It is a bleak day as Sierra attempts to smooth out the wrinkles in her black dress. Aarush Bhatia will never eat dinner at the hall again. He'll never get the chance to go to the end of year ball, nor will he get the chance to fall in love and have a family. The thought is sobering and the weight of surviving drags her down.

Looking at the reflection in the mirror, Sierra almost doesn't recognise herself. Someone a lot older than nineteen stands before her, caving under the weight of The Revealing.

Sierra doesn't know who she is nor who she is meant to be. She remembers being a girl who could lose herself in the words on paper; a girl who loves dressing up for no apparent reason. A girl who hurts and cries and just wants to mourn all that's lost. She wants to mourn her fallen parents, her lost brother and her fallen classmate.

But that's not the girl the witches need right now. The witches need someone stronger. Sierra has spent so much time hurting that if she is to be true to herself, Sierra Kingsley doesn't know how to be someone who doesn't hurt.

With a limp that still makes her ankle ache, she walks out of her room and heads towards the room that Orion stays in. She remembers Orion telling her that he couldn't tie a tie to save his life, and knows that he will need her help today. Sierra's fist knocks softly on the door, and there's a moment of silence that makes Sierra hesitate.

And then Day calls out, "Come in!"

She's not sure why she's surprised to hear the Consumer witch's voice call out from inside. She knows the living arrangements and who Orion shares his room with, but this is going to be the first time that she will be with Day in his room.

With hesitant and unsure steps, Sierra walks in and takes in the empty room except for Day on a bed, with his back towards her, clad in a black suit. When she doesn't speak, Day looks over his shoulder, and a brief look of surprise takes over his face.

"Hey," greets Day, his eyes quickly taking in the black dress that flowed out at her hips and ended respectfully at her knee. The lace sleeves end halfway to her wrist and between her elbow, and the silver necklace was ever present.

"Hi," Sierra replies, her breath stuck in her throat, appreciating the handsome boy in front of her. "I came to see if Orion needed help with his tie."

Day nods in understanding, remembering Orion struggling with the YouTube tutorial open on his phone.

"Alec took mercy on him and did it. You just missed them."

Sierra nods. "Right, well I guess I'll see you downstairs."

She turns around, ready to head towards the door.

Day clears his throat, that was previously clogged with emotion.

"Maybe you can help me with mine," he says, leaving his sentence hanging as if a question.

Sierra turns around, and walks towards him, finally noticing the black tie gripped in his hand. The black jacket hugged his broad shoulders and Sierra can't help but appreciate how it outlines his muscles. She walks around the bed, and stands in front of him, close but not too close. Day doesn't move.

Sierra can feel the emotion around them, thicker than ever. She knows that the last task changed everything for them. Day stares at her, his gaze intense, and Sierra's skin tingles and buzzes with an emotion that she doesn't recognize.

Without breaking eye contact, Day shrugs the black jacket off, in a motion that Sierra follows with fascination. An action, that for some unfathomable reason, she finds attractive. Day, now clad in a white dress shirt tucked into his pants, lifts his hand, offering her the tie.

With a gulp, Sierra takes the tie, and moves forward so that she is now standing inbetween his legs. Even with Day sitting down, Sierra is just level with him. Sierra props his collar up, and places the tie.

"Are you okay?" Day asks, his eyes searching her face, looking for signs of sleep deprivation and distress under her makeup.

"I've seen better days," Sierra replies, her attention and eyes focused on the windsor knot. "Are you?"

"Likewise." Day pauses. "I'm more worried about Alec."

"Survivor's guilt, thou heartless bitch," Sierra adds in understanding. "I think Amisha said she might try talking to him today."

Day's lips twitch a little, into what could almost be a smile.

"That might just make his day and be the highlight of his week."

Sierra smiled. "I see, he's still crushing on her."

Day rolls his eyes. "Worse than ever, I'd say."

Sierra hums in amusement, and as Day pulls his jacket back on, she pats the material over his chest, an action she'd seen her mother do when helping her father with his tie.

"I don't understand how you boys don't know how to tie a tie," Sierra says, teasingly, trying to ignore the implications of the action, small but intimate, she'd just done.

"I do."

"What, but you-, what?" Sierra replies, stuttering and stumbling over her words.

Day's hand grasps her lace covered arm, the one still resting on his chest.

"I wanted you to do it," Day explains without hesitation or shame.

Sierra blinks, her eyes wide and alert. And then as if stating a new discovery, she says, "You're flirting with me."

Day tilts his head, his lips rising in amusement.

"Have been for a while, but thanks for noticing."

Sierra's lips part in surprise, and she blinks feeling like it's the only action she is capable of. His fingers are wrapped around her arm, and that alone is enough to render her brain incapable. That combined with his blatant honesty leaves her speechless.

Day's eyes flicker to her lips, and Sierra wets her lip, her skin tingling in a way she hasn't experienced before. Day's grip on her arm tightens and he encourages her closer, and Sierra's body moves on its own accord, no longer processing the logicality of the situation.

Day leans his forehead rests against hers, and it's only then that Sierra notices how taut his body is with tension, and that his breath is heavier than usual.

"Sierra."

"Yes?" Sierra replies, in a daze, with her eyes closed.

"I want to kiss you."

Sierra stares down at his fingers on her arm, unsure of what to say and how to respond. Sierra vaguely remembers that today is for Aarush, a classmate that lost his life trying to prepare to save the life of countless. In the back of her mind, she remembers that Day is best friends with Zoe, a friend she cherishes oh so much. Sierra is aware that in a time like this, where war is brewing silently, waiting to ruin lives, there are no times for romances. But most of all, Sierra can feel the heat radiating from their bodies, and she knows her heart is racing with the anticipation of his lips on hers. So, her fingers tighten around the material of his suit, wanting to hold on to this moment for as long as she can.

"Day, are you – oh, fuck," Orion says, walking into the room, taking in the scene before him.

Sierra jumps away from Day, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed as she looks at Orion, who looks at her and Day in surprise and embarrassment. Day looks over his shoulder at Orion, similar to how he had done when she had walked in.

"What was it, Orion?"

Sierra's eyes move back to Day, wondering how his voice could be so steady and confident, when she is struggling to breathe without passing out.

Orion in a similar state to Sierra's, responds, "I just came to let you know that everyone's going to head out soon. We're just waiting for you."

Day nods.

"We'll be down there soon," the Australian boy replies, diverting his attention to Sierra, making it clear to her that she isn't going to be racing out of this room with Orion.

"Okay," Orion replies, taking one last glance at the two witches staring at each other, and then shutting the door behind him.

Sierra isn't quite sure what she is meant to say. She glances down at her heeled, velvet pumps contrasting against the wooden flooring. As Day gets up from the bed and moves towards her, Sierra looks up, watching his every movement.

He walks, so he's standing right in front of her, barely leaving any room between them. Toe to toe, chest to chest. Sierra's breath hitches, as Day leans down. Sierra's eyes close as he presses his lips on her cheek. He lingers for a second, and then steps back.

"Let's go, before they leave without us."

Sierra nods, and follows him out, her brain too much of a mess to respond verbally.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

The ceremony had gone without a hitch, except when Mrs. Bhatia had yelled at the Governor for taking away her son. As Alec gathers all of his courage, he steps towards the Indian woman who had been threatening the Governor not too long ago.

The woman glances at the approaching healer witch.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Bhatia. I wish I could've done something more," Alec says, his voice croaky. "Aar – Aarush was a great guy."

Kiran Bhatia places her hand on Alec's upper arm comfortingly.

"It is not your fault, son, that we live in these circumstances. I only hope that you do not let this burden rest on your shoulders." She sniffs, before she speaks again. "Thank you for not leaving him alone in his final moments."

Alec gazes at the woman in front of him, unbelieving the words coming out of her mouth. He is only somewhat aware of the tear escaping his eye, as Kiran Bhatia pulls him into a hug and then moves on to speak to her relatives. Alec Bacani is only somewhat aware as he moves through the crowd and finds himself settling on the steps outside the memorial hall. He is only somewhat aware, when Amisha sits down next to him.

"My mum used to always say that 'death is harder on the living'."

Alec wipes the tear away, and looks at Amisha, his bloodshot eyes meeting her sad ones.

"You were really close with him, weren't you?" Alec asks, his throat dry.

Amisha nods. "Like the brother I never had."

Alec looks away, unable to meet her eyes.

"Which is why, you'll listen when I say that this wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could've done."

Alec sniffs, his hand wiping his face. And then Amisha does something that shocks them both, her arms wrap around him from a side hug. After a moment of recovery, Alec turns so he can wrap his arms around her in a proper hug, burying his face into her neck, finding comfort in her presence.

Alec finds an odd sense of consolation in her presence. The muscles stiff around his neck seem to relax a little, the knots around his shoulder undoing themselves. She smells like cherries and leather, an odd mix that he now adores. Most of all, she feels like home.

With his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him, Amisha realises that this is why people hug. Because in moments like these, a thousand words would not be enough. The emotion surrounding them is staggering. Amisha backs away, and stumbles as she stands up.

"I should go help Kiran out," she murmurs, her voice lacking the dangerous edge that it usually has.

Alec follows her movement, and stands up. For the first time today, he finally takes in what she's wearing. A black skater dress, with a leather jacket and boots.

"Thank you," Alec says softly. Uncomfortable with the amount of sentiment just expressed, Amisha nods and turns to walk away.

"Amisha."

At her name being said, Amisha halts and turns around to see him staring at her.

"You look good in a dress."

Amisha laughs at the unexpectedness of the comment and for that moment Alec feels like everything is going to be okay.

"Forever the flirt," Amisha replies mockingly.

"Only with you," Alec drawls, with an iconic Alec wink.

Amisha rolls her eyes and walks away, with a smile on her face.