| katalina |
"Welcome back, Luna," The principal walked past me as I rummaged through my locker and I forced a smile as I turned around.
"It's Katalina actually."
"What?"
"I had the city council send you a copy of my birth certificate to confirm my name," I said and he stared at me dumbfoundedly. "You know what, just call me whatever you want," I said with a fake smile as I shut my locker door and walked into the cafeteria.
People greeted me as I walked past and headed to our table. "Hey," I greeted Chase as I sat down and he momentarily looked up before looking down at his phone again. "Where are the others?" I asked and he shrugged.
I looked up as Athena walked towards us. I frowned as other people from different tables stared at her. She stayed unbothered as she walked towards us.
Despite her confidence, Athena was probably the most self-conscious person I knew.
I know she saw the people looking at her.
"Want me to consider being friends again?" She asked Chase and he looked up as he pulled out his earphones. "I need a textiles partner," She finished before walking out of the cafeteria. Chase got up and jogged after her. "Where'd they go?" Khloe asked she sat down.
"Design room," I answered as I put on my headphone and rested my head on the table. "Nobody told her what happened?" Khloe asked coldly as she sat down and I looked at her. "If she doesn't wanna talk to Chase, let her make that decision on her own."
"Oh no, I don't care if she wants to speak to him. I'm not letting him or his stupid girlfriend hurt Athena ever again," She said and my eyes locked onto Harley who was standing behind Khloe.
Khloe got up and looked at Harley briefly before walking past her. "Hey-" I said softly and Harley turned around and walked away.
| athena |
"So how was your summer really?" Chase asked as I measured his waist. I had a final project for design tech and I was almost finished with it.
I shrugged in response as I took his measurements. He shrugged off his school hoodie and his muscles brooded through his school shirt.
Not too much, but just enough.
I focused on my sewing but the other girls in the room weren't as focused.
"What can you do Chase?" One of the girls asked and he lit one hand on fire and the other created snow. "That's hot," Another said as she tugged slightly on his tie and I kept my eyes focused on my design as I swished my other hand and pulled Chase out of the girls' grasp.
"Hey! What the hell was that?" One of them protested as I kept my hold on him and faced them. "Do you have something to say?" I asked, my eyes glowing green and they didn't falter. Our abilities don't exactly scare people anymore, not that I see myself as superior because of what I can do.
I see myself as superior because I have more money.
"He's not your toy. Find another partner," I said as I realised Chase was floating around the room and I released him just above a chair and he fell onto it.
"You have a lot of nerve," A brunette girl scoffed as her eyes raked over my body and I raised my eyebrow.
"You've been here all summer, yet you managed to go three sizes up," She smirked and I kept my composure.
We're not allowed to hurt people.
"Don't say shit like that about her," Chase defended as he stood up and I motioned my finger downwards and he sat back on the chair. "Let it go, Chase," I said quietly as I walked back to my station.
"You're not actually gonna let them talk to you like that, are you?" He hissed as he approached me and I shrugged.
"She's not wrong," I muttered. "Dammit, Athena you jumped from a size 6 to a size 12. There's literally nothing wrong with that," He assured me and I focused on my work. "I'm not about to have girl talk with you," I muttered as I turned the machine on and sewed two pieces of fabric together.
I paused and my eyes flash green as I looked at the door. I sighed as I used my hand to open the classroom door. Everyone stared at the empty corridor.
"You can come in Harley!" I called and she emerged from the corner of the door. She walked towards us and rested her back on Chase's front as he leaned against a table. "Just came to check up on you guys," She muttered and I stayed focused.
Lately, it's becoming a pattern for Harley to fuck up, so I've learned to kinda let it fly past me.
"Hey Tina-"
"It's Athena, and I'm kinda busy,"
"Just hear her out," Chase said to me and I frowned to myself as I switched off the machine. "Fine. Outside." I muttered as I got up and walked out of the classroom and waited for her. Harley approached me as I leaned against the lockers and waited for whatever she had to say.
"Despite what it may look like, and by the mistakes I've made in the past, I am not the same person that I was in junior year. I've changed and grown as a person and ever since we got back I just feel like you've been really hostile towards my boyfriend and I. I just don't think it's fair that you're treating us this way because last year was a hard year for everyone,"
I stare at her as she continued to explain herself for what felt like forever.
"That's okay, and I get what you're saying. I'll be nicer to you guys and make you feel more comfortable," I responded as I headed back to the classroom.
"What? No, I feel like you still don't get it-" She stopped me and I sighed.
I don't want to fight with anyone anymore.
"Harley, I heard what you said and I do forgive you and your boyfriend for what you did. I'm sorry that it's reached the point where you had to apologise for him, but it's okay," I said as I ran my hands through my hair.
"That's what you wanted to hear, right?" I mocked as I moved to walk back into the classroom but she stopped me.
"It doesn't sound like you forgive us. You and Khloe have an issue with us," She mumbled as she crossed her arms and I felt myself slowly losing my patience.
"What does Khloe have to do with this?" I asked her as I stared her down with my eyebrow raised. We both turned to face the sound of clicking heels and Khloe walked down the corridor on her phone but her face turned cold as she looked up and saw us.
"Do I have to scream at you too or did you not listen to what I said yesterday?" Khloe asked as she stepped towards Harley, who stumbled backwards slightly, and I grabbed her arm and pulled her back, despite her restraint.
"I'm nice now but do not push me. Believe me, I'm the one you should be afraid of." Khloe threatened and I pulled her back with all my force. She finally complied and her orange eyes returned to normal.
Yesterday?
"I can handle her," I assured her as my face softened but she kept glaring at Harley before walking past us. "I'll see you later," She said softly. My face hardened again as I looked at Harley.
"Listen, I'm not gonna keep having this back and forth with you. I'm pretty sure it was that stupid crap you used to blast into your ears, along with your emo phase as a cry for attention, and your crippling depression. But the truth is, you just don't listen," I said in a calm voice but she looked unsettled.
"I lied. I will never forgive you for what you did, but I can move past it. If it comes down to it, I will even protect you, if I have to. I'll protect him too. But friendship is out of the question for us. We don't have to be friends to be cool. Got it?" I asked and didn't wait for her response before walking back into the classroom.
As expected, Chase wasn't where we left him, which means he was out there with us, listening. I never needed his help anyway.
𐐒𐐚 ° ˚ ₒ ∞ 𐐒𐐚 ° ˚ ₒ ∞ 𐐒𐐚
! 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 !
"Spot your partner. Keep your eyes on your opponent at all times and watch their movements!"
I felt a few hairs from my ponytail fall in my face as I held my guard up. Trey is one of the instructors who was helping me on days when I came into training alone.
He was with us in California and came back with us too. We've become good friends and he's fun to be around but I don't know if that really means a lot to me anymore. He's still hot so I guess at least I can stare at him.
"You seem pissed today," He chuckled as he dodged my punch and I didn't falter. "When am I not pissed off?" I grunted as I kept my focus.
He's been trying to help me relax more because apparently, being too tense affects your performance.
"Talk to me."
"Not today Trey," I warned as I ducked his kick and stood in position. "Does it have anything to do with Chase watching you from the spectators' booth?"
I spun around and our eyes locked. He had his hands in his pockets and his brooding stare bored into my soul. I spun around just in time to dodge Trey's attack and I kicked my legs behind his ankles and he fell on his back. "That's not an attack move," He reminded me for the thousandth time.
"Then why do you fall for it, every time?" I teased as I helped him up. I looked back up at the booth as I removed my gloves but he wasn't there.
"Oh Chase drama. That's what's up," Trey teased and I frowned. "N-No." I defended as I walked towards the row of mirrors and stared at myself. I tilted my head to the side as I examined myself.
"You know, I watch you do that every day," He began as he stood behind me and my breathing hitched slightly as I felt his front lingering against my back.
He was so close.
His head leaned close towards my neck as I watched him stare at me through the mirrors.
Trey's always been a flirt. I don't know if he actually likes me, but I've been turning him down since California, so I don't think he's flirting as a joke anymore.
"But I can't understand why you spend so long standing in front of the mirror," Trey asked as he moved away from my neck and sipped his water bottle. I straightened my top and cleared my throat as I retired my hair up.
"Well Trey, if you must know, I didn't always use to look like this. I don't hate it, it just takes a while to get used to it," I answered with a clear voice as I grabbed my gym bag and headed to the showers.
I changed into a matching set of cycling shorts and a vest top. I threw a hoodie over it, just because, and headed out to my car that was parked in my designated area. I stopped as I saw Chase leaning over the side of the passenger's door of my car.
"Hey," I said in a confused voice as I unlocked the car doors. He moved over and got into the passenger seat without a word. I threw my gym bag in the back seat and got behind the wheel but I didn't move to start driving.
"Whatever you're gonna say, say it now," I said as I crossed my arms. "Why didn't you shout at her?" He asked and I retracted in confusion.
"What?"
"Harley. Why didn't you shout at her at school?"
"Sure you said...things-" He said slowly and I cut him off. "You mean I was rude." I corrected him and he chose not to comment on what I said.
"But we both know she was wrong. Why didn't you tell her that she was wrong?" He continued as I fixed my rearview mirror. "Is that what you came here to ask me?" I questioned and he didn't answer my question.
"Did you not hear the conversation I had with her?"
"Yeah I did, actually."
"Then you should know that we're not friends."
"You never said you'd never be friends with me"
"You think you know me so well," I scoffed as he kept looking straight ahead.
"I do actually."
"If you knew me, then you'd know you made a mistake coming to talk to me instead of comforting your girlfriend," I shot back and he didn't respond. "If I don't stop her, Khloe will eat her alive. You know that right?" I asked him.
"Despite what it may look like to other people or what you thought, I paid more attention to you than most people," He said as he tried to change the topic and I leaned back against the headrest on my seat.
"I know you're a Sagittarius, but you hate your star sign,"
"That doesn't mean anything-"
"I know you have the largest sweet tooth any girl could have," He continued and I smiled slightly. "I know about your secret extensive collection of perfumes and sunglasses, even though you don't like covering your face and you get rashes from sprays,"
"I know you're messy, but a secret clean-freak. I know you've never liked large gatherings unless you're the centre of attention-" He continued and I had a full-on smile on my face as I tried to stop him from talking but held my hands down as he looked at me.
"When you finish high school, you're going to major in Engineering Sciences at Yale but you never told anyone other than me because you don't want people to think any more of you cause you're rich,"
"And I know that deep down, as much as you love being the bigger person, there's no way you'd never willingly forgive me because you're not big on second chances," He muttered and I took this as an opportunity to move from his grasp.
I forgot half of the things he just listed to me, and some were things I didn't even know about myself. Chase was my best friend. We were closer than a lot of people think. That's why it hurt so much when he did what he did.
"Thena, I don't want to force you for your forgiveness. You have to want it. I just want you to know that I'm here and ready when you are," He finished and I finally looked at him.
"You haven't called me that in a while," I said quietly. It almost came out as a whisper. He gave me a weak smile.
It was his own nickname that he came up with. No one else called me that.
He looked so hurt, and distraught.
There's no way I'm the one putting him through all of this.
He climbed out of my car and shut the door behind him and I watched him walk back into the training building. I sighed deeply as I held in my tears and rested my head on the wheel.
My horn went off but I kept my head on the wheel. A soft tap sounded on my side of the car and I lifted my head as I saw Trey watching me from the other side of the window.
I gestured for him to sit in the passenger and he jogged around the front of the car and sat in the seat as I sorted myself out. "Why do I always catch you having some form of mental breakdown?" He asked and I laughed dryly but stopped as I realised he was being serious.
"I know you're probably used to people asking, but are you okay?" He asked and I shook my head as I lifted my knees and they hugged my chest. "How long have I known you, Trey?" I asked him and he smirked. "Since you were first transferred to California," He answered.
"And then you came back?"
"And then I came back,"
He came back.
"Are you deciding whether you've known me long enough to open up to me?" He asked and I scoffed and shook my head. "If I didn't think I've known you for long enough, you wouldn't be in my car," I pointed out and he nodded his head slowly. "Let's go somewhere," He suggested and I moved my feet off the seat and shook my head. "I should probably go home-"
"And do what? Lock yourself in your room?"
"Khloe talks you know," He added and I rolled my eyes. "Let's be honest, that house is very toxic and you should be out more. You only come here and go to school,"
"Okay, there is no need to recite my daily routine. I'm aware of how boring my life is," I muttered. "Have you been up to your old house?" He asked and I shook my head as I thought about the memories in the Alpha Base. "Well let's go there now," He suggested.
"What?"
"Come on. Besides, all the instructors have heard tales of your underground hidden tunnels," He teased and I smiled weakly. "Fine, let's go," I gave in as I placed a hand on the back of his seat. I turned my head to check behind me before reversing.
The car suddenly jerked forward and I stopped. Chase was standing at the front of the exit. I was frozen in my seat as we stared at each other. "Okay, stop daydreaming and reverse before you do something you'll regret," Trey said as he placed his hands on the wheel on top of my hands.
I snapped out of it and reversed out of the parking lot and sped down the street until I calmed down. I stopped at a red light and quickly tied my hair up.
"You wanna discuss what just-"
"No," I said firmly as the lights turned green and we continued down the road towards the Valley. We slowed to a stop and he gave me a confused look as I undid my seatbelt.
"Give me one second," I said quietly as I climbed out of the car and shut the door behind me. A strong wind whipped past my legs as I hugged the hoodie tighter to my chest. I walked down the hill and into the crater.
I haven't been to this part of town in forever.
"What is this place?" Trey asked as I heard him approach me from behind.
"This," I began as I looked around and my hair flew sideways across my face.
"This is where it all began,"