Author Note: When I started working on this chapter, I felt like I was doing Ed a disservice. As a result, I split the chapter into two parts, which will increase the total chapter count to 14. That being said, this one is shorter than usual.
By the time Emira made it home, she was able to dry her tears. She didn't feel any better, in fact the longer she dwelled on what happened the worse she felt.
She cast an illusion spell before entering the house to cover up her splotchy red eyes. This wouldn't stop her parents from noticing, but it would keep them from asking questions. They would be far more proud of her for covering up any imperfections than they would be concerned about what was wrong.
Luckily, neither of her parents were roaming the hallways of their large home when Emira walked through it, and she was able to reach her room without incident. Her siblings were probably in their rooms, but she didn't know for sure. She couldn't stand to let Mittens see her like this and after what Ed did, she didn't want to see him.
Emira just went into her room, closing the door behind her. The sun was setting, so minimal light came in through the windows. She didn't bother to turn the light on before putting her bag on the desk and then collapsing onto her bed. It offered welcome respite from the events of the day. Emira sat with her head in her hands, taking deep breaths to try and focus her thoughts. She let the illusion spell fall away.
How could this all have gone so wrong? In an instant her friendship with Viney fell apart, just like that. It felt like they were finally friends, but clearly that had been an illusion. It was so easily shattered by one event. Emira wondered if she could've prevented it, but no matter what she did Viney would've found Ed in the passages anyway.
The door to her room popped about a foot open, drawing Emira from her thoughts.
"I thought I heard you get back. I'm really sorry about what happened earlier." Ed was poking his head through the door, letting light from the hallway in with him.
"Go away…" She muttered, which he ignored. Typical of him.
"Why's it so dark in here?" He stepped the rest of the way into the room, flicking the light switch on. The sudden light stung her eyes, causing her to squint as they adjusted. Ed shut the door behind him. His eyes were wide as he looked at Emira, over at her bag on the desk, then back at her. "What happened?"
Emira rolled her eyes, "You happened." She spoke quietly; she didn't have the energy to raise her voice. She felt burnt out, listless.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't've been in there." Ed frowned as he apologized again, crossing his arms over his chest.
"That's right." Emira replied. She wasn't going to forgive him that easily. "And I'm furious with you"
Ed shook his head. "You made that clear earlier, but I also know that my bad decisions aren't enough to make you cry." Ed walked across the room to sit next to her on the bed. "I can't remember the last time you did." He said in a lighter tone. Emira couldn't remember either, perhaps it was when she broke a limb as a child? It didn't really matter right now.
"I…" Opening her mouth to speak about it brought the pain back to the surface, a fresh wave of sadness washing over her. "After you left, Viney kicked me out." Emira paused, not wanting to devolve back to how she had been at the school. Ed didn't say anything, waiting for Emira to continue. "I took advantage of her, she hates me now."
"We didn't even get to use the passages, not properly." Ed replied with a sigh, completely missing the point as usual.
Emira turned to glare at him, a new wave of anger sending a surge of energy through her. "And who's fault is that?" She used the words like a spear. "If you'd listened to me, none of this would've happened. What were you thinking, going in there?"
Ed raised his hands defensively. "I thought it would be fine, honest." He said, then lowered his voice to mutter. "Didn't think I'd get caught."
"Well, you were. And you ruined everything." Suddenly, Emira's burst of energy faded and she returned to feeling exhausted. She looked away from Ed, casting her gaze on the wall. "I'm not upset about losing the passages, you know. It's not about them."
"It isn't?" Ed asked, though he didn't sound too surprised.
"Only at the start. Once I started spending time with her, I didn't want to stop. I even went to the library, me, at the library." Emira hadn't told Ed about that when it happened.
"To play pranks? Aren't we banned?" He asked, looking up as he tried to remember.
Emira shook her head. "No, to read of all things. I sweet talked my way in and even checked out books so I could help her with this crazy complex healing spell." Ed let out a dramatic fake gasp, the perfect response. "I feel like I'm drawn to her, like I can't stay away. I don't know how to explain it." Emira looked down at her hands, letting out a harsh forced chuckle. "It's over now, she'll never forgive me."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Ed replied, drawing Emira's gaze right to him. He shrugged, "Maybe she just needs time to cool off."
"I hope so." Emira sighed.
Ed didn't know when to let something go. "Besides, she must like something about you, to put up with you for this long." He said with a smirk.
"Shut up." Emira nudged him in the arm in protest, but couldn't help the glimmer of warmth she felt at his words.
"I could talk to her to try and fix it." Ed offered, shifting back to a serious expression.
Emira shook her head. "That would only make things worse." There was no way Viney would talk with him.
"Yeah…" Ed slumped forward slightly.
The two sat in silence for a minute, thinking about what to say. Again Emira noted how tired she felt, the weight of the day sitting on her shoulders.
Ed broke the silence. "Did I say I'm sorry?" He asked.
"You did, but hearing it again doesn't hurt." Emira almost cracked a smile as she replied. "By the way, how're you going to make it up to me?" She asked, trying to bring her tone up. She kind of succeeded, but knew Ed would see through it.
"Hmm." Ed rubbed his chin as he thought about it for a moment. "I'm not sure."
Emira thought too, wondering what he could do that would even remotely help. "Oh I've got it." She suddenly had an idea. "The next 5 times we get caught, you deal with our parents." This was brilliant, absolute genius.
Ed scrunched up his nose. "5 times? They're the worst." He complained with a grimace.
"Exactly." Emira nodded. "Do we have a deal?"
Ed pouted for a moment, but then nodded. "Yeah." He said glumly.
"Fantastic." Knowing that she wouldn't have to cover for them the next 5 times they were caught breaking the rules finally lifted Emira's spirits, if just a little bit. "This doesn't mean I've forgiven you, but it helps."
Ed nodded, "I get it." He then rose from the bed and walked towards the door. "I'm gonna go, want the light on or off?"
Emira thought for a moment. "On."
"Alright." Ed opened the door, waving once and then exiting the room. He left the light on and closed the door behind him.
Emira stood up, moving over to her desk. She opened her school bag, looking at the library books inside. They drew a new pang of sadness, but not as strong as earlier.
She thought about taking them out, leaving them at home.
She left them in the bag.
End Note: Took a little detour here, but I think it's worth it.