Candy- Chapter 7
Flora X Riven Modern Day AU
A/N: Hi! First author's note ever. Firstly, I don't own Winx Club or any of its characters. Only the plot of the story. Second I wanted to make this chapter more of a Riven pov so enjoy. Third please read and review it really means a lot. Special shout out to Liliana!
"I'll have a chamomile tea, please. Riven, what do you want?", asked Flora gently, leaning on the counter.
They had arrived at the cafe, which didn't disappoint one bit.
Everywhere were carefully sculpted sculptures, some of wood and some of stone, and the whole aura of the room radiated comfort and welcoming.
"Riven?"
The boy was so lost in thought that for a moment he forgot to answer.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Oh, it was so long ago.
His friend had looked over, eyes blank.
"She… she fell. She's gone. She's gone! There's nothing I can-"
"Who? What do you-"
The boy started screaming, tears in his eyes.
"Millie! All because of that girl! ALL BECAUSE OF THAT GIRL!"
Riven didn't know if in the boy's eyes he saw despair, or something more sinister. More long lasting. Like revenge, for example.
"Helia. I'm sorry."
"Well she sure wasn't, was she?!"
The boy was shocked, before regaining his composure.
"I'll fire her."
"Do you think that's enough?!"
For the whole of middle school things were never the same.
"Earth to Riven?"
The memories disappeared suddenly.
"What?", he sneered, to which she rolled her eyes, smiling.
"Do you want something to drink?"
"Yeh, go find a seat. I'll take care of it."
The girl grinned, before adding, "Next time I pay, no excuse!"
She then walked away, leaving the magenta-haired boy to his souvenirs again.
"A latte. Please."
"It'll be 40 bucks."
Just as the waitress started preparing the command, Riven drifted back into his thoughts.
"You're fired."
"But… I'm nothing without this job! I really didn't do it on purpose, I-"
"I'm sorry.", he cut.
By now, the normally prideful girl had thrown herself at his feet.
"Riven, I, I, I love you!"
The boy looked taken aback, before sneering.
"It would be more believable if you didn't admit it right when I'm firing you."
She had looked up, tears in her eyes. Seeing that specific girl cry broke Riven's heart. But she had done too much. At that time he didn't understand how endangered she would be without his protection.
"Here.", said the waitress as Riven came back to reality.
"Huh? Oh, thanks."
He then walked over to Flora, who had found a beautiful spot with a view on the lake. Oh, Flora. He never meant to get close to her, even less care. No, she reminded him too much of his mother. So delicate, yet so strong. So simple, yet so meaningful. So perfect, until she isn't anymore. So important to him, until she eventually leaves. Well, he wasn't sure about the last part. But he was sure to keep a distance in case it was true.
"I propose we split the work up in two? I could do the history part and you the chemical reaction one? Of course, if you want-", suddenly started the girl.
"Okay."
He grabbed a piece of blank paper she had put on the table and started working. Soon, the girl started writing too, and by the time the waitress walked over to say they'll be closing soon, they already came up with a clear outline for their project.
"I like working with you.", Flora said, sipping on her tea. Riven looked up, surprised, before shrugging.
"It could be worse.", he answered, to which the brunette chuckled.
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to show some feelings, sometimes."
"Feelings are only going to hurt you.", he replied a little too fast.
The girl smiled knowingly.
"But they are also the cause to happiness. If you live in peace, but in constant denial of you own desires, is it really living? Or just surviving? You can always tell m-"
Riven stood up, his eyes burning with flames.
"Listen here, Laine. It's not because we're partners that we're automatically friends. Stop telling me what to do, and stop pretending like I matter and then walk away when I need you the most!"
The instant he closed his mouth, Riven regretted his words. Flora was looking up in the most scary way. Her eyes were filled with fear. And disappointment. Somehow he felt pain in his chest at that sight. She stood up.
"Wait, Flo-", the magenta-haired boy started, before looking down again. His pride had submerged from nowhere, forcing him to sit back down and act as nonchalant as possible. Who did this girl think she was?
"As I was saying, Riven, feelings are important. I used to shun mines away too, and I know how it feels. But honestly, no one is so angelic as to forget their own feelings for the sake of another's. Not even me."
She started walking away, before turning back again, politely.
"We'll finish this later. Bye. I hope you think of my words."
Glaring at her silhouette, Riven sat up. She was walking farther and farther away. The boy closed his eyes, clenching his firsts. He felt raging pain from his right hand, to which he clenched even harder. Why did it matter anyways?
Slowly, he finished his drink. Gulping down the last drop of the mixture, he realized he never really liked coffee. It was too bitter, and tried to be overly sweet. Riven knew well that bitter things could never be sweet. They would just end up losing themselves, alongside the beliefs they learned along the way. Beliefs, and experiences that made them them.
Was it worth it to lose a bit of yourself to become someone considered better by society? And did he really care about society, or only her, the definition of sweetness?
