Guarding Secrets

The bell rang throughout the DWMA; its students that used to crowd the hallways were now empty. The classes were now in session. A young meister was running down the halls, her footsteps were echoing the empty school corridors. Her panting was quick but that wasn't going to stop her from reaching her class.

After fifteen minutes of running, the young female meister finally reached her homeroom, the crescent moon. The girl had long wavy purple hair with a few cyan colored highlight streaks underneath, the length of her hair reached down to her rear end. Her clothing consisted of a sleeveless green shirt, along with a black skirt. She wore black high knee socks and some comfortable green closed-toe shoes and it had a cute little bow neatly located on the top. Finally, she wore a black choker that had the DWMA skull in the middle.

The girl wiped away the sweat that was beneath her bangs as she now entered the classroom. All the student's attention were now drawn to her, the girl ignored the students' stares as she made her way towards her seat, which was next to the Lord Death's son. Before she had the chance to sit down, the professor spoke causing her to raise her gaze towards the teacher's green colored eyes, which were staring back at her lilac ones.

"Alice, see me after class will you?" the silver-haired professor said in his usual bored tone as he began to turn the screw on his head.

Alice only nodded and then seated herself silently while the class continued on. Someone rests their hand on her left shoulder, turning her head around and was now staring at the grim reapers sons' yellow pupils. She blinked several times before smiling warmly at him.

He had a concerned expression written across his face, he was worried and he had every reason to be. Death the kid was one of her closest friends, surprising isn't it? Sure, he was constantly complaining about everything being symmetrical but she's never bothered by his OCD one bit. It's what made him unique.

"Hey, you alright?" kids' voice was full of concern yet it was enough to make Alice frown for a moment before she responded with a reassuring smile followed by a curt nod.

Kid was not convinced with her reply, though, usually, he would go on a temper tantrum and attempt to pry the truth out of her but he held back, not wanting to cause a scene. But once they're out of the room he'll have a long good chat with her and he knew that she was never really good with words to begin with, in fact, Alice wasn't talkative...well, she never speaks, to begin with.

Some might say she is mute, others could say that she never speaks to anyone, not even to her own friends. She always relies on her flashcards and a notebook to write down her words. Nevertheless, she's always kind to others; always smiling and sending out positive energy towards the people around her. Many adore her, but some just find her completely odd and unusual. That's what makes her feel so special to him.

The bell finally rang and the students were slowly disappearing from the classroom, except for Alice. She remained in her seat until everyone had left; she stood up and walks over to Professor Stein, who was sitting lazily on his stitched up chair.

The air around them felt thick and silent, it was beginning to feel little uncomfortable for Alice. The professor reaches out his left hand where it rests on his screw and began to twist it.

"I believe you know why I asked you to stay now." his gaze was now focused on her, the shine from his glasses disappears revealing his dull green eyes piercing through her, "You're never late, Miss Kiyoko. Did something turn up?" he kept his tone dull and monotone but there was a hint of concern underneath his words.

The girl was silent and staring fixedly at the professor, her stare never flickering and she didn't say a word.

This irritated him but he didn't show it, and then he watches Alice walk over to the blackboard in silence.

She grabs the white chalk and begins to write down something down on the board. As she finished, she places the chalk down and pivoted to face him, and then moves to the side.

He looks over at the now written blackboard, which read: 'I apologize Professor Stein. The reason I was late is that my alarm never went off. I forgot to set the timer on the silly little device but you needn't' worry. I won't be late again, I promise.'

Stein's gaze was now on Alice, who was staring back at him with an apologetic smile on her lips. He didn't believe it, not one single bit. Stein knew that her smile was not genuine. He could see right through her lie, no one can read her as easily as he could.

He got up from his chair as he now made his way towards her.

This made her flinch as she slowly backs away only to be introduced by the wall behind her. A small sweatdrop appeared on the side of her cheek, her eyes never leaving Stein. He was currently invading her personal space. His arms were resting on the wall behind her, preventing her from trying to flee. His tall frame loomed over her small petite body, it made her feel vulnerable. Her slightly pale cheeks flushed and averted her eyes elsewhere, luckily, Stein hadn't noticed this.

Alice glances up at Stein; her eyes widen realizing his face was close to hers. He was hunched forward in order to be the same height as Alice. The way he stood over her, she could now see his eyes that were staring at her.

Both of them just stood there, staring, without a single being spoken before Stein suddenly spoke.

"You're lying." he said narrowing his eyes at Alice, "You aren't being honest with me and you're evading my question." He was once again greeted by the silence and Alice still hadn't mustered out a single word.

No matter how much he wanted to hear her response, sadly, the only thing that he received was the silence that welcomed them. This really angered him, and his face scrunched up, and the look of displeasure was clearly written across his eyes. He hadn't notice Alice trembling slightly but she kept her composure, not wanting to anger him further.

"Speak to me, you silly girl!" He yelled at her, anger was notable in his voice. Once he yelled, he immediately regretted it.

Alice's eyes were tightly shut; both her arms were outstretched and were resting on Steins' chest. She had grabbed onto his stitched-up, turtleneck shirt and gripped it tightly, accidentally digging her nails into his flesh.

Stein was now filled with an emotion he hadn't felt for awhile...guilt. He could feel her nails digging into his skin but he didn't care, he felt so foolish for frightening her.

"Alice...I-", before he could finish his sentence he felt two warm hands rest on either side of his cheeks and with wide eyes, he stares down at Alice's in utter shock.

She had a sad smile on her lips; her gentle hands were on his cheeks. The warmth that she was giving him made him feel strange, a feeling he couldn't even begin to comprehend. It all felt so foreign to him, although, the feeling didn't last long when she suddenly removed her hands from his face. The sad smile now changed into a reassuring one.

"I-I'm sorry," Stein mumbled, the words naturally slipped out of his tongue and it felt so strange for him to say it.

Alice shook her head in response, taking one last glance at him before walking away, exited the classroom.

Stein stood there, staring at the door from where she had let herself out. He lets out a frustrating sigh, his eyes drifting down to the floor and something caught his eye. A piece of paper was lying on the floor next to the door where the young meister had left. He, curiously, approaches the door and bent over to pick up the piece of paper and read it.

'I can assure you I am fine, professor. Don't be sorry for being concerned for me, after all, you were being a nice person after all.'

He furrowed his brows when he finished reading the paper, and he knew that Alice wasn't being completely honest with him. What was she hiding from him? It makes no sense to him as to why he felt so compelled to know. Her quietness is what intrigued him the most about her. Was she afraid of her own voice? Or was it something else? Whatever it was he won't stop until he finally knows.