Worst Cupid Ever

Bellamy and Jules

Ada had read about it. When a couple begins to fall in love, the first flare appears and then begins to grow as time passes. Part of a cupid's job was to capture the flare in a jar and nurture it by working on the match. The aim was to ensure the flare grows until it becomes too large for the jar and has to be released. When that happens, a cupid job was done. So far, she had had zilch flare experience. Teddy always shared sparkling tales of that first moment when it appears and the finale when it's released to flourish on its own.

You never get used to it, Ada. I am certain you will experience it one day. Hang in there. Don't give up.

"I don't know how Luke found out." Haruto's smile slipped as his arms dropped to his belly. "Bellamy and Jules were at the cafe where they first met, laughing and talking and being in love. Then Luke showed up. It was like... you know when a human with no experience with plumbing thinks slapping duct tape over a leak will solve the problem but it solves nothing; kinda pushes the problem to another day... oh boy, I am terrible at analogies."

Ada chuckled. "Your analogies aren't bad. You should hear Teddy tell a joke."

"If you say so," Haruto said with another sad smile. "The consequence of my bad decision finally caught up with me. Luke showed up with this weird device I've never seen and he... I guess he used it on Bellamy. That was all it took to send my house of cards crumbling. Bellamy remembered and—" Haruto exhaled a shaky breath and dragged a palm down his face. "The rifters came immediately—just appeared out of thin air. When they are about to do a hardcore breakup, they come with scissors and snip the bond. Now that I am a rifter, I can see the thread that joins couples. Then I couldn't. When they snipped the bond, the flare in the jar died. Saddest thing I've ever seen.

"Luke didn't talk to me—didn't even acknowledge my presence—instead he turned to the rifters on site and said, 'It seems Haruto would be of better service as a rifter. You can have him.' Then he was gone. It happened so fast that I didn't have the chance to plead. Yes, it was stupid of me to tamper with Bellamy's mind but it has been fourteen years already. Fourteen years of feeling sorry for my stupidity. Fourteen years of pretending everything would be fine if I can just perfect my ability to roll with the punches. But on some days, the reality of my circumstances drags me into this... this pit of despair. I see years and years stretched before me. Years of being a rifter, of feeling lost. Years of paying for my wrong. It never ends, Ada. It never ends and I—" He sucked in a long breath and shook his head. "Ah, what's the point?" He turned and sent a soft smile her way like he hadn't just wrecked Ada with his confession. "You got any doughnuts in there?"

"Um..." Ada sniffed and wiped her eyes.

"Now I've made you cry." His smile dropped as he faced the sky once more. "Don't cry for me, Ada. Make your match work. Don't get dropped. I would hate for this match to be the first I successfully rift."

Drawing herself to a sitting position, Ada retrieved her bag and searched for lunch. She usually visited Cupid posts once in three days to restock mission supplies and food. She still had a box of doughnuts, some bags of chips, and apple pie.

Soon they were facing the tail of the jet, doughnuts between them as they listened to soft music drifting from her small speaker. Two doughnuts in and an idea struck her. "Whoa!" It was like fireworks went off in her head. "I just had the sickest idea."

Haruto paused, glazed doughnut halfway to his mouth. "Okay?"

"How about I take you to speak with the Helmets in my division?" Ada faced him fully, folding her legs and bouncing with excitement. She could picture it already. If she could get Haruto to share what happened with Maya—

"Thanks, but no thanks," Haruto said immediately then resumed eating.

"B-but you don't know the Helmets of my division. They are kind and loving and I think they will—"

"I am a rifter." Haruto cut in, tone flat and eyes resolute. "I know what I am. Do not try to save me. The worst thing I can do to myself is hope only to get it dashed again."

"Again?" Ada frowned. "What do you mean? Have you tried..."

"Before Luke advised them to take my wings, I begged the head of the rifters for a favour. His name is Amil. Contrary to what non-rifters may think, Amil is quite considerate, even more considerate than Luke. He gave me a chance to visit the Northern Division to plead my case with the Helmets. But they were already waiting for me at the gate and didn't even let me go in. Told me something about my Grace Meter running out. This time when Luke sent me back, he made sure I'd have no wings to attempt a second visit."

"No." Ada raised a hand to her mouth.

"Don't look so horrified." Haruto dusted sugar off his fingertips. "That happened years ago. I've since gotten used to having no wings."

"I—" She didn't know what to say.

"Trying is what took my wings from me. I appreciate your concern, but you must understand that the thought of standing before Helmets to plead my case after years of being a rifter is the last thing I want."

Ada's shoulders sagged. "Okay."

"I have to go." He patted her shoulder twice. "Thanks for the doughnuts, they were delicious."

Then he vanished.

A thick cloud of soul-crushing gloom descended on Ada. Why did she still feel like she must do something to help Haruto? With a thought, she summoned her wings, the wide canopy of it spreading behind her. After giving them a test flap, she wrapped them around her body, a cocoon of soft feathers and lavender.

"I know I say I hate you guys but I'm only kidding, okay?" Ada whispered as she hugged her legs to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees. "You are so big and awkward and your colour..." She observed the light pink shade and for the first time decided to look at it without comparing it to the pure white of other cupids. "Cute. Your shade is cute. And even when you shed, you are still lovely. I don't want to lose you.

"Please, One Up High," Ada shut her eyes and hugged her legs tighter, "please do not let them take my wings from me 'cause I know if I get dropped I'd never stay away from the division or Teddy. Make Raymond love Genevieve. I think I am doing my best but you know when you know you are not that good at something but you try your best and hope that your best would be enough but it seems like it wouldn't be. I—just...please, let this match work."

When the sadness grew overwhelming, Ada stood. She needed an escape. Maybe she should meet the Helmets. See their faces and hug them and remind them that they love her. Because, crazy as it sounds, she was beginning to panic. Maybe they do not really love her. Even if they do love her, maybe their love would not be big enough to protect her from Luke.

"But if I don't fail this match there will be no Luke, right? My wings will remain with me," Ada mumbled. She had to visit the division. Retrieving her logger, she sent a quick message to Teddy before tucking it beneath her shirt.

Drawing in a long breath, she twisted her neck from side to side, secured her curly hair in a bun, and ran down the length of the jet. When she dived down, she spread her wings and flapped them once before shooting for the Division.

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I feel like doing that mushy thing where I say something like: This chapter is dedicated to everybody who has been talked down on and made to feel like they can never say "I am sorry" enough.

But I wouldn't do that. Just know I am throwing a humongous hot air balloon-sized love your way though. 💗 

How is the story so far? I am over 34k words in and I feel proud of my achievement.
Unto Nezzar. I have to do mental pull-ups and push-ups before I write chapters for that story. I'm obsessed with making it perfect... which it always falls short of. 😅

Do not forget to vote. 
Love y'all.