Lionblaze Lost the Lightning

Chapter 11: Right and Wrong

"Alright, the bottles open," Hollyleaf announced as she poured herself a drink. "Let the dehydration and poor decisions begin."

"So explain to me again what we're doing," Jayfeather said in a voice so annoyed Hollyleaf almost commented on it.

"What's it look like we're doing?" she snapped at last, pouring another drink and shoving it in front of her brother. "We're having some drinks before we go to my party."

"Why do I have to come?" Jayfeather mumbled, picking up his drink and taking a sip of it. His face twisted and he nearly spat it back out. "Jesus, Hollyleaf. This is nasty."

"Maybe you should try something more your speed then," Longtail snickered from where he was sitting. "Perhaps a juice box."

Firestar laughed loudly, and Hollyleaf turned to glance at him. He was lying down on Longtails couch, taking up all the room. This resulted in Graystripe and Brambleclaw having to sit on the floor. Hollyleaf found herself staring at him, looking at the way he was sort of half smiling as he stared at his phone. His eyelashes are so long, Hollyleaf thought involuntarily. I can see them from here. And his eyes are so green-

Firestar suddenly glanced up, as if he knew someone was watching him. Flustered, Hollyleaf looked down at once and took a giant drink out of her glass. Dammit. He probably thinks I'm totally weird

"You never answered my question," Jayfeather said loudly, somehow managing to sound even more irritated than before. "Why do we all have to come to your Christmas party?"

"Reasons," Hollyleaf snapped, getting fed up with Jayfeathers attitude. "Jayfeather if you really don't want to come, then don't. I'm sure Lionblaze would want to and-"

"Where is he, anyway?" Firestar asked, not taking his eyes off his phone. "He's not replying to my texts."

"He's probably with Dovewing," Hollyleaf replied, finishing her drink. She set the empty glass on the table, reaching for the bottle again.

"Take it easy," Jayfeather sighed. "You'll be wasted in twenty minutes if you keep going at that rate."

"Good," Hollyleaf mumbled. Jayfeather just shook his head.

"So wait," Brambleclaw said suddenly, looking confused. "We're all going to your party? They'll let all of us in?"

"Well, no, probably not," Hollyleaf said slowly, realizing that the entire plan was borderline ridiculous. Wow, what a terrific idea. Get drunk, drag all my friends to my staff party, and then make some sort of scene. Who came up with this stupid idea anyway?

Oh yeah, I did.

The sudden smell of marijuana broke Hollyleafs thoughts, and she looked up. Unsurprised, she noticed Firestar had lit a joint and already smoked half of it in one puff. I don't understand how he does that, she thought to herself. His lungs must be either really good or really bad.

"Want some?" Firestar asked, holding out the joint to Hollyleaf. Hollyleaf felt her willpower melt as she looked into his eyes, taking the joint from him. She took the tiniest puff possible before handing it to Longtail, who looked like he was waiting rather impatiently. The drugs made Hollyleaf feel rather anxious, and she pulled out her phone so it would look like she was doing something. The tiny green light was blinking, indicating a text message. She clicked open, hoping it was Lionblaze telling her where he was. To her dismay, it wasn't her brother.

Txt from: Ashfur

Are you coming tonight?

Hollyleaf clicked out of the message at once, feeling her hands tremble slightly. I can't do this, she thought to herself, feeling all of the earlier excitement drain from her body. I thought I could, but I really, really can't.

"What's wrong with you?" Jayfeathers voice broke her thoughts. Hollyleaf met his worried gaze, feeling terrible about everything. "I just-" she started, voice cutting out. "I well… I just can't. I can't do this."

She ignored her brothers loud sigh and looked down at her phone again, staring at the message Ashfur had sent her. If I tell everyone about how he's trying to get with me, then I'll ruin his marriage... two lives will be wrecked forever, because of me.

How does that make me any better of a person than he is?

"Hey."

Firestars quiet voice broke her thoughts, and she turned to look at him. His bloodshot eyes looked worried, and he put his hand on her shoulder. Hollyleaf tried not to focus on his touch, which seemed to be burning her skin.

"I don't want to go," Hollyleaf whispered, quietly so her brother wouldn't hear. "I thought this was a good idea but I was wrong."

"Don't worry about it," Firestar replied, smiling a sad smile. "I kind of guessed this would happen anyway."

Hollyleaf felt a lump rise in her throat, and she wondered why Firestars words made her sad all of the sudden. Maybe it's the alcohol, she thought to herself. Or maybe it's because my life's a total mess

Oh, who am I kidding. It's totally both of those things.

She was just about to reply to Firestar when her phone distracted her yet again. The blinking green light seemed to mock Hollyleaf, and she quickly clicked it on to make it stop.

Txt from: Ashfur

Hollyleaf? Are you there?

She shut her phone without a word, shoving it in her pocket at once. Jayfeather looked over at her, expression curious as to why she was acting so strange.

"Are we going to your party? Or no?" he asked. Hollyleaf took a deep breath, knowing that deep inside she was doing the right thing.

"No."

"I'm not going out to party," Lionblaze said for what felt like the four thousandth time. "I want to go out to see my friends and-"

"Your friends," Dovewing cut him off, her voice snappy. "Who are all wasted over at Firestars house! Don't play dumb, Lionblaze. I know what goes on at his place."

"Firestars my friend," Lionblaze said angrily, completely fed up. I swear to god all she does anymore is complain, he thought in frustration. No matter what it is, she has a problem with it for some reason.

I'm so done!

"You know what?" Lionblaze sighed as he finally came to a conclusion. "I'm going whether you like it or not. I don't know why you hate my friends so much, but I'm tired of it. I'm going out to see them, and you can just get over it."

"You wouldn't dare," Dovewing hissed, glaring at him angrily. "Have you forgotten that I'm pregnant?"

"How could I forget," Lionblaze mumbled, staring at his shoes. "You bring it up every five minutes."

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, you're pregnant," Lionblaze said as nicely as he could. "And I'm going to go see my sister and my friends. Guess what? You're still going to be pregnant when I get back. I'm only going to be gone a couple of hours. Chill out a little."

"Screw you," Dovewing hissed, standing up. She scowled at Lionblaze as she pushed past him, stalking towards the front door. She was about a foot away when she turned around to look at him. To Lionblaze's surprise, the anger in her eyes was gone. In its place was a look of terrible sadness.

"You're a loser," she whispered as she grabbed the doorknob, her eyes glassy with tears. "I can't do this anymore."

And then she was gone.

Lionblaze stared at the door, feeling totally numb. He couldn't move, and he suddenly felt very cold. The image of a baby suddenly appeared in his mind, its tiny face crying. Its little arms stretched out, as if trying to grab Lionblaze. The image got smaller and smaller, until it disappeared entirely.

And then something snapped.

Lionblaze ran towards the door, yanking it open and running outside. Dovewing was almost halfway down the block, her hood pulled up. Lionblaze ran down the street after her, not caring that he was only wearing socks. He slipped and nearly fell as he ran, his socks slippery on the icy sidewalk.

"Dovewing!" he called after her, his breath puffing like clouds of smoke out of his mouth. He finally caught up to her, and grabbed her by the sleeve of her coat. "Dovewing," he said again, pulling her towards him. He felt sick as he saw black smears all over her cheeks. She had been crying, and crying hard by the looks of it. Instinctively Lionblaze raised his hand and tried to help clean it off.

"Don't touch me," Dovewings voice was feeble as she stared at the ground. Yet she made no attempt to stop him, standing there shaking as Lionblaze gently cleaned her face.

"I'm sorry," Lionblaze whispered, feeling like the worlds shittiest person. "I really am."

Dovewing continued to cry.

"I want to be there for you," Lionblaze continued, feeling his eyes tear up as well. "I love you, and the baby."

"There's something wrong," Dovewing said, so quietly Lionblaze didn't quite hear her. "What?"

"The baby," Dovewing choked out the words. At once Lionblaze felt weak, and his bones turned to ice.

"Haven't you wondered why I've been so terrible?" Dovewing sobbed. "I was at the hospital yesterday, Lionblaze."

"Why," Lionblaze stared at her, unable to process what he was hearing. "Why, why were you-"

"I didn't know how to tell you," Dovewing cried, holding her face with her hands. "Oh, Lionblaze. I don't know what to do. There's something wrong with the baby."