Valie sat by her friends talking nonsense about a show they had all recently watched. "No, that's complete bull, that character didn't come out until the last season and only helped the main cast ONCE. The cast did not want any help or need it and then the character died," Alex spoke with mild rage as Arela chimed in," Yea, okay, but...you're forgetting that they wanted to change and that specific character sacrificed all they had to give the main cast that piece of information!". Rosie began to laugh as her friends spat over a badly written character," I don't know about all that but, it was pretty stupid of them trying to convince everyone they were good when all they did was just lie and betray everyone in the first place". The pair stopped bickering for a second to think and nodded, each with a smile forming at the corner of their faces.

"So, Valie, who do you think changed the most in the show", Alex's attention shifted to Valie, but her eyes were elsewhere. He attempted to tap her shoulder until a loud crash was heard at the front of the cafeteria and turned he turned towards where she was staring.

Giselle was standing over a girl who was picking food off the floor. Giselle had intentionally tripped the girl and was now taunting her as she kicked the food away. Everyone looked, stared, and even sneered at what was happening, but no one moved or interfered. However, Rosie quickly stood and made a bee-line toward Giselle. Rosie was determined to push Giselle down to get her out of the way, but, she restrained herself. Rosie instead helped the girl pick up her things. Giselle felt ignored as Rosie kneeled and helped the classmate. It was as if the past was playing again and this time she had a front seat for it.

Giselle and Rosie use to be close, so close that being separate was not even a conceivable thought in Giselle's mind. But, the moment Valerian came into the picture, it felt like her only friend was taken away. The only thing that hurt more was that her friend chose someone else without even giving her a second thought. If only Valerian were not here, she wouldn't feel like this, she wouldn't feel so much rage for her friend, so much in fact that kicking her ex-friend would feel like taking revenge on Valerian.

Thus, as Rosie helped the classmate, Giselle positioned her leg and gave a swift kick aimed at Rosie's bubbly face. But, Rosie quickly caught the foot and pulled with all the strength she could. Giselle lost her balance and fell on her back. Immediately, Rosie felt the regret in her chest welling up. 

The world spun as Giselle was on the floor, papers blew everywhere, one of her shoes fell off, and all the laughter was directed toward her. But, there was no more rage, no more sadness, just an emptiness that needed to be taken care of.  All in all, Giselle could only sit up and recompose herself. The bell rang for the next class and everyone just walked out as if nothing happened.

Rosie reached out to Giselle to help her up, but Giselle only smacked it away.

"I don't need your pity", Giselle stood.

Rosie could only stare at her friend, regretful, and a bit of sadness showed on her face. She wanted to help, but, now her body refused to move as Giselle grabbed the final renegade paper, and walked out of the cafeteria doors. Rosie's stomach felt as if it was empty for a moment as if a hole was starting to appear, it made her anxious, nervous, how could she do such a thing. Her thoughts went in and out, why was she like this, she hasn't changed, how could she just hurt someone without a second thought. Then, a hand appeared on her shoulder. "You okay", her friends stood beside her, each sporting a concerned smile, and as a response, Rosie gave a slight nod. 

Rosie quickly lifted the classmate and they all proceeded to head out.

                                                                                                ...

     The morning was the same as usual, Rosie jumped on Valie, Alex talked about a card game with Arela. Then the bell rang and the Group separated into their classes, Rosie and Arela went right, and Valie and Alex went left. Valie entered the classroom and saw that the teacher had not yet arrived, she sat at her usual seat and turned her chair to face Alex who sat behind her. " Hey did you hear, the new students are coming today", Alex said," You think anyone cute might come". Valie smiled," Alex, you just read my mind". The pair giggled as they heard the rest of the class also ponder on the question. Then, as if everyone had summoned them, the teacher appeared with someone right behind them. Tall and slim, the boy walked in with an air about him that exuded confidence, boyish good looks that made some of the girls give him attention, and an innocent smile that managed to stop one particular person in the hallway, peeking through the door. 

Giselle felt something in her chest as she saw the boy, a soft gaze that could be described as kind, caught her by surprise as he looked at her. She smiled and became giddy as he returned the smile to her for a brief second. She felt like somehow, her luck was beginning to turn, then, the teacher stepped in front of the window. Giselle almost growled and just decided to stomp away, she would meet him soon enough.

The teacher asked the class to settle down as the new student stood in front of the class," Class this is our new student and he will be with us for the rest of the semester. Now go ahead and introduce yourself", the teacher said encouragingly. The boy smiled and smoothly talked, "Hello, my name is Elis". Valie stared at him for a second and something felt off about him, but, just decide to ignore him, and then proceeded to turn back to Alex. "Hey, about what you texted last night, you're wrong. That character did have gloves on when he was in bed with her", Valie argued as she pulled out the comic as proof. However, as she did this, Elis sat at an empty desk beside her and just stared at her, almost as he was waiting to ask something, almost as if he were expecting a certain response from her. But, she only kept on ignoring him.

"You can put that shit away, Valie, I know he didn't have gloves on and I will tear out my hair if he did", Alex shouted passionately as Valie flipped to the page. She found the panel and examined it, she stared and she looked at Alex.  She set the comic down and looked perplexed, "...It's uh.....it's both". Alex couldn't believe it and took the comic. He the hands, one was gloved and the other was bare. They both huffed and she felt the gaze beside her as it began to talk," Hi, Valie, right?". 

Valie smiled," Yea, it's short for Valerian,".

Elis smirked, "That's a weird name. Should I call you Valie or Valerian?".

" Valerian", Valie kept on smiling.

"I like Valie, it's more familiar, like, we're friends, right", Elis said innocently.

" I guess", Valie said with a smirk as she turned to Alex.

The bell then rang, suddenly, girls and some boys began to surround Elis as Valie and Alex stood and walked out of the classroom. Alex sighed, a little annoyed, "You think he's gonna be annoying?". Valie huffed and tried to conceal an agitation, "Let's just say, he has a very punchable face". Alex agreed as they walked out.