Page 60 of Nova Academy

Huh. Was that why Xander thought my friendship with him was so weird? We did appear to have a significant age gap, but I knew she was older than she looked, especially as Arty. I wondered how old she actually was. I would need to find that out before the question irritated me to no end. I hated not having answers and my patience for waiting for them was already wearing thin.

‘Good morning, Mercer,’ Xander surprised me by greeting him first. ‘I hope some rest has brought you back to us?’

Artemis took in the two of us with an uncharacteristic timidity. ‘Um… Yes, sir. I feel much better, thank you.’

Those last two words held a whole universe of meaning behind them that referred to a lot more than letting her sleep in his spare bed, and she aimed it at more than Xan.

I bounced my way over to her, wrapping her up in the biggest hug I could manage with my shorter arms. Luckily, she was skinny enough for me to reach around her properly, unlike Xander’s extortionately broad frame. Hugging him was nice and all, but it was more of him embracing me than the other way around. He was just way too big.

Stars help whoever he does end up fucking, because I knew for a fact that his enormity didn’t stop at his height and muscle mass.

I really hoped Artemis could take him. In my head, there was no one else now that I had decided. I would help Arty free her friend, and then when everything was out in the open I would ensure my two favourite people fell in love.

Yup. It was a done a deal.

‘Right, well it’s time to get ready. I’ve called for breakfast to be delivered in the other suit. You good to eat with the others today?’ Xander asked him, and fuck I loved the man. Look at him taking care of them.

‘You’re such a good boy,’ I told him, reaching up to pinch his cheek.

He swatted my hand away and scowled down at me, but I saw the way he flushed under the praise.

‘You’ll be uninvited if you keep that shit up,’ he warned, but I just giggled and flounced away to get ready for the day.

‘See you over there!’ I called behind me before the bathroom door slid shut behind me.

???

The three of us stood outside the door to my old suit a small distance away from the door. I remained beside Artemis as she stared at it apprehensively, and Xander had parked himself further away, leaning against the opposite wall and giving us some space.

'You need to open the door, Arty,’ I said softly but firmly. ‘We have to eat.’

She drew in a long breath. ‘Yeah. I know. Sorry.’

Xander surprised me again when he took a turn to reassure her. ‘They’ll get over it, Mercer. They’re more worried about you than angry.’

I sent him a small smile filled with gratitude behind Arty’s back which he returned.

‘Right.’

‘It’s always worse in your head,’ I said.

‘The reality is never as bad as it seems,’ Xander said.

Arty exhaled slowly, and then placed his hand on the scanner to open the door.

Everyone was already gathered in the living room, and they went quiet as soon as the door slid open to reveal us standing there. With impressively confident strides, Arty entered the room. I knew she was bluffing, hiding her true emotions under that impenetrable mask of hers, but I was proud all the same.

Reece stepped forward to greet him, ignoring me and Xan entirely. ‘You hungry?’ he asked, and it was enough for everyone to go back to their food and conversation without any bluster.

The expression Arty gave Reece had me rethinking the possibility of her and Xander, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I knew Reece was closer to Arty than the rest, except maybe for Bromm, but I hadn’t considered that she might have feelings for him beyond friendship. Did she even know she was gazing at him like he hung the stars?

Bromm must have felt a similar way because he positionedhimself in front of Reece and blocked the shorter man from Arty’s view. He was another I would have to worry about if my plan to push Arty and Xander together was going to work.

‘Come on. You didn’t show for mealtimes yesterday so you must be starving. Let’s get some food in you,’ he said, ushering Arty towards the breakfast spread without actually touching him. I couldn’t begrudge him too much. Arty’s feelings for Bromm were complicated and growing, that was clear to see. She cared deeply about most – if not everyone – in this room, and I was pleased to note that they all shared the same level of respect for Arty and his needs.

Cadmus and Henrik scooted over to allow him some space to sit. Everyone minded their own business, even when they sent surreptitious glances towards my friend. It was clear they were just checking in and making sure she was okay. It went a long way to assuage any worries she had, as evidenced by the way her entire body melted into her seat.

Conversation was light and easy. The good vibes of the group were restored without any ill will towards Arty. In fact, they were showing a cohesiveness that was rarely seen in first year cadets, especially those from wealthier background like the majority of Nova Academy’s population.

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