XIII. The Meeting

Saturday dawned as Diana sat up in bed with pajamas on; she didn't remember much after her Aunt Daryl. She didn't know what to do now. Hannah and Barbara both plopped down on her bed.

"Hey, are you feeling better?" Barbara asked, handing Diana a cup of her favorite tea.

"What happened? How did you both find me?" Diana asked.

"We got worried and went to looking for you." Barbara said, matter-a-factly.

Akko did come by asking for you. She was feisty but Sucy and Lotte finally peeled her away so that you could sleep in peace without her constant smothering." Hannah explained.

Diana stopped sipping. Akko was really worried about her, that was comforting.

Hannah put her hand on Diana's shoulder. "I'm sorry all of that happened to you. We should have been there to help you."

Barbara piped up. "We tried to open the door but it was blocked by high level magic. We sort of heard all of the stuff she was saying to you."

Diana sat back in the bed, Hannah and Barbara joined her.

"She's right. I-I am unloveable and disgusting. God, I hate that about myself." Diana said sadly.

"Don't say that." Hannah and Barbara both tried to say at the same time.

"Look it's okay that you're gay. But all that other stuff she was saying isn't true." Hannah said.

"Yeah, she's a terrible person, Diana. You can't take all of that to heart." Barbara said holding Diana's hand.

"Akko loves you and she's pretty concerned about you, so you should go over to her room sometime today… don't hate yourself Diana." Hannah said.

"We were talking about it last night, but you are the bravest person that either of us know." Barbara doated.

They both hugged Diana tightly. Diana leaned on Hannah's shoulder and knew that this coming week would be harder than last. But she had hope in all of her friends and their support and that had to be enough.

Both Hannah and Barbara stood up and Diana had to wonder what her next move would be. The ball was over but now she had to deal with the consequences of going after what she wanted.

Looking back on the events of last night, Diana realized that following her instincts had led to her success with Akko. She hadn't let her nerves crowd out her desire to dance with Akko. Right now, her instincts were to check on Akko and make sure she didn't feel guilty about the events of last night.

Diana's thoughts were interrupted by Hannah and Barbara near the door their room.

"Hey Diana do you want to head over to Akko's room, together? We gotta return some books to Lotte." Barbara said, holding up a couple of Nightfall volumes.

"Yes, excellent idea, Barbara." Diana replied, deciding to trust her instincts.

After getting dressed and freshening up they soon left the room, quietly closing the door and walking down the empty hallway splashed with morning light streaming in through the hallway windows.

When they arrived at Akko's room, Diana knocked on the door and stood silently in the hallway, shifting her feet. A delicious smell of breakfast emitted from the room. Diana's stomach growled.

There were a group shuffling sounds that happened behind the door. Suddenly, Akko opened the door and immediately Diana was yanked in. Akko wrapped herself around Diana and snuggled into her shoulder. Diana noticed that the room was packed.

Amanda and Sucy were sitting on the bottom bunk quietly chatting. Constance had set up a small portable skillet while Lotte and Constance were cooking eggs, pancakes and bacon on it. Amanda stood up and put her hands on her hips.

"Mm mm. Smells good in here, you guys doing short stacks?" Hannah said nosing her way in.

"Yeah, can I have a couple of eggs over easy?" Barbara asked making herself comfortable.

"You two- " Diana was about to say.

"It's okay, the food is for everyone here. We all need full stomachs to make this meeting a success." Amanda declared.

Akko let go of Diana and looked up at her.

"I'm so sorry! I should have stopped you. You're not to hurt are you?" Akko pushed.

Diana rubbed Akko's arm and smiled.

"I'm fine. The only thing damaged is my ego. More importantly what is this talk about a meeting?" Diana finished, asking the whole room. Bruises were covered by her clothes but she didn't dare tell Akko.

Lotte stopped pouring orange juice and Jasminka finished flipping a stack of pancakes onto a plate. Both looked at Amanda, who smiled knowingly.

"Once breakfast is ready and everyone gets some food, the meeting will officially start. We all need to talk about the events of last night. We also need a secretary." Amanda said.

Barbara raised her hand wildly. "Oooh! Me! Me! I have excellent handwriting."

"This is absurd. Why do all of us need to be involved in this?" Diana asked.

Akko took Diana's hand and lead her over to sit on a couple of beanbags that Amanda had 'borrowed' from the common room.

"Because we're all a team. Three teams in one! We need to help each other. Together we'll figure out how to take your evil aunt down!" Akko declared with a smile that melted Diana's heart.

Diana laughed and Akko looked at her confused.

"This is serious Diana! I saw the bruises and heard all the mean stuff she said to you!" Akko said.

Diana looked at Hannah and Barbara who were both eating breakfast they had ordered.

Both stopped midway through and sheepishly looked at each other. "Well, how were we supposed to explain it? She refused to leave until we answered her." Hannah said drinking some of her orange juice.

Diana sighed and Akko plopped both of them down onto the same beanbag. They sat close together.

"Of course I know! I… I worry about you Diana. And it's just not fair! You're the smartest, most beautiful and courageous witch here! You shouldn't have to take that! Who does she think she is anyway?! I'll give her a piece of mind and fists the next time I see her!" Akko rattled off in true Akko fashion.

Diana blushed hard at all of that. Akko really did care about her, she wasn't kidding herself. It least one good thing survived Daryl's wrath. If Akko felt that strongly, Diana would have no problem matching that passion for Akko in return. She promised herself that if anyone did anything to Akko she would end them.

A plate of two eggs, two bacon strips and two pancakes were handed to her. Lotte smiled and gave Diana a glass of orange juice.

"We're just concerned about what happened to you. Besides everyone just wants an excuse to hang out together some more."Lotte explained cheerfully.

Amanda stood up in front of everyone, to start the meeting.