𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒: 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
Alaina had to thank Damon for his visit, with the help of his gifts, she was good as new. Especially since it appeared that he had grabbed one of everything that applied to any type of cold, so she was equipped with whatever she needed. Instead of spending her weekend with the inability to breathe and a sore throat, she only suffered half a day of a stuffy nose, recovering from a nasty cough for the remainder of the time. She returned feeling energized, ready for whatever silly thing Damon had planned for her that day. Only, there were no new plans for her.
Murmurs went around when Alaina arrived at school, however, it had nothing to do with her. In fact, for the first time, no one paid attention to her. It was pleasant yet unsettling at the same time. If she wasn't the center of the school's bullying, then who was? A crowd of students lurked around a locker, it wasn't hers, but she knew exactly who it belonged to and it wasn't looking good.
Alaina pushed past the crowd, seeing a Red Card hanging inside the locker across from a very distraught blonde. She turned around, teary eyes directed towards Alaina. "You . . . you did this!" Her voice was shaky, consumed by fear of the consequences.
"Ellie no, I—" Alaina tried to explain, but she shook her head.
"No," she interjected, vehemently shaking her head. "You made Damon turn everyone against me in return for your Red Card removal. Didn't you? How could you?!" She ran off as students criticized her, calling her names and throwing crumpled pieces of paper toward her.
Alaina stared regretfully at her friend's misfortune, she didn't deserve this and she wasn't built to handle it either. She didn't attempt to chase after her and clear the confusion, Ellie couldn't be blamed for jumping to those conclusions. But there was someone who could be blamed, and that meant paying an early visit to the local tyrant. Just when she thought he wanted to become a better person, too.
Angry footsteps descended into the V4′s lair, the glaring individual searching the view for her target. She clenched her fists, breathing heavily. "Where is he?!" Alaina pressed the two who were there for their missing leader.
Cordie lowered her shopping catalog and sighed, "Oh boy, what's he done this time?" She wasn't caught up with his plans for today yet, but if Alaina was here, something had to already be in the midst of action.
Brendan, however, had a clue. He paused his game. "I heard him muttering about something last week, something about changing his focus and goals."
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "That idiot," Alaina mumbled under her breath. "Do you know where he is? I need to talk to him."
Brendan sat in thought for a bit, looking to Cordie to inquire if she knew, but she returned with a shake of her head. "He said he was going to see someone today, right?" Cordie asked Brendan with uncertainty.
"Oh, I think you're right. He might have been heading towards the courtyard. He—"
Before Brendan could finish, Alaina was already on her way out, stomping back up the stairs. She needed to get to him before Ellie became caught up in anything more than the hallway slander. She wouldn't let her advice put her friend in an uncomfortable position, she saved her from Damon once, and she'd do it again.