Chapter 111: Guardians
—They're acting weird, aren't they? Mia said, sitting on one of the empty benches and looking up at the pale blue sky.
—You mean Semiel and Saval? David sat down next to her, dropping his backpack at her feet.
—Uh-huh. Not weird in a bad way, but... I don't know, like they're holding something back.
David nodded slowly. He'd noticed the same thing.
Is Semiel planning something? He keeps checking his phone every five minutes. And Saval... he seemed distracted in class. But happy. Like he was excited about something.
—Maybe they're planning something for the weekend," he said finally. "I don't know, I've seen them glancing at each other all the time.
Mia giggled.
—They're not even trying to hide it anymore. And I love it.
David smiled too, but soon his frown returned.
—I still can't help but worry a little.
—Why?
David stared straight ahead, as if he needed to gather his words in the air before blurting them out.
—Xavier.
Mia stopped smiling.
—Has he done anything?
—Nothing direct. But for the last week or so, he's been... weird. Like he's waiting for something. Sometimes he stares at me when I'm with you. And the other day, in the library, I saw him quickly stuff something into his backpack when I walked by.
—Am I exaggerating? Maybe it's just me, but I prefer to be cautious.
Mia crossed her arms.
—I don't like that. And do you think he has something against Saval and Semiel?
—I don't know. Maybe he's just jealous that they don't include him in the group like they used to. But if he messes with them...
David didn't finish the sentence. There was no need to.
—We have to be vigilant. Not say anything for now, so as not to worry them.
—Of course. It's better if we watch them from the shadows," David said with a crooked smile.
Mia laughed.
—Like school bodyguards.
—Exactly. Although they seem to be in their prime.
David thought about the way Saval was smiling now. How Semiel no longer had that lost look he had before.
Who would have guessed? A few months ago, the two of them seemed shattered. And now they have each other.
—I'm happy for them," he said softly. "I really am.
Mia nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.
—Me too. It's like seeing them makes you believe a little more that things can get better.
They were silent for a few minutes. The breeze passed gently through the trees. Someone burst out laughing from a nearby living room. The afternoon was passing slowly.
—Hey, Mia said after a while. If anything happens, if Xavier approaches with any strange intentions...
—We won't let him," David interrupted. "I'll be vigilant. And so will you. We're his network.
He risked feeling again. I'm not going to let anyone take that away from him.
Mia gently punched him in the arm.
—Well, Captain. Then we're on guard.
David winked.
—Always.
As they stood up and gathered their things, David felt that, at least for today, they were one step ahead. And that was enough for now.