Title: Trust Betrayed
Author: jessalae
Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize. It all belongs to Tamora Pierce.
A/N: "-…-" is thoughts.
-o-o-O-o-o-
Dear Neal,
"-No, no.-"
Nealen,
"-No, he hates it when people call him that.-"
To Neal of Queenscove:
"-No.-"
Neal-
I am very sorry
"-Um…nah.-"
Getting involved with Dom
"-Don't think so!-"
I made a serious mistake by cheating on
"-Don't like the cheating part.-"
I made a serious mistake by betraying your trust. Please know that I am very, very ashamed. I understand completely if you never want to make contact again. Perhaps it is best
"-No, not perhaps. Definitely.-"
It is best if we stay away from each other. I will make no attempt to contact you besides this letter. I just want to tell you how horrible I feel.
Yukimi
Yuki stared at the letter for about three seconds, then scrunched it into a ball and threw it over her shoulder in a most unladylike manner. "-No, no, no!-" she raged in her head. "-Why can I not write a simple letter saying I'm sorry?-" She sighed, inwardly wishing she could burst into tears. "-I suppose the issue is too complicated to be summed up in a simple letter.-"
But she had said nothing that wasn't true. She was ashamed of her actions. She had no desire to keep in touch with Neal, especially if he was going to shout and throw things every time he saw her. She just didn't love him anymore.
-o-O-o-
Neal wondered absently if the saying was true, and you really could wear a hole through the floor by pacing.
"-Nah,-" he concluded. "-If it was possible, I would have fallen through by now.-" So he turned his mind to the more pressing topic at hand: what to do about Kel.
That Owen! And Aludra, too! Idiots, the both of them. "-And myself,-" he recalled. "-I should have made my directions much more specific. Don't tell Kel, I said, but I failed to mention everyone else in the castle!-"
It really wasn't fair for all of them to gang up on him like that. How could he say no when he had half his friends and family pestering him, not to mention the crown prince! So he would have to tell her sometime. But how?
"Not by letter," he muttered to himself. "Not by hint, not by chance, and certainly not by Aludra!" Burying his face in his hands, he continued, "I guess that just leaves face-to-face then. But Gods, what would I say?" He straightened up and forced his mouth into a smile. "Hello, Kel. So, how about this weather? Oh, by the way, I'm in love with you." Shaking his head vigorously, Neal collapsed onto his bed. "Gah! No, no, no. Who do they think I am, Mithros? No one could handle something like this. It's hopeless." He got to his feet and resumed pacing.
"I've always wondered why people think walking back and forth will solve their problems."
Neal jumped. "Aludra!"
"I mean, all it really does is tire you out." She smirked. "Then again, I suppose for some it's less tiring that thinking is."
"Oh, very funny. Hilarious." Neal rolled his eyes and walked behind his sister to shut the door. "Why are you here, o clever one?"
"Just thought I'd see how the brainstorming was coming along."
"Nothing. Not a single idea. You know, I wouldn't be in this predicament if it weren't for you and your posse."
"Now is that any way to talk to your sister?"
"When that sister is an annoying, sneaky little twerp it is."
"Well, you can't blame me for going behind your back."
"Want to bet?"
"I mean, it was for your own good."
"Sure. That's what they all say."
She dismissed the comment with a wave of her hand. "I was only checking in."
"Well, I think you've checked in quite enough. What would really do me good is if you checked out once in a while!" Neal was fuming by this time.
"Fine, fine, I'll go. I can see where I'm not wanted."
"I hadn't noticed that you possessed that talent," Neal muttered.
Pretending not to hear, Aludra made her way to the door. Halfway out, she paused. "If I may offer a suggestion? The ball is in six days." She stepped fully into the hall and closed the door behind her.
"The ball? What has that got to do with anything?" Neal wondered aloud. "Unless…no! Do you really think I'm that cliché?" He griped. "I am not telling her at the ball! Honestly!" He suddenly realized that Aludra probably couldn't hear him, and clapped a hand over his mouth.
"-Oh, wonderful.-"
-o-o-O-o-o-
A/N: First of all: 107 REVIEWS! YOU GUYS ROCK! YAY!
Second of all: Shorter chapter than usual. Hopefully it's good, though. Thanks for all your support!
-- jessalae