"Long time no see," the voice that has always been hidden behind the cloth of innocence and reliability was no longer afraid to expose its colors; arrogance built underneath the lies.
"Cassandra," I spoke without emotion yet a touch of irritation has managed to slip through when addressing her name. She was no friend, but an enemy kept close, however at this very moment she was no use to me at all, only an obstacle I didn't want to face. "Visiting?"
Her dark blonde brow arched at the question. "Yes, came all the way down for some sightseeing," the snarky attitude was like a cherry on top, she didn't hide any longer. "What do you think?" her eyes rolled.
"Came to spy on Washu even on Earth? Damn Cassandra, I knew you were admins pet, but that's messed up, even for you," I taunted.
Her face gained more color and jaw clenched. "You knew?" she asked slightly taken aback.
Not being able to keep it in much longer I allowed a chuckle to escape before giving her one pitiful expression she didn't appreciate. "Of course, I knew. You really thought I haven't?" The thought itself was enough to amuse me, even at this time.
As a frown has taken over her face, she mumbled unhappily, "Then why did you allow me to do it? Be this close with her?"
Shrugging, noticing how all my muscles were tensed up ready for a fight, I decided to relax. Cassandra's presence was a complication, but it didn't mean a thing. Explaining this to Washu without hurting her feelings was the only concern... How could I tell her that the only other friend she thought she ever had was in reality a setup?
"It would be suspicious if I've done anything, Washu has nothing to hide and so I allowed the admin to keep an eye on her. Also, as bad as it sounds, she really did think you were a friend, made her happy since I couldn't always be there," I explained truthfully, except for the fact that she has indeed had a secret to keep.
"No hard feelings," she pointed around. "Can you just give me an update on the mission so I can be gone before the morning? This atmosphere is suffocating and the smell makes me want to puke."
My lips parted and relief washed over me. "Oh... Oh!" I internally swore at myself for thinking the worse, this idiot was only sent for a quick update. "Right yes, it's been a bit, hasn't it? Well, okay. Tell the admin we have absolutely nothing and more time is needed, thanks."
Her eyes dilated at my words and an unappreciated gasp filled the cold evening air. "Excuse me, come again?"
Humming lowly, I repeated, "We have nothing. Come by in a year, thanks."
"Elina!" her raised voice made me smile.
"Yes?"
"This is serious, you can't get out of this one, you don't understand what is going on... This marriage has to take place!"
"Yes," I repeated calmly. "And as I said, more time. Don't expect me to magically find her, and since somehow Alifa has also gotten involved soon or later, she will be found. Now go back and tell the admin to chill while I do my job. Thanks, was awful to see you too."
"I fucking hate you," she spat under her breath as she paced away in frustration.
"Likewise," I answered into the air and sighed heavily once I knew she was gone. "Well, that was something..." I muttered to myself before checking the phone.
Washu messaged saying she was going to stay at June's for a night.
"Too much," I grumbled to myself.
Everything was getting more complicated and I could feel my control slipping away. Not yet, I could not lose it yet. At least Cassandra wasn't here to stay, that being my initial thought, it was reassuring to know she only came for an update, however, this meant that the admin was growing impatient.
Keith was still here, Alifa was involved, I was a princess of whatever planet, and June was who we were looking for... A mess is what I called our current position, something to be strategically thought through, because if I really planned on going against the admin and not giving them what they wanted then I had to gain an advantage. Question how however remained.
Cassandra wasn't wrong about one thing; Earth was suffocating even after an initial couple of days. The overwhelming pressure and rush being a type of pollution humans were never going to be able to clear up, because that would require growth beyond their greed and the system they've accommodated into their lives.
In search of peace, the same one I've experienced during my first night on this planet I headed towards the park and its hill where my eyes for the first time have set on someone that at the time, I did not know would forever engrave themselves on my cold heart, not to mention without permission asked beforehandâhow rude.
Tonight, she wasn't here. The view of the city in front was light up by the stars yet it felt empty and dark without her watching the beauty of what it had to offer during this time. Taking a seat on the bench I allowed the breeze to caress my cheeks, refreshing air soothing my worries and reassuring me with its presence.
"Nahla," her name rolled off my tongue with grace I never thought I had, but her name was too beautiful to be spoken otherwise. "Nahla..." I called once again, yet this time towards the sky.
I wished to see her, to calm myself down, but I wasn't certain if I could face her knowing I was not going to stay, that there was one wish of hers that I could not make true. It painted me deeply, oddly enough I squeezed my chest uncertain of how to breathe with the current thoughts occupying my mind.
"It's destroying you from the inside," his voice unusually leveled without hostility hidden at its back, but rather a touch of concern.
Scoffing I didn't turn my gaze away from the sky. "Many things do, go away Keith," my own answer surprised me.
Once he hasn't commented, I curiously looked to the side taken aback by his shaggy look. No more neat hair or sharp eyes, but tiredness and exhaustion complemented by a messy appearance.
"Earth not being kind? Well good, you don't deserve it."
He chuckled at that and shook his head, "Wouldn't you know that? Aren't you the tired one, Elina?"
Frowning, I did not understand what he meant. "I'm doing just fine," I retorted.
His long hum irritated me, deciding to pull out the phone I looked at myself in the camera. My heart paused for a second at the sight of someone who while familiar has been a stranger; messy hair, swollen eyes, and dry lips.
"You can't control everything, never forget that, Elina. If we do what the admin says, we will be safe and things will go back to normal, this feeling in your heart will pass, it's only temporarily as long as you are feeding the flame. Enough is enough, who are you right now? You look almost..."
"...human," I finished for him, I looked human. Tired, concerned, maybe even scared? Overpowered by feelings and emotions in my heart, and overwhelmed by choices I had to make.
Clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth I turned the phone off and this time didn't look at the sky, but the ground; dirty, damp ground. "Would it really be so bad?"
"Feelings will destroy you. The process has already begun, you aren't yourself."
"And who was I to begin with?" I snapped with an aching heart. "A tool? I rather suffer and push through this life on my own record rather than follow the orders that will take away my soul. I am only beginning to learn of what kind of person I could become, this place is giving me a choice, something Pentagon has never heard of."
"We always have a choice Elina, don't fool yourself. Pentagon was offering life or death, you decided to live and follow, don't look for excuses, instead of for once face reality. Who am I?"
Our eyes connected in a challenging stare but quickly softened forming into confusion. "Who are you?" I repeated not understanding the question.
His deep sigh has made me feel as if I wasn't aware of something obvious, yet he didn't carry on, instead turned around and added before his departure. "Once you figure that out, we shall face it together."
Keith was a monster that's who he was, there was nothing needing to be figured out. Annoyed by his entire being I decided to head back to the dorm, yet paused in my steps when faced with the woman from the bar, or more specifically a member of Alifa.
"What's up with everyone randomly showing up tonight," I grumbled hiding the uneasiness her sudden appearance has brought.
"Bad temper must be a part of our blood," she responded with a smirk. "Listen up princess," the nickname caught my attention. "I can't explain or tell you anything," she rolled her eyes unhappily. "I would get killed, but..." taking out a piece of paper she handed it to me. "I feel somewhat obliged to give you a chance to find out more about yourself, while I cannot do that, this person will."
Accepting her offer I scanned the address written on the note.
"Just consider it thoroughly, because once we find out the truth, we often cannot go back to what and where we were before it. Never forget kid, it's at your own account."
Carefully placing it in the back pocket of my black jeans I looked into her blue eyes for as long as she allowed, before her neatly brushed blonde hair moved along with her turning body.
"Don't die, as long as some of us are still walking and breathing its a proof enough that the intergalactic military will never fully succeed. If there is at least one pair of eyes that saw the truth or a single soul that survived, they never will."
I might have been confused, but I wasn't blind, we were from the same planet and blood. A chance to find out the truth, the only thing I was always ready to do against the admin orders, resting in the palm of my hand. So what was I afraid of?
"I swear one more person showing up and I'm done," I muttered to myself as I walked towards the dorm, dropping onto the bed the second I saw it. Taking out the address I looked at it for a bit longer before allowing the tiredness to take over and put me into much deserved rest.
Just like the hectic evening, the morning wasn't fun either. Washu kept closely to June's side as if someone was going to snatch her at any given time, this behavior being the reason I have not mentioned Cassandras' visitation. June wasn't herself either, she appeared lost in thought, concerned, and maybe scared, it must have hit her hard that the little paradise she created on Earth wasn't completely safe.
"So..." I began unsurely seeing none of us wished to speak about what happened. "You are a princess too huh, cool."
Washu shot me a scolding glare and mouthed 'seriously' to which I only shrugged.
"It's just weird to see her like this," I pointed at the raven-headed girl. "I rather deal with her shitty attitude than depressed ass."
"Elina!" Washu warned and I raised my hands in defense.
"Did you tell her?" I asked with raised brows, while the corner of my eye kept on stealing glances at Nahla sitting on the other side of the cafeteria.
This question finally made June snap out of whatever she was thinking about and look at Washu with a frown. "Tell me what?"
My friend groaned and gave me one angry look, which I considered to be cute.
"Tell me what, puppy?" she repeated this time being back to her old self.
"Much better," I grinned.
Washu mumbled something before letting a quiet, "Nothing." She then looked at me in disbelief and continued, "Elina are you serious?"
Sighing there was no reason to hide it. "Let's just tell her, it's going to get messy from now on. We need to be on the same page."
"And again," June sought an explanation. "Tell me what exactly?"
"If I told you," I began against Washu's warning glare. "That we are here on the Pentagon's orders to find an Azgardian Princess. How would you react?"
June's dark long lashes fluttered anxiously before her lips parted and bright blue eyes snapped at the horrified brunette. "Excuse me, what?" She completely ignored me; bummer.
"June listen... We didn't know it was you until yesterday, I swear," Washu began to explain.
"Spare the drama, irrelevant," I allowed myself to save my friend.
"How is that irrelevant!" June sneered angrily.
Noticing Nahla looking back at me I chewed against my bottom lip wishing to be next to her instead of in the middle of this mess. "Because," I began calmly. "We won't let them take you, we are on the same side, so let's not waste time on this and figure out how we can escape Pentagon and your father once and for all."
"Wait," my friend interrupted. "Serious?"
Giving her a sincere look, I nodded, "Serious." Her wide smile was the only reassurance I needed in believing that this was indeed the right choice.
"We will figure it out, and till then..." my eyes noticed how their pinkies were tied together. "Both of you be extra careful, make sure to maintain your schedule, nothing out of ordinary. I believe Alifa won't interfere further, they most likely only did this under pressure from intergalactic forces, but it's better to remain cautious."
"Thanks..." June muttered; she clearly wasn't the type to do so.
Shrugging I answered truthfully with a slight warning, "I'm doing it because of Washu, breaking her big heart wouldn't be right, so you better be careful with it."
"Elina!" my friend groaned embarrassed, her reddish cheeks adorable, evoking an uninvited smile to spread on my lips.
My attention however was quickly stolen by the woman in a wheelchair attempting to pick up a box.
"That will be my queue to go, I will catch you two later." With that said I headed towards Nahla, whose sandy irises softly found their way towards mine as I stood by her side with a warm smile that only she deserved to receive. "Need help?" I asked but didn't wait, already taking the box filled with folders from her table.
"Elina..." she whispered my name as if it would hurt to say it louder. "Oh! No, please," she snapped herself back. "It's okay I can do this... A colleague asked me to sort them out."
Blinking a couple of times confused, have I done something wrong? "Okay? Let me help."
She seemed uncertain but with a shy nod allowed me to carry the box into her classroom.
"So... how have you been?" her hesitation hurt me deeply, she wasn't comfortable.
"Good," I answered shortly but noticed how it made her flinch and continued. "How about you?"
"I'm... Good, I suppose."
Twitching my ears she was lying through her teeth. Leaving the box on the desk, I approached her from behind and carefully rested my forehead against her shoulder.
"Sweetheart?" she worried out loud.
Humming, nuzzling myself into her she began to caress my hair with her hand.
"I miss you..." she whispered with her beautiful warm voice. "I'm sorry If I offended you that time or said something wrong..." she continued clearly needing to explain.
"You haven't, I justâ" biting my own tongue and preventing myself from speaking further I pulled away and looked into her round puppy eyes. "Don't miss me... please," I told her with a heavy heart.
A sudden light chuckle was something I didn't expect at this moment. Her hand pointed for me to lean down and so without the need to ask I've done just that.
My lips parted ever so slightly when her hand rested against my cheek and my thumb began to draw small circles.
"It can't be helped my dear, it's not within my control."
Leaning into her touch I closed my eyes and hummed, it was comfort and safety, it was everything I ever wanted. Right here in front of me, yet I couldn't reach it. Ah, how infuriating.
"For the first time, it's not within mine either..."
Because falling for someone was never a choice, it happened without a warning, without any regard or consideration, because it didn't care for circumstances. Whatever the stars have written out, I was grateful for the chance to look into her eyes and allow myself to get lost for once without the fear of getting hurt.
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