Estelle
I wake up in the hospital bed, my body weak and frail. 
I look down at my wrist and see no bracelet, which makes me sigh. 
The door opens and the nurse walks in. 
"Oh, you're up, how was your nap?" She asks, unhooking all the machines. 
I hum, watching her. 
"We had a bunch of healers work on you while you were out, you're almost healed, no need for stitches, just don't jump off any buildings for a while." The nurse says, shutting off the machine that gave me my painless serum. 
My side ached tensely, but it was nothing compared to the feeling of it being torn open. 
"The white-haired kid is here for you." She says, helping me up. 
I stand up, looking down at the marble floor, before walking to the door. 
"He's in the lobby." The nurse calls after me. 
I hurry through the maze of corridors before finding an elevator. 
The ride was quick, and I was at the lobby in a moment's time. 
I could see Leeciy from a mile away, holding a fuzzy coat wearing his color block sweater. 
I basically ran to him, jumping on him and clinging to him as if my life depended on it. 
"Hey you." He coos, holding me too. "Nice to see you." 
I don't reply. 
"You alright?" He asks. 
I shrug. "Take me home." 
He pulls away, giving me the jacket. "It's kinda cold." 
I shrug the wool material over my shoulders. "Is there a cab we can take?" 
"I've got a car." He says. 
I furrow my brows. "You do?" 
"Yeah, Don't you have one?" He asks. 
I shake my head. 
"Oh, well I guys the entirety of Taeron thinks you're pretty shit at driving." He jokes, walking me to the car. 
He opens the door and I slide in. "You're in a good mood today." 
"Yep, you get out of the hospital today, so I'm just really happy." He smiles softly, starting the car. 
I grab his hand and play with his fingers, flossing my fingers through his, trying to shake off the feeling of August.
***
We get back to my apartment, where the lights were flipped off. I set don my bag next to the door and sigh. 
"You alright?" Leeciy asks softly, placing his hand on the small of my back. 
I nod. "I'm gonna get cha-"
"Surprise!" About 25 people that I know and don't know jump out from hiding places. 
I jump, before faking a smile. "Hey!" 
Annaliesee was the first one to jump forward, wrapping me in a tight hug, clad in a dark blue jumpsuit, a silver necklace settling in the hollow of her neck. 
I wince. "Too tight, too tight." 
She pulls away frightened. "I'm sorry!" 
"It's okay." I turn back to Leeciy. "I'm gonna go change." 
He nods. 
I hurry back to my room, avoiding people that pop out and say hi. 
I make sure to lock the door behind me, before plopping down on my bed. 
Managing to keep my breathing even, while grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweater from my closet.
I changed and looked in the mirror, crinkling my nose at the bruise-like bags under my eyes. 
I huff and walk out, preparing myself for the chaos. 
Luca was eating in the kitchen, September was strumming some random guitar, while talking with bright eyes to some boy his age, Cirus was interacting with Gabrie and Logan, Ned and Nigel were talking, Leeciy and Annaliesee were talking by the door. Latonya and Daxx were talking too, and the other people I wasn't to sure about were also interacting. 
I walk back into the main area, looking for someone to talk to that was alone. 
"Hey, E!" Someone says from behind me. 
The nickname puts an image of August in my head. 
I turn around and see Stefan. 
"You're alive?" I ask.
He shrugs. "I guess." 
"Well, what happened did Taeron save you?" I ask. 
He furrows his brow. "The whole kidnapping thing was a test to see if you were worthy to be entered into Taeron, and you passed." 
"How?" I ask. 
"Well, you're Pangaean, you aren't afraid of heights, and you escaped in a day." He says. "Great help to Leeciy over there." 
I nod. 
"Hey, I hope you're doing better." Stefan says, watching a few more people enter the house. "I'll talk to you in a bit." 
I watch as he leaves. 
I try and incorporate myself in conversation, but much to my disdain, I fail, and end up bored the rest of the night.
***
Everyone leaves at around 7:15 PM, except Leeciy, Cirus, September and I. 
September hurries to his bedroom to do homework, and Cirus taunts Reiba with a string on her head. 
Poor blind kitty. 
Leeciy was in the kitchen washing the dishes while humming. 
I walk into the bathroom, starting the shower. 
I wash the places that August touched until they're red and nearly raw, before changing into my loosest pajamas, and walking into the kitchen, where Leeciy was putting the clean dishes back into the cupboards where they belong.
He doesn't speak until he puts the last plate in the cupboards. "What happened to your wrist?" 
I look down at my wrist, which was red and raw from the shower. "I'm not sure." 
He looks over at me with disbelieving eyes, but obviously decides to drop it. "Tired?" 
I nod, hanging my head. 
"We have training tomorrow morning." Leeciy says. "We as in me, you, and the other two." 
I nod. "Will you sleep here?" 
"I will." 
Cirus runs into the kitchen, cradling Reiba. "Are we staying here again?" 
Leeciy nods. "Do you wanna sleep on the couch?" 
She giggles and nods. 
Leeciy pats her head. "You go get into bed, and I'll put Cirus to bed." 
I nod, trudging to bed, burying myself into the comforter. 
Leeciy's soft singing to Cirus carries through the apartment, before stopping abruptly after five minutes. 
The door to my room opens and Leeciy climbs into bed. 
I scoot toward him, burying my face into his sweater. 
"I've got you." He murmurs, wrapping his arms around my torso, 
I hum, then close my eyes, sleep creeping up on me quickly.