Sun Rises

I wouldn't really have asked him, if it weren't for the fact that… well, I don't really know anyone else.

I steal a glance at Miro, who's casually whistling a muffled tune like we're just taking a leisurely stroll—not desperately hunting for a bathroom before I explode or melt into a puddle of social anxiety. His hands are in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, like this is all just a scenic detour on a perfectly normal morning.

Meanwhile, I'm practically vibrating with secondhand embarrassment. Not even because of something he did—no, of course not—it's because I asked. I asked him of all people. I thought he'd just point me in a direction. Say 'left, second hall, third door' or something like that and carry on with his day. But no.

Apparently, 'the halls are tricky,' and now he's escorting me like some overly casual tour guide-slash-bodyguard-slash-humor gremlin. And I'm here, walking beside him like a flightless bird who regrets every life choice.

I'm pretty sure if I find a rock big enough, I will climb under it and live there. Quietly. Forever.

 To be fair, I did try asking Nyra first, but turns out she's also a new student—only she's here at the start of the term, so new enough not to know where anything is. Plus...

"You can't trust her with directions—she always needs someone with her so she doesn't get lost," Silas had pointed out earlier, deadpan as usual. And now that I think about it, that probably is why she asked me, a total stranger, to go downstairs with her. I thought it was just friendliness… but nope. Probably on pure survival instinct.

It also makes sense why Matilda calls them waywards. Nyra and Silas, that is. Apparently, Matilda had to drag Silas out of bed earlier—literally drag him out of the West Wing. I'm not even sure he was awake during half of it. The guy probably slept through the whole descent, only stirring when Nyra tried to steal his cap.

Honestly? Respect.

So, yeah. At this point, the only one I can really talk to—besides the other two—is Miro. And to his credit, he's actually been listening to our conversations and even volunteered to help. Still… it's kind of embarrassing. He had to wait outside the girls' restroom for me. In the middle of the… not-night-but-definitely-not-day either. Whatever weird hour it is. Point is—he waited.

Now he's walking beside me again, just as nonchalant as ever. Honestly, it's weirdly calming.

"That was a large one, huh?" he suddenly says.

For a second, I think my ears are ringing. "What?!"

I can't stop myself—my foot flies out and kicks him in the shin.

"Ooff— You actually put some strength into that!" he winces, then starts laughing.

Meanwhile, I'm standing there, burning from head to toe.

"Hahaha—your face looks like a tomato! Wait—wait, I'm just kidding!"

I huff out a breath and stomp forward, determined to walk away with whatever dignity I have left. Naturally, he follows.

"That's not the way back~" Miro sing-songs behind me.

I roll my eyes. Of course it's not. I don't actually know where I'm going—I just need to get away from him before my face gets any redder.

But just as I turn a corner—

Wham.

My face collides straight into someone's chin.

"Arrgghhh—!" I immediately clutch my forehead. It feels like I just headbutted a brick wall. The other person groans, probably rubbing their chin.

"Oh, Kael! What's the verdict?" I hear Miro call out casually, like I didn't just try to knock someone unconscious with my skull.

I blink through the sting and finally look up—and yep, it's Kael. Auburn hair cut in a neat crew cut, green eyes flicking to me briefly before landing back on Miro.

"Sorry 'bout that," he says, then gestures vaguely toward my face. "You, uh… look red."

Gee, thanks.

"It's not that bad," I mutter, lowering my hand from my forehead. It honestly doesn't hurt anymore.

"But it's like... annoyed-red." he adds, this time with a faint smile.

I squint at him. "That's because of him," I say, jutting my thumb toward the guy behind me who is absolutely failing to suppress his snickering.

"And now you look really annoyed," Kael notes, as if observing weather patterns. "Seriously, though. Sorry."

I blink, a little thrown by the shift in his tone. It's softer now—meek, almost. A stark contrast to the guy I first saw shouting and wrestling with Kyan on the floor not even hours ago. Now he just seems... like a tall guy trying to make himself small.

"It's fine. It's not because of you," I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was just…"

His eyes meet mine again, and I instantly glance away.

"…I'm sorry too. For your chin. And for… whatever else I might've hit." I make a vague gesture, because honestly, I'm not sure where my limbs went when I flailed into that room like a human wrecking ball. I think I hit Signos in the nose again somehow. Still not sure how that happened.

Kael gives a light chuckle. "It's fine."

I look back at him. He's smiling—a small, tired smile—but it's there. His eyes don't seem as shadowed or stormy as before. They look... lighter. Or maybe it's just the sunlight.

I glance toward the windows behind him. The sky is shifting from deep blue to warm streaks of gold and pink. The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, casting soft light over the tops of the trees. The forest beyond stretches endlessly, and even from the sixth floor, it feels close enough to touch.

Somehow, that calms me a little. Even if everything still feels a little unreal.

"Okay, enough with the cheesy moment, you two," Miro suddenly says, stepping between me and Kael like a walking shadow, blocking out the gentle sunrise we were both unconsciously watching. His hands land squarely on our shoulders, squeezing just enough to jolt me out of whatever quiet space I'd slipped into.

He keeps glancing between us, eyes glinting with mischief. "So? What did the teachers say to you?" His attention shifts to Kael with a pointed gaze.

Kael doesn't answer right away. Instead, he lets out a long sigh—and it's like someone turned down the brightness around him again. That weight on his shoulders? It's back.

"They still can't find her…" he mutters, and I hear a distinct, sharp sound—like a hairline fracture in something solid. I glance at him and realize it's his teeth. He's clenching his jaw so hard I'm half-worried it'll crack.

Miro immediately drops his hand from my shoulder and loops it around Kael's neck, pulling him in—not quite a headlock, but close.

"That's not really what I was asking, but calm down, my guy," he says, his voice softening just a little under the teasing. "We'll find your little sister. You heard Dorm Monitor's plan, right?"

Kael gives a small nod, eyes flicking upward—to me.

And now I'm blinking again, caught off guard by the sudden attention.

Wait, why is he looking at me like that?

I raise an eyebrow, but don't say anything. My brain is still backtracking.

Little sister? Missing? Plan?

There's a missing person situation going on?

Miro tilted his head at me, his gaze narrowing. "Curious, new man?"

I frowned. Of course I was. Who wouldn't be?

Especially with me here—wherever I go, weird things seem to follow like it's part of some cosmic deal I never signed. Disaster and I? We're in a committed relationship, whether I like it or not.

Miro leaned in a little, still casually slung around Kael's shoulders.

Kael, for his part, just gave me a small, sheepish look. A 'sorry about this guy' kind of expression that made me almost snort. But, of course—

"You'll learn soon enough," Miro said, voice dropping just enough to make it sound like some dramatic prophecy. And then, to top it off, he giggled.

Actually giggled.

Okay. That doesn't sound ominous at all.

I squinted at him. "What the hell does that even mean?"

He just winked.