43 Section 42: His Determination

The meetings ended in confusion, it only raised questions rather than answers. Vladimir is planning to form a recon group to sneak into their settlements. The mission will start at daybreak, my heart throbs in anxiety. I snuggled to my pillow, hopefully, that the softness of the pillow will ease my anxiety. However, my throbbing heart still pained my chest.

I decided to get up from my bed, do some stretches then sit on the bed comfortably.

"I'm sure by now, I'm sleepy! Alakazam, sleep!" I collapsed on the bed.

Closing my eyes for a few minutes, I thought maybe the stretch will help me relax.

"Turns out, it's not" I grimaced inside my mind.

I get up from my bed again, I should take a stroll to ease my anxiety. Even with the tiring training Kallen and Vladimir gave me, the anxiety stands strong inside my mind. I walked to the empty hallway to refresh my mind. My feet bring me toward the vast backyard. I saw a lurking shadow before me, staring into the center of the backyard.

"Is there anything interesting?" I thought to myself.

I looked toward the center of the backyard and found Joel practicing his swing with a wooden stick. The lurking shadow next to me, who turns out to be the old woman who took care of Ender smiled tenderly.

"Ah, reminds me of my husband's youth" the old woman chuckled in nostalgia.

I decided to bow and said my thanks to the old woman who saved Ender.

"Excuse me, I don't know your name" I poke the grandmother's shoulder. "However, I would like to say thank you for your effort in healing Ender's injuries".

She looks at me entertained as if she enjoyed my reactions.

"You're pretty stiff, aren't you?" she giggled when she saw how stiff I am. "Your friend, or should I say boyfriend is fine".

My face turned rosy when he mentioned Ender as my boyfriend.

"That's not true, he's not my boyfriend!" I shook my head strongly and objected to her statements.

"Whatever you say, young lady" she smirked as she saw Joel's swinging the wooden stick he had in his grasp. "You should pay attention to that young man, he's in deep thoughts".

"Joel?" I asked the old woman.

"Yes, and call me Daisy" she smiled. "My name is Daisy Fleur".

Her name is pretty, suitable with her calm and gentle demeanor. She pats my shoulder, encouraging me to talk to Joel.

"You can't sleep, right? Might as well talk to the young man" she encouraged me.

I nodded to her suggestion and started to walk toward Joel. He sits down on the ground, sweats engulfing his pale skin. His expression brightened up when he saw me approach him.

"Sup" I sit next to him.

"Hey, Aria" he greeted me with a smile.

Both of our gaze to the clear night sky, the stars shine bright like jewels. It reminds me of when Ender and I spent our time in the bathhouse. It only caused my cheeks to turn rosy and flushed in deep crimson. I shake those thoughts from my mind

"The sky is pretty, right?" Joel asked me nervously.

"Yeah, it is" I replied short.

Joel looks at me in determination, his gaze is not as weak as before. Usually. His eyes would quiver in uncertainty and fear. However, he looks different today.

"Aria, I'm sorry" he apologized.

"For what?".

"For everything I did," he replied sullenly. "I made a lot of mistakes, and you always back me up no matter what".

His hand clenched into a fist as he gazed through my eyes. He stood up again, swinging his wooden stick again with force.

"Well, you can always redeem yourself later" I answered him sarcastically.

He didn't catch my sarcasm and lowered his head ashamed.

"Hey, I was joking" I laughed awkwardly. "Brighten up Joel".

Joel nodded as he swung his wooden stick again, he formed a stance to boost his power.

"You're pretty diligent, what are you practicing for?" I asked the geek.

"I want to return the favor and protect you, Aria," he sighed. "All I've been doing is bringing you down, this time I'll make it right".

I laughed cheekily at his remarks, I wonder what makes him think this way. I pat Joel's shoulder. "Just relax, why are you so rigid all of the sudden? Did someone bonk your head?".

Joel gripped my wrist out of the blue and pulled me closer to him.

"Aria, I'm serious" he deepened his tone and gazed at my scarlet eyes with intensity. "I am not joking".

His legs shivered, exhausted due to the practice he's been through. Joel then fell backward, I grabbed his wrist and waist as he fell. I pulled him up with force, this caused Joel's expression to turn pink.

"Oops, are you okay?" I asked the man in front of me.

"I'm fine" he pushed me lightly and blushed.

I know Joel is a shy person, it's kind of fun to see how he reacts toward my sudden touch.

"He's a virgin" I muttered under my breath.

"Did you say something?" he looked at me questionably.

"Oh, nothing" I chuckled.

His swing is faster and more powerful than before, not to mention that his stance is more firm. Perhaps, did someone teach him how to fight?

"Have you been practicing for a while?" I asked the geek.

"Ah, yes" he answered shyly. "I have been asking Ender for pointers, he's a good fighter.

"I see, it is wise to learn from other experienced fighters" I nodded in agreement. "I'm not sure I can teach you anything about fighting, I just did what I did base on instincts".

"Oh? That sounds amazing though, doing things based on instinct is the way" Joel laughed merrily. "It sounds like you're already good since you were born, you know".

I tried to remember any courses I attended when I was young, so far nothing has come into my mind. I never attended any martial art courses, other than parkour. Ender taught me parkour when I was a high school student.

"I believe I never attended any martial art courses" I answered.

"But you look pretty natural," Joel grinned.

Suddenly my head reverberating in pain, a memory flashed in my head.

"Aria" the voice called upon me with a delicate tone.

The shadow of the mysterious white-haired boy haunted me as if it's a long lost memory. However, I don't recall ever attending such a strange institution. The all-white hallway reminds me of Davinci University.

"What is going on?" I thought to myself annoyed.

"Aria? Are you okay? Is it another headache?" Joel asked.

"Perhaps, sleep will make me feel better" I answered unsurely.

"Okay, go sleep Aria! I'll follow you behind" he pats my head.

"Don't pat me" I growled as I skived his hand away from my hand.

I walked away through the tranquil hallway, entering the woman dorm with quiet steps. I decided to sleep to make my headaches go away.