Here's a shoutout to everyone reading this. Stay safe and healthy in this time. We'll get through this together.

Chapter 14

In the Ravenclaw common room…

"Please open the door, Frank."

Hazel's gentle, soft murmur pricked Frank's cat ears. Cat form allowed him to curl up in and squeeze into tight spaces, which was very comforting in times like these. It had never occurred to Frank that cats could cry, but a puddle of tears was on the stone floor next to him. It may have just been his imagination, but the tears seemed to have fallen on the floor in the shape of a heart. A tiny breath escaped Frank's cat jaws, and the breeze separated the heart into two. Frank's head sank to the floor.

"OW!" Thinking about his broken heart had caused him to lose his concentration, which evidently led to him changing back to regular human Frank under his bed.

In a panic, Hazel had used her spatha to break open the door and came running to Frank's side, making sure he was ok.

"I'm fine," Frank murmured, brushing Hazel's hand off his shoulder. "I don't need your help."

The two looked at each other, both pairs of eyes reflecting the pain of their broken heart hidden inside. Frank broke the connection, his eyes dropping to the floor.

"Frank," Hazel whispered. "I'm so sorry. Can we go on a walk? Please."

Frank sighed heavily but obliged, looking forward to hearing what sorry excuse Hazel would come up with. Hazel attempted to grab his hand, but he shrugged her off uncomfortably. Hazel's hand dropped to her side in disappointment. Frank didn't notice the jewels that popped up in the group wherever Hazel walked.

The two demigods had reached the edge of the lake, the cool breeze flitting around them like birds. The tree they had stopped at was emerald green, the fruits it bore glistening ruby red. Frank sat on a tree stump and started picking up rocks, skipping them across the lake. Each one landed farther than the last, fueled by the thrower's rage. Hazel stood next to Frank, unsure if she should sit down or not. When an opal grew on the floor next to her, she hurriedly sat down in order to block it from Frank's view. She had something to say and didn't need any distractions.

"Frank," Hazel sighed. "I am so, so sorry. I never meant for him to come back. I love you, and you know that."

"Oh yeah," Frank scoffed bitterly. "Yeah, I could tell that you loved me by the way you kissed him right in front of me without a second thought."

"Oh, Frank, can you blame me? I was shocked that he was back. I still loved him when I died, and we technically never broke up. I'm still loyal to you. I just got caught up in the moment."

"I don't care!" Frank spat at her. "I really do not care about whatever sorry excuse you've come up with. I don't! I trusted you, and you betrayed me. I gave you my heart, trusting that you wouldn't break it, and you did. I literally trusted you with my life. I'm not dead, but I might as well be if I can't have you!"

Hazel's face reddened as she blinked back hot tears. A diamond prodded her food painfully, but she didn't notice.

"Frank, that's not fair," she cried in despair. "I care for you, and you know it. When Sammy came, he kissed me, and in my moment of happiness of seeing him, I let it happen. So sorry for rejoicing over seeing someone that's dead, ok? I'm sorry that I forgot that all that matters is your happiness. You selfish jerk!"

Hazel stormed off in a huff, and Frank glared at her back.

Good riddance, he thought. I can't believe I trusted her.

Frank trudged to the very edge of the lake, dunked his feet in, and peered inside. He didn't know what he was trying to see. Perhaps the smooth lake and fresh air simply drew him in. Gazing into the clear surface, he examined the sea floor. The green seaweed, the tan sand, and the vibrant coral. Something flitted around on the floor. Frank looked closer and saw that there was a girl sitting peacefully in the sand. As if she sensed his gaze upon her, her chin rose, and she stared right back at him. The girl's hair swam around her face, disguising the color of her eyes.

Come to me, the girl whispered in Frank's mind. I will help you get revenge on the girl who broke your heart.

The girl's dark, black hair finally revealed the majestic green eyes that so stunned any onlookers.

At this point, Frank was far too curious. He leaned forward until his nose disturbed the smooth lake surface. Audrey leaped upward and grabbed his leg, dragging him into the water. Frank yelled in panic, but it was too late. His head had submerged in a whirlpool of bubbles, and Audrey was taking her captive deep into the lake.

Hours later, Hazel knocked on Frank's dorm room. When she received no response, she sighed and slid a parcel wrapped in fireproof cloth under the newly repaired door. Hazel gazed at Frank's door longingly before forcing herself to walk away. The piece of wood under the door, Frank's lifeline, sat on the floor, deserted, with no one to care for it.