CHAPTER 32: THE HEART KNOWS

[The Dormitory — Val and Roommates]

"O my gosh, my mom just called!" Lily exclaimed suddenly, clutching her note like it might burn her.

Soda looked up from where she sat at the edge of her bed, brushing through her damp hair after a quick night shower. "You sound like you just won a prize," she said with a teasing smile. "Or lost one. Which is it?"

Tekna, lying sprawled upside down on her bed, legs swinging lazily in the air, turned her head toward her friend. "Judging by her face, I’m betting on the second option."

Lily swallowed hard before speaking, her voice trembling. "It’s Milo. He’s... gone."

The room fell silent. The small hum of the fan became the only sound between them.

Tekna sat up slowly. "Gone? How do you mean gone...?"

Lily nodded, biting her lip to hold back tears. "Yeah. Mom said he got sick last night. They took him to the healer’s clinic, but even the charms didn’t help. He passed away just before she called."

Soda set her grandma’s comb down quietly, her playful expression replaced with something softer. "Oh, Lily... I’m so sorry. That’s awful."

Tekna frowned deeply. "I remember you showed me a picture of him once— that tiny brown fluffball that used to follow you everywhere. He even photobombed your family picture."

Despite her tears, Lily smiled faintly. "Yeah, that’s him. Always sneaking into the frame, like he owned the house."

Valkyrie sighed. "Losing a pet is like losing a best friend you didn’t even realize you talked to every day."

Lily nodded slowly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "He was always there. No matter how bad my day was, he’d just sit beside me and nudge my hand till I smiled. It’s just... weird knowing I’ll never see him again."

Tekna reached over, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, maybe you can plant a tree for him in the gardens when we get back from Galveston. Something that’ll grow where he can’t."

Lily sniffed and smiled faintly. "That’s actually a beautiful idea."

Soda added softly, "And who knows? Maybe somewhere in the spirit realm, Milo’s out there chasing enchanted squirrels."

Lily let out a shaky laugh, wiping her eyes. "You’re ridiculous. But yeah... I do hope so..."

Valkyrie smirked. "She’s right though— and I know he misses you just as you miss him, But hey, at least he don’t gotta walk around with leash anymore"

The tension broke a little, and Lily laughed again, this time a little steadier. "Thanks, guys. I really needed that."

"Of course," Soda said, her smile warm but a little sad. "That’s what we’re here for. Comfort, chaos, and unsolicited advice."

Tekna grinned. "Heavy on the Comfort, we’re besties now, like it or not..."

Lily exhaled, visibly lighter now. "Well, mission accomplished."

For a moment, the room was calm again. The faint evening glow streamed through the half-open window, catching the edges of the hanging crystals that lined the wall, scattering soft blue light across their faces. Valkyrie sat cross-legged on her bed, her hands resting loosely on her lap, She looked like she was drowning in thoughts.

Lily glanced over at her with a curious smile. "Val, you look deep in thought. Care to share with the class?"

Valkyrie blinked, as if pulled back from a distant place, and offered a small smile. "Nothing serious," she said quietly. "Just... listening. It’s nice, hearing you all talk like sisters. Makes everything feel normal."

Tekna stretched her arms with a dramatic sigh. "Speaking of normal, how about we talk about something that isn’t sad? Like... your date with Sky?"

Soda’s eyes lit up instantly. "Oh yes, please. Spill it. We’ve been dying to know."

Lily’s mood visibly lifted as she gasped. "You actually went on a date? You never told me that!"

Valkyrie groaned. "You guys aren’t going to drop this, are you?"

"Not until we hear every last detail," Soda said firmly, crossing her arms like a detective.

Tekna nodded in agreement. "Girl, you better start splilling the tea."

Valkyrie sighed, running her fingers through her hair before sitting up properly. "Fine. It wasn’t... bad. It was actually really sweet at first."

Soda grinned. "At first? That sounds like a story with emotional damage incoming."

Valkyrie chuckled. "We went to the riverbank café — the one near the lower courtyard with the lantern trees. It was peaceful... and quiet... kind of magical, actually. The lights reflected on the water like stars, and Sky had this stupid grin the whole time, like he couldn’t believe I was really there."

Lily pressed a hand to her chest. "That’s so romantic."

Tekna pretended to swoon. "Lantern lights and longing stares. You’re living in a romance novel, Val."

"Not exactly," Valkyrie said with a small laugh. "We talked about... Some stuff, the training, his friends even how weird the cafeteria food tastes. It was... easy, you know?"

Valkyrie hesitated, glancing at the floor. "But then it got... awkward."

"Awkward how?" Lily asked, curiosity piqued.

Valkyrie’s voice dropped. "He leaned in. I...I think... I think he wanted to kiss me."

All three girls gasped at once.

Tekna was the first to recover. "He what?"

Soda’s eyes widened. "Wait— you’re serious?"

Valkyrie nodded. "Dead serious. And for a second... I almost let him."

Lily covered her mouth. "You. almost. kissed Sky?! Val? O my gosh!"

Valkyrie groaned, throwing a pillow at her. "It’s not that huge. It was just— I don’t know...sudden. My brain froze at the moment and my heart went crazy, and I... pulled back."

Tekna chuckled. "hmmm, this is getting interesting..."

"I just didn’t know what to do," Valkyrie continued. "He looked so disappointed, and I felt horrible. I tried to apologize, but before I could say anything, I ran off like an idiot."

Soda leaned forward, with her expression calm and thoughtful. "Hey, don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t do anything wrong. You just weren’t ready, that’s all."

Valkyrie sighed. "I guess. I just didn’t want him to think I didn’t like him."

Lily nudged her playfully. "Val, the way you’re talking about him right now? He already knows."

Tekna smirked. "Yeah, you’ve got that dazed, dreamy voice people get when they’re in denial."

"Stop," Valkyrie said, blushing.

Soda laughed softly. "Look, Sky seems like a good guy. If what you feel is real, he’ll come around again. Just don’t force it. Things like this— they’re better when they happen naturally."

Lily nodded. "And if he doesn’t come around again?"

Soda smiled knowingly. "Then he wasn’t meant to stay."

That silenced the room for a moment. Valkyrie looked down at her hands, the words sinking deep into her thoughts. Soda always had a way of sounding so sure, even when everything around them felt uncertain.

After a while, Tekna stretched, yawning loudly to break the heavy air. "Well, on the bright side, if Sky messes up, there are at least ten other angels on campus with nice wings."

Soda snorted. "Oh please, half of them probably can’t even spell ’respect.’"

Lily giggled. "I don’t know, that blonde one from the healing class isn’t too bad."

Tekna raised a brow. "You’ve been checking them out?"

"Uhm... No" she defended instantly, "You know...purely academic interest," Lily said quickly with a silly grin on her face "I study anatomy...remember?"

Soda rolled her eyes. "Sure... you do."

Their laughter filled the room again, chasing away the weight of the conversation. The tension, the grief, even the awkwardness between them— it all melted into the kind of ease that only true friendship could bring.

After the laughter faded, Valkyrie found herself smiling again. "You know, I don’t say it enough, but... I’m really glad I have you guys."

Soda waved her off. "Girl don’t get sentimental on us now. You know we’re allergic to emotions."

Valkyrie Chuckled hard "Soda, stop..." she said jokingly "...you always crack me up girl..."

The whole group started laughing, like people in a comedy show lost in entertainment.

Their laughter rippled over and over, echoing warmly through the room. For a moment, the world outside— demons, missions, danger... didn’t exist. There was only this: light banter, shared memories, and the unspoken promise that no matter what was coming, they’d face it side by side.

Valkyrie leaned back on her bed, watching her friends with quiet affection. She didn’t know what the future held, but somehow, surrounded by them, it didn’t seem so terrifying.

The laughter was still lingering in the air when a sudden sound sliced through the comfort of the moment.

BAM. BAM

The girls froze mid-laugh. The knock came again, but firmer this time.

BAM. BAM. BAM

And then, a voice followed— it was calm, low, and almost curious.

"Uhm... Hello? Anyone in there?"