[63] Academy Three

"Mind if I sit here?" Leith asked, looking down at an oblivious Faye. She snapped out of a daze and looked up at him, and for a split second she wanted to say no. Ashley was by the door of the bus, and she'd seen the situation boiling up. She didn't intervene.

"Sure," Faye whispered, and Leith sat.

"You know... you have a right to be mad at me. I can accept that," Leith said. Faye looked at him sadly. "And I completely understand if you never want to talk to me again because of it." He paused, studying his next words carefully, wondering if it was worth saying it. "It doesn't change how I feel about you, though."

He got up to leave, but Faye gripped his hand, begging him to wait. He turned again, slightly surprised. "Stay," she said.

They were leaving Academy Two, with another bus, full of wielders they didn't exactly know, but who were to accompany them on the mission.

Leith smiled. "I'm glad you decided to come."