The Bet Between Ice And Heart

PERFECT TIMING?

After the second week of the semester, Ayla had come to the end of her patience and was no longer hoping for things to return to normal as the academy’s students now treated her like a plague.

In small ways at first she saw it; one classmate who used to sit with her was now somewhere else, a group of students who used to be studying with her seemed so full when she asked to join. Then it was no longer possible to overlook. When she walked by, words were hushed. Eyes trailed her a beat later and then they blinked away.

One afternoon, they were still talking about it, when Ayla perched herself in the seat across from Seraphina in the courtyard.

“Do they know I can hear them?” Ayla hissed as some girls gossiped about her.

“Ignore them," Seraphina said, never breaking her concentration on the book she had been marking up. “People prefer gossip over facts: Give it two more weeks and they'll have shifted to another topic. A new party would happen, and something else would happen too and they would focus more on that and forget about the whole slap saga.”

“I hope so.” Ayla mumbled, clearly tired of the drama and tension that came with it.

“Don’t worry… if anyone ever bugs you again…I’ll be one call away.” Seraphina assured.

“One call away?” Ayla repeated.

“Yes…have you forgotten? I’ll be leaving soon.” Seraphina replied.

“Leaving? Leaving to where?” Ayla asked, confusion written all over her face.

“Yeah, I finally agreed to attend the one year programme at the Luna Academy.” Seraphina answered as they both walked back to their dorm.

Ayla repeated, looking at her friend: "A year? What? You're leaving for an entire year?"

"I know." There was excitement in Seraphina's eyes, but also a tinge of concern between them. “It's a tremendous opportunity, and that's a lesson that every future Luna will have to go through someday. Just—,” she said hesitatingly. “I can't stop thinking of leaving you here all alone. I can’t think of what would happen when I leave you here and go there. Who will watch over you? You’ll be so bored and so lost here without me, I am actually beginning to rethink my decision.”

“No, Sera, I'm not a kid, I'm going to be fine.” Ayla replied as she opened the door. “The whispering and gossiping will die down like you said.”

“I don't mean that." Seraphina collapsed onto her bed, with half the boxes of belongings still stacked next to her. “I know the gossip will die down but… you need someone, to take you to class, and all of that. You someone by your side Ayla.”

Ayla didn't argue, nor did there need to be, it was true… but who would be her friend?

As the days leading up to the end of Seraphina's life were passed, the room soon became half empty as they packed everything together, chatted about everything and nothing at all — their old lives and the hazy outline of the future, neither of them could quite see despite their best efforts.

A sweater was being folded when Seraphina said, "You have to keep up with your classes. No excuse for slacking off due to my absence to complain about it. Avoid asking too many questions in class, and eat on time okay?”

“Okay mom.” Ayla laughed.

Seraphina ignored her, and continued, “And the shop. Don't let it go down the wrong way! I want to come back and see that you have earned at least 6 figures if not seven.”

“It's a very specific goal.” Ayla commented.

“I have some very special dreams for you.” Seraphina paused, giving a serious look for a moment. “All of it promise me , studies , the shop taking care of yourself.”

“I will, I promise.” Ayla said quietly.

Seraphina breathed out, removing some of the strain from her shoulders. “Good.”

That very evening, they all stood in front of the academy where a sleek black car was waiting for Seraphina to take her to the Luna Academy. Alpha Caelum held his wife in his arms, as he wiped her tears. “It’s fine she will be back soon.” Caelum tried to console her.

Elara , his wife, placed her hands on Seraphina's face. “Sera…make sure you call me okay? Every two hours…promise me that dear.” She sniffled, trying to hold back her tears.

“I will Mom, I promise.” Seraphine assured.

Ayla was a little far away from the family, watching with a hurt in her heart that she was doing her best not to show. Before they could say a word, Seraphina pulled Ayla into a tight hug.

“Don't you dare cry,” Seraphina whispered against her shoulder. If you cry, I’ll cry and then my mascara will be ruined before I get in the car.”

“I won’t cry,“ Ayla said, though it was difficult to blink back the tears that already rolled down her cheeks.

"Liar." Seraphina pulled back, holding her by the shoulders. “I'll be back before you know it and I expect a full report on the shop's finances when I get back here.”

"Yes, ma'am." Ayla laughed.

"I love you, okay? Don't forget that."

“I love you too,” Ayla said. "Leave! Before mom starts crying again!”

Seraphina laughed, quickly wiping her own tears and then entered the car.

“Yall done crying?” Kael teased as she sat beside him in the back seat.

“Yeah…but listen I need something from you brother, please don’t refuse me.” Seraphina pleaded. “Promise me you will not refuse what I am asking for.”

“Depends on what you’re asking for.” Kael replied honesty.

“I know you and Ayla don't get along," Seraphina said but Kael cut her short.

“Nope.” He said immediately. “Do not complete that abomination of a sentence.”

“Listen...” Seraphina begged. “I don't want you to be best friends, I want you to let go of whatever this is, just for this year, and to look out for her while I'm away. Please…”

Kael's face didn't move. "Sera—"

“She has no one else here, Kael, no family, no friends, nothing. Please Kael… don’t do this for her… do it for me.” Seraphina pleaded, tears gathering in her eyes. “I want you to please forget about the slap. She regrets it, I’ve seen it. It haunts her even in her dreams. Please brother, forgive her for my sake. You do not have to be her friend, just keep an eye on her for me… please Kael. I know you do not care about her but she means a lot to me.”

He was silent for several seconds, tight-lipped, before finally nodding. “OK. I'll keep an eye on her.”

A smile of relief came across Seraphina's face as if a burden had fallen from her shoulders. "Thank you." She took him in a tight hug. “I mean it, Thank you".

“You’re welcome.” Kael said as he stepped out of the car. “Drive safely, it’s getting late.”

The car drove away from the academy gates, rolling down gravel choking roads and slowly faded away from the grounds.

Kael watched it go, his smile gone the moment the car made a turn around the corner and was out of view. Seraphina thought perhaps he had finally become an adult, perhaps he'd finally forgiven some of his past animosities in her name.

She didn't know what he was really thinking about.

He didn’t accept to care for Ayla because he had forgiven her…No!

“Time to win my bet.” Kael mumbled to himself as he watched Ayla and Elara cry in the arms of his father.