Odd Ones Out: Part 6
Lysander stood before her, but not too close. A few students pushed past him and he tried to stay as out of the way as possible. He looked up at the sky as she looked, then back down to her.
“I know what you mean. Because we know how much it hurts, so we wouldn’t want to inflict it upon others."
Unbeknownst to him, Lysander was able to relate more to Valeria. He too shut everyone out. It was just easier that way. It was harder to get hurt if you didn’t let anyone in.
But since meeting Sage and the few other actually unbiased students, Lysander had tried to be more open. He wanted to give people a chance. It was just scary.
"I don’t think you’re a bad person.” he said softly. “You seem nice. A little closed off, but I’m sure you have your reasons to be.”
“Exactly.”
For the second time in her life, Valeria feels as if somebody understands her (the first being with Alain, of course). Not in the sympathetic kind of way, which by no doubts is still effective, but not nearly as heart-warming as having actually experienced it. And by hearing him respond in a way that reflects her own thoughts, she knows that Lysander falls into the latter.
“I don’t think you’re a bad person. You seem nice. A little closed off, but I’m sure you have your reasons to be."
Lysander’s words endlessly echo through her mind. She can feel her cheeks getting warmer by the second, covered by her brown-auburn curtain of hair. He is not judging her, believing there is more to her than meets the eye, and that warms her heart. And her face too, apparently.
"I guess I do. But… thanks, I really appreciate that.”
And then Valeria - the witch who is seen by many as cold and impassive - looks up at the boy with a smile.
“You’re a seventh year, right? Could you… possibly teach me about some of the things you learn in Potions? Or any other class.”
