Anya played with the cuffs of her sleeves on the bus to school. She stared out the window, counting the minutes down until she would be back at Eden College.

Yesterday was a wild ride. After school, she had been quiet all evening, and she and Loid had somehow quietly agreed not to talk about what happened in front of Yor. Neither of them wanted her to worry. But she couldn't take the forced, heavy silence, so Anya had excused herself to go to her room earlier than usual under the guise of studying.

And sleep had eluded her. She couldn't stop thinking about all the questions that were running through Damian's head that she knew she would have to answer someday. One day, maybe, she would tell him the truth about everything that had been going on, but she knew she was nowhere near ready. Plus, as long as Operation Strix was still active, she couldn't be as open with him as she liked.

Finally, the bus pulled to a stop outside Eden College, and Anya jumped down onto the pavement with her school bag in her hands. And she glanced up from her shoes, to see Damian waiting for her, as promised, leaning against the gate of the school with his arms crossed.

When he saw her, he smiled, straightened up and walked towards her. "H-hey," he said.

"Good morning, Sy-on boy, " Anya smiled.

"M-morning."

She looked at his face. The skin around his eyes had both bruised, with rings of purple spreading out around them, and the bandage on his nose had been replaced with a clean one. He looked really worse for wear.

But he was here, in front of her. And that was enough for today. If she hadn't followed the van yesterday, then he wouldn't be here at all.

"What did the doctors say about your eyes?" said Anya

Damian looked away, embarrassed. "Oh, uh, they said it will look worse than it is for a while, so don't worry about it."

Anya nodded, taking this in. "What did Ewen and Emile say?"

"They were worried about me as well, obviously," and he cast a sideways glance at Anya. "And Ewen's pretty annoyed at you for stealing his bike."

Anya grimaced. "I didn't have any other choice! And I gave it back!"

"Debatable," said Damian, but inside he agreed. Out of everything that could have possibly have happened, he was so glad that she had come after him, even though it set his teeth on edge that she would put herself in danger like that, but that was a conversation for another time.

They made their way together to the main entrance of the school, but Anya tensed. "It sounds like there's a lot of people in there."

"Oh, yeah," said Damian. "We've got a whole school assembly this morning, so we all have to go into the main hall."

They walked together, only slightly being jostled by the crowd, and Anya's face paled. This many people all around her was starting to make her feel sick.

Damian reached out for her hand, which she took gratefully. "Just lean on me," he whispered. "We're sitting with our halls anyway, so if you need to lay your head on my shoulder, that's okay."

Butterflies fluttered in Anya's stomach and glanced up at those golden eyes. Was it just her, or did it look like he had a glow around him?

"Th-thanks, Sy-on," she said breathlessly.

It didn't take long to navigate to the seats in the hall, and as promised, Damian seated himself next to her. He cast a look around for Ewen and Emile, but they were a few rows ahead of them. Just then, Becky came to join them and sat on the other side of Anya.

Damian tensed. Even though Anya had said she was okay with them physically touching, he wasn't sure if he felt comfortable with Becky seeing any of it.

"You feeling, okay Desmond?"

"Er, yeah" said Damian. "I've got some painkillers from the nurse so it's all right."

"Anya told me all about what happened,'' she said and winked at Anya. "She said that she fought the bad guys off! Can you believe it?"

"Well, yeah, she did-" Damian started, but Becky didn't hear him.

"I mean, no offence Anya, but I think that has to be your best story to date. To think all these years you've just been nurturing an extensive imagination!"

"But I really did -"

"It's alright Anya, if you tell the others I won't refute you. I'll just go along with it."

Damian and Anya shared a look, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

Anya rolled her eyes and whispered under her breath. "She didn't believe me."

Damian thought about it and nodded. "To be fair, it was a pretty crazy story." Then to Becky: "Did you guys get told why we're having a whole school morning assembly?"

Becky shook her head and sighed. "Not a clue! But I'm not complaining, if it means we get to miss first period history."

Damian sagged in his seat, dejected. "I like history."

"Well, good for you, but I personally hope we get a bit of free time! The exams are coming up soon and I am just not prepared," she gave an exaggerated sigh.

Silence fell as a teacher - the headmaster - stepped up to the podium, and Damian and Becky quietened. Anya was just holding her throbbing head, hoping that it would stop hurting soon.

"Attention all students," said Professor Goodfellow. "You may be wondering why we are calling an all school assembly today." He coughed into the microphone. "Some of you may already know about the kidnapping incident that happened yesterday -"

As one, Anya and Damian's heads snapped up.

"I am obliged to let you all know that yesterday morning, an attempt was made to kidnap a senior student from Eden College grounds. The attempt was successful initially, but fortunately we have a student in our midst who witnessed the incident and was able to swiftly rectify the situation.

"That student chased the kidnappers, revealed their true location, and recruited a bystander to assist in the escape. In the process, that student may have saved a life."

Anya couldn't speak. She and Damian glanced at each other, their eyes wide with surprise.

"Today, we would like to recognise the strength of that student, and present an award. Anya Forger - will you please come to the stage?"

Anya felt all eyes on her as she stood, knees trembling. Suddenly all moisture vanished from her mouth and all she could do was swallow dryly, as she stepped away from her chair, and into the aisle between the rows of seats.

Every step forward was excruciating. The silence of the hall deafened her as every student who knew her (which was a fair few of them) could only stare after her with gaping mouths. After all the shenanigans Anya was famous for pulling, this was the last thing that they had expected from her.

She didn't know how she managed it, but Anya finally reached the stage, and faced Professor Goodfellow.

Behind him, another teacher stepped forward, and Anya was relieved to see that it was Professor Henderson. As if knowing the shock that she felt at that very moment, he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Anya Forger," boomed Professor Henderson, projecting his voice so that all could hear him. "This school would like to recognise your heroism, courage, and extraordinary elegance in rescuing your fellow student. Your methods, while questionable, were successful, and as a testament to your valiance, that student was able to return to class and have their injuries seen to."

Something sparkled in his hands, and Anya glanced down.

"In recognition of your act of courage, we have decided to present your Stella in front of the school. As well as," Professor Henderson stepped aside for another teacher to come forward.

Professor Ronin came forward holding something that looked like a trophy, that shone silver in the morning light streaming in through the stained glass windows of the assembly hall.

"We present you with this Award for Bravery," said Professor Ronin, and Anya might have imagined it, but it sounded as though he was saying it through gritted teeth. "In honour of you."

The award felt heavy in Anya's hands as she took it, completely dumbfounded.

"We applaud you for the success in your mission, and wish you every success as you make your way forward through Eden College. May your courage and valour light your path ahead, and allow you to pursue excellence in your future."

Professor Henderson looked again onwards Anya, with a compassionate glint in his eye. "Is there anything that you would like to say, Miss Forger?"

Anya stepped forward to the podium, her feet moving against her will, as if she was on automatic. In front of her swam the thoughts and the questioning eyes of everyone at the school.

"Th-thank you," Anya stammered, her voice barely louder than a whisper. So many eyes, she realised. So many thoughts. "I wasn't expecting this. I'm just glad that Da - that my fellow student is safe." She smiled thinly at the audience, and not knowing what else to do, she bowed.

And, louder than the thoughts in the room, there was a burst of applause.

Anya stared at the room for a moment, taking it all in. There were so many hands clapping for her, but there were only a few people that she wanted to see.

Becky stood clapping with an utterly dumbfounded look on her face. Clearly, the disbelief form earlier had dissipated, now replaced with pure shock.

Meanwhile, Anya saw Damian clapping for her with a light in his eyes that she couldn't name. Even though he had two black eyes, and a bandage over his nose, he smiled at her with a warmth that made her stomach flip.

Was it pride…?

Anya clutched the award tighter to her chest, and let the noise wash over her, while that same pride that she saw in Damians eyes filled her heart.

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I've always wanted Anya to be recognised! n