So there might be more chapters published than originally planned but that's ok, I guess...
Sorry last chapter was a tad bit confusing; I hope this chapter makes up for it.
No one had said a word since the games started on the third day, though Orga did try making light humor before heading out for the first event; there was still an air of awkwardness hanging above the rest of us.
My nails had dug so deep into my palm that I didn't realize it was bleeding until I felt someone place a makeshift bandage in my hand. Turning around, I saw Sting staring at me in silence, a small frown grazing his lips. I smiled despite myself.
"Thank you," I whispered and he didn't do anything after that but turn his head back to the arena.
After sticking the bandage onto the small wound, I let my eyes wander to the arena where Titania had announced that she'll take on a hundred monsters all at once in Pandemonium. All around me, I heard several hitched breaths and I couldn't help but think
Why be shocked? Erza Scarlet is called Titania for a reason...
And before I knew it, I felt my thoughts drift off as I hung my head in my hands and leaned against the railing tiredly. Thinking back to the time I first joined Sabertooth; when my hair was still a shade of blond that was almost unmistakable and I hid myself under an expensive pink-white hood.
Was I as strong as Erza back then? I couldn't help but think as I watched her bloody struggle; did I raise my head up with the same pride just like her every time I won a fight?
It wasn't like thinking back was going to do me any good; nothing was going to get better for me after the Games after all. I was already in a delicate situation with Gemma, Sting still looked at me like a little sister and I had my own sister that I still had to talk to. Not to mention my old guild...
They were going to find out sooner than I would've liked, I just knew it. Maybe Seira was right; maybe I did have to face this problem now and stop running away.
Easier said than done...
I was knee deep in my thoughts when the dong rang for the thirty minute break...
"Hey, you. Blondie." To be honest, I didn't know what was more awkward... the fact that I had basically unconsciously (in my defense, I was thinking) stalked Sting or the fact he just tried to objectify a girl with the same hair color as him by calling her Blondie.
And to say the least, Lucy Heartfilia didn't seem the slightest bit amused anyways.
"What do you want?" She grumbled, glaring at him. She was alone, and must have been on her way to join her team at their viewing platform when Sting intercepted her.
I bit my lip jealously from my spot behind the wall; it wasn't like I was trying to hide... Sting had caught me a few minutes prior when I crashed into a stone pillar and almost stumbled out the window in a dizzy daze. It was just that after the question she asked me the other day; I wasn't exactly sure how the hell I was supposed to carry out a normal conversation with the ex heiress without it getting extremely awkward. Hence why I was hiding behind a wall.
"urgh... your ..." I had to strain my ears extremely hard just to hear those two words. Sting, I realized after knowing him for such a long time, had a bad habit of muttering every now and then. I felt like punching something when whoever up there decided this was the best time to give the white dragon slayer back his little speech impediment.
I felt like I was burning up then as I leaned against the wall, the depression seeping back into my system as I played out whatever possible situation this scenario could result in. I felt sick right down to the pit of stomach when it finally came upon to me just why he had called the Celestial Mage out. I tried hard not to move as Lucy spotted me and gave me a curt look- one that called for help desperately. I just shrugged meekly; letting my heartstrings pull painfully as she turned her attention back to the white dragon slayer in defeat.
It never occurred to me that Lucy was interested in someone else.
I watched in a chilling pain as Lucy's eyes widened, a look of confusion and the small hint of blush decorating her cheeks betrayed her inner thoughts as Sting continued muttering whatever he was muttering to her. It felt like the one millionth heartbreak all over again.
Oh god, I can't handle this anymore...
Slapping my hands to my mouth, I quickly turned away from the scene and sprinted down the hall before the bile started to spew from my mouth.
Had I turned back, even for a millisecond, I would've seen Sting handing the old worn leather journal to Lucy and not have let this whole mess get out of proportion.
Rogue didn't even say a word to me as he casually entered the infirmary and placed a potion onto the bedside table, Fro however flew up to me with a cold washcloth.
"Thank you, Fro" I whispered quietly as I tried not to nod off. Fro only frowned as the washcloth fell off my forehead and I could only let out a weak laugh as I tried to get myself to stay awake. With no other option, I sat up and grabbed the potion from the table, gulping down the concoction without a moment's hesitation.
I felt better almost immediately, the fever rapidly decreasing with every second.
"You know it's only temporary right?"
"I'll be fine as long as I don't overdo it..."
I was already heading towards the arena when I heard my name being called from the distance. My head felt like a thousand pounds by the time I got half way down the hall and I just knew I was never going to get through this fight without screwing at least one thing up.
The potion was wearing off, I realized, when I finally arrived at the arena and stood in the middle as my two old guild mates joined me. The words 'death match' and 'unconscious' were the only thing that made it to my ears, everything else that was said by the pumpkin headed announcer was mush in my ears.
I was going to fall asleep if I didn't pay attention; I realized and felt my cheeks warm up despite myself.
Shit.
The world was spinning; I was seeing two and the sounds seemed distorted the more I tried to stay awake. I almost stumbled back on my own weight if it wasn't for the familiar feel of shadows forming behind me and something materializing in my hand.
I didn't even take the time to think just what Rogue had put in the pill before I crushed it and casually put in my mouth, faking a yawn.
If only I did, then I wouldn't have consumed the hallucinogen laced pill and be tormented with the dark whispers of my past fears while my match with Ken and V.
Maybe then I would've had more time to prepare myself to reintroduce myself to my old guild like I first planned when I first ran away.
Horray, how do I words... Well I will be going back to actually revise Fool's Gold, so at most. If I finish it quickly then I'll update in a week, just in time for Finals; if not, don't expect any updates for the next two-three weeks at most.
Review? I love you guys