-Zeref’s POV-

I sat on the bench behind the school building, staring at the art Naz had spray painted on the brick wall. It was a small but beautiful art of my name in colourful letters surrounded by lightning bolts and dark clouds. She shook the spray can vigorously, finishing off the last stroke before looking back at me with an accomplished look on her face.

​​

‘What is that hideous writing?’ Voad mocked in my head.

‘Oh shush. It’s not that bad, like you can do any better.’ I shot back.

‘Why don’t you delegate control to me and I’ll show you.’ 

‘You think I’m that dumb.’ I laughed blocking our mental link. I had to remember no matter how nice this mighty dragon acted, he wouldn’t miss an opening to stab me in the back and take control over my body.

“Ta-da!” she sang, shaking her hands and showcasing her beautiful art.

I laughed, clapping, “Looks good.”

Naz packed up the spray cans into her dimension ring and came to sit opposite me on the bench.

“So tell me, when are you gonna ask out Malia?” She gave me a suggestive wink.

Damn. That was sudden.

“What are you talking about? I see her as a friend at most.” I looked away from her.

“Uhuh. I see the way you look at her. You should ask her out man, stop being a wuss!” She slapped my arm playfully.

I was going to say something back, when my eyes caught the weirdest thing. Malia walked towards us with Jace as she dragged… Sara?! Naz followed my line of sight and mirrored my surprised expression as we watched them walk forwards.

“Guysssss! Guess who made up!” Malia gummy smiled at me, skipping toward the bench and sitting on the top of the bench. I hadn’t seen her this happy in a while.

Jace sighed, looking annoyed as he stormed towards Naz, putting his hand around her shoulder and looking at her art. Sara followed behind the both of them, awkwardly standing in front of the bench while fiddling with her sleeve. She looked at Naz then me, holding eye contact.

“Are you sure Malia?” Naz whispered, glaring at Sara causing Naz’s eyes to flicker to the floor and her face to go red. I furrowed my eyebrows, intensifying my glare.

“Give her another chance guys. Please?” she sighed, standing next to Sara and dragging her to sit next to her.

I sighed, “Naz c’mon just forgive her.” I encouraged Naz, earning myself a glare from her.

“I’m sorry. To all of you…” Sara timidly looked down.

Naz scoffed, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. Tears welled in her eyes as she glared at Sara; her face red. She was on the verge of crying and I could tell she was frustrated and confused.

“Naz?” Jace whispered, nervous because he didn’t know how to comfort her. Malia stood up from the bench but before she could come to Naz’s side, Naz let out her tears, letting out a cry.

“Naz.” I said as she held her face in her hands and cried. Malia held her head into her chest, rubbing her hair. I stood next to Jace, nudging him towards her. He hesitantly hugged Naz’s back, leaning his chin on her shoulder. Malia let go of Naz, leaving her in Jace’s comfort.

They both swayed before Naz turned to face Jace, wrapping both of her arms around his waist and screaming into his chest. He took a big gulp in, rubbing the back of her neck like Malia had done. This guy was doing well, even though one could see his shaky feet.

Sara stood in front of them as they stayed in each other’s arms.

“I’m sorry I left you Naz…” Sara whimpered on the verge of tears.

Naz cried louder, gripping onto Jace’s shirt, shaking. She shook her head, refusing to listen to Sara’s apology.

“I’m sorry!” Sara cried, tears rushing down her face as she stood in front of Naz and Jace.

‘Oh what a party. Crying and crying. why are you wasting your time here with these kids?’ Voad scoffed in annoyance.

‘They’re my friends and they’re probably going to be of big help in the future too, during the tower of truth climb. Think of it as a long term investment.’ I replied, mentally.

Naz cried, finally looking up from Jace’s shirt, her eyes red and snot running down her nose. Jace took his sleeve, wiping her face while resting his other arm loosely around her back. Malia held my wrist as I looked down at her hand wrapped around my wrist. I looked up at her, admiring the side of her face as her eyes turned glossy from watching Naz being so hurt.

“You were my best friend Sara!” she yelled, weeping.

“I’m sorry!” Sara leaped onto Naz, hugging her neck and crying. Naz cried weakly, not embracing her back.

“Do you know how many nights I spent, thinking about what I did for you to leave me?” Naz sighed weakly, the tears numbly trailing down her cheeks and onto Sara’s shoulder.

Sara cried, shaking her head and holding onto Naz tighter.

“You can’t just leave me for 6 months and expect me to be okay! You can’t glare at me for choosing to stay friends with Malia when you acted like that! You can’t say sorry when you didn’t even care to think what I would feel when you drifted away! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!” Naz yelled, wrapping her arms tightly around Sara while crying.

They both shook in each other’s arms, finally being able to reunite. Malia squeezed my wrist, looking at Jace as they both dragged me away to leave them with some privacy.

They needed the privacy to forgive each other. Otherwise, they’d both keep hurting on their own. It was a good thing Malia took the first step in making up with Sara. Naz really missed her.

**

“Did you see that?! She hugged me!!!” Jace jumped in the hallway, causing a group of girls to flinch and rush away. Malia laughed, applauding as Jace did a happy dance.

“I was thinking of asking her to the dance today? I made a big decorated sign.” Jace said proudly.

“Bad timing don’t ya think? She’s crying right now as we speak.” Malia disagreed.

“Yeah but that’s the perfect timing because it’ll cheer her up.” I argued for Jace. Malia sighed, shaking her head and smacking her forehead.

“Exactly! I got her 1000 roses.” Jace said, directing us towards Jace and I’s form rooms.

“Where’d you get that many roses?” Malia asked, surprised. Valentine’s day was coming up so all the roses were sold out in the stores.

“Mr Xanxus’s school garden. Apparently students aren’t allowed in there because Mr Xanxus cherishes his flowers. I sneaked in and there were millions of different flowers and an amazing glowing lake with white glowing gems at the bottom. There was a haze on the floor and it was beautiful. He wouldn’t notice if I stole a couple of roses.” he explained.

“How did you find the garden? Apparently there’s a spell you have to say for the entrance to appear.” Malia queried. At this point, I was confused. Was I the only one who didn’t know the cool secrets about this school?

“I may have woken up extra early and spied on Mr Xanxus all morning. He waters his flowers in the morning so I watched him say the password.” Jace shrugged.

How do you spy on an assassin? I furrowed my eyebrows, still confused.

**

Naz stood at her locker, grabbing a text book while Malia distracted her. Jace and I hid behind the wall a few feet away, waiting for Malia’s signal.

“AHEM! FURBALL!” Malia coughed really loudly, signalling us to sneak behind Naz. I followed Jace’s steps, hugging the roses with my whole arms length.

“Furball?” Naz asked, surprised.

“Um yes. Ahem, in my th-throat.” Malia covered up, earning a confused and concerned look from Naz.

“NAZ HOSTERWELL!” Jace yelled a little too loud causing both Malia and Naz to flinch.

Naz turned around, rolling her eyes but froze when she saw the sign bored.

“WILL YOU GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME?!” he said, spontaneously. She looked speechless, looking at me as I held the bouquet of 1000 roses, struggling to keep them from falling. I smiled, nodding at her to answer.

“Y-yes.” she smiled as Jace dropped the board jumping on her. Naz screamed, hitting her head on the floor and groaning.

“OH MY GOD NAZ!” Malia yelled, helping Naz up.

“FINALLY!” I sighed, dropping the roses.

“ZEREF AMARA ARE THOSE MY ROSES?!” Mr Xanxus yelled down the hall.

We all looked at the half bold principal with guilty smiles. He stormed towards us in fury as we scurried away screaming.

We rushed down the corridor, not looking back.

“Split up!” I said, as I jumped out of a window making it safely to the ground. The others abided to my orders and split up in different directions. Mr Xanxus was left confused on who to chase and cursed his luck.

Sooner or later he was going to catch us anyways.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep