Chapter 5: Family (Part 1)
Cassie's POV
After our late-night pep talk, Danny and I don't stay up too much longer. Most of the remaining time is just spent in silence, simply enjoying each other's company and the stars above us. But we both eventually become conscious enough of our tiredness, the approaching day and the events within it, so we decide to part ways to our respective beds. I fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes, and wake up the next morning feeling as if Nabu has used his revival spell on me again.
Riven comes to collect me to go down to breakfast, and I walk out and join the guys in their small-talk.
When we get to the cafeteria, I help myself to food with the ease and comfort of any of the students here, and enjoy the antics of the guys at the table we're sharing. They mostly talk about the tournament, how good some people were, and how they're looking forward to the next one in hopes of rematches.
At one point, Helia and I are left on the table on our own, and he glances at me as we both tuck into our breakfast. "You look tired."
A small smile slips out as I shrug. "I was up late last night, worrying about going to Alfea."
"And consequently getting a pep talk from Danny Qator," he finishes, a smirk in his voice.
Turning to him in surprise and embarrassment, I try not to blush at the corresponding smirk on his face. He takes a mouthful of bacon and swallows before continuing nonchalantly.
"I went out onto a balcony to get a view of the forest in the moonlight, and just happened to hear two voices I recognised."
His easy teasing and demeanour in general is relaxing enough that I smirk and stick out my tongue in response. He chuckles before his expression hardens into something only a little more serious.
"Did it help?" he asks.
Thinking of all that Danny had said last night – as I had been since waking up – I nod immediately. I look down and shrug again.
"There are some things that still worry me, but I'm a lot better."
Helia continues to stare at me, apparently searching for something, and I willingly stare back into his eyes, effectively giving him permission to search all of me – something I rarely do. After a few minutes of his scrutiny, he speaks again.
"After breakfast, follow me up to the room I share with Timmy. We'll just say we'll meet the others a little later so we can talk. I want to give you my own pep talk."
Mildly confused and curious – what else does he have to add to Danny's speech? – and touched by his gesture, I smile at him and nod in agreement and acceptance. His eyes focus out on something unseen as a thought obviously occurs to him. A rather suspicious and potentially worrying one at that; he smirks suddenly and pulls out his phone to start tapping at it, deliberately turning the screen away from me so I can't read over his shoulder. As he sees me struggling and failing to read what he's obviously texting, he grins, clearly mused by my frustration. I glare at him and return sulkily to my breakfast.
Helia gets a reply which he smiles at before the others return to the table. It doesn't take long after that for all of us to finish our breakfast, and Helia says to the others that we'd catch up with them as he starts to lead me down a separate corridor. Though they look confused at first, they all relent, shrugging at each other and waving us goodbye. I follow him in easy silence, and we pass many dormitory doors and a few other specialists before Helia stops at the one he shares with Timmy. Swiping some sort of generic unlocking device in front of the handle, the lock clicks open, and he opens the door and gestures me through. Unsurprised by the chivalrous act from this man in particular, I enter unsuspectingly.
"Took you long enough."
My first instinct is that Timmy said this, given that it's his room, but my brain reminds me that I saw him walk away, and concludes from a quick voice comparison that it's definitely not him. Because I couldn't forget that voice if I tried.
Danny Qator grins at Helia as he shuts the door. "Did you eat half the cafeteria?"
Helia shrugs and pats his belly. "I'm a growing boy."
Danny snorts as he stands from the stool he'd been perched on and approaches us. "Yeah; outwards." The guys bump fists before embracing each other in that manly way they have. He then turns to me and smiles warmly.
"Hey, Cassie. Sleep well?"
The joyous surprise at seeing him here persists so it's a few moments before I can answer him. "Wonderfully, thank you. I…didn't realise you two were such close friends," I add, looking from one to the other.
Danny shrugs as he glances at Helia. "We're both fairly laid-back guys, and pretty accepting, too. We just seemed to gravitate towards each other, especially when we were looking for some easy-going company."
"Yeah, that sounds familiar," I smile in recognition of that very feeling towards both of these people.
Then my eyes widen in realisation and I round on Helia. "You were texting Danny at the table!"
He grins at my surprise. "And I'm surprised it took you this long to figure that out."
Rolling my eyes at his teasing and my own stupidity, I turn to Danny. "How did you even get in here, anyway? It's not your room so you don't have a key and it must have been locked."
"You're half right," Danny says, presenting his gloved hand with some device on it. "I don't have an official key, but Timmy, Helia and I are always experimenting and designing new gadgets, so when we figured out the hardware and programming needed for the Red Fountain dormitories, we gave each other a device with the code on. For both meeting together like this and for if there were any emergencies behind locked doors at the academy."
"That could be taken in a majorly creepy way."
"We don't breach privacy," Danny laughs. "We're just prepared." At my raised eyebrows he holds his hands out defensively. "Hey, it got me here now, didn't it? And you brother doesn't suspect a thing."
I sigh in acceptance. "Yeah, I guess. It sucks that we have to meet behind closed doors, though."
Danny shrugs, unconcerned. "Yes, it does," he agrees easily, "but I know your brother, I know he's a good guy, and he'll come round eventually. We just can't push him in the meantime."
I smile sadly, tiredly. "Yeah." After a few beats of silence, I turn to Helia. "So I'm liking your pep talk so far. What else have you got?"
Helia smirks at me in a proud, told-you-so sort of way, and walks further into his room so we can all get settled. After Helia's gesture, I sit on the bed, Danny perches on the edge of the desk and Helia leans back against the windowsill. Given the layout of the room, this means we're in a pretty regular triangle, which is great; it doesn't seem like those two are here to either lecture or interrogate me, but instead is just three friends relaxing together.
"Well," Helia begins, "first, I agree with everything Danny said last night; you could take any of those little girls in a physical fight with your eyes closed, and your knowledge of the mechanics of Enchantix, gained from your experience with it, will make it obvious that you're not a fake. But you're expecting people to still make fun of you because you can't transform or perform a lot of magic, and, unfortunately, that's a pretty realistic fear and expectation. One that's probably going to be correct."
The suddenly sober look on Helia's face surprises me; he's always come off as so optimistic. Danny doesn't look fazed, however, so I guess he only shows this side to his really close friends, and I glow inwardly at the thought before the gravity of the conversation drags me down again.
"There are people out there who pick on people who can't or won't do things they're expected to, for whatever reason. Believe me, I know," he continues, a distant but evident pain in his slate grey eyes. I see it now; all the memories of the names and not-so-accidental shoves just because he prefers to wield a pen than a sword. A fresh admiration of the strength of my now closest friend blossoms in my chest, and the accompanying anger wants me to beat every single one of those idiots responsible to a pulp. Danny looks sympathetic but unsurprised, which confirms my suspicion of this being shared with only the closest to Helia. Something tells me he hasn't said any of this to the other guys, maybe because they were once part of the culprit group. That thought makes me scowl at my brother on the other side of the school.
"I hope that sort of thing has stopped now," I say dangerously.
He nods immediately. "It has, because I now have friends who accept me for who I am, warrior and writer. And that now gives me something to fight for, too." He looks down suddenly, smiling a soft but warm smile. "Look, don't tell the other guys or girls I said this. All of the Winx will defend you, without a doubt, but…. Stick with Flora. She's the Fairy of Nature, and definitely the gentlest and most accepting and non-judgemental of all of them. She seems to find beauty in everything and everyone, and it's so warming when no one else, yourself especially, can see it."
The description of this young woman is like a ray of sun on my heart, and I'm smiling already, excited to meet her but prematurely tranquil at the same time. Then, I see Helia's distant look and still-present smile, and it clicks. A slow, joyous smile spreads across my face as I look at him.
"You're hers," I observe.
His gaze flicks to me then downwards again, his own smile growing as he nods. "And she's mine, by some miracle."
Beaming, I rise from the bed and walk up to him, taking both of his hands in mine and looking into his eyes to allow a deep connection between us. "She sounds wonderful, and I'm very happy for you both. Seeing how well I've got on with you, I have a feeling I'll naturally gravitate towards Flora, even if you hadn't told me."
Helia smiles at me warmly, and after a few moments of me returning the expression, we embrace fiercely. Being of such an average size, it's always been easy for me to get blissfully lost within hugs, especially from men undertaking physical training and of naturally broad statures. But it surprises me that, with both the physical feeling and the glow in my heart, I could mistake my current location for my biological brother's arms. What surprises me even more is that Helia seems to understand perfectly.
"I've always wanted a little sister," he whispers into my hair.
I grin into his chest and tighten my arms around him. After a few seconds, a thought appears in my head and I whirl to face Danny.
"Hey, speaking of siblings, how did your brother do?"
A triumphant and proud smile lights up Danny's face as he chuckles. "One step closer to becoming a specialist."
Helia joins him in his happiness, walking closer to clap him on the shoulder. "That's great news! I'm really happy for you both."
Danny's smile softens. "Thanks, man. I really appreciate your support, and so does Connor. He really wants to meet you."
Helia laughs modestly and shrugs. "Well, bring him over to see the academy and we can meet then."
"He'd like that," Danny nods gratefully.
The news and discussion of Danny's brother over, I flick my eyes over to Helia and return to a topic related to our previous one.
"Do you have a picture of Flora?" I had tried to deny myself asking, to stop myself from potentially overlooking the other girls because I'd already be able to identify my recommended confidante. But I have to know this girl, I have to see the image that accompanies this miraculous description.
Helia raises an eyebrow. "Why, no, I don't seem to have a picture of her. I mean, why would I have a picture of the woman I love for whom I'd move earth and sky?"
I was smiling by the second word, and I chuckle as he finishes. "Just show me the damn picture."
He's already taken out his phone and is selecting stuff. "A picture," he corrects. "One of many. But this is my favourite."
After another tap, a seven-inch high projection develops upwards from his phone in his palm, and my jaw drops open. A slim young woman of above-average height leans back against a tree trunk, her beautiful green eyes gazing at a position off the picture, yet seemingly nothing in particular, as the branches and leaves of the willow tree fall in curtains around her and small flowers bloom in the grass at her feet. Her naturally tanned skin sends a pang of envy running through me, as does her advert-worthy hair that tumbles and curls in chocolate waves to an incredible length. A small and contented smile shines at me like a candle in the dark. Her clothes are relaxed and stylish, suiting her perfectly and making her look ready for a model photo-shoot. Amid the massive feeling of inferiority, my heart leaps at the unconditional love and protection emanating from her.
"She's beautiful…" I breathe, awed.
Helia huffs a laugh through his nose. "Preaching to the choir."
Still staring, I continue. "Everything about her is just…gentle. Gentle and comforting and non-judgemental. Everything that you said about her I can see right before me, even in this still image." Gasping out a laugh, I suddenly realise my cheeks are wet. "I think I love her already."
Helia laughs again. "Yeah, it took me around two seconds, too." As I look back up at him, reluctantly turning away from the image of my new best friend, he looks at Danny. "I've just realised you haven't met her yet. How is that possible? How have I neglected to introduce my girlfriend to my best friend?"
Danny holds up his hands. "I never asked or expected. Couples need alone time, so I just left you guys to it."
Helia grins impishly. "Oh, couples need alone time? In that case, should I leave now?" He makes a step towards the door.
My breath leaves me in surprise and I feel my face heating up. Luckily I'm not alone in my embarrassment; Danny makes a choking sound before mock-glaring at Helia albeit with a small smile on his face.
"Dude," he warns his friend, his cheeks reddening slightly as he glances at me shyly. "We're not…."
That stings more than it should, but my feelings are appeased when he responds to Helia's raised eyebrow.
"No, I'm not doing this in secret. If we're going to be a couple, Riven will know about it. I am not going to hide my feelings for someone just because they're Riven Cestanne's sister; I'll not cower in fear of a brother's wrath, especially if he's wrong about me. He's scared that Cassie will get hurt and is trying to protect her from that, and I respect that. What he doesn't understand is that that is my goal, too. He's going to see that I'm not someone he needs to worry about, that I'm actually an ally. And so, right now when we're meeting in secret, we're not a couple."
Always so easy-going, Danny's current intensity is startling and awe-inspiring. His eyes flash and burn with conviction, and the oases are suddenly oceans, with a relentless and unstoppable tide pushing in and claiming all the land it wants. I should be scared of such a powerful force when he turns it to me, but instead I'm hypnotised.
"But I must warn you," he grins at me, almost dangerously, "from the moment we step out of this door, I have every intention of rectifying that."
My resolve now steeled by the evidence of his own, my heart clenches its fists and grins back, flaring in my chest. "And I aim to help you."
"Here, here," Helia joins in, and steps forward to clap us both on the shoulder.
We share this moment of true and deep friendship, a pact of being inseparable, unshakable and unbreakable, and a promise of unconditional support. Grins pass between us, sort of like an inside joke against anything that may dare oppose us in the future.
Eventually, though, Helia brings us back to the real world. "Come on, we'd better go; don't want to be late for class starting, and the guys are probably waiting for us by the ship that'll take you to Alfea. Riven's already go a bag of stuff you might need there."
I smile at my brother's care and forward-thinking.
"And so," Danny interjects, turning to me, "it might suck, but I think I should say goodbye here."
My heart sinks at the thought of not being able to see Danny as readily as I have been. He smiles sadly and takes both of my hands, and there's an exhilarating and pleasing jump in my chest.
"I know," he promises. "Believe me, I know. It won't be easy for either of us." He suddenly grins. "But I know how to make it slightly easier."
Much to my chagrin, he lets go of my hands to search briefly in his pockets. He then pulls out a phone. A pretty fancy one, by the looks of it. As he hands it to me, I simply blink at him blankly, and his grin widens.
"I know you didn't come with any possessions – it's not like you could; you'd just run away from battle – but I'd also heard you lost your phone. So I bought you a new one. And if my number just happens to be on there when I give it to you…. Well, what's the harm in that, huh?"
A grin spreads across my own face at his meaning and teasing attitude, and I quickly take the phone from him and put it in my jeans pocket before throwing my arms around him, jumping up slightly to be able to do so. He takes the opportunity of me being even marginally airborne and spins me around once, making me giggle in excitement, and he laughs at my joy. His eyes sparkle as we separate and stare at each other in mutual happiness.
"I like you a lot, Cassie Cestanne," he says softly, "and I don't see that changing any time soon."
"You've blown me away since we first met, Danny Qator," I reply, "and my wonder doesn't seem to be lessening with time."
Danny's next laugh is breathless. "Awesome."
After staring into each other's eyes for a few moments more, he smiles one last blinding smile, gives me one last wonderful hug, then bids me and Helia goodbye before leaving the room. The click of the door is the most painful sound I've ever heard, and my heart twinges in harmony. A heavy sigh shakes its way out of my mouth.
A large, strong, warm hand claps on my shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. "You'll see him again soon," Helia smiles.
"I know," I say, still smiling at the closed door.
I turn back to Helia, my smile only widening. "You are now the closest friend I have. That may and hopefully will change when I meet the Winx, but you will always be one of my closest friends, even within the Winx and the Specialists. You have always seen me and accepted me unconditionally, exactly in the same way you say that Flora will."
He grins at me again before we bury the other in our arms again. "I'm really glad I met you, Cassie," he admits quietly, almost shyly, but with no less fervour.
"Likewise," I murmur back before we separate.
We make our way out of his room, and walk through the school to the transport platform, where there is, indeed, a ship waiting to take me to Alfea. And there are the guys, all standing in a line next to the ship. I pause momentarily, trying not to focus on the fact that they're making it look like they're here to see me off to a war. Helia walks past me to take his place at the end of the line, furthest away from the ship.
Taking a deep breath, I continue walking up to meet him again, smiling at him in thanks. At first it's awkward as I stand in front of him; I'm not sure what to do. We've already hugged a million times, and it would just feel like overkill if we did again, and I'm kind of embarrassed at sharing what has previously been a private moment with the other guys. But then he moves, and places his large hand on my head. The solid weight of it grounds me and the warmth is like a fire in the middle of winter.
"You'll be fine," he promises.
Willing the stinging from my eyes, I damn overkill and throw my arms around his wide torso for a split second before moving onto the next friend.
Timmy and Brandon, in turn, place their hands on my shoulders reassuringly, giving me kind words of my experience and my goodness that will get me through this new part of my life. I smile at them both, grateful to already have so many people supporting me. As I step in front of Nabu, we look each other in the eye unreservedly, and I shake his hand meaningfully.
"Thank you," I say fervently, and he grins at me, nodding in return.
"Any time."
And finally, there's my brother. The person who has stayed by my side all my life, the one who infuriates me no end, yet unfailingly defends me in any and every situation. The one person I can always depend on to give me unconditional protection no matter what. That's why I came to him, after all.
He gives me a small smile, and I marvel again at how good-looking my brother is. If he just smiled more and stopped scowling, it would really come through. I don't have time to think on this before he steps forward and wraps me in his arms, and I return the gesture, simply relaxing in his arms and his affection.
"I love you, Cassie," he whispers. "No matter what. If you ever need me, just call, and I'll be there as soon as I can."
I grip him tighter as my eyes fill with water, squeezing my eyes shut and burying my face in his uniform to hide from the others.
"I love you too, Riven," I mumble, but I know he heard me when he squeezes me tighter too.
Once I'm ready to face him again without embarrassing myself, I pull back and grin at him.
"Gotta go; I've got classes to attend."
He winks at me, chucking my chin with his finger. "That's my girl."
So there it is! Chapter 5, finally! Sorry it's taken so long. I've been majorly distracted and busy and I also wanted to write more in this chapter because the chapter title fit so well, but I've just decided to split it into part 1 and part 2. I really don't like doing that, but I figured it would be better than you all waiting an additional 3 years or so! Hope you enjoy this chapter anyway, I know I really enjoyed writing it.
Fly on,
NitnatRide
