'Just friends'?

While Joseph was very torn about what to do, he felt the pressure of Aria's aura lift from over him.

Joseph let out a breath he did not he had been holding and looked up to see Aria's figure very tiny as she flew away towards the West tower.

Aria was very angry at Joseph. How could any person just leave his sister in trouble like that. So she flew away before anger would take over her and she would do something that she would very much regret.

The warm wind fell on Aria's face and helped her to considerably calm down. Whatever little anger was left vanished when she saw Jacob leaning out of his window, straining his neck to see towards the South tower, his expression like someone had snatched his life from him.

Aria alighted lightly on his window and climbed into the room. Jacob said, going back to the window, "I have never before wished to be able to fly more."

Aria's face broke into a smile, "You don't need to be able to fly to set most things right. Come on, we're going the way students are actually supposed to."

Aria said as she moved towards the door.

Jacob was beside her in a moment and asked, "What are we going to do?"

Aria: "You seem to be ready to do anything?"

Jacob scratched his head and ran his hand over his short hair, "I'm just worried about Helen."

Aria mumbled, "Certainly more than a certain someone." "Huh? What?" Jacob asked, not catching Aria's low voice.

Aria shook her head and the two headed down the West tower.

As they headed towards Professor Thomas's office, Jacob asked, "Where did you leave Joseph?"

Aria did not even turn her head, "On the roof of the South tower."

Jacob: "Whaaaaaa....."

Aria looked at Jacob and smiled, "Enough about Joseph. You and Helen seemed to have become quite close friends?"

Jacob ran his hands through his hair, a shade of pink coming over the tips of his ears, "It's nothing like that. Really. I just..."

Aria wriggled her eyebrows, "Just????"

Jacob: "We're just friends."

Aria did the air quotes, "Yeah. 'Just friends.' "

Jacob: "Can we talk about this later? Let's just keep Helen out of trouble for now."

By now the two had reached the door of Professor Thomas's office. Aria held out her hand, "After I get Helen out of trouble. Deal?"

Jacob sighed and shook her outstretched hand, "Deal."

Aria whipped around and tapped on the door.

Professor Thomas's clear voice came from inside, "Enter."

Aria and Jacob were a little surprised. They looked at each other and entered.

Inside, the three people were sitting just as Aria had seen them from the window. Professor Thomas was facing the door. He looked up and was surprised, "Aria? Jacob?"

Helen and Helen's father turned around in their seat, expressions of surprise on their faces.

"Aria? Jacob?" Helen seemed uncertain.

"Miss Aria?" Helen's father also seemed to be taken by surprise. His eyes then narrowed as he looked at Jacob, "So you're Jacob White? The whole reason behind this trouble?"