Chapter 2

Hiraoka

"I can not believe she did that!" Novia practically screamed. "Quiet down unless you want the whole student human faction starting at you again," I said as I scanned the area for eavesdroppers as we started walking home.

We had decided to walk the 6 miles back to my house after school to get a chance to talk. I didn't know if Killian would be okay with that since he was so protective of his little sister, but Novia convinced me that he would be okay with it. The school day was so busy with an orientation in every class and briefings on student behaviors and protocols, and we barely got to have a full conversation. It has been five years, and all he wanted was to have a conversation with his best friend. When he saw her standing there in the courtyard, he had to keep himself from practically tackling her out of excitement. She looks even more beautiful than he remembered, her pale skin a perfect contrast to her dark brown hair, looked perfect in the sunlight. And her hazel eyes sparkling as she looked up at him sent chills down his spine, especially when she smiled that perfect smile.

"I don't care. That stupid blonde put a spotlight on me in front of the entire student human faction. And once it gets out to the rest of the factions, I will have a target on my back all over again," Novia exclaimed. She looked so cute when she was mad.

"Calm down, V, we aren't at war anymore; there was a truce you can relax, there isn't a target on your back anymore. We can all live a normal life now." I said, trying to reassure her, but I think I just made her even madder by the look on her face.

"Just because there is a truce doesn't mean the war is over; I will always have a target on my back. The Vala legacy will follow me where ever I go." She huffed as she started walking faster.

I let her walk a little ways ahead of me, knowing she probably needed a minute to calm down. After a few minutes, she started walking slower, so I jogged up and stopped right in front of her. "Nobody will hurt you as long as I am by your side," I said, putting a hand on her arm as I looked into her captivating eyes. I want to make sure she knows I will always be here for her. Now that fate has brought us back together. I won't let anything take her away from me again. She was my best friend when nobody wanted to have anything to do with me. The anger melted away and turned into what I can only describe as compassion. "I know, Hiro. I'm sorry for snapping at you. You are just trying to help." Novia said as she linked her arm with mine as we kept walking.

"So, every girl in school was drooling over you today," Novia teased, giving me a little nudge.

"Yeah, whatever," I said, trying to brush it off without blushing too bad. I don't care what girls had a crush on me. The only girl I have ever thought about was her.

"You can date anyone in school, and all you say is whatever. Your looks have everyone wrapped around your finger now," V said with a smirk on her face.

"They don't even know what my name is, so why would I want to date them," I rolled my eyes.

"Because you don't look like that little boy anymore, the one who used to be picked on all the time and have the opportunity to be a completely different person, you're lucky in that department. I will always be Novia Vala, the daughter of the former leaders of the human faction," she sighed, "you're lucky to have the opportunity to create a new image for yourself."

"I'm sorry, V, I know it's unfair, but I can tell you one thing. You may not be able to change your name, but you can change what that name stands for and what it means to the people who matter." trying to make sure she hears me, I turn and looked down at her, "You make the name Novia Vala mean whatever you want it to mean because you are Novia fricken Vala a badass who won't take crap from anyone and can probably throw me a few feet in the air if she wanted to,"

"Yeah, whatever, so what have you been up to all these years?" Novia asked, obviously trying to change the subject. She had changed so much since they were little. She didn't use to be so severe. She knew how to laugh. But now, it just seems like something is missing, something that I can't quite put my finger on.

"Oh, nothing much. It's just my mom and me now, so I have had to pick up some slack around the house. I am supposed to start my new job tomorrow to help my mom keep up with the bills." I said, trying to sound happy, but I failed from the look on Novia's face.

My father and brother died fighting in the war, I wasn't old enough yet to join them, and a part of me still thinks I could have saved them if I were there. Then my mom wouldn't be so depressed all the time, and she would be able to work again. All she does now is lay in bed all day. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't even eat. The older woman next door agreed to take care of my mom while I'm at school. Since her husband died last year, we became her only family.

"This is me," I said as we approached a rusted metal fence, the gate barely hanging on by the hinges. The gate creaked as I carefully swung it open, allowing Novia to walk through first. The yard was unkempt and overgrown. I hadn't had much time over the years to make sure the yard looked good. It wasn't a top priority. As they reached the front porch, I directed Novia around a hole in the wood flooring, holding her hand as she followed each one of my carefully placed footsteps. This was the only house that they could afford after the fires burned through our entire second division.

We walked into the small entryway taking off our jackets and shoes. Bringing our school work with us to the dining table that would only sit two. I pulled out the chair for Novia, signaling for her to sit down.

"I'm gonna grab some snacks," I said as I turned to head for the small kitchen.

"Okay, don't belong. I want to go over these procedures with you again," Novia said distractedly, already coming through her meticulous notes of all the orientation we had to sit through today.

As I looked through the cupboards, I realized that we don't have a lot of food. I turned to the cooler, hoping there would be at least some grapes or an apple. I bent down and opened the cooler door, and there was nothing. Great.

I peeked my head around the corner of the small wall that divided the dining room/living room from the kitchen, "Hey, um, sorry, but it looks like we don't have any food. How does water sound?" I said in a slightly defeated tone. As Novia looked up at me, I think I stopped breathing for a second, not knowing what to say as she just stared at me; I let out a little laugh as I scratch the back of my head nervously.

"Yeah, water is fine," she said with a sweet smile on her face that somehow made all the tension dissipate from my body.

Mrs. Manchu appeared out of the bedroom, startling Novia a little.

"Oh, sorry, hun, I didn't mean to give you a fright," she said as she walked over to the table.

"Hi, Mrs. Manchu, I thought you had already left," Hiro said in surprise as he walked around the corner, placing the water glasses on the table. "Please, honey, I told you to call me Indra, and I just wanted to make sure your mom ate before I left," she said with a sweet smile, looking over to Novia, "And who is this pretty lady we have here." Novia smiled. A blush appeared on her face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Novia, this is Mrs. M; I mean Indra or neighbor, she is taking care of my mom for me while I'm at school. Indra, this is Novia, a friend from school." I said as I smiled at Novia.

"It's so nice to meet you, ma, am," Novia said, standing up and hugging Indra.

"It so nice to meet you, sweety; I have heard a lot about you from stories Hiro has told me," Indra said, making Hiro snap his head away from Novia, a look of surprise on his face as he stared at Indra.

"Oh, he talks about me, does he?" Novia said in a teasing voice.

"No. I. Pff. No. Um…" I stuttered, trying and failing to explain.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as there was a loud knock on the door.

"Who is that?" I said, standing up and walking to the door.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The knocking got rougher as someone yelled, "District 2 Police Department, open up!"