Chapter 22

All the Wrong Places

Heatherfield

While Irma never liked going to her job, she was actually thankful for it today. The work kept her hands and mind busy, and stopped her from thinking about the events of yesterday, both on Meridian and on Earth. She had also found herself enjoying work more and more as time went on. She had made several friends there, not the least of which was Josh, her co-worker. Still, it was hard to keep her mind from thoughts of arrows and envelopes for too long, and it showed.

"Are you alright, Irma?" Josh asked, looking over worriedly at his partner. "You seem… different today."

"Had a ba… busy day yesterday." Irma said glumly, angry with herself that her deception had been noticed. "Guess I'm just feeling down."

"Anything you can talk about? Or want to?" Josh asked.

Irma noticed with surprise that there was genuine concern in Josh's voice. Irma looked at the boy carefully. They were very much alike, her and Josh. They had been through a lot these past few months, both together and apart. Irma hated the job, but she was just now realizing how good a friend Josh really was.

"I wish I could, I really do." Irma said. "But it's personal. Trust me, you wouldn't understand."

"Suit yourself." Josh said with a shrug. "But we know each other pretty well now. I might understand better then you think."

Irma smiled, a genuine one this time. Over the past few months that she had worked at Moxie's, she had come to realize that Josh did understand her, better then most. Even the rest of the girls lived simpler and happier lives then she did. They didn't have to deal with failing grades and causing inter-planetary wars, and so she often found it hard to express herself. When it came to her human life, the real part of Irma, she felt Josh understood her better then anyone she knew.

"I appreciate that," Irma began, "but that also means you'll understand why I don't explain everything."

"I guess you're right." Josh said with a laugh.

Mercifully for both of them, the clock at last struck the hour in which they were freed from their labor. Irma normally took off immediately after work, but with only a letter with the word 'failed' on it waiting at home, she decided to stick around with Josh for a bit.

"How do you even get home?" Irma asked as they put away their gear.

"I get a ride. I live too far away to walk." Josh replied.

"Your mom comes by to pick you up?" Irma asked.

"No." Josh replied with a laugh. "My girlfriend does."

Irma felt like someone had punched her in the gut. Her heart dropped, her stomach clenched, and her hands balled into fists. Josh frowned, sensing that Irma's mood had changed. Before he could say anything, Irma quickly muttered a goodbye and walked off, leaving a very surprised Josh waiting for his ride.

Irma never had any feelings for Josh, at least not romantic ones. He was a friend, and that was all. But Irma had considered him a kindred spirit, someone who knew what it was like to work an awful job and fail a math test. Someone like her. But instead, he was just like all the rest. Unlike her, he was in a relationship, and once work was done he could go home to a normal, happy life. All Irma had was the other four girls, and people that she let down.

She wanted to scream, rant and rave at the sky, but how could she? How could she explain any of this to anyone? Her parents wouldn't understand, and the rest of the girls would just pity her. The last thing she needed was the girls telling her how sorry they felt for her. Saying that everything would get better, and that she just needed to stop worrying about things so much. Still, she had to get away and go somewhere, just to clear her head.

"So you're saying there's a war going on?" Eric asked.

"Not yet, but there will be." Hay Lin explained.

The two were walking through Harding Park, enjoying both the beautiful summer's day, and each other's company. It had been less then a month ago that Hay Lin had told Eric about the Guardians, and she could still remember how terrified she was. Before, she wasn't sure if her and Eric were really right for each other. Now though, after how he had taken everything, there was no doubt in her mind. Eric was perfect as far as she was concerned, and she had never been happier, despite all that was happening on Meridian.

"A war. Wow, I'm both proud of you, and terrified for you." Eric said.

"You're proud of me for being in a war?" Hay Lin asked.

"A war between two worlds? And you in the middle, fighting for good against evil? Isn't there a part of you that's amazed by all of that?" Eric said.

"I guess there used to be." Hay Lin said with a shrug. "Now, it's kind of weird if we aren't fighting someone. Also, we don't want to win this war, just stop it."

"Right, because Balsilide isn't really the bad guy. It's just a misunderstanding." Eric said.

"Kinda. Either way, if they fight a lot of good people are going to die." Hay Lin said.

"Wow. And to think this time last year my biggest worry was trying to get you to like me."

Hay Lin beamed, and gave Eric a big hug.

"You didn't have to work to hard on that." she said.

Eric returned the warm embrace, and for a moment, the only people in their lives were each other.

"So when can I go back?" Eric asked, once he had reluctantly let go of Hay Lin.

"To Meridian?" Hay Lin replied. "I don't know, I'd love to show you around some more, but we should wait until after the war…"

"But you said the fighting wouldn't take place at the castle!" Eric pleaded. "I could just stay there!"

"Why do you want to go back so badly anyways?" Hay Lin asked.

"My grandpa's an astronomer." Eric said. "I've spent my entire life looking at other worlds. Now I can finally go to one. It's one of two dreams to come true this year."

"Two? What was the other one?" Hay Lin asked.

"Meeting you." Eric replied with a smile.

And Hay Lin was happier then she had ever been in her entire life.

Meridian

Irma burst though the fold with a frown placed firmly on her face. She clutched the Heart that she had borrowed from Will in her hand, and looked around the hallway she had entered. Only Elyon was in sight, walking towards her. The Meridian Queen was looking over various military reports, and didn't notice Irma until she bumped into her.

"Irma? What are you doing here?" Elyon asked, tucking away her papers.

"Just needed to get some fresh air." Irma said. "Clear my head a little."

"Let me guess, you blame yourself for this war?" Elyon asked.

"Yeah. Among other things." Irma replied. "Just wanted to, I don't know, get away from Earth for a bit."

"I've always found it doesn't help worrying about the past. Focus on the future." Elyon said sternly. "And moping around the castle hallways isn't making the future any better."

Elyon began to leave, but paused, seeing the expression on Irma's face. With a sigh, she paused and turned to Irma.

"Look, Irma, I'd love to talk, and help you feel better, but I'm a little busy." Elyon said, pointing to her reports. "Just try to cheer up, okay?"

"Yeah, because it's that easy." Irma muttered once Elyon was out of earshot.

She was beginning to think that coming to Meridian was a bad idea when she heard a voice from behind.

"Irma? Is that you?"

Irma spun to find herself facing Walli. Her heart jumped, and she wasn't sure if Walli was the first or last person she wanted to see. She had always been fond of the Meridian archer, and thought that they might even… No, she told herself. The last thing she needed was another disappointment. Just say something casual, she thought. Something nice, but non-committal.

"Oh. Hi Walli." Irma said.

"Still upset about the events of yesterday?" Walli asked.

"What gave it away?" Irma said with a laugh.

"Well, I can see how a near death experience such as the one yesterday could have an effect on someone, and it would explain your presence in the castle…"

"It was a rhetorical question, Walli."

"Ah. I see."

Irma couldn't help but smile and stifle a laugh.

"It's not just yesterday." she said. "Selna's family, Earth stuff, you…"

Irma's eyes went wide.

"Oh no, you! I forgot about you!" She said. "I messed up your life too! What did they do to you? Did Elyon banish you from the castle."

"No, as is evident by the fact that I am still in it." Walli said.

"Oh, yeah, right." Irma said. "Oh Walli, I'm so sorry!"

"Nothing was said that I couldn't handle." Walli said, taking a seat on a nearby bench. He invited Irma to sit beside him, which she did. "Elyon did have a… long discussion with me, one I'm not sure is over. My fate with the team is still undecided, I suppose."

"You shouldn't have killed Hoth." Irma said. "Saving me was a mistake."

Walli glanced down at the girl beside him.

"Irma, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life." He began. "Perhaps when this is over, I'll tell you about them. But I don't think that saving you was one of them. Given the chance, I'd do it again without hesitation."

"Really?" Irma asked, surprised and hopeful. "Is it because of what you said on Balsilide, about the life of a Guardian being worth more then a soldier? Because I'm not really sure my…"

"No, Irma, it has nothing to do with the Guardians." Walli interrupted.

"Then why?" Irma asked.

"Because as well as mistakes, I've also met a lot of people in my life." Walli said. "Good people, bad people, strong people and weak people. But I've never met any one quite like you. The way you smile and laugh, you give me hope for tomorrow. I once thought that was no longer thought possible. I didn't save you because of powers or politics, I saved you because you're an amazing person, and because the universe is a better place you still in it."

And even though a war still loomed, and even though all the things she had done were not erased, Irma's felt her world get a whole lot better.

Heatherfield

Cornelia could not help but notice a striking contrast between her plate and Timothy's. The young boy was nearly finished his meal, while Cornelia's was barely touched. Timothy had also noticed this fact, as was rather concerned about it.

"Don't you like your meal?" Timothy asked. "Maxim's is supposed to have the finest cuisine in town. My father knows the chef, perhaps I could talk to…"

"No, no, it's fine. I'm just not hungry." Cornelia said, not wanting the poor chef to take the blame for her lack of appetite.

Timothy put down his fork and stared at the girl in front of him with curious eyes. There was nothing sinister in the gaze, but Cornelia still felt uncomfortable.

"Cornelia," Timothy began, "we've known each other for some time now."

Thinking about it, Cornelia had to agree. She had known Timothy for a couple months now, and he had proven himself no less then a perfect gentleman. But this was their second date, and Cornelia had hoped that any misgivings about this relationship would have passed by now. Instead, her stomach was tied in knots.

"Yes, I suppose we have." Cornelia answered, trying to sound casual.

"I have enjoyed your company ever since we meet, and I hope I'm not to bold in my assumption that you've enjoyed mine." Timothy said.

Once again, Cornelia could not deny that.

"Yet I sense that there is still something about me that makes you uneasy." Timothy continued. "You are still uncomfortable around me. Please, what am I doing to wrong you?"

"No, you're not." Cornelia answered. "There's nothing wrong with you, really."

"But?" Timothy said.

"But, there is something wrong with me." Cornelia said. "I'd like to explain what it is, and maybe someday I can, but for now, I can't tell you what it is."

"If there's anything I can do…" Timothy said. "Anything I can give you…"

Cornelia felt her heart being ripped in two. Part of it wanted to stay at this table, finish her meal and be happy with Timothy for as long as she could. But the other half, as much as she tried to stop it, kept wandering back to Meridian.

"There's one thing you can give me." Cornelia said. "One day. Give me one day, and I promise after that, no more questions. I can't guarantee you'll like the answers, but you'll get them. Can you do that? Can you wait for me?"

"I…" Timothy began, uncertain of what Cornelia was saying, "Yes, for you, I can wait."

With that, Cornelia got up, shook Timothy's hand and left the restaurant, fire in her eyes. Enough was enough, she told herself. It had been over a week since she had unofficially broken up with Caleb, and yet her thoughts still drifted to Meridian. She didn't know what her heart wanted, or what the right choice was, but she was certain that after tonight, her decision would be made, once and for all.