It took a while to actually get to Ban and Elaine. On our way into the centre of the battle, Meliodas and I ended up bumping into a couple of other teams. Somehow I managed not to get knocked off and Meliodas didn't show any signs of being tired. In fact he seemed fine with me perched on his shoulders, as if the extra weight didn't affect him at all.
"You think we should stop for a bit until we reach Ban and Elaine?" I raise a brow as I glance down at him.
"Sure," He responded, "But I don't see the point in that if you're still on my shoulders."
"Fair point," I say as I scan through the few pairs left. Quite a few of them had been taken out by Ban and Elaine or Veronica and Griamore. Right now my sister was engaged in a one-on-one across from us, however Ban and Elaine were heading right towards us.
"Well, what do ya know?" Ban smirked as he stopped right in front of us. Elaine was perfectly balanced on his shoulders, a content smile on her face. She was perched high above me. "Looks like Diane wasn't joking when she said you two were a thing. But then again I got quite a lot of money from it~"
I flushed red, my mind too overheated to think. So Diane wasn't joking when she said Ban and Merlin had placed bets. Then again Merlin did say she had a bet too.
"Ban!" Elaine clocked his head, "You shouldn't say stuff like that in public."
"Yeah, Ban maybe you should get a filter for that mouth," Meliodas seemed to join in with Elaine's scolding, a playful lilt to his voice.
"Very funny coming from you Cap'n," The taller male grinned, before glancing at Elaine. "Hey Laney, how about we take these two down?"
"But Liz is my friend," Elaine protested, arms folded. "You don't mind if I call you Liz, do you?"
"No, not at all," I smile, ignoring all the flashbacks I get of Danafor. It was a simple nickname, even if it linked to my previous school and alias.
"Great," Elaine smiled, clasping her hands, "Now how about we team up and - "
"Diane said Cap'n and Elizabeth were better than us," Ban smirked.
"Never mind it's free-for-all!" Elaine grinned determinedly, "Nothing personal against you two."
"Now that's just foul play, Ban," Meliodas spoke, shifting forwards.
"I'd call it creative thinking," Ban shrugged, shifting Elaine on his shoulders as he closed the gap. The blonde yelped slightly, but still maintained her balance by grasping onto Ban's hair. "Ow."
"Well, you shouldn't have shrugged," Elaine answered simply, "I nearly dropped off."
I took the chance and leaned forwards. Elaine caught my hands and clasped them with hers. She was soon pushing against me, causing me to push back.
"Wow, you're pretty strong Liz," Elaine smiled. Clearly she lacked her brother's misfortune of being weak physically. In fact she seemed pretty strong for her tiny size.
"You're pretty strong too Elaine," I offer as I try to push her off Ban. I was so close to getting her past halfway. So close to getting her to fall -
"Are you two done flirting?" Ban growled as he gripped onto Elaine's thighs, trying to keep her from toppling.
"What's wrong Ban scared of losing?" Meliodas raised a brow, I assume a smirk on his face. His grip on my thighs tightened.
"What to you and princess?" The taller male laughed, however it seemed to falter as I pushed Elaine past halfway.
"Care to repeat that Ban?" I say innocently as Elaine struggled to regain her ground.
The taller male seemed to frown, before a dark smirk crossed his face. Then all my strength was gone. In one quick burst it left. It was like my arms had been drained into a jelly-like state, my muscles becoming goo.
In fact I kinda felt like just lying down and having a nap. Just sleeping away all of effort that came with being awake.
Elaine pushed and I tilted backwards. Luckily I managed to stay upright and not fall, mainly because Meliodas caught me in time.
"Huh? What happened to Liz?" Elaine looked confused before frowning. She nudged Ban's face with her knee. "Ban did you just - You did, didn't you!"
"What? It was just for a little fun," The taller male laughed.
"Give it back!" Elaine snapped, arms folded across her chest.
"No," He answered.
"Ban," Her tone was warning.
"What does she want him to give back?" I ask tiredly. Even my tone was sleepy. I stifle a yawn as I rub my eyes.
"Your energy. Ban stole it," Meliodas answered simply, "It's his ability kinda like Full Counter but it does different stuff."
"Oh I remember that," I laugh as I think back to the times I'd used Arc and things such as that. Every skill, every move, was unique to a person and their own set of skills.
But Full Counter was definitely impressive. I'd witnessed Meliodas use it a couple of times and it was nothing short of breathtaking. Maybe even overpowered in a way. Anyone who'd try to get the upper hand often ended up getting defeated through their own attacks. Only those who thought quick enough managed to counter that ability. But even then they had to be careful.
"Elaine's gonna give him an earful for this," Meliodas laughed as Elaine slapped Ban's head repeatedly, still ranting.
"Oh really?" I say as my gaze drifts to the crowds on the poolside.
They had long since stopped watching the chicken fight and instead found entertainment in other things. I found myself seeing these other things. I first swiped over Jericho, her face red and arms waving in anger as she gestured towards me, while Guila attempted to calm her down. It was pretty funny to be honest and I would've laughed, but there were other things to see. These other things were how people were talking, laughing, betting, watching...
Did I just say watching?!
My eyes dart back to the person who was watching me and met his dark eyes. Dark and as black as coals. Complete empty spaces. Soulless. He seemed to smile as I looked, knowing my attention was on him. He then mouthed something, his smile turning into a monstrous smirk.
"You're mine."
I tensed as I saw those words. He - did he just - He did, didn't he? But wouldn't that mean... Oh no. I knew this guy had bad intentions, but not that bad.
Eyes wide, I instinctively move back as he takes a step forward. Forgetting I was on someone's shoulders, I fall backwards. Meliodas couldn't stop me from dropping.
I braced myself to drop into the water, expecting the cool liquid to cover me, but instead my head connects with something hard. Really hard.
Wincing, I shakily bring my hand to the back of my head. It came back scarlet. Blood. A lot of it judging by how much it hurt as well as by how my hand came back covered in the stuff.
"Elizabeth!"
My vision was blurred now, tears of pain mixed with the cloudiness blocking everything. All I can sense is someone holding me away from the poolside. Water seemed to drop onto me, probably from the pool. Maybe they were tears.
"Oh shit let me get a first aid kit or something!" Ban's voice sounded followed by the splashing of water.
"More like call an ambulance!" Elaine's voice was panicked. I could imagine her face being pale and nails being bitten raw.
"Elizabeth don't worry everything will be ok," Meliodas' voice. He hasn't sounded this concerned since the event that ended up getting us excluded. "I'll make sure you're ok."
I smile, my vision unblurring for only a millisecond. But a millisecond is all I need. I could spot Elaine peering at me and Meliodas holding me close, making sure my head was ok. From that alone I knew I'd be fine. In intense pain, yes; but I'd be ok. Maybe concussed too.
But I also knew that I had to get back at the stalker for this. Especially for the comment they made. 'I'm theirs.' Yeah right. I'd rather die than go with someone who was willing to stalk me. Someone that would allow this to happen to me. Especially with eyes as soulless as those.
What was that saying again? Eyes are the window to the soul? If they truly were, he wouldn't have one.
I can't help but mentally growl, most of my energy drained thanks to Ban's ability. Not to mention the bleeding. No wonder I feel so sleepy and stiff. From this, from transferring, for having to lie, from that stalker.
Everything was just so exhausting.
"The stalker....It's all his fault," I breathe before all goes black.
O.o.O.o.O
I think I woke up three times in total. The first time was when my head was being bandaged. I remember a few voices and seeing a few people.
.
.
.
"So she fell on the poolside?" Veronica quizzed.
"Yeah, slipped right off," Meliodas responded his voice not quite there.
"And no-one pushed her or anything?" My sister pressed.
"Not a soul," Elaine answered, "It seems odd though because I'm pretty sure she mentioned a stalker. I think she was talking about someone we bumped into earlier. He was listening in on our conversation in the Fairy Gardens."
"What does he look like?" Veronica demanded. The blonde bit her lip, her eyes glancing over to me. "Elaine please it would help. If that bastard has any sick intentions for my sister, identifying him could help prevent it. I'm sure you understand how I feel about this, you have a sibling."
"He's tall," Elaine sighed as she looked at my sister. She had a grimace, sadness mixed in her eyes, "Silver hair and dark empty eyes. He looks like a Clan Academy student. In fact he looked like an older version of Meliodas."
"Interesting," My sister frowned as she studied Meliodas, "Well we know it isn't shorty here, so this guy has to be someone new. I'll go gather some more information and tell Vice Principal Hendrickson."
She then left the room.
Elaine seemed to sigh, "I'm sorry for telling them a day early Liz," She then turned to the other blonde, "Meliodas I know I should've told you and the Sins immediately but - "
.
.
.
I then blacked out again not waking up for a while. I think it was for lunch or something, because I remember Diane coming in. She woke me up to eat and told me about where everyone had gone.
.
.
.
"Elaine had to help out in the gardens and Captain went to do something," Diane smiled as she opened the curtains of my room. I wasn't here when I woke up last time. I was in the infirmary. "He helped me get you back here."
"Oh, thanks," I say as I sit up slightly. My head was pounding, thoughts buzzing and blurring. It was like being exposed to the aftermath of an explosion.
"Here's your lunch," She passed me a plate of food. It was a pasta dish, a simple but somehow delicious looking meal. "Ban cooked it, not me, so it's definitely delicious. Now eat up."
I obeyed, slowly working my way through the plate.
"I'm sorry for suggesting the chicken fight Elizabeth," Diane broke the silence, sniffing, "I thought it'd be more fun than anything."
"It's fine," I smile.
"No it's not!" Diane clenched her fists, tears gathering in her eyes. She shook her head, pigtails swishing across her face. "I hate how you and the others try to brush everything off as being fine. How you all make stuff like this," she gestured towards me, "Seem like terrible accidents. If I didn't suggest playing that stupid game, you wouldn't have been hurt..."
I sighed, my heart going out to the brunette. She sure did hold this over herself. It really wasn't anyone's fault. If anything it was that bastard who was stalking me who caused this. But what's done is done I guess.
"It's not your fault Diane," I place a hand on her knee, a small smile on my face, "How could you predict such a thing would happen? And I'm still alive aren't I?"
"Yes but - "
"And that's all that matters," I say as I return to eating, "Don't hold something stupid like this over your head. It isn't good for your hair or your mental health. We don't want you going grey early."
She laughed, her happiness restored. I couldn't help but grin. Hopefully she won't have this weighing her down anymore.
"Elaine's been pretty guilty though," Diane gave a small chuckle, "She kept saying about how she should've just told us about the stalker. She's really beating herself up over it."
"Well, tell her not to," I smile, "She was just keeping a promise for me. It's really my fault why this happened."
And it was. If I'd just told everyone about the stalker maybe this wouldn't have happened.
.
.
.
Now I had woken up in an almost empty room. My only company being the sleeping blonde beside me. He'd somehow managed to fall asleep on a chair most probably borrowed from a classroom. Blonde hair fallen into his eyes and his hand still loosely holding mine.
I slowly remove my hand, not wanting to wake him up, and get up to head to the bathroom. The urge to puke has now gone up by at least a thousand.
As I stood the room began to tilt. I begin to walk, probably looking like a infant taking their first steps, before doubling over and covering my mouth. I was leaning on the door frame, my face feeling flushed. The terrible sensation of bile rising into my throat filled my sense and I tried my best to hold it in.
'Please don't puke, please don't puke, please don't -'
"Ugh," I end up emptying my stomach into the hallway, bile landing on the (thankfully) tiled floor.
"What was that?" A light flickered on down the hall.
"Elizabeth - I'll go get a bucket or something," Meliodas sighed as he was suddenly woken up. He walked past me, stepping over the puddle of sick and disappearing down the hall.
Diane soon rushed out, dressed in a short orange nightgown and her chestnut hair no longer in pigtails. She placed a hand on my forehead.
"You're burning up!" She sighed a frown on her face, "Captain hurry up with that bucket! She might throw up again and you know I'm not cleaning it!"
A groan came from the kitchen, "I'm looking as fast as I can."
"Well, it's not fast enough!" Diane called back. She then took me by the hand and led me back to my bed.
I followed, my legs feeling as if they'd buckle under the weight. Diane then carefully tucked me back in. Before sighing again.
"I'll go find a washcloth or something to place on that forehead. From the looks of it you might be concussed," She then rolled her eyes, huffing, "Captain's taking too long with that bucket. I guess I'll have to get that too."
She then left the room and I heard the two begin to bicker.
"Have you tried the hall closet?!" Diane sounded pissed, "You know what, just keep her company. If she needs anything tell me, because I'm not getting any sleep tonight. Not with you around anyway."
"What you can't trust me around her for a second?" Meliodas remained calm, but I could hear the exasperation hidden in his tone.
"Not with how grabby you are. And clean up the sick in the hallway," The brunette sighed, "...I'm sorry for being snappy, Captain. I'm just - Just make sure Elizabeth's ok. I think she has a concussion."
"Ok fine," I heard footsteps.
I wonder why Diane sounded so pissed. Was it because of what happened today? Or maybe she'd learned something.
My head pounded as I tried to think. I winced as the pounding got worse. I guess thinking isn't possible right now. Not unless I want to experience endless skull pain.
"Hey Elizabeth, you doing ok?" Meliodas stood in the doorway, the puddle of vomit gone. Wow he'd actually cleaned it.
"Yeah," I sit up, hugging my knees to my chest, "Thanks for cleaning that up. You didn't have to."
"Don't tell him that," Diane shook her head as she gave me a bucket. She then headed towards the door.
"Why not?" I raise a brow, "I would've just cleaned it up anyway."
"Because - because," Diane puffed her cheeks, a dust of red covering her face, "I'm not mad at Captain. Just find out from him. I'm too mad to - ugh! And I'm going to kill Ban for -"
She then stormed out, leaving me alone with Meliodas. I looked at him and he seemed to sigh.
"Well, what do you wanna hear first?" He raised a brow, "The bad or the worst news?"
"I guess the bad news," I say without thinking, knowing that it would hurt if I did. I then pat the spot beside me on my bed. He takes the invitation and sits beside me, but remains distant.
I simply huff and lay his head upon my shoulder, my fingers easily weaving through his golden locks. Meliodas relaxes a little in response, a bit of then tension and drama removed. I allow the silence to swallow up the atmosphere, enjoying the small piece of familiarity I felt. The small piece of calm.
But like always it has to be broken.
"Estarossa's the stalker," When Meliodas speaks his voice was emotionless, empty. It's only been like this once before. "After Elaine described what he looked like, I went to find him. The look on his face pretty much told me what I needed to know, but hearing it was even worse. I'm pretty sure you don't even know half of what he's seen."
"You mean he's - " Meliodas nodded and I felt the urge to throw up again. That was definitely a violation of my privacy. I can't tell whether Estarossa was just immoral or had some weird obsession with me. Maybe it was both. "That's just...wrong. I'm pretty sure he knew me as your close friend as well."
"Yeah, about that," Meliodas grimaced, "He seemed pretty set on claiming you. But that ties in to the worst news."
"Which is?" I breathe, my chest feeling tight. My fingers freeze as my heart stutters and I try to stop the racing thoughts from flooding into my head. I can't think right now, not when it causes my skull to throb and mind to ache.
"They're planning to use you as bait," I spot his hands clench, "Once Estarossa gets a chance to lure you away, you'll end up up the system."
"The system?" I repeat, trying to ignore the aching in my skull. "You mean, the system?"
"Yeah, the Demon school system that they use to keep track of students and whoever comes into contact with them," Meliodas answered, seeming to retain a lot from way back when.
I remember little about the system. Well, little compared to what I did know about it. I knew that the system was something that was impossible to escape once you were on it; I knew that it was something that could be used as a weapon, a tool; and I knew the system was something my mother never wanted me to be on.
So my gut couldn't help but twist with dread. My throat couldn't help but feel dry.
"Wouldn't that mean that I'm already on it?" I frown a little, my brows furrowing. "I came into contact with you."
"They don't have enough information on you," Meliodas gives a gentle smile, something unknown catching his green eyes. "I made sure of that."
"Wait, so basically Estarossa wants me to fall in love with him, use me as blackmail for the Goddess school system and then probably kill me or something?" I say my head and brain hurting from the effort to not think.
"Something like that," Meliodas answered dully, hair covering his expression. There's something he's not telling me. Something crucial.
"You know you don't have to always worry about me," I say softly as I wrap him into a hug, "I'll find a way out of this. Plus you and the Sins wouldn't let this happen. I know you wouldn't."
"Yeah, but he'll find a way," He remarks bitterly, "He always finds a way to get what he wants."
Once again, I get the feeling that Meliodas is holding something back. Some piece of information that would be vital in finding a solution to this. But the pain in my brain is too much to think about it. At least for now.
"Well...I won't let him," I say determinedly.
Meliodas was silent, his form still hunched and his expression hidden. He was crying. I know he was. But over what I don't know. I just know he is.
O.o.O.o.O
"Looks like you're in a good condition," The school nurse beamed as she finished her examination. "You do heal quite quickly."
"So I can head to classes tomorrow?" I ask as I place a hand over the injury on my head.
It wasn't completely healed and was still quite swollen, but some of the students from the Deity Society and Druid house decided to help with my recovery. Thanks to them the pounding in my head had stopped.
"Definitely," The nurse nodded, before tapping her chin, "Although I would like you to take it easy. Extreme strain and concentration may cause headaches and that won't help you get better."
"Ok, I'll take it easy," I smile, happy with the result. I then hop off of the examination table and leave the infirmary.
"Elizabeth!" Diane and Elaine both tackle me in a hug. Both wore smiles when they spotted me exiting the room.
"So what did she say?" Elaine spoke, her eyes filled with anticipation. Despite her cheery mood she had dark circles under her eyes and light creases on her forehead. She'd clearly had a sleepless night. "Can you head to class?"
"Yes, but the nurse said to take it easy," I nod, smiling a little. "But I'm glad that I don't have to catch up on anything."
"You're happy about going to class?" Diane frowned, "I'd be pissed. Classes are the worst, especially on PE day."
"PE day?" I repeat, confusion on my features, "What's so bad about sports?"
"Teammates," Diane stuck out her tongue. She had a frown as her brows furrowed. "Giants always get picked first because 'we're the best at sports'. 'We can dominate anyone' as they all say."
She then stomped a foot down, pigtails swishing, "But who says all Giants want to be that way. I always dread PE because that's when all the others in the Giant house tease me. Calling me a loser and a spoilsport."
Diane sighed as all her frustration seemed to spill out of her. Like mist clearing from a valley, her anger swept away. Instead she seemed to drift off into a dream.
"But really I'm tired of the stereotype. I want to dance more than be a stupid athlete," She grinned, before frowning, "But everyone says I'm unteachable in that department."
"Well, that's a shame," I say softly and Elaine nods at my words. I always thought Diane would be able to dance, especially with how she easily serves at the Boar Hat. Maneuvering around those tables is like dancing in a way.
"I think you'll learn it eventually," Elaine smiled at the towering brunette, "I mean you helped me learn to dance."
"Yeah, but that's the thing," Diane sighed, placing a hand on her cheek, "I know the steps, but my body won't follow them."
It was then I got an idea. A way to distract myself from thinking as well as to have fun with my friends.
"Well, I'll teach you," I say determinedly, as I think back to the dance classes I had in Celestial Prep. "I know a few things and I'm sure I can pass them onto you."
"Really?!" Diane seemed to light up with joy as I nodded. Suddenly I was squeezed into a hug. "Thank you so much Elizabeth! Really."
"No problem," I say woozily as she released me from her hug. I think the lack of oxygen really did a number on my head. "Let's just get started as soon as possible. Do any of you know a place where we could practice?"
"I know the perfect place!" Elaine clapped her hands in delight, "Follow me."
She then zipped off, causing Diane to lift me onto her shoulders and chase after the blonde.