Diana walked briskly down the school hallway. Her dark gaze avoided those of the students around her, her heels clicking harshly on the floor. She was seething inside, a dull anger knotting her gut. She reached her locker and yanked it open, almost ripping it off its hinges.
But before she could calm down, a mocking voice sounded behind her.
"Well... Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Isolde said, approaching, flanked by her two friends.
Diana didn't respond, her fingers clenched on the locker door.
"Honestly, I understand," Isolde continued with a smirk. After all, a guy like Klaus... You didn't really think he'd settle for a girl like you? There are so many prettier ones. More attractive. More—
She didn't have time to finish her sentence. In a split second, Diana had spun around and slammed her violently against the nearest locker. The metallic crash echoed throughout the hallway. Isolde's friends took a step back, petrified.
Diana, breathing heavily, had a firm grip on her neck, her face inches from Isolde's, pale with shock.
"If you dare annoy me with your nonsense one more time, I swear I'll give you a hard time," she hissed icily.
Then, without ceremony, she abruptly released her, pushing her violently aside. Isolde collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, watched by the shocked students around her.
Diana turned on her heel and strode away, her face still tense, her fists clenched. A silent storm.
Meanwhile, on another quiet street in the city, Miria was getting ready to leave. She was tying the laces of her boots when there was a knock at the door. She straightened up and was surprised to find Asher standing there.
"Are you going to see Marlie?" he asked softly.
"Yes, I was just getting ready to leave," she replied, reaching for her bag.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Inside lay a finely engraved silver ring set with a pale stone.
"Here." With this, you'll be protected. And if you ever need me... you can call me through it.
Surprised, Miria slipped the ring on, and immediately, a shiver ran through her. Her eyes were lost in the sparkle of the stone.
She felt herself shift. An image suddenly appeared in her mind: she was standing in an old-fashioned shop, handing this very ring to Asher, who smiled, moved.
"It's for you," she said in that vision. "It will protect you, as you do for me."
The young man, beaming, thanked her warmly, tenderly holding her hand. Then the image blurred, melted, and disappeared.
"Miria? Are you okay? I've called you twice," Asher said, visibly worried.
She blinked, coming to. For a moment longer, she remained silent, looking lost.
"Huh?" Um… no, it's nothing, she said with a small, hesitant smile. It's just that…
She tried to remember. But everything was gone. The memory, as quickly as it had come, was gone.
She looked down at the ring, which shone softly.
"… Nothing important. But… the ring is very pretty. Thank you, Asher."
She gave him a sincere smile, then walked away, not noticing Asher's troubled gaze as he followed her.