Chapter Text
Chapter 31:
As the year approached its last months, Blair noticed a huge tone shift amongst her roommates. Especially her childhood friend. A week before, the girl returned back from the study session only to have learned little and have the teacher she was studying for return her with crutches and a cast. When anyone asked what had happened, however, she answers were vague and embarrassed. All the girls really knew about the situation is that she fought one of the witches from cloud tower when she threatened Professor Tune, and she got hit under a bookcase in the library as a resulr. Yet, she seemed innerly upset at her own vague response as well. So, Blair tried not to pry until she was ready. If Blair was honest, however, it did hurt to see the usually active girl just sit around all day, staring emptily out the windows and daydreaming to herself. She just kept smiling and claiming she was fine. Maybe she was lying to herself as well as others. Afterall, she couldn’t be her usual student athlete with a bad leg and unstable crutches.
And then there was Lapis.
As of recently, Blair couldn’t help but observe as the usually extroverted daydreamer became quieter and more anxious. Maybe because of Celeste's injury she was trying to draw attention away. Yet, with Cleste hiding herself in their room, Blair’s writer's instinct brought her to Lapis. As she wrote in her usual journal under her usual tree, she finally saw the other princess sitting by the fountain. In her hand, a shimmery, jelly purple notebook glittered and gleaned with every gel pen sketch she made. She frowned, readying her posture. She had been friends with the girl for months now like the others. She knew she had to be quiet or the other would either fall clumsily into the pond or try to avoid and run away. Or even skip or gallop away. Should the gingery blonde have been studying for finals? Of course, but it's not like Blair intended to stay at this school in the first place. Plus, her friends were the one benefit of this prison. Limply crawling over the short distance, Blair found herself slowly adjusting next to her like a chameleon in the wild. As she sat on the fountain, she could feel the spring mist refresh her shaded shoulders from her previous tree position. Yet, even the cold could not stop her. Steadily and silently, she looked over to the lined pages.
Oh…. That’s not right.
Instead of her usual doodles or tarot affirmations, Blair was surprised to see her crossing out previous scribbles. Firstly, a heart that said “Lapis Len” and the dates they had each crucial step: such as meeting, confession, date, one month, etc. Even the doodles of them kissing or him carrying her were having a pen dangling over them as she tried to force herself to scratch or change them. How odd. Even as emotional as the princess was, she would usually spontaneously add to her sketches, not destroy them. Finally, Lapis looked at her: her smile gone and her face monotone. Instead, her lilac pupils shrunk as she tried to close her journal only for Blair to hold her hand open with her ruby nails. A manicure Lapis herself begged to do on her weeks prior, and the paint had failed to budge or smear. Who knew the childish girl was such a skilled cosmetologist?
“What are you doing?” Blair asked with a quiet sympathy as the other tried to look away. However, she was not close to tears. In fact, her younger persona seemed to have faded with the spring mist.
“Nothing. Just cleaning up memories.” Her voice was even slightly deeper than usual as she dropped the pen into teh journal crevice. Yet, Blair continued, unconvinced.
“Did you and Len bre-”
“Heavens no! Not yet!” she finally shot back with a bit more emotion before rubbing her finger on some of the wet green ink. “I just… I haven’t heard from him in almost a week… He has been texting me less and less and suddenly nothing! Who does that?”
Blair fell silent as she looked at her saddened friend. Personally, relationship advice was never her thing. She never even had a boyfriend nor did she plan to. As much of an inner romantic she was, she never saw herself finding any prince irresistible or charming. Especially enough to deal with drama like this. Yet, for Lapis, she would try her best.
“I… I’m sorry. Have you tried to contact him?” she blurted out, holding the other hand.
“Like crazy.” she sighed with genuine honesty.
Blair had to admit: this kind of behavior was the opposite of Len. He was always super extroverted and flirty, even to the annoying kind of never being quiet. As a leader, he was also known to say his thoughts and feelings directly. Not hide behind a screen. She had no idea what could be going on with him. With Celeste also in her own depressed, isolated mood, she also failed to want to ask her about her brother’s erratic behavior. It would just make her worry more or feel worse. However, now Lapis was acting the opposite of herself.
“Even though Len can be an idiot, everyone knows he's crazy over you.” Blair decided sheer honesty would continue to be the best and appropriate response. Assuringly as her friend, the princess put a supportive hand on the other’s shoulder. “Yes, this is unusual behavior, but you guys will work it out. You always do… I know he really loves you, Lapis.”
The other girl gave her a small smile. Not as enthusiastic, extroverted, and optimistic as her usual one, but still a good sign nonetheless. “Thanks Blair… You are a good friend.” Once again, the other girl chose a genuine honesty that even she could see. It made Blair smile and support the other harder. Yet, before they could finish their genuine bonding, Blair looked up to the expectant ringing clock. She stood up, raising a hand to her roommate and best friend as she smiled sympathetically back to her.
“Don’t mention it. Let’s get to class. Don’t let a dumb boy make you late.”
***
Professor Chatta’s classes tended to be crowd favorites at the school. Blair assumed it made sense as the woman tended to be the most open and chatty of all the teachers, even reflecting younger attitudes and perspectives. She knew for a fact it was Lapis’s favorite as she even was immersed in joining her class with the biggest smile she had seen all day when waiting in her class. Or maybe it was to deviate Celeste’s suspicion as his younger sister, who was sitting right next to her with equal enthusiasm. As usual, professor Chatta was dressed heavily stylish. Her honey blonde hair was pulled in a curled updo that resembled a messy 2000s ponytail that brought out her shimmering chartreuse eyes and cherry red lips. She wore a light green blazer with a matching skirt and heels that were adorned in crest pins and pixie symbols. It was no wonder she was a role model to many there. Reminiscing her vintage style, it was no surprise how recent the class was now covering in the History of Magic.
“Good morning, my fairies!” She smiled to the class as she dropped the textbook on the desk.
“Good morning, Professor Chatta!” the class cheered as if rehearsed. However, it was just routine out of pure enthusiasm from almost a whole year of classes. Even Blair was optimistic to join in at that point. The woman smiled as usual as she wrote on the board “Moden Magic: 2000s and after.” She always liked to come up with almost magazine-like titles for her lessons. Of course, both Lapis and Celeste seemed to take this as the title of their notes pages on the topic. Meanwhile, Blair just kept it to numbers: the date.
“Ah one of my favorite topics,” she smiled at the class which caused an eruption of laughter from the students. “Afterall, as many of you know, I was the pixie of the guardian Flora during this time, and I was leader during the regaining of magic and recognition of Pixie Village.” Suddenly, an erupt of cheering came to the fact that Chatta embraced. “Well, enough about me, lets begin! Of course, based on the fame and the time, let's start with the heavy hitters: the Winx themselves.” The woman grabbed a piece of pink chalk, dragging the letters carefully on the chalkboard. Blair shuddered. It was obvious all eyes had turned towards her and her roommates. Even Veronica was shooting her more frustrated stares than usual. As such, Blair felt herself shrink in her seat and place her head behind her notebook. Obviously, Mavis as her best friend was quick to notice, patting her back and smiling to her to continue. She smiled back, accepting the challenge.
Chatta sat on the desk as she bounced her crossed legs. One of the things Blair and many students like about the teacher and her class was that it always seemed she was speaking from her heart and experience rather than a lecture or script. It was obvious, based on the recent topic, she definitely was this time too.
“In the early 2000s, five teen girls would create one of the biggest groups of hero’s in all of mankind, despite only being in the first year at Alfea. To make matters even stranger, the leader, Bloom as we know her, only found out the day before she was a fairy and not a human as she resided on earth her whole life! And she wasn’t even officially signed up as a student!”
Most students would find this speech inspiring: a real “anyone can achieve great things'' story. Yet, it didn’t feel that easy to Blair. Instead, it reminded her of the life she wished she had of living on Earth and experiencing humanity there. However, her thoughts also turned to Lapis, even as it seemed her reaction did not change. She always forgot, as many young people did, that Queen Layla was not an original member of the Winx Club, joining a year later after being attacked by a major villain. She wondered if Lapis ever felt isolated by that or if, like her mom, she knew it made no difference to her life and friendships. Afterall, her mom was a guardian and even gained her Enchantix form first, becoming a true fairy at heart. Blair didn’t want to ask however. The girl was already vulnerable, and the past didn’t matter. She also seemed to have her own problem as Veronica was now growling at her from the back of the class. She shuddered at how much she hated the spoiled princess. Why was she also being blamed for her mother’s actions now too?
The professor was not moved by the same thoughts as she continued. “However, it can be noticed, the girls never officially formed the “Winx” without a threat. Their first villians, and one of the most infamous groups of villains in Magix, were the Trix. Three witches from Cloud Tower, related by the common ancestors of the even greater villains, the Ancestral witches.”
Some students shuttered. Yet, the group of friends seemed unmoved. Maybe it was how much exposure they had to their daughters this year, but nothing really scared or suprised them related to those names.
“We all know this!” one of Veronica’s princess friends spoke up before a couple of them erupted in chuckles. Yet, Chatta just gave them a fake smile back.
“That doesn’t make it any less important, dear. Those who do not talk about our past are doomed to repeat it.” Many students, including Blair, also loved the teacher’s sassy responses and defenses. She was not afraid to stand and defend her ground to criticism. The rest of the students looked back at the girls or even laughed back.
The rest of the class went quickly. Afterall, it was mostly stories that her own parents passed down, or stories infamous throughout magix. As such, Blair’s focus seemed to shift back to Lapis even as she remained immersed in the lecture (which was also odd for the daydreamer and easily distracted princess). Yet, she did not even notice her looking. Part of her just wished something would happen. As if Blair could see what was going on inside her head.
***
Princess Lapis was always a good student, but she did have to admit that her notes were more indepth and detailed than they had been yet today. It probably was a result of her own relationship drama, and her own inner defiance to think or analyze it. However, her mind was flashing to her boyfriend's younger sister. Ever since she broke her leg, Celeste had barely talked to or described what happened. The two had talken alot less than usual as well. Considering how out of the group Lapis would call her the closest, it was already odd. She knew this drama would just hurt her more. Swallowing her emotions for once, she leaned back in her seat as the bell rang and class ended, allowing her worries to do the same. Of course, Professor Chatta did her usual routine of teaching and ranting past the bell, but Lapis did not care. She tended to be her favorite teacher, and this class was actually her favorite. She did not usually mind being stuck in the class. Especially as the woman recounted the final battle of the Trix in the Winx’s first year before their first attempt at rehabilitation.
“So, in conclusion,” the blonde slammed the chalk down before smiling to the others. “Fairies rule, witches drool. So nothing has changed!'' The class erupted into laughs again before the woman nodded for them to go. Another good thing about the woman’s class was that she never gave homework, which helped with those in busier positions than others. She never really had to, she was able to thoroughly explain and get through all the course work.
As the class left, the usual friends grouped amongst each other before Blair wrapped a pale arm around her. Out of everyone, Blair was the only one she had ended up talking about her prince drama with. Although, it seemed her actions were not keeping the idea as much of a secret as she was. Yet, none of the other friends seemed to question or ask. Instead, they seemed to start their usual conversation.
“I should have expected this day to come,” Lyra groaned, packing up her stuff in her studded and pinned bag. “Mostly recap, right ladies?”
“An easy A.” Zecora joined in with a genuine laugh. “At least I will have more hours for strategizing my games.”
Lapis looked over at the olive skinned blonde. She couldn't help but wonder if she felt left out. Being the children of the Winx, all of this was recap, and they could all easily reminisce and joke about it. Yet, Mavis was not. However, she seemed to not mind, but Lapis knew how secretive and mysterious she could be. She was not nearly as open and emotional as how Lapis would react. Before she could put a hand on her shoulder, she talked for herself, normally and even a bit giggly.
“I am glad you didnt skip at least.” She admitted. “It would have been boring without you all.”
“I agree,” Lapis laughed back. “You make every class even more enjoyable too, May. I would fail this class without you and Celeste keeping me in check as well.”
The whole group chuckled before Lapis felt her phone buzz despite her magically enforced Do Not Disturb . It was odd as well as all her close friends were around her without their phones in sight. No one else usually seemed to text her either. Slowly taking out her phone, she could feel the shell engraved, glitter resin case mark her skin with its indents. She actually made the case herself, but she was not one to boast. Opening her phone, her lilac eyes shrunk and her plum lips dropped agape. She could not believe her eyes.
Easily noticed, Blair nudged her. “Lapis, what's wrong?” She asked before Celeste snapped out of her daze, j0ining her in worry and limping closer to her.
“Are you okay? You look terrified.” the brunette tried to grip her hand as she read the notification.
“It’s… It’s my mom… I’ve been summoned to an immediate emergency meeting of the Andros-Atlantis council. It's in less than an hour and it's mandatory.” She trembled to herself, tears filling her eyes at dark thoughts of what it could be. Of course this would happen on the worst day for her too.The rest of the girls looked in fear or shock as the other tried to remain princessly.
“What could it be about?” Hibiscus said in her usual quietness, but with a firm empathy.
“I genuinely have no idea… it must have happened recently for me not to have even heard anything threatening. Word usually travels quickly.” She admitted. She threw all her books quickly in her bag sloppily before throwing it over her back. “I have to go right away just in case. It must be important.” Although Lapis did not talk about it constantly, she did take her royal duty very seriously. Being a princess of Andros and the most likely next queen of Atlantis based on the royal process, she took being a princess and a genuine, helpful leader very seriously. She knew she had to go immediately.
“But how are you gonna get there?” Blair asked, holding her close in concern. She appreciated it, even if it was malfounded and unnecessary. However, that’s what her youthful aesthetic probably warrented. “The next magic subway and bus won’t be here for another two hours.” Lapis reached in her pocket to pick up a small conch shell that fit in her hand like a gemstone. It was adorned with amethysts afterall. She quickly showed the group the new ornament in pride as they looked in awe. “It's a mermadian trinket of teleportation. I was gifted it before I got here just in case.” It was quite a lucky coincidence. Otherwise who knew what would have happened in a moment like this. She rubbed her finger against the surface, turning away from the group. “I have to go… Now .” Yet, before she could use the shell to transport out, she felt a firm grasp on her arm. A soothing, comforting grasp. She looked back to Celeste with a worried yet sincere look back at her.
“Just.. be safe.” she assured Lapis who smiled back at the genuine honesty.
“You know I will. This is me we are talking about.” Lapis slowly removed her other hand with a firm hand hold before reading her amethyst shell. It felt comforting to see a glimpse back at her bestfriends former self… yet why did she feel guilty about the circumstances? That she knew nothing about her own blood? She shook her head before allowing herself to magically transport in an aura of purple glow before only six remained in the room after.
When she opened her eyes, Lapis was not shocked to see herself on the arrival platform in the Andros Castle. Just as before she left, the castle was still adorned in aquamarine tiles with green and blue marbles and antiques. In front of her, the glass patio doors were open to a balcony over the ocean with the salty breeze swirling past while grazing the silk curtains. At first sight, the room seemed empty until she turned her head to a familiar yet disgraceful sight. Right next to her, a blue haired girl with matching navy eyes looked back at her with crossed arms in her golden, tight dress. It caused Lapis to feel her stomach churn at the other girl.
“Nerris…” she groaned to herself, stepping slowly off the platform. By instinct and setting, she also tended to pull her skirt above her knees to step slightly down in her jelly sandals to avoid tripping. The other girl smirked back.
“How do you do, fellow classmate?”
Lapis smirked back. However, her emotions were definitely less pure, and her smile was definitely more faked. “I am surprised they would even let you in… considering you are only royal by your father marrying in… you don’t have an ounce of royal blood through your veins.”
It was true, even if it hurt the other girl by admittance. Nerris was her half sister by her father, the now King Nex of Andros, marrying in. Her mother was another aristocratic woman Nex had got together with during a period before he reunited with her mother. The queen's romance story was as hard to explain. Nex and Layla had spent years together after Nabu had died, and they were in a happy, growing relationship as Layla learned to move past her trauma. However, the magical ancestors of the magic dimension granted her a true wish of love from Nabu, who was waiting on the other side for her. Meeting her mother in a truest dream, they granted her an opportunity to have a child with her true love and start a family. Of course, she accepted: not only as a sign of love, but a call to a destiny and a fate waiting beyond her reach. Soon after, the magical forces allowed for her father a temporary visit and life with his mother. Of course, King Nex took this the wrong way, and immediately left the woman he called “Queen” for almost a couple years out of anger. In that time, he had another lover to which he had Nerris with. Yet, after Lapis was born, her father faded away only a couple months after. Coicncidentally, when he faded, Nex ran in to apologize to her mother only to see her crying on her knees with a baby Lapis asleep in her arms.
Maybe that's why the two girls seemed to never be able to get along or understand each other. Or maybe… maybe it was because of-
“ You know, you don’t have to be so mean to me all the time, Lapis. We are sisters.”
“You tried to kill me, Nerris.” The other girl store back with a deep rooted seriousness she did not usually show. “That’s not so easy to forget.”
“We were kids!” The girl squeaked out walking closer. “I was… I was jealous of you and I wasn’t thinking logically. We were only eight!”
“When I was eight , I didn’t try to throw my loved ones into the swirling waves and ocean of Andros to drown when I knew they could not swim.”
And there it was. The ugly truth of it all. What the other probably wished she could forget… but she could not. Her own “sister” threw her over the balcony, Cinderella style, to watch her down in the ocean. Although it may have been years ago, as Nerris tried to beg, the scars never healed over. No matter how the other felt.
“I-”
“Girls, please.” a voice echoed with the clacking of a pair of blue heels in anger. From in front of them, a woman walked from the balcony in her usual light green and blue gown, and her curly red hair tucked in a high updo with braids leading up to it. By her side, a younger man stood with dark skin and indigo hair that brought out the stern look he was giving the two. Of course her older brother was going to be as demanding as usual as well as being a total momma’s boy. “Can we please just all get along? At least for the next couple hours? It is important.”
“Yes.. and you are late already,” Axel looked back at them.
“I HAD CLASS!” the two of them said in almost perfect unity before looking to the side to make sure to avoid eye contact. However, Queen Layla simply chuckled before wrapping her two daughters in a big, motherly hug. Despite only being mother to the one biologically, she always loved and treated both of them equally as her daughter. Despite the fighting.
“It does not matter: Now come on, Ladies. Let’s get to the council room! Your father is waiting there!” Begrudgingly following her orders, Lapis followed beside the other two. There they were united: the crowned royal children of Andros. The council room quickly stoodbefore them in all its glory: its golden doors adorned with seashells and gemstones. The royal family made sure the room for the council was always close to the main area where everyone could chat. Opening the door, it was easy to see how scrambled the top politicians and aristocrats were over whatever happened. In the front, as stated, king Nex was instructing the men around and scribbling various strategies across a map of the world. However, upon Queen Layla’s arrival the chaos stopped, with every member sitting firmly in their seat in silence.
“Your majesty,” many erupted by intinc as the lady walked past to stand by her husband who gave her a loving kiss upon her return. However, once the love and admiration were over, all eyes returned to the unaware children as they stood on the opposing end in front of the course. For a moment, there was silence. As if they were afraid to admit what happened or were waiting for their cue. However, Nerris broke their silence, even as the youngest and least royal of the group.
“What happened?”Nerris stood up for the group as the other council members turned their gaze from her to the royal couple at the end of the table. It was easy to see their mother’s brow furrowed in unease before her king grasped and held her smaller hands. At ease by the support, she nodded again before continuing.
“The Atlantis Prison was attacked last night,” the queen spoke up causing gasps and shock from all three of her children.
“How? Who?” Axel and Nerris seemed to step forward in unity. However, with all the attacks on Alfea, Lapis was less surprised, even if shaking and shocked.
“When it was found, it was trapped in a block of ice… frozen. Only now is it being cracked or thawed from the inside out.” The queen recapped. It was obvious the council had already been briefed as they just looked down or looked at them for guidance. Yet, lapis immediately knew this had to be related to her wayward cousin based on such magical power.
“You don’t think it could be Icy?” Axel asked, slamming his fist on the table. However, his mother raised a hand to signal a hault.
“Hardly. The attack barely matches her energy signature. And she is still… trapped.” Layla nodded. “We checked on her this morning.”
“Could it be as a result of the escaped prisoner?” Nerris nodded ahead of her brother.
“Most likely.” Nex added on to his wife.
However, before the group could strategize, Lapis could feel word vomit leave her lips as her mouth just moved with her feelings. She frowned as she looked down at her skirt.
“Why did we do this anyway? Why did we lock her up her whole life?” there was a passive anger in her voice as well as a begging. She had always been overly curious, but this time it seemed more like a sympathetic response. The room looked at her in a bit of a shock before her mom stood forward to answer.
“That’s obvious. Her parents are two of the most evil criminals in the magic dimension. As is now being proven, she is also a huge threat.”
“We could have given her to parents who would have loved a kid. But instead we locked her up and isolated her, just like that. Maybe the reason she is acting like this is because its the only hostility she had ever known.”
The room erupted in more mixed looks of either confusion, disgust, compassion, or a mix. The council seemed to switch glares between themm as whispers also erupted. Lapis knew she had her mother cornered in her questions, but she could not help it. She never even met her cousin growing up, and now she had started a violent streak. She could not help but feel bad… even guilty for all this. Yet, nothing changed.
The queen gave a less warm glare, replacing her gaze with the cold. “This is a courtroom.This is neither the time nor place, Lapis.”
“I’m just saying-”
“Quiet!” Layla finally commanded. “This room is for strategy talk only. If you want to discuss the past later, we can… right now, I need you to think for your kingdom, Princess Lapis of Andros and Altantis .”
Finally, the realization of what she is doing came to her as she realized all the gazes were on her. Not because of her sympathy, but for advice. For a royal lead. As such she stepped behind her siblings as both of them gave her surprised looks. She expected the conversation to be over for her after that. Yet, Nerris walked beside her, holding her wrist as she spoke elegantly yet firmly.
“As a princess of the court, It is important to recognize that princess Layla is correct in questioning the setting of of the culprits rise to her decision of attack… Her heart is also just as big as her questions.”
The other girl smiled to the other, causing her to look back in shock before simply nodding back in agreement. However, Queen Layla had already ignored the question looking to the council for ideas. However, all their ideas tended to be similar if not the same. They seemed to revolve around fighting magic ice, shutting down the prison on stricter lockdown, bla bla blah. It was all less than amazing and clever. And less likely to be successful. They were predictable as always. However, what else could they do in this situation?
Finally, annoyed with the weak answers, Lapis pushed past her siblings again. This time, she was ready to stand her position. As the aspiring queen she knew she was.
“Listen!” she shouted over the group, causing tjem to turn from the queen and king before looking back at the now determined princess in silence. Quickly, she pointed to herself with her thumb before she spoke.
“As the next of heir to both Andros and Atlantis, it is my duty to protect and defend against this threat. “
An elderly council member started to speak up again, pointing his nosy finger up while adjusting his glasses with the other. “Yes, but you are not the qu-”
“ I know where the suspect is housed, and I have had the most contact out of anyone here. I will keep an eye on her, and I will do all to stop her! For our kingdoms!”
For a minute, there was silence as the council thought it over thoroughly, before they all agreed at mixed times , “For the Kingdoms!” in a cheer this time. Sighing in relief, Queen Layla squeezed her kings hand before smiling to the others. It was almost as if she came up with the idea herself. The other sighed at the uproar before sighing in relief. Axel looked back at her before murmuring to her, “I will try my best to watch her as well… From the Red fountains side. I haven’t been there this week due to Androsian business. But when I do, I will report back as the next in line to the Andros throne.” Lapis nodded at her cocky brother. Of course he wanted to be a part of the plot. Here Lapis thought she was doing her part as the heir to both, but her brother still was begging to help.
“I will too…” Nerris assured her sister as well with a quick nodd and smile between them.
Lapis found herself semi relieved by the support. Maybe one day she could even come to… forgive Nerris. Maybe even become the close sister she always desired. Afterall, although she messed up, she did bring certain goods to her life. If it was not for that incident, she would have never have talked to and be blessed by Queen Ligeta. If it wasn’t for Nerris, her mermaid powers would not have been unlocked, showing the power locked within her that only need activated. One day she would forgive and learn to grow with her. Moments like this helped move the dream closer.
***
Nightimes were most likely Lapis’s favorite times at Alfea. After the sunset, the sky is adorned with an assortment of constellations and stars of every type. It was enough to dream and fantasize about. On this night, her gaze, however, was fixated on her new bracelet, adjusting and detecting possible “FROST” villianous waves. It was truely a wonder what new magic technology could accomplish. However, the waves were flatlined at the moment: Meaning she had to be asleep. She sighed, looking down at her journal as she clicked a gel pen around in her hand. She frowned at the angry scribbles she had put around Len earlier. She still had not heard a word from him at all. That thought made her frown more. Yet, as she reached to rip out the page, a clattering surprised her.
As if by fate, there he was. He was rougher and scruffed up than his usual self and covered in dirt and mud, but there he was. As if on cue, Lapis felt her eyes tear up as a result, a salty stream leaking down her cheekwith care.
“Len?” She cried into the distance, watching his head perk up in shock. Not even hesitating, the girl ran into his arms trapping him in a hug. “I missed you, LEN!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??? ITS BEEN WEEKS.” Suddenly, she turned to sadness and anger, crying on his shoulder before pushing away. She could feel all her bottled up emotions coming out and flowing like an ocean. She couldn’t hide her being upset anymore. She needed answers as soon as possible. Yet, he seemed unease to an idea, remaining cold, depressed, and distant.
“Red Fountain was seiged… our signal was also turned off and our memories of the attackers warped for their own protection.” Len admitting holding the smaller girls hand. Suddenly, her voice quivered and her optimistic appearance had faded to obscurity.
“What???? What happened?”
“ Our artifacts were stolen, our soldiers wounded, and we were caged by some sort of hard material.”
Lapis shuttered. It was most likely ice. Another attack they had failed to prevent… hurting another one she loved.
“I have come to ask for help,” Len talked with a sterness she had never seen before as she tried to push past.Lapis looked down at his tone armed: an arraymen t of scars and blood. He definately had to break through the ice to get this far. With only his sword and sceptor on him, it must have taken so long and so much effort. Yet, he failed to say anything or talk about it.
Finally, Lapis had heard it. The sound she had tried so hard to avoid: her heart breaking.
“Is… Is that all you came for? Really?” She scratched her wrist in anxiety as it set in. He did not even come for her or to fix the breaks as they had started. He was being a hero... even if that meant forgetting her. It was admirable… just not for her.
He looked at her with a couple blinks before realizing his error. However, his first response became frustration rather than kindness. “Well my life has been in danger, I’m sorry that my first thought isn’t trying to coddle y-“ he stopped himself as he saw Lapis’s doe eyes fill with tears. He knew what she was thinking: they had been dating for a while now. She was thinking why could he be so callous and what made him so vicious to her. He sighed, holding her hand tighter again.
“Lapis… we need to talk.”
“That’s all I wanted-“ she found herself gasping as if trying to gain a bonding moment before he quieted her again. Oh… it’s that kind of news. She sat back down on the edge of the fountain she was sitting on before as Len joined her.
“We haven’t been ourselves for some time now, have we?” He tried to smile the thought away. She poured to herself, looking down to the cold ground. Yeah, you haven’t. Lapis had never changed. She gasped to herself. Was that a problem?
“Yeah.” She just agreed, trying to be mature and cushion herself. She knew what was coming, and all she could do is brace herself. Part of herself didn’t even know if she could disagree with the suggestion. She herself knew something was wrong, and she couldn’t spend the rest of her life repeating the cycle.
“Listen,” he spoke warmly and softly to her. Just like their first date. “ you know I have loved you more than anything, Lapis… I mean it. You lit up my boring life… but… I just… I don’t think we are life time compatible anymore. We can barely talk with our schedules, and when we do, we get so upset. I don’t wanna see you cry because of me.”
“I get it…” Lapis joined in, scooting closer. “And I love you so much, Len. But you are right… we can’t just keep doing this cycle.”
“I think we should… break up” only then did the prince avert his gaze. It was an unusual cowardice and even he knew that. Although, lapis knew why as she knew his “manly” ayes were flooding with tears. Taking a deep breath, the princess daintily placed her hand on top of his.
“I think we should… for both of our health. Just remember that I love you…”
“And I love you…” he said still looking away. However, now Lapis could definately hear the tears muddle his voice. As if realizing she could tell, the boy stood up, rubbing his face. “But now I have a mission to do… see ya , Lay.” With that he walked away in his brutalized glory, leaving Lapis staring back at the stars, waiting for a miracle to hit. Yet, nothing happened, and then her own tears came back. Suddenly, her face was a pool, and all her features were just floating in it.
Therefore, she barely cared as she stumbled down the hall, knocking into random people and objects. She didn’t care anymore: it all seemed useless… What would Blair think? More importantly, what would Celeste think? She was so resistant to the two even beginning tp date. She warned her not to break her brothers heart… Now, that had just happened with her heart in thorough shambles as well. She wouldn’t be able to handle the news… especially after suffering with whatever she had been going throigh. After her suffering, this would simply topple herover. Maybe that's why her fingers trembled as she reached towards her dorm door, afraid of the results of her mistakes. She knew this would crush her best friends the same if not twice as much as it hurt her. However, she couldn’t live her own year left in fear. So, instead, she opened the door swiftly.
Yet, to her surprise, Celeste was waiting in front of the door. As if she had been anticipating her since she left. Based on her look, she knew the other could tell what had happened based on the tears she tried quickly to rub away.
“He… he broke up with you didnt he?” The girl muttered with gritted teeth, seeing the usually joyous girl on her downward spiral. She kept trying to rub her tears away, but they kept coming through and drowning her face more.
“No, why-”
“You don’t have to spare my feelings, Lay. I know you.”
“Did… Did he tell you h-he was going to”
“No,” Celeste seemed she was being heavily honest as well as she walked closer. “ He does whatever he wants and doesn’t talk about it to anyone.”
Finally, Lapis let herself cry freely and Celeste quickly trapped her in a hug. She was so swift, in fact, she almost tripped over her own casted leg as she threw her crutches to the side and leaped onto the shorter girl. Only then did Lapis see and feel that her best friend was the same. As if her depression was being lifted finally as she comforted another.
“I… I am so sorry.” The carmel girl cried back on the other's shoulder as they held each other close. “ I really am.”
“I know.” The girl felt her heart leak as she spoke honestly back. “I am so sorry I couldn’t make it work”
“Don’t say that,” the other rebuttal back. “I love both of you guys, and I know you both tried! Life just didnt love you guys being in love…”
“Its also not a good time for you… for this to be happening,” again, there she went. Word vomit/ “You… you are obviously going through so much… so much, you dont even wanna talk about it… and now this happens… and i know you told me not to hurt your brother and I dont think I did, but-”
Celeste pushed away from their hug to look her in the eyes. Finally, Lapis saw her face: serious and empathetic at the same time. Even past the tear stains. “Lapis… Yeah, Me being defeated by Diane hurt… Me learning… that my whole life’s search for my missing moon talents… was in vain and given to her hurt… Me breaking my leg hurt-”
Lapis felt her heart drop in her chest at the realization. It was Diane of the Trixx who hurt her like this??? She would destroy her as well as Frost if given the chance. It was unreal that such a threat could be so close to her without her realizing. It was no wonder she seemingly shut off. “Diane did all this??? This is what you have been bottling up? Celeste, I’m so sorry. Thats awf-”
“I know, but I am healing… I am moving past it and planning. And now, we can do that together.” Celeste grasped the others hand firmly as she smiled to her.