"Wow, you look absolutely horrible," I tease. 

I laugh, sliding into the seat across from Ethan. He looks up from his workbook, his head tilting at an angle where the dark circles under his eyes are even more obvious. I'd like to think he was out all night partying, but the pure exhaustion radiating from his body seems to suggest an entirely different reason. 

"Please, don't hold back," he drawls sarcastically, sighing. I scan him once more, noting the bruise on his collarbone, peeking out from underneath his jacket.

"Well, I did have something to help but if you're not in the mood then that's fine too," I respond, placing an enticing cup of coffee on the table between us, then sliding it towards me.

His eyes light up as he instantly reaches towards it, grinning. 

Keeping my eyes trained on him, I say, "I was beginning to think you're not a fan of coffee."

"I'm not. But, I am a fan of free things."

Not a fan of coffee?! That hurts me on a physical level. I put on a sweet smile, trying to appear as innocent as possible. Alright, so far it's going well. Now I just need to sweet talk him a little more and then-

"So, what is it exactly that you want?"

Shit. How in the world does he know I want something? I don't think I'm that transparent. I wasn't fine crafted by the hands of Zeus to be a stealth machine or anything but I know I'm not a glass wall.

Originally, I intended on scouring this massive library for information pertaining to my crest. Then I saw Ethan at one of the work tables and an entirely different plan took form.

I stare at him, trying to look confused. There's still hope, I can still salvage the situation. He stares right back, raising his eyebrows.

"I want to get to know you. For example, what're you working on? Is that chemistry? Are you a science guy? If you're doing work before school even starts, does that mean you started early?" 

I attack with a flurry of questions. Technically, these are questions I actually had at one point, be it for the slightest moment.

"It's chemistry, I'm not really a science guy, and no, I didn't start early. This is work I was given as a substitute for detention. And now that that's out of the way, I'll ask again. What are you actually here for?" he replies, equally as fast.

I frown, lips automatically pulling into a pout. As Grams would say, the cat's out of the bag. I think. I clear my throat and begin.

"Okay. What's the deal with the crest? I know it's not because you think the thing is ugly. Tell me why you actually don't want me wearing it."

He leans back, shaking his head, a strange expression on his face. I can't read it. I have no idea what he's thinking. All I know is, I'm certain he won't be giving me a decent answer. Which means I'll probably be spending the next few days in this library. I suppose that's not so bad.

"I can't tell you, and I don't really want to. It is what it is, either you'll listen or you won't" he answers bluntly. I actually appreciate the bluntness. It's always a hassle when people speak in riddles because then I'm left trying to decode them to get to the actual meaning.

"Well, thanks anyways," I mumble quietly, getting out of the chair. He genuinely seems surprised. I guess he was assuming I'd be upset with his lack of an answer. I'm not. It's not like he owes me an answer. To each his own.

"You can still stay, I don't mind," he informs me, a small smile on his face. I somehow feel inclined to oblige. It's the way he said it, almost like he actually wants me to stay. 

"Thanks but I've got a lot of reading to do. I'll probably see you around." 

I gesture to the endless shelves behind me, lined with volume after volume of everything. Robus' collection of books is staggering. Mind blowing. Actually, Robus' collection of anything is staggering.

I collect my things and make my way to the mythology section. 

"Good luck blondie, you're gonna need it," he calls after me. I don't even have to turn around to know how amusing he finds this situation.

*****/\/\*****

It's happening again. I remain perfectly still, holding my breath, and watch the water intently. In the past, this used to happen only occasionally while I bathed but recently it's been happening almost every single time. It's really freaky and I know it only happens to me, otherwise there would be jokes about this or something. Or at least a scientific study on it.

The water in the bathtub stirs so slightly I would've missed it if I blinked. I hover my hand above it, swallowing nervously. Sure enough, a tiny mass of water, roughly the size of a golf ball, separates from the rest. It follows my hand as I go through the various different hand motions I've developed over the course of a few months.

I believe in coincidences. I know they happen. It's basic probability. But the fact that I seem to be able to do weird things with water, that I seem to be able to control water, and the fact my family heirloom is basically a tribute to the water element- those can't be a coincidence. Which is why it's crucial for me to know why Ethan has taken an interest in the crest.

He may know something about it. Most people don't notice it, and the few that do either compliment it, try to steal it, or both. That's it. No one, aside from Ethan, has ever told me repeatedly to take it off. Which means he most likely knows something. I have no clue what it is he knows, but I need to find out.

However, my chances of prying information out of him are slim to none. He may just be as stubborn as Grams.

Her words echo in my head, like a mantra. 'I'm stubborn, dear, but so are you.'

I sigh deeply, sinking deeper into the tub, letting the slight chill of the water pull me in. This right here, this feels safe. It feels like home.

Maybe I'm a nut job for thinking what I do. If this water mystery goes on any longer I actually will lose my mind.

*****/\/\*****

"Why are you still sticking with me?" I ask, turning to face Justin directly. It is now day four of the library hunt. It is also day four of Justin accompanying me on said library hunt.

"Because we're friends," he answers cheerfully as if the answer should be obvious to me. His smile, as beautiful as it is, is too bright this early in the morning.

"Yeah but, I mean I know that there're plenty of other people that have invited you to hang out. People you've been friends with way longer than you've known me. So... why?"

That smile of his fades slowly, replaced by one that seems much shallower. 

"Tori, how long you've known someone does not determine how well you know them..." he trails off. He opens his mouth once but quickly closes it, as if he wanted to say more but decided not to. There's something he's not telling me.

If he's not telling me then I feel like I shouldn't press him. From what I've seen so far, he's not a secret keeping kind of guy. If he doesn't want me to know, then I'm not going to bother him about it. He deserves that much.

I simply nod in response and continue scanning the book I had pulled out. We spend the next hour that way, peacefully and quietly.

Suddenly, he puts the book he was holding back into the shelf and takes a seat beside me. As usual, he's as graceful as a swan. Is that even the right connection to make? Do swans move gracefully? I don't know. That's one more thing on my 'to-google' list.

"Tori," he says somberly. It's as if he's stepped on my tail. I'm alert, on edge. the seriousness in his tone is off putting. I stay silent, waiting for him to continue.

"The reason I'm sticking by you so much is because you remind me of my younger sister. Your personality resembles her's so much it's... yeah. I don't know, I guess I see her in you? It doesn't matter anyways, you're my friend and I stick by my friends."

His sister? The way he's speaking about her, I wonder if she's okay. He glances at me and I can tell he's read my mind. There's a recognition in his eyes. He knows what I'm thinking but he doesn't explain any further. I decide to leave it at that.

Before I can answer, a loud voice cuts through the library silence, brightening the entire room.

"I'm here assholes! And I've got food!" Liz exclaims, wiggling her eyebrows enthusiastically. She makes her way towards us, wafting the 'food' under our noses. Oh man, it's from Elsa's. Smelling that reminds me- I'm starving.

"Elizabeth Otuim. You need to leave, now. No one is allowed to be so disruptive in the library. No one. Now, either stay and accept detention or leave unscathed," the librarian growls, glaring at her threateningly.

Of course, her response is as expected of her. She laughs lightheartedly and pulls an apple flavored granola bar out of one of the three bags in her arms. 

"You, my friend, need a snack as well," she grins, placing the bar on the librarian's desk. He continues to stare her down so she shrugs and turns to us, gesturing to the door. I guess that's our cue.

We both get up and trail behind her. A small gasp escapes the librarian as he spots Justin with us. 

"Mr.Fides, I highly discourage frolicking with Ms.Otuim. You've got a bright future ahead of you so I strongly advise against this."

"Thank you, Mr. P, for having my best interests at heart. But I can make my own decisions. Liz is a great friend."

And with that, we exit. Liz beaming proudly the entire time.

Once we're seated at nearby benches, she shuffles around in her bag of food and drops a single nugget into Justin's pile. 

"For making me proud out there. Good job," she cheers in a sing-song voice.

"I think standing up to Mr. P deserves more than one nugget," Justin teases, eyeing the rest of her pile. She gasps.

"Don't push your luck man, these are chicken nuggets from Elsa's we're talking about. They may as well be gold nuggets."

The three of us laugh heartily, swiping food from one another. 

Today was a good day.

No progress on the crest, but a good day regardless. I'm quickly learning that any day that includes something from Elsa's is a great day.

/\/\/\***/\/\/\

Lol Elsa's does not serve frozen treats

It's going to pick up real soon, what do you think Ethan is hiding? Any fans of coffee out there? :D

Please remember to vote if you liked it !

Chp pic: rough idea of what the library looks like