By the time the school day ended, I was completely drained. Rehearsal had been exhausting, but worth it. The second half of the choreography still needed polishing, but it was starting to come together. Jade and I walked side by side into the parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over Brightforge's stone pathways.
I glanced around, scanning the lot instinctively, looking for him. But Riven was nowhere in sight. Neither was his motorcycle.
Something uncomfortable and sharp settled in my chest. I had actually looked forward to meeting him. Had actually let myself expect something.
And now? I felt stupid.
Of course, he wasn't here. Why would he be? I told myself I didn't care. That it didn't matter. That I was used to this. Didn't stop the hollow ache spreading through me anyway.
Jade nudged me lightly. "You good?"
I blinked, forcing my face into something neutral. "Yeah. Just tired."
She watched me for a second, eyes flicking over my expression like she knew better but decided not to call me out on it.
"Ezzy's heading straight home," she said instead, stretching her arms over her head. "I was thinking of doing the same. Unless you have other plans?"
I forced a smirk. "No plans." Not anymore.
Jade smirked right back, tilting her head slightly. "You sure about that?"
I rolled my eyes. "Goodbye, Jade."
She laughed, throwing up a mock salute before heading toward her ride. The parking lot slowly emptied, voices blending into the low hum of the evening. I stood there a moment longer, adjusting my bag over my shoulder, trying to ignore the sinking weight in my stomach.
I should have known better. I should have never let myself expect anything.
I slung my bag tighter over my shoulder, stepping out of Brightforge's gates into the fading afternoon sunlight. Today's frustrations clung to me, like shadows I couldn't shake no matter how hard I tried. I needed something familiar, something comforting, to push away the sting of disappointment. Like a pastry from Moonstone Café.
The thought alone was enough to draw a faint smile from me. Hidden in the bustling heart of North Lowmere, Moonstone was my sanctuary, famous for its pastries dusted in shimmering edible gold, and iced tea infused with a mystical whisper of starlit serenity. Exactly what I needed right now.
As I moved downtown, North Lowmere's streets bustled with life, laughter spilling from café patios, students clustered together in animated conversation, basking in the day's freedom. Classmates waved to me as I passed; I returned their greetings, managing to feel slightly lighter with every step.
I turned the corner onto the café's street, gaze lifting toward Moonstone's ivy-covered façade, and froze, my breath hitching in my chest.
The familiar motorcycle gleamed sharply beneath the late afternoon sun, unmistakably Riven's.
He stood leaning against it, his posture as effortlessly confident as always, perfectly unbothered, as if nothing in the world could ever touch him. My heart thumped uncomfortably hard, and for a brief, stupid moment, I wondered if he'd been waiting here to meet me like he'd said in his stupid note.
But I quickly crushed that thought when I saw that he was not alone.
A girl stood before him, her long hair cascading like dark silk down her shoulders. She was undeniably beautiful, willowy and confident, the kind of person who walked through life as though the world belonged to her.
A pang of discomfort twisted sharply in my stomach as I took in the way she leaned closer, her fingers delicately brushing the sleeve of Riven's jacket.
They spoke quietly, their voices low enough that I couldn't catch a single word, but the way he looked at her spoke volumes. She tilted her head back slightly, laughing softly, and placed a delicate hand on the sleeve of his jacket, tracing patterns that felt intimate. Too intimate.
Something sharp twisted inside me.
"So much for wanting to meet after school to talk," I whispered bitterly to myself, voice cracking slightly under the weight of humiliation.
He'd made me believe there was something worth discussing, worth salvaging between us. His stupid note, the carefully sketched drawing he'd left for me, had planted a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was something more beneath his carefully constructed facade.
My heart sank lower as the girl moved closer, her hand rising gently to cup his face. A quiet gasp escaped me, raw and painfully involuntary.
Riven didn't move. Didn't push her away.
He simply stood there, perfectly still, his storm-gray eyes fixed unwaveringly on hers, silent, accepting.
My throat burned, tears threatening at the corners of my eyes. I bit my lip, forcing them back. How foolish could I be? How had I let myself believe, even for a second, that Riven of all people would see me differently than everyone else?
I turned abruptly, the pastries forgotten, hunger lost to a new bitterness that burned sharply beneath my skin. Each hurried step carried me farther away, the town's streets blurring past me in a haze of pain and disbelief.
Why did I even care? I wasn't his. He wasn't mine. But it didn't matter. Because the ache in my chest, the raw sting of betrayal was real. Too real.
Hot tears spilled silently down my cheeks, but I wiped them fiercely away, humiliated by my own weakness.
"Stupid," I muttered harshly, voice shaking. "His stupid note, his stupid drawing."
I dug into my pocket, fingers grazing the now-crumpled sketch he'd left me, the moment of strength he'd captured in lines and shadows, the messy handwriting I'd foolishly read over and over.
Never got the chance to tell you what a badass you are.
It was nothing but a cruel joke. A meaningless sentiment scribbled down on a whim.
I crushed the paper tighter in my fist, ready to discard it right there, on the streets of North Lowmere, but something stopped me. Instead, I shoved it roughly back into my pocket, unwilling or unable to part with it, even now.
Betrayal churned within me, sharp and fierce, gnawing at my heart with every painful beat.
This was exactly why I'd always kept my guard up. Because the truth was simple:
Trusting people led to pain. And Riven had just reminded me exactly why.
In my haste to escape Riven and the humiliation still burning fiercely under my skin, I didn't notice someone stepping out from the right until I collided straight into them. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I stumbled backward, words of apology ready to spill out, until I realized exactly who I'd just crashed into.
Lara.
My heart stilled in my chest, pulse hammering loudly against my temples. Lara blinked in surprise, eyes widening slightly before quickly masking whatever emotion flickered across her face.
What kind of twisted game was fate playing with me today?
My gaze narrowed, suspicion sharpening every nerve in my body. Lara never came to North Lowmere on her own, not without me. Never without a reason. And there was only one logical conclusion that pierced me with cold, unforgiving clarity: Cole.
She had to have been in another secret meeting with him. Another hidden rendez-vous, carefully concealed in the heart of Northern Lowmere. My stomach twisted violently, betrayal pressing sharply against my ribs as I connected the dots. If Lara was here, if this was their meeting place, it meant Cole had been hiding in plain sight this entire time, tucked quietly away within Lowmere's busy streets, lurking just beneath everyone's noses.
A shiver, sharp and icy, ran down my spine. Anger and disbelief warred within me as I stared back at Lara. I didn't bother hiding the accusation in my eyes, the cold realization that sliced me deeper than any blade could.
"Athena," Lara began carefully, voice hesitant.
I didn't reply. I didn't give her another moment of my time. Without sparing her a second glance, I turned sharply on my heel and resumed walking, quickening my pace, each step an effort to leave the sting of betrayal behind.
But I could feel Lara trailing behind me, persistent as ever, her footsteps steady in pursuit. Each step she took seemed to amplify the tension coiling tighter in my chest. Why wouldn't she just leave me alone?
We crossed the stone bridge leading out of Lowmere toward the glittering streets of Lysoria, and still she followed, silent yet unmistakably there.
Finally, halfway across the bridge, she sighed loudly and called my name again. "Athena, wait--"
I didn't respond. I didn't owe her a single word. Not now, not after everything else I'd been forced to endure today. I was done with lies. Done with secrets. Done with bullshit.
Pulling out my iPod, I angrily plugged my earbuds in, hitting play on a random song and blasting it at full volume. I didn't even register the lyrics, just needing the music to drown out Lara's voice, her excuses, her attempts at explanations.
To spite her, I pushed my exhausted body even faster, ignoring the sharp burn in my calves and the aching protest of my muscles. My legs screamed for mercy, but I refused to stop, channeling all the pain, frustration, and betrayal into each purposeful stride.
Today had pushed me beyond my breaking point, and I wasn't about to give Lara, or anyone else, the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.
My pace finally slowed when I turned down the familiar street leading to our house. The music continued pounding relentlessly through my earbuds, drowning out everything else, including the sharp ache tearing at my chest. I kept my gaze forward, stubbornly fixed on the house ahead, ignoring Lara's continued presence behind me.
But as I approached our driveway, I felt a sharp tug at my sleeve, forcing me to halt abruptly. My teeth clenched, muscles tightening defensively as I spun around.
"What?" I snapped, pulling out an earbud, irritation thick in my voice.
Lara stood facing me, eyes wide and pleading. "Athena, please. Can we just--"
"Can we just what?" I interrupted coldly, voice trembling despite my attempt to keep steady. "Pretend everything's fine? Pretend that today hasn't been one giant slap in the face?"
Lara flinched visibly, her expression flickering with guilt. "I'm not--"
"Don't even say it," I cut her off sharply. "I saw you, Lara. In North Lowmere. You never go there alone. Not without me. And we both know why you were there."
Lara's eyes darted away, and I saw the exact moment she decided to lie again. Her gaze flicked back to mine, her expression smoothing into one of careful neutrality. "I was just exploring. Can't I go out on my own sometimes?"
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, harsh and mocking. "Oh, right. Just exploring exactly where Cole happens to be hiding? What a coincidence."
She stilled, panic momentarily flashing across her features. But she recovered swiftly, masking it behind her usual composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're unbelievable." I stepped closer, lowering my voice to a fierce whisper. "I'm not stupid, Lara. Do you really think I don't know you? You're lying right to my face."
Her jaw tightened, her voice quiet but sharp. "Maybe I have reasons--"
"You always have reasons," I spat back, my voice shaking with hurt and anger. "But you never think about the people you hurt along the way. Like now, cozying up with the damn Noctari King himself, without knowing shit about how he's just using you for whatever fucked-up plan he's got."
Lara's eyes flared with fury, defensiveness rolling off her in waves. She took a sharp step forward, her voice dangerously low. "Cole is not the Noctari King, Athena. You don't even know him."
"Oh, right," I shot back bitterly, laughter hollow and harsh. "Because you know him so well, don't you? Secret meetings, lies, hiding things, you're so caught up you can't even see the truth staring you in the face!"
Her fists clenched at her sides, anger crackling visibly around her fingertips, energy rippling dangerously through the air. Her eyes darkened, and for a terrifying instant, it seemed like she might actually snap.
"What?" I challenged sharply, daring her to take another step. My voice came out raw, trembling with barely contained rage and pain. "You're going to blow out my brains with your magic this time?"
She froze, all the anger draining from her face instantly, replaced by raw, stunned hurt. Lara recoiled as if I'd physically struck her, eyes wide and wounded. Her lips parted, words forming but never leaving her mouth, as if the reality of what had almost happened between us before was finally sinking in.
Good. I wanted it to hurt. I wanted her to feel just how deeply she'd betrayed me, just how close she'd already come to crossing a line there was no coming back from.
My chest heaved, my heart thundering painfully. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I blinked them back furiously, refusing to let them fall in front of her.
"Yeah," I whispered hoarsely, voice thick with emotion, turning away from her again, "didn't think so."
Without another word, I strode toward the house, leaving Lara standing there alone, silent and shaken in the fading light.
I stormed through the front door, slamming it shut with a force that echoed my anger. Leaning against it, I fought to steady my breathing, my pulse still racing from the confrontation outside.
Dragging myself upstairs, I barely made it to my room before collapsing onto the edge of my bed. The day's betrayals clung to me, sharp and unrelenting. With trembling fingers, I pulled out Riven's crumpled sketch, smoothing it out against my knee. His words mocked me, each stroke of the drawing a bitter reminder of my own foolishness.
A knock at the door jolted me. "Go away, Lara."
But instead of retreating, the door opened gently, and Lara stood framed in the doorway, expression cautious, eyes red-rimmed and glistening.
"Please," she whispered softly, "just hear me out."
My jaw tightened, pulse racing, anger simmering again beneath the surface. "I think we're beyond explanations now."
Lara stepped carefully into the room, hands raised in surrender, her posture tense yet pleading. "Athena, please. Just listen."
"I have nothing left to say to you." My voice was icy, even as tears gathered, hot and furious at the corners of my eyes.
She shook her head slowly, taking another step toward me. "You don't understand--"
"Oh, I understand perfectly," I shot back, voice rising sharply. "You chose Cole over me. You chose to lie to my face. You chose him, Lara. You chose a guy you barely know, who's fucking dangerous, and who's fucking using you."
"It's not like that!" she protested desperately, eyes pleading. "You think you know everything, Athena, but you don't. You have no idea how complicated this is--"
"Complicated?" I laughed bitterly, voice breaking. "Is that your excuse for almost hurting me? For almost losing control? For trusting someone who's manipulating you?"
Lara looked away, shame evident in her posture, voice barely audible. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"But you did," I whispered, pain raw and unfiltered in my voice, tears finally breaking free and sliding down my cheeks. "More than anyone else ever could."
For a long, tense moment, we stared at each other in silence, the air between us thick with hurt and accusation. Then Lara slowly backed toward the door, her expression filled with regret.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice wavering, breaking with emotion. "I really am."
She turned, quietly closing the door behind her, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence.
And finally, with no strength left to hold back, I buried my face in my hands and allowed myself to break, sobbing quietly as the world fractured around me.
The next morning arrived too soon. Sunlight filtered through my windows, casting faint, pale patterns across the dark walls. I rolled over in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, exhaustion still heavy on my limbs.
Last night's emotional storm had settled, leaving behind only a numb emptiness in its wake. For a moment, I considered skipping school altogether, hiding away from Riven's betrayals, Lara's lies, and the tangled mess my life had become.
But I forced myself out of bed anyway, just going through the motions, as I dressed and grabbed my bag. I slipped quietly downstairs, welcoming the empty silence of the house.
Pulling out my phone, I quickly texted Ezzy to let her know I'd manage to get to school on my own. She was already exhausted from the double rehearsals she'd had to endure lately, and I didn't want to burden her further.
The walk to Brightforge felt different today, colder, lonelier. My pace slowed as I approached the school's entrance, dread knotting tightly in my stomach. Students brushed past me, laughing and chatting, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
Then, as if fate truly enjoyed tormenting me, I spotted Riven standing near the main entrance, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his gaze intense, scanning the crowd. For a heartbeat, our eyes met. My breath caught, anger and hurt twisting sharply within me. I quickly tore my gaze away, jaw tightening as I walked swiftly past him, determined not to show any sign of weakness.
"Athena, wait!" His voice reached me, edged with urgency.
But I didn't stop. Not today. Not again.
I kept walking, my steps quickening as I pushed through the crowd, refusing to look back. My heart hammered violently in my chest, each beat echoing painfully, reminding me of last night, of the girl, the betrayal, and my own foolish hope.
Today wasn't about him. Today was about rehearsals, about singing, dancing, and finding some measure of control in the chaos of my life.
I turned sharply down the corridor leading to the studio, relief washing over me when I spotted Jade and Quinn already waiting by the doors. Jade's eyes brightened as she saw me approach, but her smile faltered when she caught the look on my face.
"Hey, Athens," she said carefully. "You okay?"
I forced a smile, nodding briefly. "Fine. Just tired."
Jade didn't look convinced, but Quinn mercifully chimed in. "Well, shake yourself awake because today's gonna be intense. Evira wants more energy in the choreography, and your vocals need to match. We've got work to do."
I managed a weak laugh. "Intensity, I can handle."
We headed into the studio, its familiar warmth and steady rhythm comforting despite everything. Music filled the room, wrapping around me as Quinn adjusted her microphone and Ms. Evira called us to position. I took my spot, feeling the polished floor beneath my feet and inhaling deeply, forcing away thoughts of Riven, of Lara, and of the raw ache they both had left behind.
Today, music would be my sanctuary, dance my shield, and nothing else mattered.
After nearly an hour of intense practice, Ms. Evira finally gave us a short break. I grabbed my water bottle, wiping sweat from my forehead as I approached Quinn, who was adjusting something by the sound system.
"Hey," I started quietly, leaning against the nearby speaker. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about. The other day, I heard this melody in my dreams and it just stuck in my head. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."
Quinn lifted her gaze, curiosity evident in her eyes. "Really? That sounds like inspiration struck hard."
I nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah, it did. I wrote lyrics to match it, and the melody feels…important somehow. I was hoping you'd help me record and produce it."
Quinn's smile widened, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you kidding? Absolutely. If it hit you that deeply, it's worth exploring." She reached out, squeezing my shoulder gently. "Let's hit the studio right after this."
When midday finally rolled around, we were released from rehearsals. I had to admit, I was satisfied with how things were progressing with our performance. Jade waved goodbye as she headed toward the stadiums to join Ezzy in watching the guys train, while Quinn and I quickly grabbed sandwiches from the dining hall and headed straight for the music studio.
As we stepped inside, a familiar sense of peace settled over me. The faint hum of magic in the air seemed to wrap around me, the glow of enchanted lights above the mixing console casting a soft warmth. The room felt alive, in a way, as though the space itself was tuned to the same rhythm I was trying to find in my music.
I pulled out my journal and flipped to the page where I'd written down the melody and lyrics. I handed it to Quinn, showing her the composition. "This is how I want it to feel," I explained. "Soft, haunting, but with a driving force. It's important that it's delicate, but not weak."
Quinn took the journal, studying it for a moment, then looked up at me with a grin. "Got it. Let's make it come to life."
We moved toward the recording booth, Quinn adjusting the microphone and the settings on the mixing console. I stood in front of the mic, feeling the weight of the moment. I could hear the melody clearly in my mind, the notes still fresh from my dream, and I knew exactly how it needed to sound.
"I'll just lay it down acapella first, let you hear the melody," I said, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes.
Quinn gave me an encouraging nod from behind the glass, giving me the space to center myself. With one more steadying breath, I began to sing. The notes flowed from my lips, soft and fragile, yet full of emotion. The melody felt like it had a life of its own, almost as though it was carrying me along with it. The room seemed to hold its breath as I finished, leaving a quiet but palpable energy in the air.
Quinn stepped into the booth after I finished, a smile spreading across her face. "Damn, Athens, that was powerful," she said softly, shaking her head in awe. "Wherever that came from, it's worth exploring."
I smiled back at Quinn, a quiet sense of relief washing over me. The piece had taken shape perfectly, just as I had hoped.
As we stepped out of the studio, a deep sense of satisfaction settled in. With the memory crystal in my hand, I knew I had captured something real, another piece of myself, ready to evolve into something greater.