Quietly, I open the door and walk through the doorway of Bea’s room. The light of the fake moon and stars shine through the window at the end of the hall, illuminating the outline of a familiar figure. I headed down to meet up with her. She shows no sign of caring much about my arrival. I stare out the window with her, watching as the stars glisten and shine. Their beauty feels so artistic. Maybe magic can be considered its own type of art if it can produce beauty like this. That thought almost makes me smile.
“How strong are you Sasha?”
“Stronger than everyone here.”
“Could you make me strong too?” She turns her head to focus on me, her gaze curious.
“I’d get into worlds of trouble if I did that.” She says. “Still, I’m curious. What’s this about?”
“Someone died because I was weak. The people I’ve saved are becoming outnumbered by those I couldn’t. I…don’t wanna lose anyone else.” I feel her eyes staring me down.
“You wanna be strong? Alright, I’ll tell you how to be strong. Let’s start right now.” Her next words cut with heavy bluntness. “Understand that everyone you want to protect will die regardless.” I feel words catching in my throat. No…no, what do you mean? Are you serious?! Is this some twisted joke?! I wanna scream, but she leads the conversation before I get the chance. “Murder, illness, suicide, horrible accidents. People are fragile. They can die from almost anything. If you want to be strong, strong enough to protect people, then tell me you understand. That this reality is even comprehendible to you.”
“If I can’t…protect them…then what's the point of strength?” I mumble.
“Whatever you decide it is. All I ask is you make it something better than that.” Her words hang in the air with an unignorable truth. They make my brain wanna rot. So, was this all really pointless? All this worrying and hoping and caring, was it just a game because its all out of my control? I start to chuckle. “Hmm?” No. No, I absolutely refuse that. I shake my head and laugh a little more. “Break already? I thought you’d be more fun than that.” She sighs, turning her attention to the sky.
Stolen story; please report.
“The point of getting strong…it’s to prove you wrong, you cynical ass!” I make my declaration, straight to her. She turns to me once more, seeming surprised. Then, her lips curl into a smile.
“Christopher…you really are very interesting, aren’t you?”
…
Laying alone, Bea holds her bedsheet tightly.
“...what am I doing?” She whispers to nobody. The sounds of her own breathing are all that accompany her as she stares absentmindedly at her own wall. “Why did I kiss you? Why do I feel something when I hold you?” The questions aimlessly move through her brain. What a cruel joke, loving someone for the first time and having no clue why. “Still, please…come back…” She mumbled, her eyes closing once more.
Before she drifted off once again, she could swear she felt someone’s warmth wrap around her.
…
“Jesus.” Maria holds her head as Marissa gently rubs her back.
“It’s okay hun. You did what you could. You had no idea what was gonna happen.” Marissa softly speaks into Maria’s ear before kissing her cheek. “It’s alright hun.” She says every variation possible of this while herself trying to figure out how to possibly make her believe that. “Hey…do you remember the day we went out to watch over that college together?” She asks. Maria perks up.
“That wasn’t long ago…” Maria says.
“Besides the point. Do you remember me going to steal you a book only to come back to a fight already over, a dead guy, and a bloody you?” She asks.
“Y-yes…”
“I blamed myself, so-so badly. Do you remember what you told me?” Maria giggles a little as Marissa pulls her closer. “I can still kiss you, so it ain’t so bad~.” She gave Maria a gentle kiss on the lips before pulling her atop her. The two share a soft laugh. Marissa caresses Maria’s cheek. “As long as we have each other, we’ll be ok. You know that?” Maria slowly nods, giving into her fiancé's optimistic words. Together they stay, as the night reaches its climax.