Arcane ~ ONGOING

~Chapter Twenty-Four~

"Astria," Zion said, "You were great out there today. No surprise you guys won. You were just amazing." I hesitantly gave him a small smile. It's not that he did anything wrong, it was me. I couldn't forget what I did to them and the constant tug of guilt at my heart. Octavian's eyes were like laser beams on the side of my head.

I turned to face him with a soft expression on my face but his emotionless mask gave nothing away, "I'm sorry about what happened this evening. I truly thought that you felt forced to attend the competition so I didn't want you to think that I wanted you to come and setting you to fulfill those expectations which weren't actually there," I muttered, "But whatever happened made painted you in a bad light and I want to apologize about how I was the one who did that. I really had no intentions of doing that. I just didn't want to put you up to any expectations."

"Is that how low you think of us? That you couldn't even expect us to show up at your first competition here?" Zane asked. I could see that he was trying his best to guard his expression but I could still see the hurt behind his eyes. My eyebrows furrowed.

"No," I said, "I just have learnt to not have expectations. it's not about how low I think of you or anyone because I trust me, I think very highly of you guys. You are amazing. It's just bit unrealistic for me to expect anything from someone. And I know sometimes expecting can pressurize you too much. Not that this one would do any harm to you, but I have made a habit to not hold anyone upto any expectation," I explained with a small smile before turning to Octavian, "I'm sorry if I hurt you any way. I really didn't mean and I will try o make up for any damage I did. Internally and externally," I sighed.

"Actually, Astria. I believe we need to sit down and have a talk. What do you say?" Octavian said. His voice was cold and emotionless and eventhough he was asking me for my opinion, it was clear that he was going to have a talk by hook or by crook. And I was against it. I actually was all for the idea of having a talk to avoid further misunderstandings.

I looked at him in his guarded, empty eyes and gave him a hint of a smile, "I would like that very much," I said as I got bumped into. Jesper, Lucien and Lydel appeared in my view but my eyes were searching for someone else.

I think Lydel caught on because she discreetly wiggled her eyebrows before saying, "He had to rush home. Something with his baby brother." She said. I nodded and turned to Octavian and opened my mouth to say something before his eyes shot sideways. I turned my head to see Tessa walking towards me.

Her eyebrows were raised showing that she knew she was interrupting something. She hesitantly walked forward, "Uh, if you're having an important conversation, I could come back later," She said, stopping to look between me and Octavian. I craned my neck to see Octavian's reaction.

"No it's alright, go right ahead," Octavian said smoothly. He definitely knew how to carry himself in public.

"So, we, children, were thinking of going out for dinner to celebrate our win. Everybody is looking for you. So, will you be joining us or o you have plans?" She asked again. My head again shot towards Octavian to ask for permission this time. He looked at me. Surprising his guard was little down and he seemed to be trying to ask me a question. He eyes motioned in Tessa's direction and I understood what he was trying to ask. I gave him a very very subtle nod with a soft smile. I was quite happy that he considered asking me whether I wanted to go or not.

"You can go," He said, back to his stoic state, "We don't have any plans. And you know your curfew since today is school night."

I turned to Tessa with a smile as she gave me one back, "Great then, meet us near the parking lot after you've had your talk." She then turned to my friends, "You guys can join too if you like, I'm sure nobody would mind." She said with a small smile. I could tell she felt uncomfortable. Over the past couple weeks, I figured that Tessa wasn't very comfortable with strangers but she was trying and that's what mattered.