The sun hung low but bright over the academy courtyard, the air warm enough to make everyone slow down a little. It wasn't an event day or a festival; just another weekend afternoon where the noise of training grounds had faded and the chatter of students filled the open spaces.
Arios sat on the stone bench near the fountain, leaning slightly forward with his elbows on his knees. His expression was blank as always, but his eyes kept tracking the movement of the water lazily circling the fountain's center. He wasn't waiting for anyone in particular, or at least that's what he told himself.
Then Lucy appeared, balancing two cups of iced drinks in her hands, and a small paper bag tucked under her arm.
"You look like you're brooding again," she said, handing him one of the cups.
"I'm sitting," Arios replied.
"Same thing for you," she said, sitting beside him. The space between them wasn't much—barely an inch. "I brought these. One's mango, one's lemon. Guess which one's yours."
