"A-Anya?"

After frantically looking for her friend everywhere, Becky finally found Anya in the garden. Panting, she hurried toward her friend. Anya's face rested over her palm on the table, the back of her head facing Becky. She sat on the bench beside her friend.

"I'm sorry about Indira. You know how shallow people can be, right? I hope you won't let her affect you."

…

"Desmond became really upset with her when you ran away so I have a feeling he'd give the rude Eichler a word."

…

"Uhm… How are you feeling?"

…

Why is she not responding to me? Becky wondered. "Anya?"

Becky worriedly moved to speak to her face her friend.

Oh. Becky's eyes fell on her apparently sleeping friend. Becky smiled at Anya softly and gently stroked her head. She then waited for her to wake up.

~~~~~

After several minutes, Becky watched Anya rub her eyes.

"Hi Anya," greeted Becky.

"Becky! How long have you been here?" said a surprised Anya, her bangs flattened against her forehead.

"I don't know... maybe 10 minutes?" Becky replied.

"Oh, thank you for letting me sleep." Anya lowered her head, looking bashfully. "And I guess… Sorry for suddenly leaving you behind."

Becky offered her a friendly smile. "It's alright, Anya! Are you feeling okay?"

Anya slowly stretched out her arms and back.

"I am fine, I think?" Anya took her palm under her chin. Becky watched her friend's expression.

Hmmm... Maybe she's not yet ready to open up.

"Peanuts, perhaps?" Becky winked.

"Oh I could definitely use a pack of peanuts!" Anya excitedly said. Becky took her wrist and pulled her to the cafeteria.

"Then let's be off!"

~~~~~

Anya and Becky sat on their favorite table in the cafeteria, having their usual chats as they ate their afternoon snacks. Anya munched on her World Class Peanuts which Becky bought for her while the latter took refreshing sips of her milkshake.

"Say, Becky..."

"Hmm?"

"Is it really that bad for people like you to be seen with commoners like Anya?"

"Hey, don't let that rude girl get into you, Anya."

Anya sadly took a peanut to her mouth.

"But it seems true. Like, most people believe so, even though it's not justified."

Becky sighed as she shrugged her shoulders.

"And it's frustrating, to be honest." Becky reached her friends hand and squeezed it lightly. "Anya, it's only bad because people choose to think that way. For me, it isn't. In fact , it's because I am friends with you that I am able to truly enjoy school. It's so fun with you around, Anya!" Becky exclaimed.

Anya's face brightened. "Really?"

"Hmm-mmm!" Becky said.

"Thank you, Becky. I think you truly are an exception to them."

"Na-ah. There's more. Desmond, Emile, and Ewen have probably realized that too I think. But Desmond in particular is still too stubborn to admit it."

"Really now..." Anya looked down on her lap, looking uncharacteristically downhearted.

"Anya, don't let anyone bully you from being friends with Desmond."

Of course, I can't let that affect my mission, Anya thought. But apart from that reason is a bugging strange mix of emotions inside her chest that she can hardly understand, specifically— why did she get frustrated when Indira called Damian Sy-on boy?

Yet, Anya chose to smile at her friend.

"Okay, Becky. I think feel better now," Anya told her friend.

"That's good! Then I can ask you a juicy question. Would you please humor your dear best friend?" Becky teasingly said.

"Are you kidding? You can ask me anything, Becky!" Anya said with an encouraging smile.

"Sweet!" Becky put her hands together on the table. "Okay, so I'm asking you as a friend. And I am not forcing you to give an answer. But I'd really like to know."

"Huh?" Anya said, puzzled.

"Why did you have to run away and leave? I just found your reaction… surprising. Were you jealous?"

Jealous? Is that how it feels? Why will Anya be jealous? What's that even?

Might be Becky's romantic novels. Again.

"A-A..." Anya stuttered as Becky eyed her friend with anticipation.

Anya took a deep sigh.

"A-Anya is feeling a strong urge to punch Indira's face, that's why…" Anya said, looking embarrassed.

Becky's eyes almost fell out from their sockets.

"Y-you don't have to resort to violence right away when someone bullies you, you know!"

"Heh... I figured as much." Anya scratched her head.

"Anya." A shadow of a familiar boy was cast over their table. Becky looked at Anya who seemed to have frozen. She was noticeably avoiding eye contact with the boy.

"Can we talk?" Damian asked rather courteously, to Becky's surprise.

T-talk? Sy-on boy, I... Here goes those weird feelings again...

Anya glanced at Becky who gave her an encouraging nod. Her insides, however, are yearning to leave. Despite her eagerness to become Damian's friend since the beginning of classes, Anya couldn't say yes to him right now for some reason.

Her hesitation did not escape Damian's notice. He moved and sat beside Anya, to her and Becky's surprise.

"I hope sitting beside you is okay…" Damian said.

"Anya thinks you should go to the other table—"

"I'm sorry, about earlier. Indira heard from me. Please, do not pay attention to everything she said." Damian interrupted, remaining by Anya's side.

"Sorry too, Blackbell," Damian addressed Becky across the table.

"Hmpf, I am fine, as you can see." She said, glancing worriedly toward Anya.

Anya kept her head down and refrained from responding. What should I say? Why can't I say it's okay? Anya thought. She was overpowered by plain sadness.

~~~~~

Damian's heart sank when Anya refused to talk to talk to him. Yet he chose to stay beside her until he gets things resolved between them.

Seeing the awkwardness between the two, Becky tried to intervene.

"Uhhhh... Desmond, I can see Emile and Ewen at the corner of the cafeteria... but where is Indira now?" Becky asked.

"I don't know. I left her in the classroom earlier," Damian replied, a little scrunch in his face as if tasting sour was apparent.

"Oh," Becky said. She glanced at Anya who still looked away, speechless.

"S-so, how are you and Indira acquainted exactly?" Becky asked.

"Indira is the second daughter of the Eichlers. My father told me to befriend her. So she became one of my playmates who frequented the mansion," Damian said.

"Does she regularly visit you?"

"Quite. At first she would come once every quarter, but eventually it became too frequent, like she's there in the mansion every week when we were 5. I told father I don't want to play that much since I prefer books. But he rebuked me and said it is my duty as a Desmond to befriend and treat the children of our allies well. So in a way her visits became annoying."

"Is that so?" Becky curiously asked.

"Admittedly, I played with her just because father told me so. Unfortunately, the responsibility of entertaining her is unwelcome and draining. And to top it off, she started talking about marrying me when we get older. Honestly, we're just kids. Why would she even talk about that?" Damian ranted.

"Why am I not surprised? It's common in the high society, anyway. Have the children know each other early. If that doesn't work, resort to arranged marriages. Seems you ran out of luck there," Becky said.

Damian sighed.

"Then you are instructed to acquaint with just the wealthy to further your parent's ambitions and bolster status, ditching so-called commoners aside. Sounds familiar, Desmond?" Becky said sarcastically.

"T-That was I when we were starting school. I'm not like that now," Damian defended himself.

"Are you now?" Becky said.

Dammit Blackbell, that's not helping! Damian had the urge to glare at her but he needed her help with Anya.

Becky and Damian briefly glanced at Anya.

"Damian, I think Anya is not yet ready to talk," Becky said.

"I see. It's okay." Damian turned to Anya.

Anya kept looking away.

Am I forceful to choose not to leave until I hear from her? Damian thought.

Anya heard his thoughts and was surprised. Why do you have to try so hard, Sy-on boy?

Damian faced sideways, although he just spoke to the back of her head as Anya turned her back on him.

"Sorry, Anya. Indira came here because of me, so it is partly my fault that you were... treated that way."

He clenched his fists.

"W-Would it make you feel better if you… punch me?" Damian said.

Punch Sy-on boy again?

As if pulled toward him, Anya's body instinctively faced Damian, her eyes lingering on his face. What she saw was a determined look in him — like he's ready to take the hit.

No!

"A-Anya will never do that to S-... you... again!" Anya emphasized. Aside from the risk of getting tonitos, she can never do that to a dear friend.

That's right. Even though they had a rough start, Anya thinks of Damian as someone like Becky in her life.

"I see," Damian caressed his cheek where Anya's old punch landed. "It's good to hear. That punch really hurt you know," he gently said, not breaking eye contact with her.

"S-sorry..." Anya said.

She finally spoke at me, but she didn't call me Sy-on boy, Damian noticed.

With the ice broken, Anya finally felt free to question Damian.

"Uhh... Why are you trying so hard to speak with Anya? You can't be seen interacting with me or you'll get reported, right?" Anya asked.

Damian was taken aback by the rather frank question that seemed to directly examine his intentions. Across them, Becky took a sip of her drink, eagerly awaiting the turn of events.

"Well, because I was worried at you when you suddenly ran away. I want to see how you're doing and talk to you about it," Damian answered.

"Oh I'm fine, she merely reminded you about how you should be behaving as a Desmond," Anya said.

Did I say I'm fine? I think I'm definitely not.

"What Indira said was rubbish. Don't let it get to you," Damian said. "I get to pick the people I wish to associate with, not my father, her or the society. What she said didn't matter to me one bit," he said sternly.

Anya saw Becky nod from across the table, as if seconding Damian's words.

"Also, I scolded her for calling me Sy-on boy. Only a certain stubby legs is permitted to call me that. And I'm sitting beside her now," Damian said, his cheeks turned slightly pinkish.

"Me?" Anya asked him.

"Huh? Who else is beside me anyway?" Damian replied.

"Then, can I still approach you?"

"If I say no, you would still do it, right?"

"Maybe?"

"Hey, you better!" Damian pouted.

"Hmmm... And can I still call you Sy-on boy?"

"You have my permission but you must work on your pronunciation."

"And can we be friends?"

"I'm still thinking about it but so far, it's possible."

It seems Sy-on boy really wants to be friends with me after all, Anya thought. I thought we'd no longer be friends after this afternoon, but... She finally felt relieved.

"Hey." Damian called Anya's attention.

Anya raised her chin to give her full attention. Damian's eyes widened as he gazed at the mesmerizing pair of emerald green eyes. He held his breath for a while.

"Sorry about Indira, okay?"

What Damian wanted to hear was for Anya to say the usual: 'It's alright, Sy-on boy' in her usual sweet tone. To his surprise however, Anya shook her head, like she can't forgive him.

But before his heart completely sank, Anya spoke.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Thank you for standing up for Anya, Sy-on boy." Then she smiled at him.

Damian felt a gradual lifting in his chest as soon as Anya's words made sense and the smile in her face showed. Anya smiled at him the usual way — radiantly, sweetly, brightly. Needless to mention how his heart skipped a beat when he heard her call him 'Sy-on boy' again.

Relieved, Damian replied. "Thank you, Anya."

Damian met her smile with a sincere (rare) smile from his own lips, his eyes glimmering as it gazed at hers endearingly.

"Ehem..." A giddy Becky struggled to keep her reactions silent from across the table.

The two were caught up in the moment of reconciliation that they forgot about Becky for a short while. As if pulled back to reality, Damian blushed hard upon hearing her, while Anya simply turned her head to her friend. She then stood and went over to her.

"Thank you, Becky!" Anya hugged her.

"Of course, silly. I'm glad you're okay now," she hugged back.

"Hmm-mmm! Anya feels much better, and I can still be friends with Sy-on boy after all!" Anya exclaimed.

I mean, you two are okay now, lol, Becky thought. Nevermind.

"Ain't that true?" she winked at Anya.

Becky then reached out for her bag.

"Well, my chaffeur is waiting. I'll see you tomorrow." They said their goodbyes as Becky left the cafeteria.

~~~~~

Damian got off the bench and took his hands into his pockets as he approached Anya who was staring at the back door of the cafeteria.

"Is something the matter?" Damian asked as he followed her eyes.

"Sy-on boy, we should say goodbye to Indira," Anya said. "She came here to see you after all."

"B-but she insulted you," Damian protested.

"It's okay, I don't mind. If I do, I would have punched her already," she said.

"Ah… Well… You should stop throwing punches when throwing a fit or you'll earn another tonito," Damian scolded her. Although, she would have certainly done that.

"Y-Yeah," Anya lightly scratched her cheek. "So? Shall we?"

"Okay, let's say goodbye to her." Damian walked beside her, motioning his friends to come over.

"We're sending Indira off."

"Aye, bossman." The two boys followed.

"Okay. Let's go there," Anya said, pointing as she ran to the back door.

"Huh, are you sure?" Damian and his friends had a quizzical look in his face but they nevertheless followed her.

Anya stopped by the door, then opened it as soon as the boys caught up with her. Indira looked at them surprised, her back leaning against the wall.

"D-Damian?" Indira said.

"Hey," Damian acknowledged. "We're here to say goodbye."

"I-I see."

Anya saw a Indira force a smile. It was clear how sad she was after whatever happened between her and Damian.

"Indira, it was nice to become classmates with you for a day. I learned from your answers in class," Anya said with a sincere smile.

Indira turned to Anya, puzzled by her demeanor. She went over to say this even though I said things to her?

Indira straightened her posture. She can't look grim in front of a commoner.

"Anya," Indira coughed lightly. Anya looked at her intently, waiting for her to say her mind.

"It was nice to meet you too. I guess... Damian was right. There is some elegance in you, despite your status. I... am sorry for what I said earlier," Indira said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"It's alright, I forgive you," Anya replied.

Indira then faced Damian.

"Despite what happened, it was nice to see you again, Damian. I'm sure this won't be our last."

"While there is truth to that, this better be the last time you'd come here unannounced," Damian emphasized.

"Hmmm... I'll keep that in mind. I apologize for the inconvenience my presence had caused." Indira slightly bowed her head.

Damian nodded to accept her apology. "I'm relieved that you apologized and learned your lesson. It was good to know that you are doing well, Indira."

Damian reached out his right hand, to Indira's delight.

"That's... so nice to hear from you," she said as she reached for his hand and shook it. Damian took his hand off immediately and slid it back inside his pocket.

"It was nice to meet one of Bossman's playmates," Ewen said.

"Yeah," Emile seconded.

Indira faced the two. "Likewise."

"Thank you for saying goodbye, even though we weren't exactly in good terms a while ago. I appreciate it. I shall be off now."

"Goodbye, Damian."

"Bye, Indira."

She waved at all of them and left. The four watched her disappear down the hallway.

"Bossman, we're going to the dorm. See you at dinner," Emile and Ewen said.

Damian nodded. "See you later."

After seeing his friends off, Damian turned to Anya.

"Are your parents going to fetch you?" Damian asked.

"Anya will have to call Papa and Mama first," Anya said. After all, it wasn't her intention to miss her bus.

"Okay. I'll walk you to the telephone booth. But if no one answers, I'm telling my chauffeur to bring you home," Damian said.

Anya and Damian walked side by side, paying the remaining students in the school grounds no mind.

~~~~~