So. This is the long-awaited sequel to "A Nice Distraction". Thanks for reading Distraction, and thanks for reading this one. If you haven't read distraction, you might want to, but this is a different story, so you shouldn't be left too far behind. As usual, I don't own Labyrinth, but I do own Alexa and her siblings, and another character you'll find soon enough. Enjoy~!
Ileana worked quietly next to Alexa. Ever since the incident Underground, Ileana had been very well-behaved, much to the disappointment of Astrid. Astrid and Castor stuck around for a while, but with Alexa's high school graduation looming, Astrid seemed to be spending more and more time out of the house and Castor more and more time sulking. Alexa was packing, Ileana handling each of her books with an almost reverent care. Alexa was folding up the clothes she was going to take with her, when she moved, happy about the fact she was finally getting out.
Ileana finally spoke up. "You're going back, aren't you?"
They never spoke of what happened, not really. There were a few meaningful glances, and nights just the two of them where they'd sit in silence together, remembering, but they never properly talked about it. Alexa knew Ileana had seen the final confrontation, and knew she understood. Still, she silently vowed to fix that. She knew her experience in the Labyrinth was very different from Ileana's.
Alexa smiled at her little sister. "Yeah, I am. Not yet, though. I want to get through college first."
"Why? He'll take care of you. He is a king, after all." Ileana accentuated her statement with an eye roll.
Alexa laughed. "Yes, I know. Well, it'd be a nice experience. Plus, I could use what I learn in college in his Court. You know?"
Ileana nodded. "That makes sense."
Alexa smiled. "C'mon, Squirt. Help me take these down to the car." She took the box of books, leaving Ileana with the much-lighter load of clothing. They went downstairs, loading the boxes into Alexa's "new" car. Her parents bought it second-hand, and Alexa had spent many summer nights fixing it, but now it ran beautifully, and it was hers. Castor and her dad were already waiting at her new apartment to help her unload and unpack. "You wanna come, Squirt?" Alexa offered.
Ileana smiled, but shook her head. "You'll come back to visit, right?" She was twisting the hem of her shirt in her fingers, unable to meet Alexa's eyes.
Alexa pulled her into a hug. "Every holiday and birthday, promise. And every weekend while I'm still in college. Okay?"
Ileana nodded, hugging her back. "I'll miss you."
"Oh, Squirt, I'll miss you too," Alexa said, surprised she meant it. She swung into the car, waving at Ileana until she disappeared into the rearview mirror. She reached her apartment quickly, seeing her brother and dad waiting to unload. They unloaded, setting up the important things then leaving Alexa to finish off with the little details. Alexa waved them both off, sighing happily at the final silence in her apartment. She set up her books, hung up her clothes, and made her bed before going to the vanity and setting a small crystal orb on the smooth desk. Grinning madly, she said, "Jareth? I need you."
"Why, hello there, precious thing."
I wrote this a while ago. I just needed to get the rest of the story going... hope you guys are in for another wild ride~!