A new day, a new job to try out and be exhausted at the end of the day. Adeos, or Ad, wasn't much of a talker. When I asked something, he would answer, but there wasn't much room for chit-chat.

I spent the morning looking at fruits and vegetables growing, checking the irrigation system, weeding and preparing the area for new seeds to grow. Not that I can remember much about my life before, but I doubt I had ever been this bored before.

Lunchtime couldn't arrive sooner; I had been waiting for it as soon as I left Noa behind this morning. We had agreed to meet and the lake again just like yesterday and that's where I am right now.

He hadn't shown up yet, even though I had been here for quite a while waiting for him. I had already finished my soup and scanned my surroundings every few minutes.

'Where is he?' I ask myself, slowly losing my patience.

I waited for a few more minutes until I decided to get up and bring my bowl back to the kitchen.

'What's got ya down?' Spot asks as I hand him my bowl. 'Nothing.'

Something must have happened, but I can't help myself feeling a bit down.

'Don't believe ya, want something sweet to cheer you up a bit?' he asks. 'I'm alright, thank you Spot.'

Moving away from the counter I take one last look around, but Noa wasn't sitting at one of the picnic tables either.

I could look around at the workplace of the builders, but I don't think that will be of any use, since he barely told the other guys where he was going. With a sigh, I make my way back over to the gardens.

'Grace!' Someone calls out when I'm halfway there. I turn around to see a certain blond boy heading towards me.

'I am so sorry,' he immediately apologises when he reaches me, 'Ace's tube caused some problems, then Tiros woke up and the carriage arrived, but it was empty,' he explains in one go.
'Slow down pretty boy.'

He takes a few seconds to catch up on his breath as he tries again to explain.

He tells me how Ace's tube was hard to take out as it was wrapped around some veins. Their leader had lost their patience and ended up shouting at Cosmo to work faster.

He then explains how another scream was heard through the medshack as Tiros had finally opened his eyes. He didn't have a lot of time to check in on him though as Odin came to get him.

Every month a carriage would arrive with a new member for the arena and lots of supplies and one had arrived today, but it was empty.

'I managed to convince Odin to give me a break so I could at least explain it to you,' he finishes his story. 'I figured something had happened, just not three things at the same time,' I state.

He rubs his neck as he looks at me.

'I'm sorry,' he apologises again.
'Noa,' I chuckle as I wrap my arms around his waist pulling him into an embrace, 'It's okay, it's not your fault.'

He wraps his arms around my shoulders pulling me even closer into his chest, before releasing me again.

'I don't know how long your break is, but I actually did want to ask you something about Tiros.'
'They can wait,' he laughs as he sits down on a rock patting the rock next to him and motioning for me to sit down as well.

I place myself down next to him and he immediately puts his hand down on my thigh.

'What about him?' He asks.
'Well yesterday I was talking with Spitzer about how much Tiros hates me,' I start. Noa nods to show he's listening.
'He suggested that he might be jealous of me and that you would know more about that.'

'Oh right.. uh could be. He's my ex,' Noa explains quietly, looking away. 'Him, really?' I ask.
'Yeah we were close for a few months and eventually dated for half a year, but then something happened and he might still not understand why I broke up with him over it,' he explains.

He had taken his time with him, while Noa and I already kissed within two weeks, it's quite a difference. Why is it different? It almost feels like he rushed into it with me, but why would he do that? I'm probably thinking about this too much, aren't I?

'Love,' Noa squeezes my thigh to get my attention.

What would he have called him?

'Grace,' Noa squeezes my thigh again. 'Yes, sorry uh, thank you for telling me. That uh might be it yes.'

He chuckles as he takes my head in his hands making me look at him.

'No need to be jealous, it's way in the past,' he states.

Is that what I'm feeling? Is that why I'm asking these questions and comparing myself to Tiros right now? Am I jealous?

'Grace, don't worry. I love you.'

I can't help but blush when his words reach me. He loves me. I repeat his words in my head as I still glare into his eyes.

I crash my lips into him when I finally manage to move again.

'I love you too,' I whisper.