Looking at the familiar walls, Ian couldn't help but suck in a deep breath. Marching through the hall, he turned to look at the small woman beside him, his mother. Honestly he couldn't blame her for everything that happened in the past three years, he knew she did it all for him, for his safety. At age nineteen, Ian Gallagher stood at a staggering height of 6'3, he grey eyes and ginger brown hair.
"Welcome Mrs Brown" the principal, Mr Stephan said ushering them into his office
"It's Mrs Gallagher" Lily corrected as she took a seat "or Lily"
"Yes sorry, miss Lily" Mr Stephan said, turning to Ian he couldn't help but smile "Ian, boy it's been a long time"
"Yes sir" Ian said
"Well you were one of our brightest students. Three years ago and I'm sure you still are" he said happily "miss Lily, I'm sure he'd be able to do well, I'll keep an eye on him"
"Thank you principal" Lily said clutching her bag as she stood up
"Ian baby, mom has to go now, be good okay" Lily said as she brushed Ian's hair gently
"Yes ma" Ian said giving her a smile
Lily left the office. The principal spoke to Ian for a few minutes feeling extremely satisfied
"Come, I'll escort you to your class" the principal said happily
"Thank you sir" Ian replied humbly
Walking down the hall, Ian could barely concentrate on what the principal said. He wondered how his peach was, how much she had grown in the past three years. He touched his nose helplessly, Ian really didn't know how he was gonna face his peach how would he face her after disappearing for so long. Would she forgive him? Would she even speak to him? She'd probably ignore him
Ian ruffled his hair helplessly, oh how he missed her silly smile and her always dazed expression when she got lost in her thoughts, he missed how she'd pout and whine when she didn't have her way
"We're here now champ" the principal said Patting Ian's shoulder
A little startled by the sudden pat, Ian smiled as he collected his thoughts
"Thank you sir"
The principal walked into the class and quickly signaled the teacher before he took the podium, speaking excitedly
"He seems to be more happy that I'm back than when I was here before" Ian mused
"Let's welcome Ian Gallagher " principal Stephan said as he called Ian in
"Hi, I'm Ian" Ian said clutching his bag
Looking up, Ian met Irida's gaze directly, she looked shocked, angry, happy and so many emotions jumbled up together, Ian was kind of nervous when he looked at her
"Okay go take a seat" principal Stephan said before leaving
The teacher smiled and continued with her lecture, Ian couldn't even hear anything she said, it felt like the world suddenly lost its sound and color and only Irida was visible
He snapped out of his trance when a piece of paper hit him
"At least Elle is still here with her" Ian thought to himself.
Ian noticed Elini glancing at him every few minutes like she was trying to confirm if his existence was real or an illusion, Ian couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Elini's antics
After class ended, Ian picked up his bag and chased after Irida who rushed out of the class
"Peach" Ian called as they got to the gate.
Ian could feel Irida tensing up, she turned slowly and looked at him, eyes filled with unshed tears and a bit of fear, her vulnerable look made Ian feel more guilty
"Ian" Irida called, her voice shaky, barely audible
"Hm, I'm back peach" Ian said as he stretched out his arms towards her
Irida rushed into his arms, being in those same familiar embrace made her burst into tears, with Ian, she never had to be strong or handle it by herself, he was always there for her
Ian felt powerless as he watched Irida's years soak his shirt, he didn't know what to say to comfort her
"I'm sorry for leaving without a word peach" Ian said as he patted her back gently. He hated seeing her cry
"Ian..... Ian..... Ian" Irida kept on calling as she tried to confirm again and again if the person she was hugging was Ian
"Hmm, I'm here now, I'm never leaving you again peach" Ian said as he held her in his arms
Ian led Irida gently towards Elini who was already waiting in the car, he helped her seat in the back seat and buckled her seatbelt
"Drive" Ian said as he closed his eyes in the back seat
He needed to think of a way to explain things to Irida