"Shhh! You don't have to be so loud!" Marielle whisper-yelled, holding a finger up to her friends mouth.

"He's been staying with you for a month, and now you tell me?" She whisper-yelled back, leaning over the table. Marielle let out a defeated sigh. She was sitting in the library lounge, joined by her now worked-up friend Lily. They sat across from each other on the comftorble chairs, a few books scattered on the table in front of them.

"I figured I'd tell you about it in person rather then writing about it" she responded innocently, hoping to satiate her friend's playful anger. Lily leaned back into her chair, pushing her dark hair out of her face.

"Fine, I accept that answer," she laughed quietly, "but! tell me everything", her eyes wide with curiosity.

Marielle did her best to explain the situation without revealing every single thing about Seren's circumstances. Lily listened quietly.

"So...you basically have a new brother?" She asked after being caught up. Marielle jumped at the question. She hadn't thought of it like that.

"No, no, definitely not like a brother" she stated. "We're basically the same age, it'd be weird to think of him as a sibling all of a sudden."

"hmmm...I see. So then, a possible fiancé?", her question felt like a sucker punch.

"oh my god, no!" She felt embarassed even thinking about it.

"Its in the realm of possibility! You can't just have an unrelated eligible bachelor living in your home without speculation y'know" her friend shrugged. "you never know, it's a decent way to any quell rumors, if he marries you—"

"Stop! I get your point!", Marielle quickly interrupted her. She sunk further into her chair, wishing to hide away from the world, and Lily's unwavering stare.

"Jeez why are you so embarassed, it's time you start thinking about the future" she laughed, witnessing her friend's descent.

"well...yeah. But I don't need you putting ideas in my head" she finally said. It honestly sounded like a possible outcome, but she didn't want to think about it and get any expectations.

"I'd rather we talk about something else. I told you everything so we don't need to talk about hypotheticals, please?" she looked at her friend with pleading eyes, hoping to move on from this embarassing topic.

"ok ok! We were supposed to be studying anyways, so I'll let it go for now. Now tell me, how far did you get in the literary analysis assignment?". She picked out a book from the pile and flipped throught the pages.

"I barely got through it, just a few more pages. I love writing but this is ruining it for me" Marielle complained. She was in her final year of schooling, all the stress of final assignments and a future career weighed heavy on her mind. Her father had gotten her a home tutor years ago, she asked for that instead of attending a academy in person. It was exciting at first, having someone to cater to her academic needs, but now, she was aching to get everything over with. Her teacher was great, but all these assignments were hell. She had met Lily through a tutoring group posted in the library's front desk. At first their conversations were limited to their homework, but over the months that they worked together, friendship was inevitable. They held their own "meetings" now, rather than joining the main study sessions.

"Still gonna take that gap year? I feel kinda jealous, I already applied to schools for next year" Lily pouted.

"I need that break, I'll probably brush up on my writing during that time. I'll have to catch up with you though" Marielle laughed. 

"Thats true...I'll write a bunch so don't worry about being lonely!"

"I have other friends you know..." she grumbled.

"you'll miss me the most though" 

"sure sure", she waved her hand in the air. She did have a soft spot for Lily unadmittedly. She looked past her towards the windows, it was later in the afternoon now. 

"Shall we get some food now? I'm starving". Marielle stood up from her chair, and picked up the books she took out from the shelves. Lily agreed and gathered her own. They put the books in the return cart that sat near the front, and exited the library. 

"Ambrosia's or the Terrace Cafe? Lily asked.

"definitely Ambrosia's. I've been craving their cakes for weeks" Marielle replied instantly. 

They made their way down the paved road towards main street, passing buildings old and new. The cafe was a 10 minute walk, but with Lily, time always seemed to fly. She looked forward to the smell of fresh coffee, the beautiful interior that made them feel right at home, the dim lights and quiet atmosphere that brought peace to her stressed souls. They walked arm in arm as they talked about the delicious treats they would soon indulge in.