Rare Comfort

With Aviana's name on the caller ID, Evan Livares was very quick to pick up his phone which was placed on the desk to his left. He thought of how he was waiting to hear from her since last night but... he can't even bring himself to answer the call right away.

It's his first time receiving a call from her and the pressure was no joke!

Nevertheless, when he felt the fear of missing the call, he composed himself and promptly answered the call.

"Hello." He believed that he succeeded in sounding normal.

Aviana Valos was alone in her room when the Prince Adonis of her school finally picked up the call. "I thought that you're not picking up."

She sounded friendly just like that Thursday evening and yesterday in the Oasis Library. Sometimes, Evan was surprised by how easy it was for her to act all friendly around him. It's as if they were close for years!

Didn't she say she wasn't good with meeting new people?

"I don't think I answer that late," he retorted in a friendly tone that matched hers and put aside whatever questions he had on mind.

"Really?" Aviana sounded really surprised and she continued, "Maybe I was overthinking. I feel guilty when I see your message from last night. It's already been a day."

"It's fine," Evan Livares said, assuringly. "I admit that I was startled when I see your name on my phone's screen."

He heard Aviana light giggle but this time, he was feeling too uneasy to be swayed by it.

Something's surely wrong with her.

"Well, I wonder what's your answer's gonna be." She was right on the topic and Evan understood what she was referring to.

He gave a brief thought before he responded, "I strongly believe that it's rude to turn down someone who asks to be your friend. Don't you think so?"

This time, he heard the sound of Aviana sighing.

"That's one honest answer, Prince Adonis."

Her response earned her a chuckle from the guy on the other line.

"I think you use that nickname whenever you are menacing or sarcastic," Evan pointed out.

"It's a handsome nickname. Not using it from time to time will be a waste," Aviana said in a rather playful tone.

"Then will you love it if the others give you a nickname too?" Recalling the many times when he felt embarrassed by the absurd nickname, he added, "Believe me. You won't like it."

"That doesn't concern me," Aviana simply retorted. "It's not like I'm popular as you."

This time, Evan Livares let out a heavy sigh. "I never know that you are this menacing," he frankly remarked, making Aviana laugh.

"Let's just say it's because I never know that you are this fun to tease. You were always just a cool Prince Adonis whom everyone at school talked about." Before Evan could even say anything, she suggested, "Shall we celebrate our new friendship?"

Though the word 'friendship' pricked his heart like a needle, Evan Livares was glad that he at least had the justification to talk to her from now on. "How?" He asked.

"Tomorrow, at school."

He raised a brow when he heard her. Didn't she say that she might be absent tomorrow? What about her brother?

He was curious but... a part of him was convinced that it would be best to not ask her about it.

"I will be very busy with the campaign and all tomorrow."

"Cadet Force?"

"Yes," he uttered, making her thought of a new plan.

"No matter how busy you are, you will have to eat too, right?" She made a deliberate pause and asked, "How about having something nice together at lunchtime? We also still have a project to finish."

As campaigning won't be possible during lunchtime, Evan Livares thought that it was a good idea. "Alright. Let's do that."

"Then, see you tomorrow. Good night." Aviana Valos ended the call right away before Evan could say anything in response.

Still alone in her room, Aviana put down her phone and rested her arms and her head on the desk before her. Thinking of the phone call, she repeatedly tapped her fingers on her desk.

Apart from her brother, the Prince Adonis of her school might be the only one whom she enjoyed talking to on the phone. Be it from her mother, father, or even Levi; chatting with others only stressed her out and gave her pressure.

For someone like her, comfort was rarely found in both people or activity.

Aviana almost fall asleep that way when her phone went off. Without even thinking much, she took her phone and answered it without looking at the caller ID.

"Ava."

All her sleepiness was gone when she heard her brother's concerned voice from the other line. Then she promptly sat straight and looked at the caller ID. She confirmed that it was really Austin and she quickly put the phone back to her ear.

"Aviana, can you hear me?"

"I heard you," she muttered but... she didn't know what else to say. She mindlessly had her phone off for a day and she just realized how much it would concern her brother who always made sure to call her every day.

Aviana heard her brother heaving a sigh of relief.

"I was so worried. I can't reach you all day," Austin Valos uttered from the other line.

Aviana can already guess that her brother didn't call and ask their parents about it in case she would be reprimanded for it.

"I'm sorry, Auz," she muttered in a low voice. "I switched off my phone last night and I was too occupied and I forgot to switch it back on." She paused for a split second and continued, "And... I don't think I'll be able to come to the airport tomorrow. I have to attend school."

As someone who knew his sister the best, Austin Valos didn't even need to ask to know that this was the effect of the joint family dinner. However, he avoided the topic as he wasn't next to her in person right now. He promised himself that he would talk to her about it once he get home.

"It's fine, Ava," he said in his usual calm voice. "I will already be at home once school is over for the day. We can meet once you return. But make sure to come home right away, okay? I already miss you so much."

Hearing her brother's warm voice, Aviana nodded with a little smile. "Alright. I will do that."