He was going to ask her. He knew that she saw him in no means romantical, but he felt he at least had a chance to take her as a friend.

He laid against the wall, looking up. He gave a quick prayer. Holding the flowers in his left hand, he rounded the corner, keeping the flowers hidden.

He was walking into a room full of square offices, at the end the one he was headed to.

He looked around and saw many people socializing.

To his left he saw an asian girl talking to another girl, hispanic. The Asian girl had just asked her to the ball.

The hispanic girl blushed a bit, then said yes.

To his right, he saw a caucasian male ask a black female the same question. He leaned against the entrance of her cubicle, a heart-shaped box of chocolates behind him.

The farther he went into the room, the more he saw it.

It seemed hormones and endorphins were in the air.

He stopped a few feet from his destination. He inhaled, calming his nerves.

It was now or never. He walked around into the entrance and stopped at the opening. A guy was standing beside the desk of the girl he had wanted to ask.

She was sitting in her chair, facing the handsome, young man present.

"What are you here for?" The girl asked, raising a brow.

"Uh-" he felt himself redden. Thank God for his darker skin. If not for that, it would be clearly visible of his embarrassment.

He glanced over and saw that the guy was a suitor. His blonde hair was brushed to the side. He sported a gray suit, a Morex watch on his left hand. This guy was clearly made of money. In his right hand, he held a large bouquet of flowers- several time larger than his.

"Just wanted to see what coffee you wanted this morning," he replied.

She made a dull look. "I don't drink coffee."

"Sorry," he said nervously. "It was a rough morning. I meant to ask Beth that."

The guy chuckled. "Why you nervous, boy?"

The way he said 'boy', it came out condescending.

"I'm not," he replied. "I'll be on my way."

He backed out, careful not to show the flowers.

He sighed once out of sight.

He had been beat.

"Who was that?" He heard the suitor snort.

"A fellow worker, why?"

"Worker? Ha. So what do you say? Are you gonna go with me?"

"I'll definitely-" but he didn't hear the rest. By then, he had wanted to spare his feelings. He walked out the large room, heading for the stairs that led to the top of the building.

Once there, he slumped down against the brick wall. He buried his head into his knees, tightening his grip on the bouquet of flowers.

How could he have been so foolish? He never had a chance anyways. She had chosen to go with that guy to the ball.

He heard someone else. He was not alone on the top. He stood up and rounded the corner to see a girl with her back to him, leaning against the rails.

It was Beth. She was leaning against the rails. She was murmuring to herself.

"No one ever asks me," she tsked. "I don't care either way."

He felt sadness emanate from her. She was practically in the same position he was. The boy she had hoped would ask her, hadn't.

She wasn't tall or short. She was about average in everything, even her looks. A few times she had coming surprising everyone with her new look, especially when her braces came off. But, unfortunately she held no competition against the other girls at their work.

They had swoon their way in with their looks, whilst she made it in with pure knowledge and hardwork.

She was a commoner like him.

"Beth," he said.

She spun around, clearly surprised she wasn't alone.

"Yeah." She replied dryly.

He noticed streaks that had probably been tears.

She took notice of the flowers in his hands. Her eyes animated slightly. She brought her hand up to her chin.

"What did you come up here for?" She was a bit flustered at the situation.

"I- nothing really." He replied.

"Oh-" the word escaped her mouth. She sounded like the last bit of hope drained out from her. She look down at the floor defeated.

His eyes widened as the situation came to light in his mind.

Nobody had asked her out. She was saddened by it. On top of it, she had seen him with flowers- flowers that ended up not being for her. It was like a mockery of her.

"Who am I kidding!" He said suddenly.

It surprised her a bit as she jumped.

He grinned widely. He would definitely give a show.

"If I may, my fair lady. May I have a redo?"

"Redo for what?" She asked, her smile surfacing.

"This," he replied, kneeling.

He held the bouquet of roses out towards her.

"Would you accompany me to the ball?" He said, inclining his head.

"Wha?" She said, blinking rapidly, then widening her eyes. "Eh? Me?"

"I beg of you!" He said convincingly,"Please do me the favor. I implore you to consider it. Go with none other than the other who kneels before thee!"

A grin split her face. She giggled, which in turn turned into uncontrollable laughter.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, grabbing the flowers that were given to her.

He arose to his feet. Seeing her happy like that was all he needed. He was surprisingly glad that a suitor had been there earlier. It was a win- win in this current situation.

She held roses ever so delicately.

"Thank you," she whispered, tucking her face into the flowers.

He shook his head. "No, thank you. Thank you so very much..."

♡♤♢♧♧♢♡♤♡♢♧♤

Malachi nodded at the instructor.

"You sure you understand?" Sarren asked.

"Never so clearer," he responded.

Sarren grinned. "Don't know what's happened to you, but I like it."
Malachi stood at attention before a few of the instructors.

A long wooden table separated them from the youngling.

"Tell the other youngling's of their task," Bortur said. Bortur was the water instructor and had given the most points towards Malachi's recent favorable chart.

Malachi brought his hand up to his chest, a half prayer position. It was the salute for the Arns.

He about faced, then exited the room.

♤♡♤♡●□□■♡♤●■♤♤♢♤♤

Irvin stood on the third row of four by three. To the left was Banri's group which only consisted of three people. The fourth teammate had washed out early in the course. The Younglings had become more stable, none washing out since the swim test.

The exercises had gotten brutal, evidence proven by the bruises running down Irvin back and rib side.

Suddenly, the door to the instructor's nest- as coined by the younglings- opened and out walked Malachi.

The hut he emerged from was small and had seen many youngling's, some that had taught the very instructors currently there.

Stopping at the deck- like porch, Malachi went to the position of attention.

The recruits returned the motion.

"We have been given action to..." began Malachi with his report.

Irvin let the words slip through his ears as he stared once more at Malachi in awe.

How had he changed so much in only a Complete sky [ a month]?

Malachi's ordinary, brown tunic was now replaced by by a green tunic similiar to Banri's. A red sash was slung over his right shoulder coming down across his chest, diagonally.

His hair had grown out a little more, starting to poof up in a more square shape.

Muscles that hadn't been there now started taking form on his body.

He stood taller. His face was near barred of emotion.

Malachi's scar had also mysteriously started to fade. It was hardly noticeable, but Irvin could tell. At night, it was most evident as a silver lining.

Everything changed after the night of the storm. Malachi wasn't the same after that. Determination, resolution, and yearning; those words best fit his very being.

"... That is all," Malachi finshed. He went at full rest position. The other candidates followed after the action.

The groups began to disperse and headed to the outer suplement area. Banri's group had been first, therefore they had earned the right of first in line.

A tall green headed boy waited until Malachi made his way down the stairs before stepping out. He had stayed behind from Banri's team. He was third tallest and impressive in muscle mass for his age. His eyes had had a cold look to them.

"You think you're so high and mighty," the boy said through gritted teeth. He stepped directly into Malachi's path.

Malachi stopped, staring at the boy. They were a few feet away from each other.

The green haired Youngling's name was Walter. He had been watching the new comer, and he didn't like him at all.

I've worked so hard to get where I'm at, Walter thought as he pierced through Malachi with his glare. An image of his mother dying during the last invasion formed in his mind. Nobody had worked as hard as him, yet this boy, this new comer, was given an opportunity. He hadn't earned it like everybody else.

Walter leaned forward and landed a punch to Malachi's abdomen.
As he had thought, Malachi's small body crumbled under his fist. He followed with a side kick to his ribs. The attack was finished with an elbow straight down on his back.

Malachi felt spittle come out. The assault had been brutally strong. He hadn't had a chance to react, and he was being muscled down.

Many of the other candidates had stopped to look on. Banri had been the first.

His teammate, Brener, had stopped beside him.
"I hadn't realized Walter disliked him that much," he said.

Banri slightly nodded. "Yet who can blame him."

Let's see what this new islander is made of...

This feeling again, Malachi thought as punches were being rained down on him. He felt uneasy, humiliated, and vulnerable...

He attempted to stand but a hit to his eye caused him to stumble back down. He felt weak, helpess. Walter soon followed with a triumphant laughter after each blow.

Malachi furrowed his eyebrow. He waited for an opening, then he rolled to his left and came up with a hard left elbow, hitting his attacker's jaw.

Walter's head snapped back, blood spurting up in the air. Malachi continued with a head butt and followed with a knee deep into his abdomen.

Walter clearly hadn't expected the return of blows. The strikes were solid and fast.

He took one step back and repositioned himself. His hands were raised, his leg ready to land another kick.

Malachi was already in his area before he made a move.

Two strikes to his eye caught him off guard once again.

Walter cursed and swung wildly, blinded by rage.

A stomp to his knee by Malachi made his leg buckle. Before he knew it, his entire body was being lifted in the air.

He landed with a hard thud. Malachi had slammed him, hard. Walter grimaced. He was being bested.

Malachi went on top of him, punching his face.

Walter yelled. He threw an awkard punch from the bottom, one that had more power than before. It hit his opponent square in the chest.

Malachi flew backwards from the blow. Landing several feet away, Malachi attempted to stand. Pain grew in his chest. The air had been forced out of him.

That strength is similiar to Titus', he thought before slumping down to his knees.

Walter quickly took advantage and ran at him, landing a kick to his ribs.

The kick raised Malachi off the ground several feet. His body caved in around Walter's leg, then he was launched backwards into the air.
He hit the ground in a roll, sand going into his ears and eyes. Blinded temporarily, he went into ball like position. He tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes before Walter could make his next move.

He felt his body being lifted up suddenly.

"I'll show you who's the weak one!" Walter roared.

Down went Malachi. Agony erupted in his back after he connected to the ground. A throbbing sensation accompanied the rest of the discomfort in his body.

Where is this strength coming from? thought Malachi.

At last, Walter grabbed his neck and lifted him straight into the air. Malachi held onto Walter's wrist. He felt light headed and his grip weaken.

Usless... The words echoed in his mind.

Irvin looked on with disbelief. Malachi's hand dropped down to his side. Walter now carried a maniacal look. He wasn't himself, the reserved person he knew. He lifted Malachi higher, brandishing his strength.

"You'll kill him!" Irvin yelled.

"If he can't even make it here," Barry scoffed. "He's not meant for this kind of training."

Irvin gritted his teeth. He had had a point, best not to intervene. It would be best that the quarrel end there. If he truly was going to die, he would intervene. Malachi was a lot tougher than he looked.

A coarse laugh followed. It came from Malachi.

"Kill me," he said in between chokes. "If you have your manhood, kill me."

Walter snarled. "Shut up!"

He brought his other hand up, choking him with more effort.

Malachi laughed loudly.
I don't care if I die here, but I doubt I will.

As his body did before, it acted on its own will. He knee came flying up, smashing into Walter's jaw. The next moves were voluntary from Malachi.

He brought his hands up, striking pressure points on both of Walter's arms. He was released shortly after. He back peddled, bringing his hands up. He knew his neck was red and bruised. It hurt his esophagus to breathe.

Walter raged. "You! I have had enough!"

Malachi tensed. Another barrage of attacks was on its way.
Walter charged. His fist came straight down his center.

Malachi dodged the first, but failed to see the second. It was an upercut. It landed right underneath his chin. The connection was perfect.

Malachi's knees went wobbly. He took a step back then fell over. Walter walked over to him and spit on his face.

"Stay down next time," he said, making his way back to Banri's group.

Malachi grimaced as he tried to stand. Irvin was immediately beside him.

"You held your own, man." He said as help lift him.

Malachi shook his head. "Made a fool of me he did."
He brought his hand up to feel his bruised neck. Odd: It didn't feel swollen as before.

Their group was last to the outer supplement area: it was under a large canopy, constructed of bamboo like material and large palm leaves. Five tables were placed in a row, able to accommodate four people each.

Their bowls awaited them at the last table, farthest from the beach. Zeno and Barry had sat first, Malachi had to be helped by Irvin. He felt the sting of shame as others looked at him. Some whsipered and snickered.

Banri's group completely ignored him as they had come into view. Malachi cursed under his breath. He would definitely get even.

♡♢♤♢♤♡♢♢♢♢♢♤♤♡♡♡

Terx shook his head. He just witnessed Malachi get his backside handed to him. He was around 500 Meters away, observing from an opening in some brush.
He had found a stand of hair, purple. It most likely belonged to Hope. He guessed he wasn't the only one keeping any eye on him, or ordered to at least.

"At least he held his own for that little bit," he sighed. "He's halfway through the entry, after that will be the hardest 140 skies of his life, if he can make it..."

Terx heard a noise behind him, a palm leaf being stepped on. He spun and gave a warrior's battle cry as he attacked- or at least tried.

A hand was swiftly on his mouth, his body pinned to a tree.
He was surprised see Veela- the sneaky girl. He felt her body against his as she leaned on him. She looked over into the beach to make sure they hadn't been seen.

"Shh..." she whispered directly into his ear.

He felt himself redden and heart race. For some odd reason her uniform seemed more tighter than before. She had volume and curve to her. Or maybe he was staring clearly for the first time.

He quickly averted his eyes.

"I don't think anyone saw us," Veela said. She stepped back and uncovered her head, letting her hair fall out. Terx couldn't help the stare that followed.

She put her hands behind her back and gave a cheeky grin, the one she always gave. She leaned more on her left leg and cocked her head to the side in a playful manner. Her pearl white teeth were perfect. Even her pale, white skin suited her well.

Damn that Malachi, Terx cursed in his thought. I had been very well ignoring the fact until he blatantly said it aloud.

"How many times do you intend to do that to me? I don't take very well to surprises," he sighed.

Veela giggled. "As many times as I want. Anyways, I brought our food for mid-sky."

She walked over to a tree and reached behind it. A basket was soon in her hand, a red cloth over it. She practically pranced on her way back.

"You'll be very happy to know that I made your favorite food," Veela chirped, as she sat down beside a palm tree to get a better view.

She patted the ground next to her,"Come sit, Terxy."

Terxy- the nickname she gave them when they were alone.

"Of course, Vanilla." Terx countered.
He grinned as Veela stuck out her tongue, then sat beside her.

She gave him his cloth full of cooked fish, to the side of it some banana bread.
He gave a prayer to the skies, then tore into his food.
Veela was about to take a bite from her fish, but Terx's enthusiasm for his food distracted her.

He chomped into the food and grinned.

"Mmm-good," he mumbled in a delighted state. His grin went crooked, the right side shooting up.

Veela knew what that meant. He was loving it. He's always been satisfied with what I've made, she thought, a smile forming.

She repeatedly glanced over at him while eating. She was glad to be with him in that moment.

"Why didn't you intervene when Malachi was being beat to a pulp?" Veela inquired.

"Oh," Terx said, a piece of fish still stuck to his lower lip. "Benjamin ordered me not too, only observe."

A spike of glee went up Veela's spine. He was cute at that moment. It hurt her not to be able to wipe his mouth for him. Alas, she did it once before, and he had given her the cold shoulder the rest of the time.

"Ahh, I see," she replied. "Those were the same orders Titus gave me."

Titus noticed Veela's cloth didn't have banana bread. She probably only had enough ingredients to make his one piece.

"Here," he said, offering Veela half. "It's not fun enjoying this alone."

She had been caught off guard, reluctantly accepting it.
It made it all the worthwhile as Terx gave her a look full of gratitude.

"Thanks," she muttered underneath her breath. She had her legs out in front of her, and she began to rock here feet sideways in a attempt to calm her happiness.

She had had a brief flashback of when Terx and her had met the last time. It was three absences after she had met Malachi.

The pre-absence had been beautiful. The talk they had was fun. They had also walked on old trails full of childhood memories.

Her face heated at the memory of what Terx had said.

"I'm almost as tall as you now," he had stated. His hand went horizontally from the top of his head to her upper forehead. He had stood directly in front of her.

She tsked at that moment. That was one thing she had always had bragging rights to, her height. Now he was a few centimeters shorter.

His eyes had made contact with hers and words seemingly escaped his mouth.

"I've never noticed how pretty your eyes are... now that I'm standing about eye to eye with you, they're more noticeable."

She had felt like screaming with joy. Instead, she punched his arm in a sad attempt to hide her flustered reaction. How she had ruined the mood... Terx had apologized, saying he didn't mean to sound like Max.

Alas, she nearly wept at the thought.

"So how's the training with the Kurrs been?" Terx asked, breaking the silence.

"The usual," she responded. "I've got a long way to go before I get where I want to be. How about you and the Arns?"

Terx grinned. "I've been exceptionally well. To tell you the truth, I'm most likely going to surpass Beatrice in skill soon."

A scowl formed on Veela's face. He's always talking about her...

"You know for a girl who smiles so much," Terx said. "You certainly frown when her name is mentioned. What is it between you and her?"

Veela crossed her arms. Ever since you joined the Arns- no even before that- she's had eyes for you, yet your so dense.

"Nothing that really concerns you," she sighed.

He stood up from he crisscrossed position.

"If it's your problem it's mine Veela," he said holding out a hand to her.

She took it and rose to her feet. Intentionally, she lost her balance and leaned forward with some force.

Terx immediately caught and held her at arms length.

"You ok?" He asked staring intently into her eyes for symptoms of fatigue.

She pouted. That move wouldn't work anymore. He was too strong to fall on top of now. It had always worked when they were children.

"Just lost my balance for a second there," she sulked.

Terx shook his head. "I knew you were over training."

He immediately began to pickup the trash in the surrounding area. It was about time for both of them to depart and resume.

"You leaving already?" Veela whined, leaning backwards against a tree. She let her body slump down to the ground, crossing her arms as she landed.

"Veela," Terx began. "Sometimes I feel like the older one."

"You always try to act it." She hissed, then followed up with a grin.

Terx smiled. "Then I forgot... We really only act this way around around each other."

A thought crossed Veela's mind. She brought her legs up above her head in an almost impossible way, and wrapped them around the tree she had been leaning on.

Terx turned and saw Veela in an awkward postion. She was upside down, wrapping her legs around the trunk of the tree, her buttocks sticking out. Her hands also were shifting postion on the floor.

I hadn't realized she was large in certain areas... he thought before burying desires deep into his mind.

Veela pushed off the ground with her hands. She simultaneously pulled her body up with her legs and kicked off the tree.

It was all too fast. Terx barely had time to bring his arms up before she slammed into him.

He flew backwards, instinctively hugging Veela, shielding her from the fall.

Veela smiled as her plan came to fruition.

SCORE! She mentally yelled.

Terx didn't take it the same way, immediately scorning her, realizing it was another one of her antics. Shortly after, with both on the ground, they laughed histerically. In that moment they cared not whether they would be discovered or seen together.

Needless to say, Terx didn't question her actions. Many a time she did so without reason.

♡♡♡♡♡♢♢♢♢♧♧♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♡♡♡♡♡♡

The departure was bitter for the both of them, yet neither wished to admit so.

Walking away from the sight, they both cast a glance back, their eyes meeting. It was unintentional on both parts. They had tried to sneak one last glance upon upon one another. Terx felt his palms sweat, as a action began.

He grinned and waved. "Bye, Veela Tora!"

After the bold statement, he whipped his head forward, his face hitting a branch.

Idiot... he thought, near the verge of tears.

Veela held in her laugh, trying not to make it worse. He had made a fool of himself just then.

She watched on as he walked away, his pride clearly in peril.

Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. He had used the surname 'Tora'. It was the name they had come up with when they were children- the name both decided upon to have as a bonded couple.

They had dropped their surnames in respect of the law of of the island, written that orphans shall have no last name until they were adopted.

In a sign of their closeness, they came up with a last name all on their own. They had adopted each other and had entrusted their lives to one another. Love as children, and now that love wish to grow as they did.

End Of Chapter

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