[ Emilia ]

Everyone was heading toward the cafeteria, making the search harder on Geoffrey.

The morning had gone by quickly, and the earlier events made the atmosphere chaotic.

Emilia had missed class, leaving in a thunderous fury.

Jet, who was forever smiling only a day ago, had a hard time regaining his usual joyful expression. He glanced multiple times at Leo, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

Geoffrey had finally arrived at his destination. He grabbed the door handle, breathing deeply before entering.

There she was.

On the ground.

She looked behind, her eyes blurred by tears, quickly recognizing Geoffrey.

"Leave me alone."

Geoffrey closed the door behind him.

They were in a janitor's closet, brooms and other tools resting on the walls while other various products were on the floor. 

In the middle, a few feet from him, was Emilia.

"This is a mistake," said Geoffrey.

"What the fuck do you care? I don't even know you. Did you look at yourself lately? You're the type of person that doesn't care about anyone and anything."

Geoffrey crouched, bringing himself to her height.

"I might not look or sound like it, but I care."

Their eyes locked. She gazed at him, trying to pierce through his built-in walls. 

She then looked away, unsure.

"If you kill yourself, your fate will be worse than anything you've ever imagined," he said.

Geoffrey's stoic expression was contrasted by his tone taking a heavier approach, his every word hammered in.

"Death is already punishing us for taking our own lives. Lives that are hers to take. Taking from her once more, while we're already dead, is a line not even I am willing to cross."

Emilia slowly lowered the sharp gardening shovel, its metallic edges striking against the floor.

"Even in death..."

Geoffrey inched closer, closing the distance between them.

"Whatever happened, it's nothing that can't be fixed."

He gently put his hand on her shoulder, holding gently.

He tried to be a warm presence, whatever that may have meant, but she slapped his hand aside and wiped her face with her own sleeves.

"You don't even know how fucked I am," she said.

Geoffrey stood up, extending his hand toward her.

"Less than you think. Let's go," he said.

She took a brief moment to consider the help he offered, ultimately taking it and getting up.

Without letting go of her hand, he opened the closet's door, leaving the damp room that smelled of cleaning products behind for the hallways.

They didn't have as many students anymore, most enjoying lunch already. 

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To eat."

"I can't."

"It's fine. Just follow me," he said.

Holding firmly onto her, he walked through the school toward the gardens. 

They were directly connected to the cafeteria, a terrace area where waiters also served food, only it took a little longer for them to arrive.

There were two parts to the terrace, one on the ground floor, while a second floor rested on a wooden structure.

Its sides were covered in climbing ivy, but didn't bother the first floor at all. As they climbed the stairs, they could see how different everything was.

The second floor was the definition of rustic. It was large, yet barely any students were eating there, Geoffrey noting only 3 other tables with people at them.

The chairs and tables were nothing like those inside. They looked like old wood that needed a deep polish. 

Everything was extremely simple, something that felt truly refreshing.

He walked toward a table in the back, dragging Emilia with him. Over the fence that was all around the second floor, they could see further into the gardens, and beyond that, the deep blue sky that was shared with the piercing sun.

He finally let go of her, sitting against the fence while she sat on the opposite side, able to enjoy the view.

Her expression screamed uncertainty and doubt, curious to know what would happen yet careful.

Geoffrey raised his hand, signaling the number two with his fingers to a waiter further behind.

Emilia looked behind her, confused, then back at Geoffrey.

"I'm not eating."

"Why?"

He asked, however he already knew parts of the answer.

She looked down, frowning. She wasn't weak. The way she confronted Jet earlier proved that. 

She was conflicted.

"Because of Jet," she let out, dry.

Geoffrey's lack of expression was slightly hidden behind careful nods and a warm gaze.

"What did he do?" he asked.

"It doesn't matter. I'm fucked."

"Hm."

Emilia's gaze was set upon the scenery behind him. She was calming down, but he could tell strong feelings hid underneath waiting to explode.

A few minutes later, two plates were dropped in front of them.

Quickly reacting, Emilia looked at the waiter.

"I don't want this."

The waiter looked young, and barely alive. He wasn't exhausted, but in a fashion similar to Geoffrey's, he looked 'out of it'. 

A wordless exchange happened, Geoffrey shaking his head while closing his eyes for a moment, and the waiter slightly bowed.

"Don't forget," said the waiter to Geoffrey, before taking his leave.

"Did you not hear me? I can't afford this." 

Geoffrey pointed toward her plate, "I can't afford it either."

She looked down, a seafood plate that had shrimps, crab, fish tartare, caviar and a wide variety of sauces.

The way it was plated looked more than appealing, and the smell was divine. 

Nothing like the hot-dogs they enjoyed the day before.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she then looked at Geoffrey's plate. A wide arrangement of meat was nicely plated, all in neat finger-size. 

The sauces that came with it seemed to be an arrangement of the classic ones, it looked and smelled divine.

"We can share. There's too much for me anyway," said Geoffrey.

"How..."

"After leaving yesterday I met Trev. The waiter."

"And he's just giving this to us for free?" she asked, astounded.

"Not for free. I've made promises. But, for now, he'll provide me with food, so that's one thing we don't need to be concerned about."

Emilia nervously laughed.

"That makes no sense. How many rules are we breaking?! I already have a negative balance, I'll probably be sent to hell anytime now..."

Geoffrey slightly frowned.

"What's your balance?" he asked.

She took her black card out. A window appeared above it resembling her profile.

This one displayed her finances.

[ Balance: —1069,92$]