"Alea iacta est"

   Now that she was here he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She had changed so much and yet still managed to look like the same girl he grew up with. As she took her seat – one that was just a few away from his own – he kept finding himself sparing glances in her direction. 

   It was hard to focus on the lecture now.

   His eyes widened, his pen stilling as his eyes caught sight of the charm on her bracelet jingling. It brought a smile to his face. To think she still kept it after all this time.

  “...” She tries to focus in on the lecture. But attempts to keep her mind from wandering were proven to be in vain as she glimpsed around the room. It was difficult. Difficult to pay attention when her thoughts weren’t willing to disperse. She was... curious about her classmates. Curious about who she’d befriend. Who she’d eat lunch with...ah... that’s right... she’d be eating alone today, wouldn’t she...? 

    There had been word that they’d be getting a new student but Marco didn’t really bother to pay attention to the specifics. Apparently that would be today, however. 

    He spent the time looking out the window, only sparing the new student a quick glance. He was only half listening to her introduction, figuring he likely wouldn’t really get a chance to know her until at least a few days in. 

   But once she spoke her name he looked up, surprised. His eyes went wide as he looked up at her. Really looking at her this time. 

   Aria.

   That wasn’t a name he’d heard in a while but the more he observed her appearance, the more he noted all the subtle similarities in her appearance to the girl he once knew. It had been so long since he’d last seen her. 

   But there was no mistake. It really was her. To think he would see her after this long…

   Eyes flickered from student to student, curious as to what her new school life would bring. While some of the boys bashfully eyed her as she was instructed to find her seat, a few others jabbed at their friends before pointing in her direction. Sure, she was used to the attention, used to the popularity... but it all felt so superficial. Had they known her back then... it would be an entirely different story. 

                   Each little graze from his fingers was enough to send shivers through her skin. The singer sighing softly in to the kiss and allowing herself to melt the longer that it went on, she followed his lips as they parted as if attempting to have the taste of Kunio’s linger for a little longer. Her heart was racing. Her breathing increased while eyes met his eyes and she was quiet for a few moments, eventually nodding and keeping her eyes low. “Ple – Please, do …”

  Just how long ago had it been since she first began preparing for this? To move to a new neighborhood, to attend a new academy... ah, well - even with time to prepare in advance... even after the constant repetition of how she’d go about introducing herself... Aria still didn’t feel entirely ready. What if they didn’t accept her? What if she didn’t get along with her peers and she was once again labeled as an outcast? She...no, she couldn’t go through that. Not again. Especially when he wouldn’t be here to hold her hand through it all...

  Manicured nails nervously tapped against the handle of her book bag. Nestling themselves into the fabric to try and disperse some of her anxiety as she stepped through the doors of her new classroom. Bringing a feigned smile to her features while approaching the front for her introduction. They were all... staring at her. Eyeing her and whispering amongst themselves. What... were they saying? Were they pleased with her looks? Pleased with the way she presented herself? Ah... it was embarrassing. She couldn’t take it much longer. She should just...get it over with. 

  So, she feigns another grin. Putting on the charm for her peers before politely bowing in their direction. Hopeful that she wouldn’t mess this up.