***Your POV***

I sighed heavily to myself, my eyes prickling with new tears. I didn't belong here... Everyone says that I am a great duellist, but I am so nervous most of the time I don't enjoy it anymore. The gentle warm breeze attempted to soften my cold feelings, brushing across my cheeks and whispering through my hair.

I didn't know, but there was someone watching me from behind, hidden and silent. I continued to stare beyond the thin clouds that lined the orange sky.

It was then my thoughts were startled by a familiar voice.

"You're here because you deserve to be."

I felt like I had a heart attack as my whole body jumped, my chin whipping up from my arms and swirling round to witness where the voice came from. My breath was stolen from my lungs as my eyes lay on the tall figure I once knew.

My eyes prickled again. There stood with the same expression as always, was Zane. It's been so long since we last saw each other. And yet...he hadn't changed much at all. My words didn't form from my lips as he steadily walked over to me. He seemed to just stand there by my side, staring out into the distance. Silent.

Zane then decided to sit down beside me, his legs crossed. I was sort of glad he did, his legs would out-stretch mine by a mile.

Silence settled between us for a while. The only sounds were the soothing washes of the waves and the occasional echo of seagulls passing by. I couldn't risk looking at him. I didn't even know what to say. I was relieved when he finally spoke.

"You owe me a duel."

I chuckled lightly, pushing back some of my hair behind my ear.

"I know." My smile drained back into nothing, my voice quiet again. "I'm sorry, Zane... I-"

"Panicked?"

"...yes." I sighed heavily, my eyes closing.

"It's alright to be afraid, Mia." Zane spoke, unusually smoothly. Different from his monotone cold self.

Silence fell between us once again. This seemed to be a recurring thing. It didn't feel as awkward this time though.

"You haven't changed much at all, have you?" I swore that I heard a small laugh hidden through his words. But as quickly as I turned my eyes to him, it vanished. I hated that. Why didn't he ever show his emotions?

"Neither have you, Zane." I replied a little sadly, looking upon his pale skin. Even when we were little he hardly ever opened up. I sort of knew why. But mostly, I didn't. And why? I just...don't know.

***Alexis' POV***

I couldn't believe this guy. He's so infuriating! All I asked was for him to at least say hello to her!

I stormed through the forest, breaking my way through the thicker parts, pushing away the flimsy branches.

"Damn it, Zane." I grumbled under my breath, my eyebrows beginning to hurt from my consistent frowning. However, a sharp gasp tore itself from my mouth. I blinked hard at what I saw. Zane actually bothered to listen to me.

That's a first.

The two of them were sat beside each other. I couldn't tell if they were speaking or not. They weren't moving much at all. I could see Mia sneakily peak at Zane every now and then. I could tell that questions were racing round in her mind, but she couldn't find the courage to say them aloud.

Carefully, I tried to get as close as I could to them without being heard or seen. I decided to crouch behind a thick trunk tree, shielded by a large bush, ruffling softly in the breeze. I was close enough to just about hear them without straining my ears. I know that I shouldn't spy or impose on them, but my curiosity got the better of me this time. Plus, who wouldn't want to see Zane actually show some sort of humanity with emotion? That's if he bothered to. Probably won't.

"Is anything going to happen..?" I whispered to myself. I blame Mindy for this. She's made me into such a gossip addict. I can't help it with Mia though. She's my best friend, and I care about her.

It was then I was rudely interrupted.

"Hey, Alexis! Not like you to be snooping-"

"Shh! Be quiet, Mindy!" I hissed, silencing her as I held up my finger to my lips. Jasmine raised an eyebrow at me.

"And just who are you snooping on, Alexis?" She questioned. They both peeked through the bush and saw Mia and Zane sat next to each other. He was sat quite close to her surprisingly. To anyone else this looked normal. Not to me though. Suddenly, a heavy breath was drawn in swiftly by Mindy. Jasmine and I knew what was going to happen. Quickly, we shielded her mouth with our hands, attempting to prevent the loud excited squeal that was planned to escape her lips.

"Mindy!" We both hissed through our teeth.

"Do you want them to hear us?!" Jasmine whispered a little loudly into Mindy's ear.

After a few seconds, she seemed to settle down. Although her eyes grew more excited.

"Well at least give me a good seat. Don't want to miss anything with this view!"

Jasmine and I rolled our eyes as we watched the two of them, as well as Mindy, we didn't want her to blow our cover.

After a long few minutes, the two began to have some life in them as our ears perked up, ready to eavesdrop.

"Zane?" Mia said quietly. Zane didn't say anything, but turned his head to look at her, allowing her to continue. She didn't keep their eyes in contact for long and broke the connection, her eyes swiftly turning to the ground. "When I was in my room, Alexis said something. About you..."

Zane's eyebrows furrowed a little.

"She said- well... She said..." All three of us seemed to lean forward a little, eager for her to continue. "...she said you...missed me."

We all gasped between us as his expression actually changed. A twinge of concern appeared on his face, cracking his blank canvas. He looked away from Mia and exhaled steadily, as if he was attempting to drain away the emotion, his eyes closing as he did so.

Mia's shoulders tightened and she began to shift away from Zane, as if she had crossed a line. Quickly, she fumbled up to her feet, starting to back away a little.

"I-I'm sorry. I know she shouldn't have said anything, but...-" Out of nowhere, Zane's fingers grabbed her palm, freezing her in her steps.

Mindy squealed quietly to herself, her excitement bubbling away inside of her. Jasmine and I exchanged worried looks, concerned that Mindy will blow our cover.

And we were right to be worried...because that's exactly what she did.

"Ah! They're SO adorable! I have to tell everyone about them!" Mindy squealed loudly. Very loudly. Zane and Mia both turned round to see us, watching them. Mia's face was more worried, even scared, than Zane's. That isn't a shock.

"Mindy! Don't!" Jasmine warned, shaking her head at her.

"Duel Academy's new couple!" Mindy squealed even louder, her voice pitch higher. She was excitedly jumping up and down on the spot, her hands mentally clapping together in fast speed.

Mia then froze, realising where her hand was. Quickly, she swiped her hand out of Zane's fingers grasp, her face panicky.

Her eyes flicked to each of us in repetition and I could tell that she was about to burst into tears. And without words, she stumbled upon her feet and began to run away from us all, running away from being exposed.

I frowned towards Mindy, who didn't seem too bothered by what had happened at all.

"Well done, Mindy."

I turned to see where my cousin had fled, but she was nowhere to be seen. Gone...