Sometimes Fate Works- Chapter 3
Flora X Riven Modern Day AU_

The first week went by fast.
Flora stuck by Musa, but she could see that they were growing apart. It used to be Flora and Musa against the world, but nowadays felt more like Flora and Musa against time.
Against fate.

Bloom, though, only seemed to grow closer to the girl. She had moved into Musa's neighborhood, and they started walking to and from school together. Flora tried not to think about it. Her friend had granted her happiness, now she deserved it herself.

So, all was normal. Boring, yes, but peaceful.

Sometimes, Flora would chat with Helia. She learned that he had very demanding parents, and poetry was the only way for him to stay sane and reflect on his own life. It was crazy how alike they were, and, whenever they talked, Flora felt heard. Maybe even understood.
"Helia, wait for me!"

And then, there was Krystal.
Flora didn't know what to think about her. She was nothing but nice, sweet, and caring. Only, she was too nice, too sweet, too caring. Too present, too.

"Krystal! I was just talking to Flora about our meeting next Tuesday."
"Oh, hi, Flora. Helia, I just came to tell you that Professor Palladium is calling for you. He has something to say about, emmm, your last homework."
"Okay. Let's go, Krystal.", the boy replied, putting an arm over the girl's shoulders.
There wasn't even a goodbye as the two walked away.

Sometimes, Flora felt like people could hear her. They just didn't care for it. She sighed.
It was the end of class anyways, and the girl picked up her backpack, popped some chocolate into her mouth, and walked out from the greenhouse. She put on the iPods that Musa had gotten her last Christmas, and put on some Hilary Duff.
Who's that girl?
She started running.

Just then, Flora heard some weird noises. It sounded like some people were fighting. Her brain told her to walk away, to go back home, to act like nothing happened. But she just couldn't. She was oh too familiar with that. Screams. Sweat. Tears. Blood. Despair.
It all came back into one big mess of a thought. The girl removed her headphones, eyes opened wide.

She walked over to the dark alley where the sounds were coming from. One step, two.
She then hid behind a wall, listening to the conversation, ready to call for help.
"I won't let you hurt her. "
Who was it… the voice felt so familiar, yet so far away…
"Huh, how funny, does she even know who you are?"
"This isn't the point. She didn't do anything to any of you, did she, you assholes?"
Flora heard a laugh. It was cold, amused, and had the effect of a thousand blades. Just how?
"Oh, she didn't, did she?", the rusty voice continued, "Do you even know what her father did?!"
Silence.
Then came some ruffled screams. Droplets of blood flew over to the wall Flora was hiding behind, making her shiver and, hence by, alerting the men.
"Who's over there?", the voice asked.
Flora didn't know what to do.
Surprised, scared, and tired, she flew, her hair flowing delicately, and she ran as fast as she could. What if they had a gun? Thankfully, though, no one came after her. The girl was a slow runner, and could have easily been caught. She sighed, sweating and in panic.

Once she was sure to be safe, Flora called the police. She hoped all would be fine for whoever was going through all that. The brunette looked at her watch. 5:34. Her mother wouldn't be too worried. She never was, anyways.

I hope they didn't see me, thought Flora, wiping away some sweat. What she didn't know was that she said it out loud.
"Who?", she heard a voice ask from behind.
Fear in her eyes, the brunette turned over.
What was up with today?
"Helia?"
"Yeah, that's me.", he smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was on my way home from Palladium's."
Flora nodded. Made sense.
"Do you, emm, maybe want to get some ice cream?", he asked, gently.
"In September?"
"Yeah?"
His grin did it all.
"Oh… emm, sure, why not?"
"Let's go then."

"So, Flora, tell me more about you."
"I'm, emmm, from a small town in California."
"Any siblings?"
"A sister, Miele. She's my everything. What about you?", the girl replied, smiling one of her heartwarming smiles.
"Me? I used to have a sister, Millie."
Used to? Flora was curious, but, out of precaution, didn't ask any more about it. She didn't want to offend anyone.
"Any hobbies?", Helia continued, brushing away a strand of black hair that always fell on his right eye.
"Nature, as you know, I also enjoy art, and music."

Small pause.

"Me too. Classical?"
"Emm, no, actually. I like… rock."
"Like the Beatles?"
"Emm, no, more like Nirvana."
Both laughed.
"You, Flora Laine, are a mystery."
"I sure am."
Just then, a boy ran past them. He was covered in blood, and seemed to have a black eye. Flora turned over.
"Are you okay?", she cried out across the street, before being pulled back by Helia.
"I don't think it's a good idea to associate with people like that."
"But-"
All eyes were on her, and the shyness took over.
"Nothing."
The last Flora saw of the boy was those violet eyes.


"Chocolate or vanilla?"
"Is there, maybe, strawberry?"
Helia nodded.
"One vanilla and one strawberry. Please.", he said, taking out his wallet. Flora looked down, smiling.

They decided to eat their cones on the beach, near the sea. Flora wanted to start a conversation, but Helia seemed elsewhere. His midnight blues seemed lost in time. Lost in space. He himself seemed preoccupied by something, and kept staring at his phone.

"I'll see you later then?", suddenly he said, getting up.
"Yeah, bye, Helia. Thanks for the ice cream."
"It's nothing."
And then he walked away.
Flora couldn't help but see that, at the end of the street, he was joined by Krystal.
Oh, Krystal.