"Anyone else want one?" Rae called back to her group of friends as she walked towards the Sea salt Ice cream vendor in the courtyard.

"Nah we are good" Responded the tall blonde boy.

It had been almost a year since she had had one. Today was the start of summer before her last year of classes and the second summer without Isa and Lea. She missed them but she had moved on for the most part. It hurt her deeper than she was willing to admit that they had just left her behind but She spent two whole months looking for them asking everyone she met but no one had seen them. She was sure they were gone for good.

Rae tried to keep the tradition of sunsets and icecream alive hoping that they would come but they never did. At first she was insistent on going every day but as she moved on with her life her visits to the fields had grown farther and farther apart until she stopped going all together.

Rae paid the vendor and made her way back to the group.

"I can't believe you actually like that flavor" The blonde boy said with a judgmental tone as he slipped his arm around her.

Rae gave him a slight side eye no one else saw and ignored his judgments. After a few seconds she leaned into his side knowing it would do no good to be mad at him, Emyd had always been disapproving of anything he didn't like.

"Let's go, we don't want to be late" Yara said with excitement leading the group forward.

"Hah, doesn't matter if we are late. I'm the lead guitarist they can't start the show without me." Emyd responded.


"This last one's for you, babe!" Emyd yelled into the microphone and giving the small crowd a wink.

A cheer erupted from the women in the crowd.

Yara gave Rae a slight nudge with her elbow. "How cute he dedicated this one to you" She yelled over the noise with a smile.

Rae nodded in acknowledgment with a smile, as the sound in the small venue had gotten too loud for her to answer back.

Rex put his hands on Yara's hips as she danced in place to the music.

When the song ended Emyd grabbed the microphone again and thanked the crowd before walking off stage.

The group of friends grabbed a table by the door and waited for Emyd to join them.

They watched as the tall lanky blonde musician walked out from one of the back rooms and made his way to the bar.

"Here ya go kid, forty munny as promised. Maybe with a few more years of practice I'll move you to the weekends" The man behind the counter said to Emyd as he handed him payment.

Emyd sat down at the empty space Rae had left for him on the round booths end. He put his arm around Rae leaning back as Yara continued whatever story she was telling. Hardly acknowledging that he had sat down.

Rae felt more than saw Emyds arm slide around her as he sat down. She had grown to really like it when he held her it made her feel safe and loved. He was the first person to really show her he cared about her. Anyone could say some words about always being together and caring for each other but words held a hollow meaning to her leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder not caring how sweaty he was from having been on stage. He smiled down at her.

Emyd saw Yara's lips move but he had no idea what she was saying. Sure, the sound on stage had been blaring and he was still adjusting to the new volume but that aside he had learned to tune her out a long time ago. She was always talking and always getting in the middle of everything, but she was Rae's best friend and roommate so he made the required effort with her. Emyd smiled as yara talked on.

Emyd leaned into Rae's ear without making it obvious he wasn't listening to Yara.

"How about tomorrow night we go to the waterfront restaurant just the two of us?" He whispered. His breath was warm and tickled her ear.

The corners of her mouth moved to form a slight smile in response.