Alexander pressed his back against his dorm door, shutting it with his weight. His lip trembled and he bit it, taking in a deep breath through his nose and holding it. He scoffed once through gritted teeth and lightly kicked the base of his door with his heel. “If Allen thinks I’m gonna cry…” he muttered, kicking off his shoes and entering his room.

A mini-fridge had been delivered by maintenance earlier that day. It was something the administration didn’t keep in the rooms until they were occupied, partially to save energy, partially to prevent damage should they break down. Now, at least, Alexander had a place to store his perishables.

He plopped himself on the floor in front of the fridge which had been placed in the small space left over between the outer wall and his closet. He opened it up, checked the temperature and then started packing his things into it, setting any dry goods on top.

When he was done, he sat there, grumbling, his face flushed. Allen had intimidated him into running away, but things were getting dangerous. If Van hadn’t interfered, Alexander was sure Allen might have taken a swing at him. While he wasn’t afraid of getting hurt, he also knew that Allen was stronger than he looked. The other boy had a carefully curated facade of a bookworm, but Alex could tell from the way he carried himself that Allen was like Kyle, he worked out and would definitely hit hard.

Alexander frowned, sighed, and pulled out his phone, checking the time. “I guess it’s still early enough…” he popped open the phone app and chose Evan’s contact, putting the phone to his ear.

It rang twice.

“Hiya, Cookies!” Evan’s voice rang clear.

Alexander felt his anxiety wash away with her voice. “Hey… Sorry to bother you.”

“No problem, Biscuit! What’s up?”

Alexander shook his head slightly, “Nothing, I just needed to hear your voice again.”

She laughed musically. “It hasn’t even been twelve hours, kiddo.”

“I know. I just needed to hear you again,” he smiled. “And I wanted to let you know I bought some food,” he added sheepishly.

“Because you want me to know you’re eating, or because you hate spending money?” she teased.

He laughed softly, “Can it be both?” he shifted and leaned against the wall beside his fridge. They talked for a while, Alexander filling her in on what happened with the witch, the hunters, meeting Van and Nana, and Allen the idiot. “Is there any word on how Kyle is doing?” he asked finally, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

“Mmmmmm…” she drew out the sound, somewhat disapproving. “He’s finally out of the hospital. His parents have been threatening police action—witch hunters, anything they can really. But there’s no proof you had anything to do with it, so honestly, what can they do?”

“Are you moving because everyone is bothering you?” Alexander asked.

At this, Evan sighed, “Partially, yes. But also, I’ve been gone from home for so long. I thought it about time I make up with my family. I miss Iropa too. I left before everything went down back in o-four and just never found my way back,” she let out a sigh of longing. “With you being there now and not really having a future here, I have no reason to stay either. I only stayed here with you just in case someone came looking for you.”

Alexander closed his eyes, nodding to himself. He had been right in believing Evan had been looking for his real family all this time. “Evan,” he began, “I’m glad they didn’t. You’re the only parent I’ve ever known, and you’re the only one I’ll ever accept.”

She laughed again, “Is that so? Whatever are you going to do when you get married? Refuse your in-laws?”

“Evan!” Alexander turned red, “Don’t be ridiculous! Who the hell would marry me anyways—and that’s besides the point!”

“Really? What about that Nana girl? She seems nice.”

Alexander went pale pink, he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “I—I don’t know, I think she and Van might be together. They looked kinda like they were on a date tonight.”

“Hrmmm?” Evan’s response drew out mischievously. “Not good enough, huh?” he heard her snap her fingers, “Ah! Van then! He’s a lovely boy too, right?”

“EVAN!? Whatthehellhesaguy!!” Alexander blurted out.

On the other end, she was cackling with laughter. She always loved to tease him, but it was never malicious. “Oh Cookies, you’re so cute!” she mused.

Alexander grunted and pouted. “Really, he’s so annoying, always calling me ‘Princess’ and such!”

“Did he give you a nickname like that? Really?”

“It’s nothing really bad or anything, at least not from him,” Alexander mumbled, drawing circles on his engineered hardwood floor with his fingertip. “He calls Nana ‘Prince’ as well. I’m not sure why… He hasn’t said anything about it yet.”

“You kids had a lot to deal with growing up,” Evan said softly, “It’s not surprising even someone like him has something weird about him.”

“Mmn,” Alexander nodded shyly. “Speaking of which…” he launched into the story of how he found Red Circle Convenience and the old man who ran the store. They talked for a while longer before Alexander heard her yawn. He laughed softly, “Sorry Evan, it’s probably getting late there…”

“It’s fine, Cookies. You hardly ever talk so much, I’m happy to listen.”

Alexander shook his head. “I have some homework to do as well. I also still have to catch up on everything I missed the rest of the term...”

“Alrighty then, I’ll let you go darling.”

Alexander said his goodbyes and hung up with a sigh. He sat there for a while longer before forcing himself to his feet. He grabbed his student card from his wallet and an instant macaroni from his stash and headed for the kitchenette in the common area.

There were a couple of students hanging around at the table now, homework scattered around them. Another was using the microwave. They looked up as Alexander came in, but turned back to their work. When they seemed to not care that he was there, waiting for his kettle to boil, he finally relaxed. The day had been a roller-coaster of emotions, and on top of only having had a sandwich since arriving in North Covehunt, he was starting to feel simply wrecked.

His phone beeped, and he pulled it out while he poured the hot water into his macaroni. It was a text via the school’s app from Van. Alexander frowned at it and left it unread, pocketing his phone once more and returning to his room with his food. It would take a good ten minutes before it was ready, so he grabbed his towel, a change of clothes, and shampoo and headed for the showers—leaving his phone on his desk.

Alexander wasn’t sure why he was ignoring Van, it’s not like he didn’t defend him. He stood in the shower, letting the water run over him. His arm stung like hell under the water and he gingerly peeled back the bandage, removing it. It had already been a couple of days since Dose had changed it. At least it didn’t seem to be festering. However, it wasn’t getting any better either.

He froze as he heard laughter. It seemed to pass in the hall and Alexander relaxed, grabbed his shampoo, and started vigorously washing his hair. He actually hadn’t had a chance to properly wash it in almost four days and he felt nasty. The soap burned his wound, and he thought that perhaps he should return to the abbey and ask for treatment tonight.

Alexander rinsed out his hair, pulling it over his shoulder to wring it out, revealing a criss-cross of thin, pink scars lacing his shoulders.

It would be curfew soon.

He wouldn’t be able to make it to the abbey in time and didn’t want to cause trouble for Evan.

After his shower, he dressed in a new set of pajama pants and a t-shirt, leaving his hair loose. He washed the bandage as best he could and returned to his room, hanging it on the back of his desk chair to dry. He sat down and pulled out his books, opened his old laptop—turning it on to slowly boot up—and then pulled over his quickly cooling macaroni to eat.

He looked at his phone, sitting idle on his desk.

Alexander made a noise of frustration, rolling his eyes before he snatched it up.

There were another five messages from Van.

VAN GUILLORY: “Princess, are you there?”

VAN GUILLORY: “Princess, I’m sorry we were rude.”

VAN GUILLORY: “Princess?”

VAN GUILLORY: “Please answer me.”

VAN GUILLORY: “Princess?”

VAN GUILLORY: “PRIIINNNCESSSSSSS!!! (つ°Д°)つ”

Alexander sighed and ran his hand over his face.

ALEXANDER EVANS: “What?”

Van’s reply was nearly instantaneous.

VAN GUILLORY: “OMG! There you are. Are you aright?”

ALEXANDER EVANS: “I was busy. Why are you panicking?”

VAN GUILLORY: “You weren’t answering. I was worried.”

ALEXANDER EVANS: “I needed a shower. And I have to catch up with term work. I’m busy.”

VAN GUILLORY: “Are you mad at me?”

ALEXANDER EVANS: “Why would I be mad at you?”

Alexander rolled his eyes again.

ALEXANDER EVANS: “You’re such a dummy. Honestly what am I supposed to do with you?”

VAN GUILLORY: “(˵•ヘ•˵)”

“What an idiot,” Alexander sighed.

ALEXANDER EVANS: “Just chill. I have lots of work, so I’m going now. Good night.”

Alexander promptly turned off his phone. He fished around between his desk and bed for the charge cable, but gave up after a fruitless minute. He didn’t care enough right now.

With a frustrated click of his tongue, Alexander tossed his phone onto his bed and pulled his books towards him.