Candy_ Chapter 6

Flora X Riven Modern Day AU.

Soon after both were walking, side by side. The rain hadn't stopped, but the storm in Flora's heart had calmed down. At least for now.

"Where are we going?", she asked Riven.

He pointed at the library.

"Okay. About that, in Chemistry-", the brunette started.

"Flora!", a voice suddenly cried out, as the girl looked over.

"Helia?", she asked, surprised. She didn't expect him to be here.

"Are you okay?"

She looked at him reluctantly, butterflies forming in her stomach. Yes, she was sure she felt something for the boy. Something very strong. But somehow it was so hard to open up to him. To tell him how she really felt. To admit things weren't okay.

"I'm fine."

Tears started to form again in the brunette's eyes, but she really had enough. She wiped them quickly, hoping no one would notice.

"Hey, Laine!", suddenly Riven called, "You coming or not?"

She smiled, walking over.

"See you later, Helia?"

"Yeah. See you later.", the boy mumbled, before walking away.

Nobody noticed the glare he sent Riven's way, who just shrugged it off.

Time passed fast after they reached the library. Once again they worked in silence, sharing words here or there. Flora noticed Riven looked worried again. Well, she was too tired to think about it.

"I'm going to print everything. You coming?", the girk asked, standing up after a while.

She had lost her shyness near him, since his opinion of her must be horrible anyways.

"No.", he mumbled.

"Okay. Wait then.", the brunette said, walking away, deep in thought.

Flora had realized Riven was actually really smart. He almost always got good grades, even thought it wasn't easy. Copies in her hand and head against the door, she glanced at the boy, who was typing away his part of the essay. His violet eyes screamed passion.

"Here.", she said, handing him a copy of her carefully written notes.

"Thanks. Laine."

She smiled.

"You can call me Flora, you know."

Face to his silence, she quietly took her things and walked away.

Flora looked at her watch. She had class in a few minutes. The girl didn't feel like going at all, but she knew she needed to. She had promised herself to not run away anymore. And she set her mind on becoming stronger. Her own protagonist. Who relied on candy anyways?

The month then passed quicker than expected. Even without Musa, who she tried to ignore the existence of.

Flora used to think she would feel so alone. Even more than before. But no, not at all. She had Tecna in Chemistry, signed up to Gymnastics under Aisha's encouragement, and, that very week, was invited to Stella's house for a sleepover. The brunette still didn't understand why the three girls had taken a sudden interest to her. Whenever she asked them about it, they looked away and quickly changed subject, as though hiding something. But Flora didn't care. Hell, true or not, at least she wasn't alone.

She had also participated to a few ecology club meetings, which she enjoyed, except for a few things. They had planned to put posters everywhere around the school to raise awareness, and Flora, who loved drawing, was charged with the design. Sadly, Krystal had volunteered to help her out, and the two girls had decided to meet up at the mall to work on it.

"Why the mall?", Flora had asked. She was thinking something calmer, like the library, or maybe even a park.

"Duh, we can go shopping after?"

The girl was shocked. Shopping? Didn't the girl get the hint?

"Ok, then."

Flora didn't know why she said that. Maybe because Helia was looking at her. She really wished for him to like her, and since he liked Krystal, then she guessed she'd need to get along with the girl.

"Great, meet me at 2?"

"Right."

Other than that, the brunette had also gotten closer to Riven. They had gotten full marks on their assignment about solutions and concentrations, and his hand had healed considerably. Flora still insisted on writing his notes, though, at least until he didn't need a cast anymore.

"Riven!", she exclamed, catching up to him as he was walking through the school portal.

"Here, I made copies!", the brunette smiled sweetly, taking out a notebook from her backpack.

It was the kind of smile that could melt the hardest of ice. Well, that was maybe why global warming worsened recently. She did smile a lot more often. Genuinely, this time.

"I told you I didn't need them anymore.", the boy mumbled, facing her.

Flora playfully rolled her eyes. Sometimes he could be so stubborn.

"Okay, then.", started the girl, walking away.

"Wait!"

A grin appeared on Flora's face, as she turned over.

"Here!", she said, giving him the notes, "Oh yeah, are you free this afternoon? I was thinking we could start on the assignment about Chlor-"

"I have something to do."

Flora looked down.

"Oh, okay then. Bye!"

Riven nodded, before walking the other way.

Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Flora!"

The girl looked over.

"Helia. Emm, hi. Is it about the poster design? I'm meeting with Krystal Thursday and-", she blurted out.

"No, no, it's not about that."

He brushed away a strand of hair, looking serious. Flora straightened up.

"Why were you talking to Riven?", suddenly he asked.

"Riven?", muttered the girl, surprised.

"Yes, Riven."

"We're together in Chemistry and-"

"You should stay away from him."

Now Flora just looked puzzled.

"Please. For m-"

The girl was about to protest, when suddenly someone came up from behind her.

"Anyone talking about me?", he sneered.

"Riven?", both Flora and Helia muttered, one surprised, the other angered.

"What is it?", asked the brunette gently, as Helia glared at both of them.

"That Chlorine essay is not gonna write itself, is it?"

She smiled again, her eyes emerald under the October sun.

"Flora's talking with me.", started Helia, pulling her over.

"Helia, this assignment is really important for the final gr-"

She didn't have time to finish her sentence when she felt someone grab her hand, and run off.

"Riven, what's wrong with you?!", the brunette asked the second he let her go. By now they were already away from the school building, both sweating. She guessed Helia didn't follow them because the magenta-haired boy looked more relaxed.

"You wouldn't understand.", he replied, looking around.

"Well of course I wouldn't, nobody seems to tell me anything.", Flora stated, sarcastically.

She was surprised again when he turned over, looking her in the eye.

"He's dangerous, Flora!"

The brunette didn't know what shocked her the most: his words, or the fact that he called her by his name.

"You called me Flora.", she murmured, her big hazel eyes lighting up.

Riven looked down, regaining his composure.

"Isn't that your name?", he tried to sneer. But his tone was nothing but soft.

The girl chuckled, before grabbing his hand.

"Let's go. I know a cafe not too far."

"What?"

"To work on the assignment?"

"Whatever."

The boy scowled, before following the brunette.

He thanked God she didn't ask more, but knew that sooner or later he would have to tell her everything.