Lunch Talks.

Elizabeth turned her gaze toward Louise, her warm smile shifting to something sharper. She blinked slowly, before tilting her head to the side.

"Oh, is that so?" she asked. "I wasn't aware Alex lost his voice."

Louise scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "Funny, because it's you who's got his tongue."

Alexander, caught in the middle of this brewing storm, couldn't help but question his reality.

Is this really happening?

Louise chuckled as she leaned closer towards Alexander. "Whatever do you mean, I'm just being a good friend, right Alex?"

Alexander gulped as Louise shot him a glare. 

What have I done?

"Uhm…" Alexander licked his lips as he looked over at Elizabeth. 

Her smile was gentle as her eyes twinkled with mischief. 

She's not even taking this seriously…

Alexander couldn't tell if that was good or bad, but he knew he'd be in the wrong either way. 

"…yeah, you're both my friends," Alexander said, looking at Louise. 

"And I'll protect both of you, but I don't have time for whatever this is."

Alexander wasn't sure what had gotten into both of them, and he wasn't interested in finding out.

Louise looked conflicted while Elizabeth just laughed softly. 

"Of course." She whispered, straightening up as she released Alexander's hand.

Alexander sighed softly as he relaxed.

I just hope that doesn't happen again…

As everyone settled into the silence, it was abruptly interrupted by a chuckling Jules and smirking Karl.

"Did someone just die?" Jules asked as he and Karl sat beside Louise's friend. 

The girl waved at Karl, who gave her a subtle nod as he sat beside her.

Alexander chuckled as he shook his head, "No, but your timing is convenient, where were you guys?"

Jules gave Karl a knowing look before shrugging. 

Karl let out a soft chuckle as he crossed his arms, "you'll find out soon enough."

Alexander narrowed his eyes as his grin grew.

Oh, these guys are too suspicious.

"What the heck did you guys do?" Alexander asked, his curiosity piqued.

But it wasn't just Alexander, practically everyone at the table turned their attention toward them. 

Even Louise.

Jules met everyone's gaze with a smile.

"Have I committed a crime?" He asked, placing a hand over his chest as he leaned forward. "I didn't know I was this popular."

Alexander sighed as he shook his head. "Fine, keep your secrets." He muttered with a smile. 

"Anyway, do you guys have anything planned for the festival?" Karl asked, taking the opportunity to redirect the conversation.

Elizabeth perked up, "Well, the student council will be organizing the event, but once it's started I'll be free." She said with a knowing smile.

"I'll be free as well." Louise's friend said with a smile. "My club doesn't have a planned booth, so you know.

"What's your club about anyway?" Karl asked. 

"It's a book club." The white-eyed girl informed, "We're a small group, with around ten members."

Karl nodded, his expression thoughtful, "Well, I'm on the Pathfinder team, but our event will be later in the day so if you want, I could take you out."

Louise's friend smiled as she gave an affirming nod. "I'd like that."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, while Juliet and Chloe looked a tad bit jealous. 

"My, my," Jules said with a chuckle, "it seems your skills aren't limited to the blade."

Elizabeth giggled as she turned her attention towards Jules. "What about you?" She asked, "Do you have anyone you'll take?"

Jules nodded. "Indeed, I've already given her an invitation and she readily agreed."

Karl rolled his eyes. "More like she didn't care." He whispered, masking it with a cough.

Elizabeth looked a little disappointed as she glanced toward her friends, who were barely hiding their surprise. 

"What about you, Sir Alexander." Jules directed the conversation towards Alexander like a match of tennis. "Do you have anyone on your mind?"

Alexander stiffened immediately upon feeling everyone's gaze. 

He felt as if the weight of the world had been dropped on his shoulders, without any way out.

Oh shit.

He gulped audibly, feeling both Elizabeth's knowing gaze and Louise's glare. 

Alexander chuckled nervously under their gaze, scratching behind his neck as he averted his gaze. "Well, I uh… I don't know, whoever wants to go with me I guess."

Alexander could sense the disappointment in everyone's gaze. He gave a non-answer, not because he didn't care, but because he didn't want to deal with the fallout.

"Typical," Louise muttered, stabbing into a piece of meat like it had personally wronged her.

"Oh, Alex," Elizabeth said with a giggle, leaning against his shoulder. 

"It seems Sir Alexander is a bit of a coward." Jules teased.

"Well we should eat, the food's getting cold." 

Karl said with a soft laugh, picking up a fork as he looked down.

Alexander breathed a sigh of relief as he did the same. 

— — —

After a tense lunch, the rest of the day passed in a blur. 

Alexander's mind was mainly focused on Louise's fiery return. 

After embarrassing him during the entrance exams she hadn't spoken to him since. 

At first Alexander thought that she hated him, and because of that he hadn't chased after her.

He had seen her from time to time, but she always ignored him, turning her head or even walking away completely. 

But now… 

Now he wasn't sure what to do. 

Louise claimed he had been ignoring her, that he didn't have a spine. 

What is that even supposed to mean?

— — —

"Alex, are you okay?" A soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts. 

He looked to see Elizabeth staring up at him, her hand on his arm giving it a gentle squeeze. 

Alexander forced a small smile as he nodded. "Yeah, I'm just a little confused." He admitted.

Elizabeth tilted her head. "About?"

"Louise." Alexander replied, "We haven't talked for ages, and now…"

Elizabeth sighed as she shook her head. "You shouldn't worry about her." She said, gently cutting him off. 

"People like Louise live for confrontation."

Alexander frowned as the words echoed in his mind, mingling with the gentle autumn breeze as the duo stood in front of the student council building. 

"I don't know." Alexander replied, "I don't want to argue with her, but…"

"Then you shouldn't." Elizabeth replied, "You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Alexander let out a long sigh. 

There was more on his mind, but he wouldn't burden Elizabeth with his thoughts. 

Besides, she was probably running late for her meeting. 

"Right," Alexander said with a nod. "Thanks, and I'll pick you up after practice, okay?"

Elizabeth smiled warmly. "I'll be waiting."