Anna took a deep breath before stepping out of the black sedan, pushing her hair back from her face and tucking it behind her ear. For the past three years she'd been avoiding this place, it held a lot of memories and though they were great ones really, they hurt more than she cared to admit. She'd loved this place, loved being with her friends... Sebastian, Serena, Gunner... They'd all been so close their senior year. Serena and Sebastian had fallen in love and she and Gunner had planned to join the Elites which would almost guarantee they'd be able to stay together... Except it hadn't worked that way.

When they'd graduated at the top of their class both Gunner and Anna had made it into the Elites but what they hadn't counted on was more tests, more training, the constant pressure from the veterans. Though they'd excelled the strain took a toll on their relationship. Both of them were so focused on impressing the other Elites, the Queen, staying 'top of the class', that they had very little time for each other. Gunner, as always, was the more focused of the two... all business as they say and Anna, though she knew he was fighting so hard for her and his own demons, couldn't help but feel just a little abandoned. So, she too had thrown in all the harder into their work. In the end, when the Queen had asked that some of the Elites be placed with temporary Wards just long enough to buy time for the newer and more numerous generation to graduate both Gunner and Anna had said yes along with three others.

There hadn't been any arguing, there had actually been very little discussion over the matter. Anna had accepted first because she felt as though she were holding Gunner back, like she was losing him anyway as the Elites seemed to have taking more of a liking to him. It wasn't the first time she'd been brushed off because of her gender, she'd proven herself just as good as the rest but barely got any recognition... Whereas Gunner was constantly surrounded and praised... She felt like she was falling to the background and though she was happy for Gunner's success... she just felt out of place. So, she'd decided maybe being with a ward was the best place for her. It would give Gunner time to shine, and she knew he would, instead of worrying about her... Then, when he'd told her he'd accepted too without knowing she had she'd been caught off guard... hurt. She knew his duty was important to him but the fact that he'd choose to leave still stung. She didn't ask him why... She'd lied about how happy she was and how maybe this would be better... Hollow words... and she'd left the next morning.

Being back here... it hurt. Still, she couldn't help but smile somewhat as Sebastian's familiar vehicle pulled in and the Moroi man stepped out. It hadn't been long since she'd seen him, they'd kept in touch and often met out to eat... Anna suspected he did the same with Gunner but she never asked... ever... and it was never brought up because even when they slipped and he came up in conversations about the past the table fell into an awkward silence until someone, usually Serena, changed the subject.

The Moroi came over and wrapped his arms around her warmly, no teasing today... maybe because he could see the lost look in her eyes, and she hugged him back with a sigh, "Hey Seb... Where's Serena?"

He glanced back at the car, "She's coming, I think she might have wanted to give us a second... You okay?"

Anna shrugged, "Yeah, fine... Let's get you two unpacked."

Sebastian hesitated, "Anna, wait. You should probably know... Gunner is going to be here. He was assigned here two days ago, he doesn't know you're going to be here... I haven't gotten to talk to him. I've been dealing with my family... again."

Anna suddenly felt an overwhelming torrent of mixed emotion that all combined to make her feel ill, she closed her eyes and dragged a hand through her messy hair. She should have known... nothing could be easy. Her stomach was in knots and her heart felt like it was going to race out of her chest. She wanted to see him, to assure herself that he was okay... happy... but at the same time she didn't. Two years had gone by since she'd left to meet her Ward and she'd refused any invitation to join up with the Elites for convo... eats... she just didn't feel like she belonged there and she didn't feel like tearing open old wounds by seeing Gunner... Who she was almost certain was the one sending her the invites. She'd made few friends among the Elites, they'd been predominantly male and as female Guardians were rare... Well, you see why she felt out of place... Especially with her history. Her one scar, though not nearly as severe as Serena's many, drew attention... and judgement.

She rubbed the scar on her neck and then touched the molinja marks to reassure herself that she'd made up for her mistake... a few times. She shook her head, "It's fine, no big deal. Is that what Serena was waiting for you to tell me?"

Seb looked skeptical and Anna, uncomfortable under his knowing eyes, headed towards the car. "Serena?"

She had a desperate need to hug the girl she'd managed to become close with, and it hadn't been easy. Serena had her own trust issues to deal with but in the end Anna had beaten down that wall... partly through having something in common and partly because Anna was just that stubborn.