Through the Gap in the Curtains

Cross That Bridge

"So how are you and Fitz doing? Good, I take it, from that spectacular show you put on back there." Biana smirked.

"Yeah... that was... anyways, we're doing great! I hope he proposes soon." she giggled. "How are you and Keefe?" Sophie immediately regretted this question, as Biana's face fell immediately after she said his name. "Oh. What happened?" she asked, after Biana failed to reply.

"Sophie... you might want to brace yourself for this..." Biana began.

Sophie nodded. What was the worst that it could be? Then again, that was the kind of thing that people said right before they died, or received news like... death.

"Okay. What?" she asked, feeling the dread of anticipation writhing in her stomach.
"Last night... last night Keefe came out to me as gay." Biana said, biting her lip. "He's been cheating on me with Tam Song. You know, the one who came here from Exillium recently."

Sophie sat down in the dark grass. "Wow. Wow. Okay. I just... wow. Keefe? Really?"

Biana sat down beside her. "I know. It's confusing."

They sat together on the top of the low hill, watching what little was left of the sun drop behind the ethereal trees, thoughts running in circles inside her head. Tam Song? Who was he? Had Keefe ever had a crush on her like Fitz had once said? Was anything real? And his parents... poor Keefe. They were so traditional, and he must have been so afraid when he found out who he really was. He couldn't live inside a closet forever. And poor Biana... her relationship just crushed. She didn't know what to say. So she tried to be open.

"I guess I can live with that. I'm sorry that you and Keefe broke up."

BIana sighed. "Yeah. I guess it's fine. Is there anything that you want to talk about? I guess that I'm not really ready to think about myself I guess. Let's just talk about you."

Sophie closed her eyes, trying to push down the memories, and failed miserably. "Dex..." she trailed off. She didn't even want to think about what had happened.

"What is it? I'm here for you." Biana patted her knee comfortingly.

"Dex tried to kill himself." Sophie whispered.

"What?" Biana shrieked. "I mean, I knew that he was disappointed about the whole Matchmaking thing, but I never thought... Why?"

"He told me that Iva turned him down. He has nobody." Sophie sighed. "It was this afternoon. He tried to throw himself off the Cliffside Pasture, the one where I usually teleport from. I saved him at the last second, but it was so, so close..."

Biana covered her face with her hands. "Oh. Oh, no. Is he okay now?"

Sophie shook her head. "No. Yes. I don't know. I think so, but..." she couldn't finish. The thought that he might try again was too much for her to handle.

"Is there anything I could do? Did you tell his parents?" Biana asked, concerned.

"Oh, no... I forgot! What am I supposed to do?" she started to cry, huge, shaking sobs. "I can't do anything right."

"Shhhh..." Biana rubbed her back in circles. "You saved his life. That's all you needed to do. And you did it, and someday he'll be thankful."

"But he's so alone... he needs someone, Biana. The rest of us are all matched up, or were, until now, but he's all alone. I can't do anything about that."

"No... but I can. Let me do this. Do you think ex likes me?" she asked.

Sophie nodded. "Do you remember the time he gave you that ring for midterms? He was beet red. Of course he does."

Biana smiled. "Good. I like him too. This might just work out."

"Really? That's perfect! You should go over there sometime tomorrow. Not to propose to him or something drastic like that, but to talk. He needs someone to be there for him." she pulled up a handful of grass and threw it away, done with crying now.

Biana nodded. "Yeah. That's a good idea. I'll do that. Thanks, Sophie." she smiled. "It's getting late. You should tell Grady and Edaline that you're alright. Do you want to sleep over?"

Sophie nodded, and pulled out her Imparter. Thumbs flying, she told Grady that she would be staying the night at the Vackers' and not to worry. She glanced up. "Sure. That sounds great."

"Yay! I can do your makeup!" Biana squealed, and groaning, Sophie was dragged into the house.

In Biana's overly sparkly room, Sophie sat down on the bed as Biana rushed around, grabbing brushes and compacts and something that looked like a torture device.

"Let's do something sparkly and fun, but with natural colours," Biana called across the room.

Sophie rolled her eyes, but smiled slightly. It was good to see Biana happy. These days, it was good to see anyone happy. These dark, lonely days.

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Biana woke up, and blinked sluggishly. Shaking her head, her vision cleared, and she saw Sophie, still snoring in a pile of blankets on her floor, her hair still in curls from last night's makeover session. She laughed softly at the small puddle of drool that was forming from Sophie's open mouth, and slid out of bed, stepping over the slumbering blonde.

She washed off her makeup from the day before, and dressed casual but still fashionable, in black leggings, red boots, and her favorite red tunic with black buttons. Quickly scribbling on a piece of paper, Biana told Sophie that she had gone to see Dex and not to worry if she wasn't there when she woke up.

Her boots clacking softly of the marble floors, Biana walked out of the marble mansion and into the dawn light. The glowing gates opened with barely a whisper. Biana raised her crystal to the dawn light and-

Something dark fell from above, knocking it out of her hand. Biana shrieked, but her scream was cut off by a jet of light, fired from the weapon that she knew was a melder. She writhed on the ground, helpless in her agony.

"Shoot her again and tie her up," a growling voice said from above. Biana tried to find the source, because the voice seemed familiar, but she couldn't turn her head.

The light came again, and gasping for air, Biana sank into oblivion. The last words she heard were "Take her to Nightfall."