A/N: I never realized i didn't post this chapter. (Silly me) This chapter is after Chapter 17 (Out in the Open).
A secret to keep
Hail enters the kingdom with an unpleasant feeling. The stuffy hallway did no good for her emotional state. Anything can trigger her into tears. Whether it's losing a brand new lipstick or failing to perfect the other eye. She'll break in seconds.
Thunder strolls around the hallway in circles waiting for Hail's return. He whistles impatiently, but not a sound escaped his lips. Pointless oxygen sprayed out in the open not being obtained by a single human. The sound of clicking alerts his ears. Hail has returned. His body moved to the direction of the noise without any thought. He was eager to hear her mini adventure. In the end, all he saw was a tall female with sulked shoulders and dark eyeshadow streaming down her cheeks.
"Hail?" He cried out, his walk turning into a sprint.
She falls to her knees breaking into a cry. Thunder kneels down searching for ways to identify the problem. His rough hands held up her chin. Her face was a mess, although he did not care.
"What's the matter?" His was voice gentle.
A nice calming soothing voice entered her ears. She recognized that sound. Her teary eyes look up at Thunder, but that quick memory of him being killed shot her brain. She cries even harder after seeing him. He felt flustered but wasn't hesitant. He pulled her into a gentle hug. The squeeze was light. She buried her face in his shoulder. Makeup smudged onto his clothes.
Ash leaves his room, curious about all the ruckus. Thunder tumbles passed him with Hail in his arms. They head towards her room, Ash being right behind. Hail's door slams open from a wild kick. Thunder loses his balance from the impact, almost losing his grip on Hail. Ash scoots passed him, hurriedly fixing her bed. Thunder places Hail onto her bed.
"Thank you," She said in a quiet broken whisper.
"What's wrong with her?" Ash asked.
"No clue…" Thunder frowned.
Hail sunk her head into her pillow. Ash turned on his heel and leaves the room in silence. Thunder remained in her room, seated right beside her. He waited patiently for an answer. It didn't matter if it takes days, he will wait for her response.
Flash, click, blink, cameras didn't stop. The four waved at the cheering crowd. Snow kept her head down, but the others kept there's up. Daisy halts her wave due to a sudden reminder of reality. She snatches Flare's arm, dragging her off to the side.
"Hey what's your problem?" Flare growled.
"School you Dumbo!" Daisy confronted.
Flare took a moment to take in the small information. Her eyes widen, and her mouth formed a shape like an O. The girls without saying another word scamper away from the crowd. Snow became aware of their sudden disappearance and decided to walk away also. Maple continued to smile and wave. The audience loved her friendliness but desired answers. Snow turns on her heel, snatching Maple away from the crowd. The cameras awed, the folks sighed, but the news was exciting.
The door slams open, two small figures tumble inside. All the attention was on them. Although Naoki didn't look that way. Mei gains control of her balance but stays still. Hanabi tumbles to her seat, dropping her dizzy mind flat on the desk. The class was awfully quiet. Half past 12, the girls were screwed.
An unfamiliar teacher entered the classroom. A tall female with a wrinkled face. Her clothes reeked of animals. It was obvious she was lonely. The students stared at the teacher, all standing in unison. Mei takes the opportunity to stand beside her seat. The supply begins attendance. Hanabi remained seated. Not a peep came from her. The teacher slammed her books on the tall desk in front of the class.
"A supply?" Mei whispered in excitement.
Naoki slightly nodded.
Mei smile grew large. She couldn't hide her happiness.
"Your teacher had an emergency. I'm sorry for being late," The elder teacher spoke politely.
"You may be seated,"
Mei dropped onto her seat and her large smile remained. Naoki sighed, resting his head on the desk. Hanabi fell asleep. The class continued without any suspicion.
Momiji returned to her classroom, but nobody cared. Luckily it was study hall. Everyone's attention was stuck to their books. She spotted her lunch box set on her desk with a small stickie note.
Make sure to eat! – Akito
She smiled, lifting the cover off the top set. The food was untouched. It became cold though. She giggled, grabbing her fork from the cover. She quietly ate her lunch. Nobody bothered her. She was in peace.
Yukino was the last to arrive at school. She entered her class in silence. The teacher was busy explaining quadratic formulas. She sits in her chair and begins catching up. Nobody cared that she was late.
Thunder remained beside Hail. Not a peep came from her. He stared at the window, watching the clouds pass by. He hated silence. He hated pain. He hated not knowing things. He hates a lot of things. A sound of clicking was heard outside from the door. His eyes wander off the window to the door.
The door flew open, a gush of wind blowing past Thunder. He stays still in a shock. A tall slim woman drenched in back approached Hail. Thunder's head falls back on the edge of the chair. The tall woman gently closes his eyes. She turns on her heel, facing Hail. Her pitch black hand caresses her chin.
"Honey, you know too much," She frowned, grabbing Hail's neck.
Hail's eyes fly open, her body feeling tense. Her mouth spreads open. Hail grabs onto the woman's arm, trying to catch a breath of air. She squeezes more.
"Secrets are meant to be kept right?" The woman giggles.
A long trail of black mist ascends from her mouth.
"Or maybe they're meant to forgotten"
The woman snaps her fingers, the mist dispersing into the air. She removes her hand from her neck. Hail began breathing again, but heavily.
"Who are you," Hail coughed.
The woman reaches inside Hail's pocket, snatching the black egg.
"You already know me," The woman turns on her heel, exiting the room.
The door slams shut, alerting Thunder.
"Woah what happened?" He held up his head.
Hail stared down at her feet. She scratched her head confused.
"Wasn't Dark just he—"
"Why am I in bed?" Hail interrupted.
"You passed out,"
"Passed out? That doesn't sound like me," She stretched her arms up.
"Well, it happened. Now you were going to tell me something," Thunder pulled his chair closer to her.
"Um… I got nothing sorry," Hail jumps off the bed, dodging any upcoming questions he had.
"Hail!"
"This girl is hungry" She yawned, waltzing out the door.
Thunder sighed.
"Woman…" He rolled his eyes.
Hail stops midway to the kitchen.
"I feel like I'm forgetting something really important," She narrows her brows deep in thought.
"Nope, nothing." She shrugs, continuing her journey.
Hail: I feel iffy
Ash: Very Normal
Hail: Did I actually cry?
Ash: You were very loud.
Hail: Why though…?
Ash: Don't know. Don't Care.
Hail: You really aren't helpful.
Ash: I know
Hail: Hmph