This chapter is super super short, but I've been really busy and it's mostly just filler anyway. I had the idea for the Nikola/Kiri scene at the beginning, and it didn't really fit anywhere, so I threw it in a separate chapter. Next chapter they'll be taking the source blood. Anyway, enjoy.

Disclaimer

The day of Helen's graduation rolled around, and she'd asked both Nikola and Kiri to be there. Kiri was in her bedroom, putting on the green dress Nikola had gotten her two years ago. She was just finishing up with her hair when she heard the familiar sound of a wine bottle being uncorked from the front room. Ever since that one night he'd gotten drunk, Nikola only ever drank wine if he was upset about something. Kiri sighed as she made her way into the living room.

"What's wrong, Nika?" she questioned as she entered, seeing Nikola sitting on the couch with a bottle of wine in one hand.

"I don't know if I can go today," Nikola told her, not moving.

"Why not?" Kiri sat down next to Nikola, taking the wine from him to place it on the coffee table. The Serbian sighed and leaned into the corner of the couch, looking towards Kiri.

"I- I would've been graduating today. Everyone back home was so proud I managed to go to Oxford. And because of one rumor I have to watch the graduation I should have been a part of." Nikola looked down at his hands as though he was ashamed, and Kiri reached over to pat his knee.

"I understand that it hurts, but Helen wants you there. Think about it, Nika, she specifically asked for you to come. She'll be crushed if you don't show up."

"She doesn't need me there. John is going; she won't even realize I'm not there." Nikola moved his gaze to the window, and flinched when Kiri suddenly hit his knee.

"She didn't ask for John, she asked for you. And it's not a matter of who she needs to have with her; it's who she wants to have with her. Helen has known you for longer than any other member of the Five. So stop your moping and go get dressed." Kiri pointed towards Nikola's bedroom, and he gave her a petulant look as he stood up and made his way through the apartment. When he walked out of his room twenty minutes later, he was wearing a tux Kiri had bought him for Christmas the previous year.

When they arrived at courtyard where the graduation would take place, they found Gregory and John, with two empty seats next to them, which Nikola and Kiri took. They remained silent throughout the ceremony, and afterwards followed Gregory towards where Helen was waiting. As soon as she was in view, Kiri ran over to her and jumped at her, wrapping her in a tight hug. Helen instinctively wrapped her arms around the younger girl, laughing.

"Hello Kiri," she greeted, grinning.

"Congratulations!" Kiri exclaimed, dropping back to the ground. Helen gave her one more smile before looking up at the other people who'd come. Her eyes widened when she saw Nikola.

"Niko, you came!" She stated happily, hugging her friend tightly. Nikola looked taken aback for a moment, then returned the embrace.

"Of course I came," he replied when they parted. "You asked me to come, did you not?" He smiled, kissing her forehead before stepping aside to allow Gregory and John to say their congratulations. Nikola draped an arm across Kiri's shoulder as he watched them. "Hvala vam, malo sestra."

"Nema na čemu." Kiri leaned into him, grinning. Gregory took them all out to lunch afterwards, James and Nigel meeting them at the pub. Gregory allowed the six of them to spend the night at the mansion, and they ended up falling asleep in the living room.

hvala vam , malo sestra – thank you, little sister

nema na čemu – you're welcome