Chapter Text
Helene stepped off the ferry, luggage in hand and sunglasses on. She squints her eyes through the crowd of people on the dock, looking for the familiar face of her best friend.
It's been a tradition since they were six and in their first year at Blackcliff academy. The Saif family, the family Elias lived with until his Grandfather took custody of him, would travel to Nur for the Fall Gathering, and invite Elias to spend the weeks leading up to it with them. He, in turn, would invite Helene. It was just the two of them for the whole season, until they had to go back to the prison that was Blackcliff.
Helene had her own family, but she would rather be with Elias than anywhere else.
This was the last summer before they went off the Antium University, and who knows when they'd have a break after that. Antium was known for their extensive military program.
Helene continued her walk along the pier, keeping her eyes out for Elias. She checked her phone again, reading their last text messages. He said he would be waiting at the end of the pier. From what she can see, he is not at the end of the pier. That's not surprising though, Elias always lost track of time when in Nur. She could wait for him.
And she did just that, placing herself on a bench close to the entrance of the pier. She sent a text to Elias, letting him know of her arrival. She pulled out her book, one about military generals, many who had graduated from Antium, and started to read it, settling in for what she expected to be a bit of a wait.
So imagine her surprise when she heard her name being called not even ten minutes later. She snapped her head up with a smile looking through the crowds to find the source. It dropped almost immediately after finding it. The source's, if anything, grew larger as it, sorry he, started making his way to her. Avitas Harper. Helene doesn't know how the same man who helped give the world Elias Veturius also gave it Avitas. He's been the bane of her existence ever since she met him.
Harper, unfortunately, managed to reach her without bumping into a tourist and falling into the ocean. He stopped right in front of her with that stupid smile.
"Helene Aquilla."
"Harper."
"Still on the last name basis? I thought we've moved past that by now."
"Well, you've thought wrong. Feel free to only call me by my last name. Or not to address me at all."
He laughed because of course he did. "I guess you'll have to walk all the way to the house," he said, holding up the keys.
Helene rolled her eyes. "I'm never one to turn down some exercise."
Avitas laughed again, because that's all he seems to do and glanced down and back up at her. "Trust me, I know that," trailing off. Before she had time to unpack that statement, he continued. "Luckily, I'm a kind and generous person, and will stick with my offer to bring you back to the house."
"How chivalrous." She turned to grab her luggage only to have Avitas grab it out of her hands and start walking away without her.
"We have to get going, Mamie Rila is cooking a feast for you, and said to have you back by 5 o'clock sharp.
It was currently 4 and even with a mandatory ice cream stop halfway through, they'd make it there with plenty of time to spare. She probably could've walked, but if she was being honest, that sounded miserable right now. Her old instructors at Blackcliff would have a field day if they learned she had just thought that.
Avitas turned around after a couple steps. "You coming or what?"
With a heavy sigh, she had no choice but to follow him.