Aura turned to look at him, drawn by the rare sincerity in his voice; even his usual grin had faded, leaving behind something surprisingly vulnerable. His expression defeated all the resistance she had.
"…We can be friends," she muttered, clearly reluctant but honest.
Fenix's face lit up with pure joy. Without hesitation, he threw his arms around her, knocking her off balance, back on her bed.
"Thank you!" he said, laughing and squeezing her tighter.
Aura shoved him away with a scowl. "That's enough hugging for now. Let go of me, you moron!" she snapped.
But Fenix just laughed harder and nuzzled his cheek against hers.
"I've never had a friend before," he said, almost too cheerfully.
"I can see why!" Aura growled, twisting and pushing at him more aggressively now, her cheeks tinged red with both embarrassment and irritation.
A month of this friendship slipped by faster than either of them had expected.
Despite Aura's prickly exterior, she and Fenix had become—undeniably—close. Anyone with eyes could see it.
"Good morning, sweetie!" Fenix called out, leaning casually against the hallway wall as he spotted Aura leaving her room. He was waiting to walk her to class, which had become their routine.
Aura's expression twisted in horror. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?! You're so annoying..."
Fenix tapped his chin, pretending to think hard. "Let's see... this makes it around... hmm... twenty-six times now?"
Aura stomped up to him, stood on the balls of her feet, her face inches from his. To glare at him and say, "And you still have the audacity to say it anyway!?"
He stared into her furious eyes, biting back a laugh, his grin wide and playful.
With a sigh of exasperation, Aura turned away. "You're... Unbelievable," she muttered, no fight left in her voice, and marched toward class.
"You look pretty today," he added casually, bouncing along beside her.
Aura swung a fist at him without even looking, a reflex because of her embarrassment. Fenix dodged like a pro, laughing.
"Ha-ha!"
"Don't give me empty flattery, shut up, and go to hell!" she snapped.
"You say that every day like it's your personal mantra," he teased.
Aura scoffed, eyes forward. "It is—when I'm talking to you."
Fenix clutched his chest dramatically. "Oof. Brutal."
They entered the classroom together. Despite the month that had passed, their classmates still gawked. Seeing Aura with anyone, let alone someone she seemed to tolerate, was nothing short of shocking.
"Aura, I had the weirdest dream," Fenix said, plopping into the seat next to hers. "Wanna hear it?"
Aura said nothing, but her lack of refusal was an invitation enough.
"I dreamt that you initiated a hug with me."
Aura froze for half a second, a faint blush brushing her cheeks. "That'll never happen," she said, quickly turning her face away. But oddly enough, the idea didn't bother her as much as it used to. She even felt faintly curious about it now, though her pride wouldn't let her admit it.
"And then I was so moved by your affection... we got carried away. Before I knew it, we were naked, and you were saying stuff like, 'Yes!~ Harder, Fen—'"
"WHAT KIND OF DREAM WAS THIS?!" Aura shrieked, face exploding into full crimson.
Fenix burst into uncontrollable laughter, tears in his eyes. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
Aura smacked his hand away, flustered beyond belief. "Yeah, you better be. You're not allowed to dream about me ever again!" she muttered, furiously rubbing her cheeks.
Moments later, Ms. Emerald strode into the classroom with her usual dead-eyed disgust.
"Good morning... You detestable wastes of space," she announced.
Half the class got up and left right then. They weren't willing to take her verbal abuse today.
Once the room had settled and only the brave and studious remained, she began distributing graded papers.
"Excellent work as always, Aura," she said dryly. "But don't delude yourself—just because you can regurgitate knowledge onto a sheet of paper doesn't mean you're any less of a worm than the rest of this class... You will never amount to anything; no one in this school will."
Aura clenched her jaw. She was used to Emerald's venom, but that didn't mean it didn't sting.
The teacher then handed Fenix his paper.
"Remarkable work," she said, with an almost admiring tone. "I'll refrain from insulting you today... since ... you're so cute."
Fenix gave her a sharp, sarcastic salute. "Thank you, ma'am."
As soon as she turned her back, he crumpled the paper and lobbed it into the trash.
"Creepy bitch," he muttered darkly.
Aura chuckled under her breath, a rare smile tugging at her lips. Even Fenix couldn't stay all smiles when dealing with someone as chaotic as Ms. Emerald.
At 4 PM, it was time for MMA. Combat Class.
"Alright, who's first?" Janx barked, pacing back and forth.
Aura and Fenix raised their hands at the same time and turned to smirk at each other like two rivals who couldn't wait to clash.
"Of course. The usual suspects," Janx sighed. "You other cowards could learn a thing or two."
He gestured them to the field.
Fenix loosened his tie and tucked it into his vest, rolling up his sleeves to get comfortable for their match. Aura slipped out of her uniform with efficient grace, revealing her sports bra and spandex shorts underneath.
They took their places.
"And... begin!" Janx announced,
They collided with such force that the shockwave rippled through the room. Students stumbled back. Janx didn't flinch.
Aura struck first, throwing fast and ferocious punches—but Fenix moved agilely, somehow dodging each attack with acrobatic ease. When she swept low, aiming for his legs. He flipped backward, barely missing the blow, and returned with a sharp mid-kick to her ribs.
Aura brought her guard up just in time to deflect it.
Their exchange went on, the fight gradually became faster and fiercer... until finally:
"Time's up!" Janx called. "It's a tie. Zero points each."
Both stood panting, flushed, grinning at one another, and satisfied.
"That was fun," Fenix said with a tired but contented smile. He straightened his clothes like nothing had happened.
Aura wiped sweat from her brow and got dressed in silence. They were allowed to leave since their spar was complete. Aura left first, and Fenix followed her out with his hands folded behind his head, eyes turned up toward the ceiling.
"Alright! Who's next?" Janx yelled.
Their classmates, now less intimidated, stepped forward enthusiastically.
Once they were out of earshot of everyone else, Fenix asked,
"Aura, can I hang out in your room until next period?" As they walked.
She paused before answering. "...There's not much to do in my room."
"I know," he said with a grin. "But it's quiet... and when I'm with you, I'm not bored."
Aura's cheeks flushed pink. She kept her head low so her hair could hide it.
"Alright... just don't make a mess."
Without warning, Fenix hugged her shoulders from behind. "Thanks," he whispered.
Aura reacted instantly, her hand swiping through the air with a growl. "I've told you—no touching!"
She slapped her cheeks, trying to calm her blush. Spotting her door ahead, she ducked out of his arms and bolted for it.
"I can't help it," Fenix called out from behind, laughing. "You're just too huggable!"
"Silence!" She demanded,
"You're so warm," he added teasingly.
"Silence!" she repeated, fumbling with the key in her shaky hands.
"And really soft." He whispered.
He was behind her again, too close. Both of their hearts were racing with anticipation. He leaned forward, wanting to nuzzle her cheek, but as soon as his skin brushed hers, a soft sizzle crackled through the air.
Aura gasped, recoiling with a cry. "Ahh!"
She touched her cheek, skin tingling and lightly burned.
Consideration for her own pain vanished when she saw his face, though. Fenix looked horrified, more shaken than she'd ever seen him. "I... I'm sorry," he whispered, trembling. "I didn't mean to— I thought I was getting better... I thought I was under control, but I hurt you. I burned you. I burned my only friend. I shouldn't be around anyone! Even though I—I really like you, I still—"
Aura slapped him, not hard, but firm enough to stop his spiral and get his attention.
"Hey. We're friends, right?" She asked, holding his cheeks and forcing him to look into her eyes.
He nodded slowly, ashamed.
"Then do you know what that means?" Aura inquired, her eyes fierce.
He shook his head no.
"It means no matter what happens, no matter what, as long as I'm alive, I'll forgive you. Always. Got that?" Aura declared passionately. She meant what she said, not wavering at all in her resolve at that moment.
Fenix's eyes widened. His breath caught. Then a real, honest smile spread across his face—something soft and radiant, deeper than his usual grin.
"Thanks, Aura…" he said, barely above a whisper. His eyes moistened as if he was close to tears.
Aura grabbed his hands. He stiffened, heat rising in surprise. His temperature spiked to dangerous levels, but she didn't let go, even though she felt it searing her skin. Aura wouldn't make him experience the same despair again that night.
It hurt, but she didn't let it show and stayed still.
"You're not hurting me," she whispered.
Not with this. A few burns were nothing compared to the heartache that came with seeing his sadness.
After she finally opened her room door, Fenix collapsed onto her bed and stretched out like he owned the place, sprawling across the mattress with a sigh of deep relief. There was no space left beside him, but he didn't seem to care.
Aura did care, or...
told herself she should. But despite her annoyance, she couldn't bring herself to scold him. Maybe it was the way he looked so content… She was so relieved that his mood had lifted that her irritation softened into something else entirely, and as she watched him drift off to sleep within seconds,
All she could do was smile.
Aura sat on the edge of the bed, close enough to feel his warmth but far enough away so as not to disturb him. She stared at him for a while, eyes quietly tracing the curve of his jaw, the way his lips parted slightly in sleep.
There was something oddly peaceful about Fenix when he wasn't talking. Aura became overcome with the urge to stroke his head. After a few moments, she shook herself out of it and stood up.
Surely a quick shower would clear her head before lunch.
She woke him up after that, and they walked together to the lunchroom. Fenix was still yawning as he and Aura made their way there, his hair sticking out messily, and his eyes drifting closed like he hadn't fully woken up.
"What are today's lunch options?" he mumbled, still half-asleep.
"The school's website says either salmon, baked chicken, or the vegetarian meal," Aura answered almost automatically, putting emphasis on the word website.
He gave her a lazy grin. "Who needs the website when I've got you?" his response made it clear he understood her meaning. Usually, this type of behavior would annoy her but when he said, "I've got you," Aura felt a prickle in her heart, she flushed and then she looked away quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed the way her ears had turned pink.
"What's the vegetarian meal exactly?" He inquired, while easing closer to her.
"Three-bean chili," she replied, quieter this time, almost shy.
"Thanks," he answered warmly, and Aura only nodded, hugging her arms to her chest.
At the cafeteria entrance, Mirror spotted them and waved dramatically.
"Hey, guys!" she shouted across the room.
Fenix grinned and waved back, flashing one of those radiant smiles that seemed to make Aura forget everything else around them. Once they got their meals, they joined Mirror and her friends at their table.
"Oh wow, Aura, you actually changed?" Mirror teased as they approached. "You usually keep that ugly uniform on all day." Though her comment was rude, there was obviously no malice.
"I took a shower. Felt like changing too," Aura said simply, but her fingers tugged at the hem of her T-shirt like she was second-guessing her choice.
Mirror reached over and tousled her hair. "You're becoming more self-conscious. I'm glad."
Aura slapped her hand away. "Stop patronizing me!"
Mirror laughed, and Fenix watched the scene silently, something fond flickering behind his sleepy eyes. Their dynamic was charming to him, even if they are bickering right now. The love between the two sisters was obvious.
Eventually, Aura snapped, screaming, "Just leave me alone!" and grabbed Fenix's hand, tugging him away with her as Mirror yelled,
"Hey, come back after you get your food!"
"Let's go!" Aura commanded, her face flustered, having reached her limit on being teased for the day.
He blinked in surprise but smiled softly and curled his fingers gently around hers.
"Alright," he said, and obediently let him lead the way to the end of the lunch line. While they waited their hands stayed locked until it was time to receive their meals.
Mirror stared at them, analyzing everything. How willing Aura was to touch him and how Fenix looked at Aura as if she was the most wonderful thing he'd ever seen.
Realization lit her eyes, and the smile that bloomed across her face wasn't playful this time.
In the past she only claimed Aura had feelings for Fenix in order to frustrate her sister and satisfy her own desire for mischief, but now it's clear that there IS something growing between them. Mirror felt pleased and decided, at that moment, to do what she can to make sure they end up together...
So her sister wouldn't end up alone.
At the lunch table, Mirror rested her chin in her hands and just stared at Aura with that same grin, clearly amused by something she wasn't saying.
"Can you please stop acting so creepy?" Aura muttered, embarrassed.
Mirror didn't respond.
"So, Fenix," Vision cut in, "you've been here a while now. How are you liking the school?"
Fenix tapped his chin, thoughtfully, "Ah… It's been fun. Surprisingly."
Vision nodded, then he leaned in, dropping his voice to say, "You and Aura… you're not dating, right?"
Fenix's eyes widened. He glanced at Aura, who was still happily, and messily, eating, unaware of the question.
"No… we're just friends," he answered cautiously.
Vision exhaled, as if a weight had been lifted, and turned to start another conversation with Caster. Fenix lifted his napkin to clean Aura's cheek, and she protested, snatching the napkin away to wipe her own face. He gave Aura one more glance and went back to quietly eating his chili, his thoughts trailing somewhere distant.
After lunch, the disagreement between Aura and Mirror hadn't cooled.
"I'm just saying, it was freaky! You wouldn't stop smiling and looking at me. It gave me chills." Aura grumbled.
"Is it so creepy for me to smile at my sister?" Mirror asked, throwing the question to Fenix.
He looked away before answering, "Yeah, it kinda is."
"You're just agreeing with her because she's... your friend." Mirror accused, not entirely joking.
As they neared Aura's room, a sudden wave of noise met them. Obnoxiously loud chatter, laughter, and the crinkle of wrappers underfoot. The hallway was a mess of trash, empty bottles, greasy takeout trays, and five boys lounging lazily near her dorm room door.
Mirror's expression darkened instantly. "What the hell are you guys doing? Clean up your trash and move."
One of the boys smirked, recognizing her. "Ah! I know you! You're the invisible chick."
Mirror's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm not invisible. You can see me just fine, and you heard me. Now get out of the way and clean up your garbage while you're at it."
The boys laughed.
"This isn't even your hallway. Why do you care?" Another asked.
"She's here with me," Aura said quietly, rubbing her temple like a headache was forming.
The leader of the group turned to Aura. "Oh… the prodigy. So, this is your room. Makes sense, only the elite get to stay here." He said the word elite as if that included himself and ended his statement by saying, "Why don't you ask us nicely, and maybe we'll move."
"Why should I ask you nicely?" Mirror muttered.
One of the boys tilted his head at her. "We'd be more inclined to listen if you act sweet... In fact, why aren't you quiet and cute like your little sister?"
"Yeah," another one chimed in, his eyes roaming over Aura. "I bet she could ask real sweetly."
Aura looked up at them, voice as soft and sweet as ever—but her words were razor-sharp.
"People who refuse to clean up their own messes should all rot in hell."
The words hung in the air. The softness of her tone made it sound even odder. The boys blinked, startled, before erupting into laughter again. Aura is strong, but none of these guys have had to fight her, and she's petite, so her threat wasn't intimidating at all.
That's when Fenix stepped forward.
"I haven't seen you around. What are you doing in this dormitory?" he asked, his voice light but firm.
"We're seniors. We can go wherever we want. What's it to you?" The Elite One answered indignantly.
Fenix smiled faintly. "Well, Seniors, You're in our way."
The boys rolled their eyes, and the leader shrugged and said, "Come on, guys. Let's go. This is getting annoying."
But before the Elite one could move, Fenix gripped his shoulder, voice suddenly low and cold.
"You forgot to clean up your trash."
"The janitor can clea—" he began, but his sentence was cut off as flames swallowed his face. Then he screamed so loudly that everyone in the building left their rooms to see what the commotion was in the hallway.
The boy collapsed, clawing at his face.
"I told you to." Fenix said, putting his foot on the boy's back and pressing him down with eerie calm, "Now clean it up."
The boy fell to his knees and started scrambling for the trash, skin blackened and blistered. His regeneration was too slow to repair the damaged skin quickly. Even after healing, he's likely going to have to live with the scars. The only part of his face that had been spared was his eyes.
Fenix turned his gaze to his friends. In a blink, he was behind them so they couldn't walk away.
"If I were you," he said, voice sugar-sweet, "I'd help him."
They froze, terrified by his speed, then they looked at their friend and realized they could end up the same way.
One by one, they started cleaning.
"Good boys," Fenix praised, still smiling.
Mirror clapped slowly, impressed. "If he hadn't done it, I would have."
Aura stared at Fenix, heart hammering. There was something unhinged beneath that smile. Something terrifying… but not unfamiliar. When he noticed her staring, his expression softened—not with guilt, but with a strange sort of joy as if he was waiting for her to commend him.
Aura exhaled and offered a faint, reluctant smile.
"You went a bit overboard. No need to be so violent next time, okay?"
Fenix nodded eagerly, proud of her approval.
After cleaning, as the boys turned to leave, Aura gently pulled the injured one close. He winced, ready for more pain, but then she exhaled a white mist across his face. In seconds, his skin began rapidly repairing, and the burns vanished. Gasps rippled through the watching crowd.
"You shouldn't loiter outside someone's door," she chastened. "It's impolite."
He didn't respond, but felt his face with a mixture of shock and relief.
And with that, she unlocked her room and stepped inside.