work when Cindy turns back, glaring at her friend as the latter lowers her eyes.

“Well, if we are done with the introduction, should we sit already?”

The question takes Cindy's attention back as she faces Theo again and offers a wide smile. “Of course, Theo. I can feel that we're going to be very good friends. You know.”

The young man beams back and Cindy was finally hoping to hear some good greetings. “Just because you're dreaming in the daylight doesn't mean it will become a truth, you know, right?”

Cindy's mouth went agape and she was too caught up to catch in the moment that she couldn't even process a reaction as the teacher calls for the attention and begins the class session.

______

Half of college time had passed and soon it was lunch hour. All the students and teachers began leaving for either a group lunch or just to have a separate one.

Only a few to no people at all were keen on having their meals alone in which Azura was unsurprisingly included. Well, for Azura, it wasn't just lunch to do alone but almost everything she did except the times she spent with her father so yeah. Indeed a convincing fact.

“Hey, Azura.”

The lady looked up at the person who just called her and she was a little perplexed to see a flaunted Leanne standing by her table. “Umm, hello I guess?” Azura answers which came out more like a question. She probably had no idea as to how a simple 'hey' should be answered. Pretty obvious but then again, it was not obvious to Azura since the said lady was herself a figure of obliviousness.

“Ahaha… Oh Azura. Why would you need to guess? A hello is definitely fine. Even a hi or yo or just a simple smile would have been enough to welcome me to have lunch with you.”

Well, that already didn't sound so good to Azura. Besides, she doesn't even remember if in which vocabulary a simple hello was meant to welcome someone for lunch. Especially not Leanne to that point.

“Well…” Azura tries to speak, possibly in an attempt to refuse as politely as she could but the other girl seems to be far ahead of her as she cuts in Azura's almost no speech.

“Oh, no, no. You don't have to request me. I'm already fine with having lunch with you. Especially since Cindy seems to be behaving like a bitch she is.”

Now this turns Azura's expression a little as she says, “I don't think that you should just call her that. Cindy is just like this always and it's not something so bad for you to address her that way. She's your best friend as long as I know so you should know better. Besides, you'll be back with her eventually so.”

Leanne makes an incredulous look at the statement given by Azura. She was even confused to decide if what was more unbelievable. Azura taking a stand for Cindy despite all Cindy's humiliation. Or just Azura talking to her.

Yes, she and probably many other students never heard much from Azura or just about her. But she happened to hear a complete and somewhat lengthy statement. She wondered if Azura could bother showing her face properly out of her baggy hoodie as well while talking. But anyway, “Best friend? Are you kidding? She just shoved me off for a guy who just showed up today. And there's no way in this world I'm getting back to her in this life. Even if she begs to my feet at this point. From now on, you're my best friend and thanks for inviting me to lunch, Azura.” Said Leanne as she sits next to Azura right away, nir giving the latter any chance to react.

Having no guts to argue anymore, Azura just accepts Leanne's unwanted tag. She springs and places her lunch box on the table which Frederick had made her. The scent of food seems to trigger Leanne's hunger as she purrs, “Seems like you've brought something delicious, Azura. May I know what it is?”

“It's just a casserole, nothing much special.” Azura answers politely with a chuckle.

A beam then appears on Leanne's face at the answer given by the other. “Casserole? Well, I like it but it never smelt so good. I wonder how good it would taste? Can I have some?”

And what else Azura could say except, “Sure. Why not.” Azura forwards her food to Leanne's side and the latter didn't even take a second to begin eating.

Not even a couple of minutes passed, the food seems to have finished halfway with Azura only looking at the other lady as she eats hastily. It probably looked as if the latter hadn't eaten in years. But then again, could she be blamed?

Probably, anyone or everyone would just lick their fingers and plate until no ounce of food is left if the said food is made by Azura's dad. Even the simplest noodles or tea could fail the top class dishes if only Frederick made them and it may feel as if Azura was bragging about her father internally but one would definitely flex if they had a daddy like Azura did.

“Ahh… This was absolutely a feastar.” Leanne's voice takes Azura's attention as she looks at the said lady and whoa… Not even a blink and the entire meal was finished by only Leanne. “Oh my… It seems like I finished the whole meal.” Leanne speaks with a slight embarrassment which makes it dubious if she was even embarrassed or not. However, she seems to be apologizing ahead but even the apology couldn't happen when another feminine tone barged in.

“Alright Leanne, enough with the madness. Come and have lunch with us girls.” Both Leanne and Cindy look at Cindy as she orders her friend.

“Oh really? You just shoved me off for that wolfy or whoever that guy is. Why would I come with you?” Leanne grunts in annoyance and although it does feel as if she wouldn't forget and forgive Cindy this time round…

The further words spoken by Cindy shifts her mind in an instant. “First of all, that's Theo and not just a guy. He'll probably be my boyfriend and why would you come with me? Maybe because my Mum brought me these expensive shopping passes and you definitely won't want to miss that dress you've been desiring to purchase for this prom event? No?”

“Seriously? Gosh, Cindy! You're the best!” Leanne sparks as she almost jumps on Cindy. She almost begins leaving before she remembers about Azura and looks behind for a moment. “And, thanks so much for the treat, Azura. I owe you one.” And with that, the duo leaves Azura alone once again on her table. While on their way, Cindy whispers to Leanne if she really owes Azura to which the said lady just shakes her head while laughing.

The haughty duo then were laughing in unison at Azura and Azura just shakes her head in distase. As Azura starts packing her belongings, she notices that Theo has entered the canteen area and she doesn't know why but she feels like leaving before the man catches her again. So she quickly gathers all her stuff and vanishes from the spot.

Cindy also notices Theo and it seems like he was trying to search for something or someone? This thought already displeases Cindy as she hastily calls for him. “Hey, Theo. Over here.”

Theo glances at the direction from where his name came. And just like Cindy, his face also didn't seem much pleased after knowing that it was Cindy to call him. Maybe he wanted to hear his name from someone else. Probably by someone he was searching for but could not find.