Days blurred together, and Dashley was finally syncing with the school's rhythm. She and Celine had become closer than ever, and Axel… well, Axel had been doing a fantastic job of tailing her like a persistent shadow. What once annoyed her was now something she'd grown to tolerate—almost expect. Kellan, on the other hand, treated her like she was contagious.
During the rare occasions when she and Celine ended up having lunch with the trio, Jace and Axel made casual efforts to engage her in conversation, but Kellan? Kellan barely looked her way. He sat like a ghost in the room—present, but distant. She chalked it up to his personality, a wall too high for anyone to climb.
That's why it was so strange when he suddenly appeared beside her in the library.
Without a word, he pulled the chair across from her and sat. The scraping noise pulled her attention up briefly, and her eyes met his—cool, unreadable. She looked back down at her book, deciding to act like he wasn't there.
He never talks. So why should I be the one to speak first?
Minutes ticked by, the tension thickening in the air. She could feel his gaze, like it was physically pressing into her. Finally, it snapped something inside her.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't talk at all," he said coolly.
"You just sat there staring at me. That's creepy."
"And it wouldn't be if it were Jace or Axel sitting here?"
"Well, they talk, at least. Unlike some people."
"You're not with Celine today. That's rare."
"And you're not playing the silent, broody loner either. Also rare."
"Consider yourself lucky."
"Yeah. Lucky," she muttered, clearly unimpressed.
"You know, you're being unnecessarily mean. I haven't done anything to you." His tone dipped lower. "What if I was just watching from afar before deciding it was safe to approach? People have reasons for keeping their distance, you know."
That gave Dashley pause. His voice wasn't defensive—it was laced with something… heavier. And when she looked up, his eyes weren't cold. They were tired. Guarded. Like someone who had been carrying too much, for too long.
"Whatever," she mumbled, refusing to let herself soften. "So, are you done 'gauging'? I'm not a threat to your friends?"
"I'd say so," he said, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Silence fell again, but it wasn't awkward anymore. It was… strange. Neutral. Almost comfortable.
Soon, Celine appeared with Jace by her side, laughing about something Dashley didn't catch.
"Did I take too long? I'm so sorry," Celine said, breathless.
"No. Or if you did, I didn't notice. I was too into this book," Dashley replied.
Celine glanced past her and frowned. "And what's he doing here?"
Dashley shrugged.
"Where's Axel?" Kellan asked, ignoring the jab.
"Jerk," Celine muttered under her breath.
"He's on patrol," Jace replied, tone casual.
Kellan nodded slightly. But something about that word—patrol—echoed strangely in Dashley's ears. What kind of teenager had a job that required patrols?
"You ready?" Dashley asked, packing her things.
"Yeah."
"Let's go then." But when Dashley turned, Celine didn't move.
"Ehm… no. I'm going to that party with Jace. It's Friday night."
"Oh…" Dashley tried to hide her disappointment. Her tone was flat, but her fingers paused for a moment as she closed her bag.
"You could come too, you know."
"You already know my answer, Celine," she replied, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder. "I'll text you later."
"I'll walk you," Kellan offered suddenly, appearing at her side like he'd always been there.
"Thanks, but I'm taking the bus."
"I know. I see you, every day. One ride won't hurt."
"Again—thanks, but no," she said, picking up her pace. There was something unnerving about his sudden interest, and yet… oddly comforting.
He didn't argue.
Just like always, Dashley returned to an empty house. Williams had texted that he wouldn't be back until late. The silence in the house felt heavier than usual, like it had been waiting for her.
She changed quickly, deciding to head back to the local library to return her books and pick out more. School's library was useless for anything besides textbooks. Fiction was practically banned on campus. The local library, though, was her small rebellion—her sanctuary.
She wasn't surprised to see Axel near the shelves, but she hadn't expected him either. He was leaning against one of the shelves like he belonged there—not like a student, but something more. Watching. Waiting.
"Didn't see you at school today," she said after returning her books.
"Did you miss me?" he grinned, a little too easily.
"You wish." She glanced at him, waiting for an answer. He didn't give one. So he's dodging it. Typical.
"You finished all those books already?" Axel asked, eyes wide.
"Yeah."
"There were like… seven."
"Eight. And not everyone reads as slow as you do."
"You're wrong. My pace is perfectly normal. Yours is borderline supernatural."
Dashley rolled her eyes and kept scanning the shelves.
"So…" she said after a moment. "This patrol thing. What is it? Like, some kind of guard duty?"
Axel froze. It was just for a second—but she caught it.
"Who told you that?" he asked, voice suddenly sharper.
"Kellan asked about you. Jace said you were out on patrol."
Axel went quiet again. Too quiet.
Dashley tilted her head, misreading the silence. "You don't have to be embarrassed, you know. If it's what you do to support yourself… it's okay. I'm thinking of getting a job, too. Maybe as a waitress."
"You think I'm embarrassed?" Axel laughed under his breath, a dark sound that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Well… you went quiet."
"You're too naive, Dash," he said, a smile tugging at his lips again.
"Am I wrong? Isn't it guard duty?"
"Sure," he said, the grin turning into something else—something unreadable. "If that's what you want to call it."
Dashley stared at him, frowning. His smile held something unsettling—like he knew a joke she wasn't in on.
She left that aisle and moved to another, deciding she'd had enough weird for one night. Axel didn't follow right away, but when she glanced back, his eyes were still on her—watching, as if memorizing her silhouette.