The Grounds

Belle walked across the school garden and decided to go to the library to study for her next test. When she sat down at an empty table, she looked beside her and saw that girls were having a terrific time with their friends. And there she was, sitting all alone. ' Where is James when you need him? ' Belle thought as she continued looking around her. She felt unsecured whenever she wasn't with him. After some time, Belle decided to look for him as she was going to tell him something that she and the headmistress talked about.

James sat alone on a bench at the far corner of the gardens, shaded by trees. His dark hair fell messily over his face, hiding it from the outside world and his body was hunched over a book. His blue eyes scanned over the printed text of the Armed Combat textbook he was reading, trying hard to focus. But, no matter how hard he tried it simply felt like the words just weren't going on. He could see them, he was reading them, but he just couldn't concentrate on them. Instead, his mind was miles away, thinking about Belle Menova, his human protector. With her long, loosely curled blonde hair and blue eyes, her sparkling personality and ever prevalent goodwill and cheerfulness; she was like an addictive drug to James. He knew it totally forbidden, but he wanted her more than anything and the feeling when he was around her was l something no other could replicate. She loved him too, he was sure of it. But that didn't make it any less painful trying to pretend to everyone that he didn't love her.

He closed the book with slap and placed it on the bench beside him, realising there was no use and he would never get any work done for now. He resigned himself to simply gazing at the trees and allowing his mind to think about Belle, despite knowing it would only make everything worse.

Samuel was covered in sweat as he practiced his martial skill alone under the shade of a tree. For those who practiced or at least understood the Martial arts, Samuel was using a thai style called Muay Boran. A much more dangerous skill and a very rare one, but being a angel, comes with the time to learn just about anything. Samuel practiced hard and long under the mid day shade, but he thought of only one person. Seraphina,a woman he has come to admire and carefor. Did he love her though, he was not sure..he had never felt love before, as for it was forbidden by his people, but she was one of him as well,and she showed a kine interest in him..did he love her? Maybe he does, but to admit it when it is forbidden..what would happen to them..to him if she rejected him?

Such thoughts kept Samuel training hard, to be able to protect her when she could protect herself. Maybe she will come by and we can train with one another..or go have some lunch?

Belle ran to the garden, where she guessed James would be at. And he was. James was sitting down on a bench alone. But he looked like he has problems. Worriedly, Belle walked towards him and silently sat down beside him. " James, are you alright? You look frustrated. What is it? " Belle asked him as she peered over his face. His bangs covered up his eyes, and Belle swept it away using her hand. " Don't hesitate to tell me anything when you have problems. You know that I'll always be here for you " Belle told him as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

James lifted his head slightly and adjusted his position to let her rest more comfortably on his shoulder. He looked round them carefully to check no one was in sight and then checked again before reaching out a muscular arm and wrapping it round Belle's body protectively. Having her there felt right, like it was supposed to be. All this sneaking around and trying to pretend they were no more than friends felt wrong. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

He shook his head gently, a small smile on his lips, "It doesn't matter Belle, it's not important."

He did feel bad for lying to her. He'd always promised himself she would be the one person he'd never lie to but, this wasn't really a lie, was it? There were no real problems when she was around. How could there be when he loved her so much? And anyway, this time alone when he could just be himself around he was rare. He didn't want to waste it on problems and bad things when there was so much more he wanted to talk about with her.

"You're here now, we don't get much time together like this, let's enjoy it while we have it," he smiled at her reassuringly.

" Did something happen? I can tell. And you know I do " Belle asked him in a whisper, afraid that someone can overhear their conversation. No one was around, but she just wanted to make sure of it. " By the way, the headmistress doesn't seem to notice anything between us. Though I usually see her following you, for whatever reason she has " she continued as she closed her eyes for a while. " I feel tired right now. What about you? " Belle asked him as she looked up at him. "And, I was also asked by the headmistress to keep a closer eye on you " she continued with a small smile.

Devoured in thoughts, the female made her way through the guards, as far as possible as she could get from the building that got further behind her with every steps. Lately, somethin had come to bother her, and the thought of it filling her head with nonsense of thoughts and scenes, things she should say and when to, her training had come to almost an impossibility.

All she needed now was a deep breath of air, and maybe a talk with him, something to atleast substitute the hollow feeling she felt inside. Well enough, he was not too far away. Her pace quickened with no intention, as she felt her tounge starting to form knots for a second, before she recollected herself into one piece, one thought. She shouldn't feel nervous around him, it should be the opposite, right?

Samuel didn't notice her even enter the general area until he had done a knee jump that had allowed him to turn to face the direction she came from. Facing the tree he was under, Samuel placed his palms to one another and took to his knees and bowing in spirit and respect. Something he had learned in his training. Getting back onto his feet, Samuel grabbed a towel and started to dry himself off as he watched her with a smile. He didn't feel nervous around her, her presence alone could calm the storm of the seas..he liked being around her..or did he love being around her? So much to risk..I believe she is worth the risk..but am I worth the risk to her?

"Nothing's happened," he replied in what he hoped was a convincing tone.

"By the way, the headmistress doesn't seem to notice anything between us. Though I usually see her following you, for whatever reason she has," Belle said.

James felt a small cheeky smile dancing on his lips and he chucked softly. "Perhaps it's my stunning good looks that are courting her attention. Better watch out Belle, you might have some competition!" he joked.

She closed her eyes, head still resting against his shoulder, "I feel tired right now. What about you?"

But she didn't give him chance to answer as she lifted her head to look at him, "And, I was also asked by the headmistress to keep a closer eye on you,"

"A closer eye on me?" he glanced at her eyes right next to his shoulder and laughed, replying jokily, "I don't think you're eyes could be closer to me if they tried."

Then he remembered something, "Aren't you forgetting something Belle? Aren't you supposed to be in class right about..." he glanced down at his watch and then back at her, "Now?"

At that, Belle was immediately surprised that she wasn't in class. " You're right! " Belle exclaimed as she ran back to her class. Inside, she sat down staring at her window. It was her guardian class for Defense again Black Magic, which was her weakest subject. The male teacher would always tease her and make fun of her. She already wanted to kick him, but as a student, she must keep her records clean. " Excuse me, Belle. But why are you staring out the window? " her seatmate, Will, asked her. " Oh, it's nothing " she replied to him with a small smile.