Chapter 1: Distance

Rosalina's P.O.V.

That dark, pale face would pass by me everyday. His bedroom he shared with Pit was right next to the room I roomed with Palutena. On most days, Palutena would drag me to their room because she said someone needed to stay with Dark Pit and keep him company, because everyone knew that if Dark Pit was alone by himself for too long, he might go on a rampage killing all the people he hates. And while those two would go on about floor ice cream and hot springs (mostly Pit), Dark Pit and I would be stuck doing the staring game and making awkward noises until Palutena and Pit would finally return, and either I or Dark Pit would rush out of the room saying we had a battle to take part in. Most of the time it was Dark Pit who reached the door, leaving me stuck explaining. Pit would just be confused while Palutena would sigh and ask,

"What was all THAT about?"

And if I was the one who made it out before him, he wouldn't say a word and would just leave after me. Before that, he and I would have no interaction whatsoever. I mean, when we fought, sometimes I would win, sometimes he would win, we would shake hands and go our separate ways. I would go hang out with Palutena, Peach, and Zelda while he would go talk to Pit, Meta Knight, and Kirby (I never really understood his group of friends but I didn't judge) and we were never the most talkative in the group. When we passed each other in the corridors I would perform a quick little wave and he would response with an almost inaudible,

"Hey."

It wasn't as if we didn't like each other, but we were both socially awkward people who tended to keep to themselves, and only talked if they had to or to their friends. And not even always to their friends. Instead, I put all of my supposed people-pleasing skills and converted them into a nerdy shy bookworm. When I wasn't hanging out with my friends or fighting someone to the death, I usually spent my time reading books in the library. I read all book genres, and that includes all the boring nonfiction, but my favorite was horror, with a touch of humor. Reading about someone being slaughtered in a terrible way, and then having the scene change to something like someone not being able to fit in their skinny jeans, and that just gives me a fuzzy feeling inside. Besides, the library is like, my second home (the first being the comet observatory) and nearly no one comes in here unless they have something to discuss. I just love being myself in this isolated, nice, warm, -

"Can you move aside? I want to browse that section."

Dark Pit's deep, monotone voice catches me off guard, and because I am so ridiculously tall, I fall easily. Luckily, Dark Pit zoomed over and caught me. For once, I look up to him, and he looks down at me. Blue eyes meet red, and I catch my breath. We both realize the position we're in, and he quickly pulls me up.

I awkwardly rub my shoulders and said, "I'm sorry that happened. I'm just so tall and clumsy and..."

"It's okay. And no offense, but can you mind moving aside so I can look?" He made a little moving motion with his hands, and I could see the hint. I slightly blushed, but I wanted to make up for my clumsiness, so I tried to start a good conversation.

"Oh, so I can see that you're into horror novels?"

"Yes."

"Who's your favorite author?"

"M.I. Peterson."

"Oh, me too! What's your favorite book series?"

"Guess."

"What-oh, okay! Uh, let's see...The Thickening?"

He seemed to be taken aback, then smirked. "Correct."

I beamed. "You know, we really should talk more! We have some much in common. And if we become good friends, it won't be so awkward when Palutena and Pit leave! Let's shake on it."

I extended my hand and gave out a big grin, unusual for my normal demeanor. He hesitantly took my hand, and we shook hands. Suddenly, the shelves full of books began to rumble around us.

I screech, "What's going on around here? Do you think it could be the earthquake?"

For once, Dark Pit looks terrified. "I don't know why an earthquake could affect so much-"

He stops talking, and his face is replaced with anger.

Dark Pit angrily shakes his fist and exclaims, "This must be the work of Palu-" The rumbling intensifies, and I can no longer hear him anymore.

Blinded by fear, I try to reach out to grab his shoulder, but at the very last moment the floor beneath our feet begin to crumble. I use my launch star and Dark Pit uses his Power of Flight. We both go up a couple of feet and fly diagonally pass each other. While in the air, we make brief eye contact. I extended my hand to try to grab him, and he does the same to me. We miss, and I scream his name while falling. Goodbye, world.