Interstellar Academy

24: Revealed

Nova and Charlotte kept their distance from Leslie; one false move, one slip up, and their entire scheme would be revealed. Charlotte led as many swim classes and meets as possible, having been dubbed assistant captain. As for Nova, she simply poured her heart into her studies, frequently going over to the library to crack open unimaginable amounts of knowledge with Stav. Leslie didn't appear as if she noticed, but even so, they kept their guard way up.

"I think I'm going to forgive Jim now," Leslie said, to no one in particular.

"… What did he do?" Nova raised her head from her book to glare at her roommate.

"For humiliating me. Questioning me, seriously?" Leslie scoffed, her eyes glued to whatever magazine article she was reading.

"Oh, right." Nova rolled her eyes and continued with her homework.

"I mean, whenever you and Jim fought, how long did you wait to talk to him again?"

"Uh… the next minute we could?" Nova rubbed her nose against her book, not wanting to have this conversation.

"That's probably why you didn't work out. I mean, how could he think about what he'd done wrong if you were constantly trying to fix things. That's not your place."

Nova tossed her book onto her bed and rolled off, putting on her slippers and heading to the door. "I need some air."

She only wore a blue sweater and jeans, and the wind was rather rough that night. She noticed familiar brown hair under the moonlight by the courtyard. She playfully bumped into him, shocking him at first, but he smiled at her regardless.

"Just so you know, your girlfriend is going to forgive you." Nova eyed Jim accusingly. "Questioning her, seriously?"

Jim rolled his eyes. "Well, come tomorrow, that won't matter to me."

They stayed soberly quiet, but Nova hated how awkward it felt. "Jim?"

He looked over at her, his attention fully on her.

"I'm sorry. About all of this. About her." She shook her head. "I wish things turned out differently. I hate to see you upset. And I hate even more that she's done this to you- to us, Helena especially."

"I know." He twiddled his thumbs, concentrating on making his digits move in opposite directions. "But I'm glad I found out. Instead of waiting and waiting. The idea of facing her, though… I don't know how I'll do it. Since…"

"She's doing something. If she lied about the incident with the Rosado Galaxy, there's no doubt in my mind she's got something else up her sleeve." She placed a reassuring hand on his firm shoulder. "Besides, you won't be alone."

Their eyes locked, and Nova suddenly forgot how to breathe. Jim turned away first, biting his lip.

"Look. Last year… I'm sorry-"

"Don't you dare, Jim Hawkins." Nova interrupted. "None of that last year was your fault. I was being… utterly ridiculous. There isn't an excuse for how I was acting. I'M sorry. Really, truly sorry."

Jim smiled softly at Nova. "I forgive you." He then sighed. "But I couldn't forgive Leslie."

"No one's asking you to. She needs to be brought to justice, and soon. If we don't expose her in time, Helena…"

"I know…"

The next day, the group met in the courtyard, Jim off by his lonesome. Since Leslie was going to "forgive" him, no doubt she'd want to be alone- though he knew she'd make a spectacle of it.

"I'm so nervous," Nova said, her eyes glued to her friend.

"Everything will be OK, Nova, just be patient and be ready." Ruse rubbed her arm in an attempt to calm her down.

"Right."

"Jim!" Leslie voice squealed across the large patio, a few students turning around to see what the noise was about. The red head wrapped her arms around his neck, though he didn't make a move to hug back. "I'm so happy to see you! I know we had our little spat, but I want you to know, I forgive you."

Jim gently pried the girl from his body and shoved her away. "Glad to hear it. Wish I could say the same thing."

Leslie looked genuinely hurt and confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're a liar and a thief, and now I can't help but question what else you just so happen to be."

"W-what did I tell you about questioning me?" The girl crossed her arms hotly. "Seriously, Jim, if you want us to last, you're gonna have to quit being so accusing."

"I wouldn't if you were honest to me, like you avoided being honest in the Rosado Galaxy last summer."

She froze, her eyes then scanning over the crowd surrounding them.

That was their cue.

Nova walked over first and took her stand beside Jim. "You thought you could get away with it, didn't you? Lying and stealing the way you did."

The others joined them then. Ruse held up the article Stav had found earlier that week. "You did this, didn't you? You set her up."

Flustered, Leslie dropped her hands, staring between each of them, shocked. Then she said defensively, "I haven't a clue what you all are talking about! Seriously, toss your accusations elsewhere!"

"You don't know!" Charlotte yelled. "How about that you stalked my friend, got a job at her work, framed her for theft so she'd get arrested, and ran away faster than anyone could point a finger at you!"

"Why would I waste my time framing her?" But Leslie's glare turned into a smirk, and she nodded behind them. "Oh, right. He told me to."

They all faced the opposite direction in unison, Nova and Jim huddling a bit closer together.

"That's right, my little su-" Roger stopped his sentence, laughing. "Oh, right, no one knows. Big secret. Got'cha." He winked at Nova, as if the secret was strictly between them.

"What was the point in dragging our friends into this!" Jim hollered.

"So you'll believe that this whole ordeal isn't just about us three, but about everyone. Everyone's safety is now in jeopardy."

"But we followed your rules, Lander, why do you keep bothering us?"

"Maybe because the further I drive you apart, the closer she gets to me." Storm clouds formed above him, and rain started coming in from the south.

Nova panicked, looking around for the nearest shelter. One drop of rain, all it would take to transform her involuntarily in front of the entire academy.

"What's wrong, Nova? Since we're out on the patio, you won't reach indoors in near enough time. How sad." Roger chuckled. "You're not sugar, you won't melt. So what's the problem?"

Jim took off his grey jacket and threw it over her head; Stav took off his and wrapped it around her waist. She wore her boots, so her feet were safe.

"She looks ridiculous, I hope you know."

Jim glared at the man across from him. "Lander, you don't have to do this!"

"Oh, I do. Watching you two makes me sick, and once she's exposed, she'll need to run away."

The rain pelted on them, and Jim held onto Nova tight, as if his arms were enough to keep any wetness out.

"Don't worry, James Hawkins, I'll take care of her."

Lightning shot around them, hitting the ground in frequent spurts. The younger students rushed around, trying to find a way from this mess, while the older students took action, some guiding the freshmen, the others heading toward one of the weapons' shelters.

They were going to fight him.

"I'll take Nova to the nearest hide out," Jim said over the rain. "You guys follow them!"

Charlotte, Ruse and Stav rushed to aid their fellow students, Jim running toward the cafeteria. When they were inside, he ripped his jacket from the top of her head.

"You're going to get so sick!" Nova aimlessly dried him off, though it did no good.

Jim chuckled, taking the jacket from her hands. "Hey, I'll be fine. I'm just glad you're safe."

"If only for now." She stepped away from him, his dripping clothes creating a puddle. "I'm sorry. Having a friend as complicated as me must make your life… difficult."

Jim went from joking to serious in a millisecond, his eyes scanning over her. She felt self-conscious under his gaze, and avoided his stare. He reached out, as if to touch, then remembered he wasn't fully dry.

"I like complicated, Nova. I like you. A lot."

Nova bit her lip, trying to keep from smiling idiotically- and failing. "Oh."

"If I wasn't challenged, to me, there'd be no point."

Nova cocked her head to the side, puzzled by something bubbling inside her. "Then why did you date Leslie? For awhile there, she was some human, like you."

"Because I thought I needed simple. And I don't. I need you. Difficulties and all."

Nova didn't say anything, but stared at him lovingly. They were interrupted by a bolt of lightning that struck through the building, separating them. A large crack formed between them, both stepping away as it slowly grew.

"What do we have here? I thought I said no couple actions." Roger tsked and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Just leave us alone, Roger. This whole fight is pointless, you won't win!" Nova kept away from the opening above them, trying to stay dry.

"I always get what I want, Supernova Finn. It would probably be easier on everyone if you simply listened to me." Roger's body steamed against the rain, his horns protruding from his stark white hair. He extended a hand to Nova, which she rejected. "If you're with me, you won't worry about anything. I could rule; I know you don't want to. I could be the type of king your father dreamed for his daughter. And look- moisture doesn't affect me. Unlike that… human." He sniffed in Jim's direction, he sneered in return. "Life would be simpler."

Nova first stared at his dry hand, then his face. "That's fine; I like things a little complicated." She looked over at Jim, then pushed Roger out of the way.

Sure, Roger's skin was dry; unfortunately, his clothes were soaked.

"N-no!" Nova attempted uselessly to wipe her hands against her shirt, but it was too late. Stars spun around her legs; the next thing she knew, she was on the ground, her white fin flapping slowly toward the water.

Roger let out a roaring laugh. "Open the door, my dear Leslie!"

Jim ran over to keep the doors shut, but Roger simply shocked him to the ground.

People poured in, weapons at the ready, but halted when they saw Nova, fin and all. She pushed herself up, floating above a small bed of stars.

"Oh, no…" Charlotte covered her mouth, looking at each student surrounding her.

They couldn't believe what they were seeing: a sunmaid. A mythical creature, suspended right in front of them.

A/N: I was going to make this over 2500 words long, but decided to split this into 2 separate chapters. More suspense!