Sunrise. 

Every morning at exactly five am, she would wake like clockwork. She’d get dressed, check the mirror, munch on a single granola bar and then go outside. And like clockwork, he would always be standing there. Leaning beside the house gate, phone in hand - his gaze would immediately find hers. Then that crinkle eyed smile would cross his face and her heart would simply cease. Every Monday to Friday, that was the start of her day. That was Thalia’s favorite part. 

“Dad was giving me that look this morning. Like why the hell aren’t you taking the driver. I didn’t bother explaining though.” His voice, honeyed and warm soaked through the crisp morning air. 

“Your dad is home? I thought he was in Manhatten.” She fell into step beside him. His pace matched hers. 

“Business trip was pushed to the 24th. Something I didn’t care to ask about.” 

“You don’t care to do a lot of things.” 

“No, Thals, I just don’t care to strike up a conversation. Why would I ask about boring crap?” 

Thalia knew better than most how Amias recently shied away from talks with his father. He’s still fighting with him? In a normal circumstance, she might have suggested actually burying the hatchet with his father but she wasn’t in any position to give advice about familial relationships. 

“The driver thing…Madelaine asked me about that too. She’s saying I’m giving Davian a hard time by not ‘using his services.’”

“Yeah, well, they don’t seem to understand that we don’t need literal chauffeurs taking us to high school. Its overkill. Walking is fun in its own normal pleb way.” 

“Don’t say pleb.” She scolded lightly. The walks to school were the most ordinary aspect of her life. She looked forward to it the most. That small slice of the day where she simply existed in the same space as Amias. Even with those wholesome thoughts crossing her mind, her expression remained impassive. Her steely brown eyes drifted to his swaying hand. What would it be like to slip my palm there? Would he flinch? Push me away? She shook her head - banishing those un-friendship-like thoughts. 

“The Math paper is this afternoon. My textbook is still in the plastic wrapping.” 

Thalia heaved a sigh, unconsciously taking a sideways step closer to him, “This is why I despise you sometimes. I bet you’ll still get a 90 at least. So irritating.” 

“As if you won’t get a hundred. You and I, we’re just geniuses.”

Thalia snorted, a sharp exhale from her nose, “And yet you’re also the dumbest person I know.” 

Amias gasped, halting abruptly to place a hand on his heart in mock outrage, “Ouch! How could you call me dumb? Thals, you’re killing me.” 

Cute. 

Thalia had to bite her bottom lip just to stifle her smile, “Drama king…”

Amias’ dramatics ended - a large smile curving his lips. He lightly shoulder checked her. “Thalia, my biggest hater.” 

“No-” Her denial was immediately interrupted by Amias’ phone buzzing. She arched her brow curiously. “Aren’t you going to get that?” 

Amias kept his focus on Thalia. “Not important.”

“You didn’t even check-”

“If I get the higher score, can you reward me? I’ve been craving those chocolate and caramel churros.” 

“You have an allowance, buy it yourself.” 

“It’s not the same! Food paid for by someone else always tastes better.” 

“What do I get if I beat you then?”

“My acknowledgement and respect.”

Thalia’s lips curved downwards before Amias giggled - a low rumble from his chest. “Of course I’ll treat you.”

Soon, the gates of Brenthaven High approached and she felt a pang of disappointment. The moment had ended, if only she had walked slower than maybe she would have been able to savor the feeling. 

There, a gaggle of girls were already orbiting around the two of them. Thalia’s eyebrows pinched together, her mood soured by the sight. Amias on the other hand seemed to brush off the attention until his beau of the week, Mariah, stood deliberately in front of them. “Amias! Is your phone not working? You never pick up my calls!” She whined but a smile plastered her cherry pink lips. Thalia shifted away from the apparent ‘couple’ but Amias looked at her with puppy dog eyes, pleading silently to get him out of the situation. “C’mon, Mariah, I thought you said you weren’t interested in dating.” Amias chuckled weakly when Thalia opted not to step in. 

“That was then!”

“You said it three days ago.” 

“Still.” 

Amias smiled though his lips were stiff. Fake. I don’t know why he does crap like this if he isn’t happy. 

Almost every month, Amias had a different girl. But for some reason, the ‘relationships’ were short lived. Mayfly relationships, she called them. And always, he orchestrated the break up, making sure that he acted in such a way near the end that the girls would want to end it. Thalia observed it quite closely, he never cheated or acted like a scumbag, he simply lost interest and kept them within arms reach. However, Mariah was either dense enough to miss the clues or she just blatantly ignored them. Either one was sad. 

“We have to go see Mr Wright about the student council duties.” Thalia interjected. Amias sighed in relief, gratitude swimming in his emerald eyes. 

Mariah had the opposite reaction. Her lips pursed, “Really?”

Thalia, stone faced and immovable, replied calmly, “Yes.” She nodded her head to the staff room. 

Amias huffed a laugh and stood straighter, “Sorry, Mariah, gotta go. Duty calls.” He gave her no opportunity to respond, already strolling away from her. 

Once they were a good distance away, Thalia said, “You need to stop that. Why date them if you get annoyed with them?” 

“Its the other way around. They get annoyed with me. None of them are…nevermind. It’s the peak of our youth, I ought to just get to know as many people as possible. And as many women as possible.” 

Thalia sighed softly. Do you need to know other people? She wanted to ask. But it came across possessive and uncalled for even in her head. 

“What a waste of time.” She tried to dim the irritation that colored her voice. Walking a bit faster than him.