I’d texted Fox that I hated him, and he’d only laughed it off. When I saw him in math, I was determined to give him a piece of my mind. I was thinking of everything I was going to say, repeating a winning conversation in my head, as I headed into drama class.

So distracted by my own thoughts, I didn’t notice Wells was already there, waiting for me. He rose from where he was sitting and tapped me on the shoulder. I nearly jumped, coming back to reality, and seeing him in front of me.

He was the same as always, “Sorry Wells, I didn’t notice you. Did you need something…?”

“You heard our conversation the other day, didn’t you?” It was like I’d had ice water poured on me.

I opened my mouth, then closed it, realizing there was no point in lying, “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to listen in. I didn’t hear much of your conversation either. I promise.”

“…It’s fine. Just tell anyone.” I nodded profusely, and he sighed. “Sorry about Kade.”

“What? Why?” I furrowed my brows, trying to think of any reason for the statement.

“He invited you to walk with us. It was awkward for you.” He didn’t even ask, although it’d been obvious.

I shrugged, breaking eye constant, “It’s fine. I don’t mind, really. I’m not used to talking to people in general. It would have been awkward no matter what.”

“If you say so.” He wandered back to the front, and I took my seat in the back of the stage. Automatically, I searched for Jen and her glare. She wasn’t here yet, thankfully, and I managed to take my place without fear.

It only lasted so long as the bell rang overhead and she walked in, just barely making it. She eyed how crowed it was up front, and decided to make a beeline towards where I was in the back. I tensed, wondering why she was doing this. Actors were always in the front, since they were the ones who needed to be under the instruction of the teacher at all times.

She plopped her stuff right next to me, and took her seat. She didn’t bother to even glance at me, but I stayed rigid the whole time. The teacher went through today’s exercises and what had gotten the most votes for the play. There some cheers along with some groans. She rattled off the audition times, and handed out scripts to everyone. Jen didn’t move to get one, despite one of the other kids nudging her.

“I have no interest in being a part of this play.”

“H-huh?” I hadn’t meant to react.

She spun to me, “Is that really so surprising? This is going to be a busy year with college applications and testing and essays. I don’t have time to play a major part this year.”

I hadn’t even stopped to consider college. The reminder struck me, and I wondered if there was even a point to start applications when they wouldn’t cross over into the next timeline. I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to college or go do something else. I had one more year to figure it out.

“Sorry.” She returned her attention up front, electing to spend the rest of the class right next to me. If I didn’t know better, she was trying to psyche me out for some reason. Did Abigail do something to upset her again?

It was only when it was time for actor groups that she broke away from me. I slumped in relief, free of whatever torment she’d been inflicting. The teacher came around to us, and told us what prompts to expect, and brainstorm what it was we’d like to do for them, along with costumes. She gave us our budget, and when we figured out everything, we’d need to run it by her for approval.

I hardly paid attention to everyone’s conversation. My thoughts were elsewhere again, and it took a lot of people calling my name before I managed to make myself focus.

Despite what she’d said, it looked like Jen was taking it seriously. Her eyes were skimming over the script, and she’d dragged one of the other actor girls in front of her so they could practice scenes together. Wells was also back in his transformed state, his expression vibrant and moving as he went through the script. Even with how little I knew about him, I could tell he could easily land the leading role.

I couldn’t help but think how the play wasn’t the only thing he’d gotten a lead part in.

//

“You and Abigail fought, didn’t you?” Nia was draped over her desk, eyes fixated on me. Her braids spilled over the wood, creating a curtain around it.

“It wasn’t a fight. It was just…” I fished for some kind of excuse.

Nia wasn’t having it, “Please Cinder. Whenever you guys fight, you’re always super obvious about it, even if Abigail acts the same as always.”

“It’s hard to talk about, when she doesn’t even acknowledge it. And like I said, it wasn’t a fight.” I wasn’t sure what to call what had happened.

That’s just Abigail for you.” She forced herself to sit up. “Maybe it’s because you’ve been so secretive lately. Normally you’re always spilling your guts to her.”

I knew I did, “And wasn’t that annoying for you guys?”

“Sometimes. But we didn’t really mind. I think it’s more concerning you’re suddenly starting to keep things to yourself.” She opened the book in front of her as the teacher’s eyes swept along the classroom. I always wondered how she’d managed to make herself look busy at just the right moment.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

My own book was open and forgotten in front of me, “She doesn’t tell me everything, either.”

“Ah yes. Abigail the hypocrite. Keeping things to herself and then getting mad when you do the same.” Despite the annoyance, there was a hint of affection there, too. I was sure I sounded the same.

Even if she hid things from me, she was also the one who was always defending me. It was hard to refute the fact she cared about us, although she could go about it in better ways, “Nia, there’s been a lot of personal things going on, and it’s made me realize I want to change.”

Her eyes widened a fraction, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips, “How so?”

“I don’t want to run away from things, for starters. But I also want…I want to handle things on my own. And if I tell Abigail about things, she’ll just go off on her own and try to handle things for me. I don’t want that. It’s nice she’s always been here for me, but I have to do things myself, too.” A whole bunch of pretty words, considering even talking to strangers had nearly caused me to crumble to dust.

As though sensing my thoughts, Nia said, “Hey, even if you’re not capable of that, at least you notice you’re faults enough to want to change. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll be here to cheer you on, alright?”

“I’ll do the same for you, too.”

I’d do the same for both of them.

//

“…I want to say I hate you, but I needed that.” Me and Fox had settled into our daily math routine. He looked vastly amused at my statement.

“Sorry for abandoning you. Truly. But like I said before, I can’t interact with any of the key players here.”

“So one of them is this ‘prince’ character then.”

“I see I’ve said too much.” Despite my annoyance, I did appreciate what he’d done. It took the entire day to accept I’d needed the push, and now that he was in front of me, I couldn’t be mad at him. He was just doing his job, too.

“It feels like, I’ve finally hit the start of this story.”

He underlined something on my page, and I frowned as I looked it over, “I’d suggest being careful from now on, then. Maybe it’ll be a quiet story, or maybe it’ll be something else entirely.”

If I was looking for the thread of a story, I felt like I was already putting the pieces together, “I think I’ll be able to handle it. At least, the story part of it. Not the…”

I couldn’t fathom the second part, in all honesty. Fox continued marking my paper, “Is it really that hard to comprehend?”

“I’m not the type of girl boys have crushes on.” It was an objective fact in my head. I looked like anyone. Abigail and Nia were the ones who were pretty and social and eye-catching. Part of it could be my bias as they were my friends, but I knew compared to them, it just wasn’t the same.

I hadn’t ever cared, but considering the circumstances, it felt like an important component in all of this. In all media, all leads were attractive and captivating and deserving of that spotlight. The beautiful princess fell in love with the dashing prince. An age old cliché.

“You’re too quiet for people to notice you, for sure.”

“That’s…” Not what I meant, but it only added to my point, if anything. “Is that why you pulled that stunt yesterday?”

“We already agreed it was the best option.” Despite our conversation, he was always focused on the task at hand. I wished I could mutli-task half as well as he could.

“Can you at least warn me next time?”

“Promise.”

I couldn’t say I believed him, but it did make me feel better. I just promised myself to expect whatever it was he wanted me to do, would always be related to a story. All he wanted from me was related to it, in the end.

//

“How long are you going to be awkward around me?” Abigail had arrived to my house unannounced once more. She sat on the floor of my bedroom, homework and textbooks in front of her. I sat on my bed, peering down as she asked.

I chewed my inner cheek, “Give me another week, maybe.”

“Cinder seriously?” She pouted up at me and I couldn’t help but smile.

We both knew I wouldn’t actually last that long, “Sorry, we know how I am. The most awkward person in the group, been this way since the 20th century.”

“When you say it like that, you make it seem the 20th century was lightyears ago.” She gave a fake shudder. “I’d say at least you’re back to normal, but I think you haven’t been normal for weeks now.”

“I’ve decided I want to change.”

She set her pencil down, and rested her head on her knees. Her hair spilled down, brushing against the floor, “What brought all this on?”

I shrugged, glancing away, “You know how I always am. I don’t want to be a coward forever.”

“Did Queen B get to you? You’re not pathetic or whatever—”

“No, no! It wasn’t her. I just don’t want to have to be the one who always needs defending or protecting. I want to be able to protect myself. Others as well.” I wanted to protect her. I didn’t have it in me to say it. She’d just brush off the statement if I did.

Abigail eyed me, before she reached a hand out and motioned for me to join her down below. I hesitated for a moment, before I climbed down, “As long as you don’t feel pressured about it, I believe in you.”

I was pressured, but I nodded, “Nia said the same.”

“Because even if you don’t see it in yourself, we do. It wouldn’t be the same without you there!” She mused my hair and I shouted a protest. Smacking her hand away, I dragged my own homework down so we could work together.

We sat side by side, working in silence. Despite just starting school again, I already felt like we were in the thick of it with how much homework we had. As I got to my math section, I remembered just how much Fox had written up all my assignments. His underlines and circles and teasing comments were scattered throughout all my notes and assignments.

Abigail paused, dissecting all the writing on my pages, “Oooh, someone found a tutor, did she?”

“Um, yeah. My seatmate agreed to help me since I’m pretty awful at pre-calc.” Could I mention Fox to her? Fox said he wasn’t allowed to show himself to other actors, but did Abigail still fall under that category after all this?

“Look at that, you’re already changing. Going out and making new friends.”

“Oh shush.” She was right. Her and Nia had all the friends, even though they spent most days with the three of us. For me, it was the two of them, always. I think with how hard I struggled talking to others made it obvious how true that was.

To my surprise, she didn’t press it. There were no further questions on this said seatmate, and she continued on. Everything went quiet, and my nerves slowly calmed. Whatever weirdness I’d felt was finally gone. For now.

//

The flower hadn’t wilted yet. I stared at it after Abigail had left for the evening. With how perfect it was, I wondered if it really was real. But when I stroked my fingers along the petals, I could feel the realness of it.

I’d finally fetched a vase for it and slipped it inside. It stared at me, the brightest thing on my desk standing out amongst all the pastels. I’d brought down the book and had it sitting in front of the vase. I hadn’t had the heart to open it, and so it stayed there. At some point maybe, I’d feel the need to read it. But for now I just set it on my desk, a reminder of what I’d spent the day promising myself.

It was time for me to change, and these items were my reminder of that.