In the weeks that followed the beginning of the semester Aislinn hardly ever got the chance to even greet Levy before he was dragged away by the popular students. They shared many classes together but Verona always made sure that her little group of followers were there to keep them separated.
Levy didn't seem to hold Verona in high regard though which made Aislinn happy. It was obvious by his annoyed expression every time they showed up that they were really starting to bother him. Aislinn hoped she would be around when he finally snapped and told them all to get lost.
Though she felt certain that Levy had only been kind because of the circumstances of their first meeting he didn't seem to dislike her. In fact, to everyone's curiosity, including hers, he seemed to have taken a liking to her much to Verona's disdain. Verona worked double time to keep them separated, a feeble attempt on her part to hinder what little social standing Aislinn even had.
Annoyed by Verona but also all the talk about the upcoming school Soiree, Aislinn made a b-line to her secret garden retreat as soon as lunch rolled around. Though she would have some of her artwork displayed at the pre-soiree festival she wouldn't be going to the Soiree itself. It wasn't because she didn't want to go, it was because she knew that no one would ask her to go and it was an unwritten rule that attending without a partner was a big no-no.
She made her way through mazes of crumbling walls, tall grasses, and overgrown bushes to the very back of the gardens where the giant angel fountain stood. It seemed to be broken now but it was still incredibly beautiful.
A large immaculately carved granite angel stood in the middle of the fountain, its hands and wings outstretched towards heaven while several cherubs danced around her. Aislinn could sit for hours trying to draw it but she so far she had never been able to adequately capture its true beauty on paper.
She dropped her backpack beside the fountain and whipped out her drawing pad and pencil and had just sat down when something hit the back of her head. She looked up to find the source was none other then Levy himself. He sat in a nearby tree with a handful of wild berries.
"I didn't think anyone else knew about this place." He said tossing the uneaten berries away before climbing down.
"Should I ask how you know about this place?"
"I studied maps of the campus before coming here so I wouldn't have to worry about getting lost. I was tired of being hounded so I thought I'd check this place out." He explained straightening his clothes a little.
"The depths of their vanity and pettiness knows no bounds." Aislinn said, shaking her head.
Levy ran his hand through his hair before joining her beside the fountain. He sat silently, watching her attempt to draw despite knowing that his very presence made concentration near impossible for her.
"I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder like that Levy." She finally huffed.
"Is that so? Tell me
Csitri
, why is it you always become so flustered around me?" Levy asked scooting closer to her, a wicked smile on his face.
"Stop teasing me!" She growled, pushing him away.
Levy giggled like a mischievous child. He enjoyed teasing her, seeing her reactions, watching the blush as it crept up her neck to color her cheeks. He simply ignored the curious and even condemning looks he received from those around them when he payed attention to Aislinn.
"So what were you going to draw?" Levy asked when Aislinn turned her attention back to her drawing pad.
"Dunno, whatever decided it wanted to be drawn."
"Can I make a request then?"
"Sure, I guess."
