Cassie raised a hand to her head and rubbed the still sore spot she hit on the rock hill from when Eric's tail had sent her flying during the match. And for probably the hundredth time, she wondered why Eric hung around her. 

[i]Maybe it was guilt?[/i] She can still remember clearly the look on his face when they finally met face to face in their unshifted form a day after the match. Eric's torso had been swaddled with gauze, covering the burnt area. Cassie didn't sport any bandages on her body but she had a sore lump on her head. Despite having their injuries treated at the infirmary, the healers had left just enough injury to remind them that they are still human and capable of being hurt despite their powers.

[i]As if my burns aren't enough reminder...[/i] Cassie thought ruefully. 

Cassie had been about to apologize for the burns. But Eric had stood and stared at her for a long time, his eyes openly staring at her burnt half. His face had been unreadable and he didn't speak. Cassie immediately stared back indignantly, ready to tell him off. She had been really annoyed and was about to say something when he finally averted his gaze and gave her an apology for knocking her out. Cassie apologized back politely and then walked aways.

After that meeting, Eric never stared at her injuries again. And he made an effort to be friendly towards her. He kept her company during lunch, despite her best efforts to avoid him and find some place away from people. He chatted with her whenever they met on the corridors and even offered to carry her books for her once.

Years earlier, she would have appreciated and enjoyed his attention. He was, after all, good looking. However, she didn't join the Academy to seek attention from guys. She joined to make sure she was ready when she was sent off to war. 

Her mind shifted to the festival. A festival was a welcome thought. A time to relax, to forget about the reason why she was in the Academy, a time to unwind. But it also meant a lot of people. She wasn't exactly comfortable among large groups of people. The staring eyes were what bothered her. She didn't want to see the pity or the horrified looks in them. 

She sighed. [i]Maybe going with Eric isn't such a bad thing after all. He'll take my mind and attention off the people and the staring eyes.[/i]

And just as she was passing a fellow student, she felt it. She felt him staring at her.

Cassie slowed her pace and turned her head, finding herself staring into bright amber eyes. She had seen him around but never really interacted with him. He was always tinkering with clockwork devices and most of the students seemed particularly keen on avoiding him. From her vantage point, he didn't seem menacing as everyone made him out to be. 

She was about to say something when a Nine Tailed Fox appeared and covered his entire face with one of her tails. She was exceptionally beautiful and made her more self conscious than she already was. It was also obvious, from the way she greeted him, that they were friends. Cassie decided to let them be. And so instead of saying anything, she turned her head and continued walking away.