I've never been an outgoing person; in fact I prefer the solitude than the company of a bunch people. So going away to the institute was the hardest thing for me. It's not that I have a problem socializing, its quite the opposite in fact. I just find people these days rather arrogant, and misguided. As I weaved through the crowd, I came upon a gazebo full of people. Some other summoners like myself, but one person stuck out in the group. The most striking woman I've ever laid eyes on, golden blonde hair that flowed over her shoulders, crystalline blue eyes, and a smile that could melt my icy heart. It was there that I finally pushed myself, I knew then and there I would be able to get past my fears.

"Hello Summoner." The group cried out, all except for her who smiled up at him, sticking out a hand to indicate me to sit next to her. Nodding I accepted her offer, easing myself down on the bench.

"What is your summoner name?" One rather bubbly looking summoner asked. I never really liked answering this question, ever since I made that drunken name.

"I'd rather not say but you can just call me Craig."

"Oh well its nice too meet you Craig!"

"Likewise." With that the chatter among returned, and I found myself just sitting there quietly day dreaming.

"You seem a little nervous are you alright?" She spoke so elegantly.

"Yeah, I am how could you tell?"

"Well, I can feel you shaking." She giggled softly, and that same smile returned to her face. "It's Kayle by the way."

"You're new to the institute as well?" I nodded giving her my warmest smile which she returned.

"What level summoner are you?" I questioned, this made the whole group bust out into laughter but her.

"I'm actually not a summoner, I'm a champion." She pushed her hair back behind her ear, and checked her phone for the time. "Oh crap I have class, well guys I'll see you all soon!" She stood up, to my surprise a large set of wings unfolded and flapped gently. With a wink towards me, she took off down the common, her long hair trailing behind her.

After she left I didn't really see much point in staying around the common area. Sure I shared so idle chat with the other summoners in the gazebo, some I already knew from orientation. Others we're new faces that clearly already had relationships with each other. As I returned to my dorm I also returned to my somber mood. My room was bland, minus my bed spread it was almost like a hospital room. This place was all too much for me, having been from bilgewater I was really far from home. Not to mention the fact that I had never lived alone prior to this, and the fact that my dormmates were racist towards people like me. I felt alone, and as I laid down in bed that night I remember thinking to myself that maybe she could save me from this hell. Who would've thought that someone who loved solitude so much, would feel so lonely. As I lit up a smoke, the loneliness tightened its grasp on me, and I found myself feeling extremely homesick. Even though I knew that I wouldn't be returning home anytime soon, and even then the majority of my friends where currently incarcerated. Sounds of new summoners milling about and partying began to sicken me. With force I snuffed out my smoke, and feel asleep

As I woke up the next morning early, as I always do I found the campus to be a veritable graveyard. Not a soul in sight, for once in my short time here did I feel comfortable, the signs of nature we're amazing. It didn't take long for me to get lost in the extensive gardens, but I didn't mind one bit because my mind was at ease. As I walked around I came upon a clearing with bushes full of lovely roses and begonias.

"Why hello Craig." A voice behind me, the same elegant tone and I could feel my heart beating in my throat. As I struggled to come up with a response she approached a rose bush and leaned over to smell one of the roses

"Hello Kayle how are you?" Lame, so lame I thought. Yet she turned to me and gave me a sweet smile as she plucked the rose from the bush.

"I'm well, and yourself?" With deftness she removed all the roses from the stem, and placed it behind her ear. I could feel something welling in the pit of my stomach.

"Do you mind if I be completely honest?" I even caught myself off guard with that one, I'm such a fool I thought

"Of course Craig, isn't that what everyone wants?" I nodded she made a really obvious point, and I was too dumb to realize that. Maybe it was my nerves but I should've known better.

"I'm feeling really homesick, and I guess I'm just having a really hard time adjusting. It's not that I can't make friends I feel like. It's just that I feel like everyone these days only cares about themselves, and honestly I sort of wanted to get away from home for that very reason…"

"I assume you expected it to different?" She gave me a reassuring smile and a pat on the back.

"Yea, big mistake on my part." I said with a sigh.

"Don't worry about it mistakes are nothing. I'm sorry you feel homesick I too share those same feelings. However, like you I am here, why not make the best of it with me?"

"Sure that sounds great." We shared a smile before she winked at me.

"You better get too class." She said with a devious smile. I thought to myself how did she know but there was no time to second guess it, she was right I was going to be late.

After class I found myself wandering back to the gazebo I was in yesterday, and it was almost as if nothing changed. The same group of summoners we're all sitting around smoking and chatting. Except Kayle who was busy chatting to three gym rats, who we're trying their very hardest to peacock too her but it seemed to not phase her. The leaned in closer to her, one even draped his arm around her neck. I felt my anger welling up in my stomach, she looked clearly uncomfortable around those guys but they didn't seem to care. Without any hesitation or forethought, I spit audibly in their direction. All three of them turned to face me, a scrawny kid no taller than 5.8, and here I stood before them with no fear. One towered over me, as he looked down at me he laughed.

"Got a problem bro."

"Yea I do act-."

"Craig come with me." She said harshly as she grabbed my hand, pulling me in tow as she made her way out of the courtyard. "You're going to get really hurt messing with those guys Craig." She sighed as she released my hand.

"I'm fine those guys were bothering you and I could tell so I wanted to get their attention." She offered me a small smile, and too my surprise she hugged me. I could feel the heat in my face and my heart started to race.

"Thank you. I'll be fine too I can ignore them." It was so nice out that day I remember both of us taking a moment to just sit back and enjoy the sun. "Did you hear there's some sort of party at the local club, I'm going with a bunch of the gazebo crew you should come! I will warn you though guys don't get in for free like girls do." She stuck her tongue out at me playfully.

"Oh great like I already wasn't broke enough, maybe we'll see." She pouted at me, and gave me the sweetest puppy dog eyes. Its one thing for me too see that but being a sucker for blue eyes made it so much harder to say no.

"Won't you do it for me?"

"Oh ok." I felt myself beginning to come out of my shell a bit. Something about Kayle just made me feel comfortable it was nice. "I should go out anyway."

As I walked towards the club I was startled to see that nothing was happening it was quite dead in fact. I approached the bouncer who promptly searched me and checked my I.D, seeing that it was legit he laid the outrageous charge of 15 valors on me. This is lame, I even dressed up for this, well not this but for her. It made things a bit easier knowing that as the group of females stood around a pool table. Kayle was first to notice me and she crossed the bar to greet me. She moved with such confidence and that seductive way of swaying her hips as she walked, I couldn't help but stare. As she approached me, she giggled while hugging me.

"If you keep staring it might freak people out." She whispered in my ear.

"Sorry." I replied quietly.

"This is a bust I'm sorry come play some pool with me then we can leave." She winked as she let go of me and left me standing there. It was getting to me, I may not be the best with the ladies but I know a hint when I see one. As I approached she tossed the triangle at me "Rack em' sweet cheeks!" she exclaimed with the cheekiest smile. The game seemed to go by really slowly, both of us being clearly out of practice. With a late surge I found myself on the eight ball, with victory insight I acted as I normally would; cocky.

"You got it don't worry." She pouted at me as she lined up her next shot. Her long legs making it hard for her to line of shots, and occasionally giving me a good view of her bum. At one point she even back up into me, making sure to emphasize the contact. For once I felt really happy, and I could feel my self-consciousness receding. Finally I had a makeable shot, I pointed my que at the corner pocket and immediately lined up my shot.

"Oooo ouch looks like I win!" I knew it my cockiness had gotten the best of me, and I ended up scratching on the eight ball. She rounded the table just to stick her tongue out at me and do her signature victory dance. "I should've made a bet with you on that game, I could've gotten whatever I wanted from you." That damn cheeky smile again was too much, I wanted to be mad but I couldn't be at all.

"You don't have to win a game against me for it to be that way." I returned the smile too her, but she just blushed maybe she didn't realize I was onto her this whole time. She brushed her hair behind her ear, and it was then that I saw a different side of her. Her shy side, she looked so reserved but yet so beautiful. Out of the corner of my eye I saw those bastards again, watching us from the other side of the bar. Before I could say anything she wrapped her arms around my own arm, and started pulling me towards the door.

"Let's leave, I have some bilgewater rum we can drink when we get back to my room." That actually sounds nice, its been a while since I've had a drink.