Revamped!

[I updated my other two stories so I figured I might as well do the same for this one. Also, I'm currently working on the last chapter of the second arc and I'm so excited for it that I want to publish it so here's this chapter to get there faster]. [2020: As I'm revamping, I too want to get to the next arc].

Winter's Melting: Part Seven

During the school day, the student body is talking immensely about what happened in the hallways between the beautiful strange girl with the three scars under her eye and the Wolf Pack. The moment those rumours entered Cinder's ears, her heart dropped, not believing any of it. She didn't want to believe them to be true but for a false story, it had explicit details about her step-cousin. Once Cinder heard that Scarlet was there to save the beautiful strange girl with the three scars under her eyes, she goes to confront her.

The moment she spots the redhead, Cinder grabs Scarlet's bicep and drags her to the corner of the hallways. Scarlet doesn't object and just plays along with it.

"What happened to the girl with the scars?!" Cinder asks, her voice rushed in a whispered panic.

"From what I saw, the Wolf Pack kept on taunting her," Scarlet responds coyly. "Then some lady who I assumed was her mom came out of nowhere to get her. I only say that because she wasn't a teacher. Why'd you ask? Do you know Winter?"

Cinder quickly nods, Scarlet notices her worried eyes.

"Winter's my step-cousin," Cinder says.

Scarlet pauses as she hears those words, not fully understanding a self-explanatory statement. Then it clicks together: Cinder Blackburn. Winter Hayle-Blackburn. Why didn't she realize that sooner? However, it's still fuzzy for her to comprehend since sharing a last name could be nothing more than just a coincidence. Besides, Cinder's name isn't hyphenated.

"How are you two related?" Scarlet asks. "I mean, I get the whole step-cousin part but I just don't get the actual relation part. You two look nothing alike."

"We're not blood-related." Cinder takes a breath. "My mom's sister is Winter's stepmom."

Scarlet nods. "So, your whole family moved here from Luna?"

Cinder shakes her head. "I've been living with Winter and her step-monster aka my aunt for as long as I can remember. My mom died when I was an infant and I don't know who my dad is. Nobody does unless Levana - my aunt - just isn't telling me which she probably has her secret reasons for. Also, both of Winter's biological parents are dead so it's just the three of us."

Scarlet is left speechless before saying, "Aces, that's a lot to have to go through."

Cinder nods. "I think I was a year old when I moved in with Levana and Winter and she was already married to Winter's dad. I never knew a life different than what I have now."

"You didn't have to tell me all that."

"You saved Winter."

"Still."

"Just so we're on some sort of even playing field, I live here with my Grandmère and have since I was seven. Parents are back in France and I don't talk to them at all. They didn't have any big part in my life so why bother?"

Cinder smiles with her lips, putting a hand on Scarlet's shoulder. "You're right, Scarlet. We'll be good friends after all."

-o-

Later in the day, Winter sits on a cold leather couch in an office. She looks around and sees the polished room decorated with framed graduation diplomas and fake potted plants. Everything seems old in here, just like the man sitting behind the desk. He's currently sitting behind a desk, writing some notes for her mental evaluation. Her first appointment was supposed to be next week but after her fiasco in school, Levana called for an emergency session. Winter didn't complain because she wasn't allowed to. She was nearly thrown into the car and dragged into the building. She didn't even change out of her school uniform.

Winter's eyes are focused on the back of a frame that's been sitting on the desk. After being curious about it for too long, Winter gets up and peers her head over to see the picture.

It's a teenage girl with long honey-blonde hair. Her face is shaped like a heart that is complimented with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose and the apples of her cheeks. Winter doesn't want to assume anything but Dr. Darnel looks old enough to be her grandfather.

"Dr. Darnel," Winter says, "may I ask who this is?"

Dr. Darnel smiles a little as he looks at the picture. "That is my daughter Crescent - or Cress, for short. She prefers Cress."

"She's beautiful."

"Thank you." He beams like a proud father which makes Winter feel happy on the inside. "She looks like her mother." His tone suddenly down before she shakes it off. "The next time you go to school, find Cress. You might have some classes together. She's a sweet girl."

Winter nods excitedly. "I will."

"That's great. Now, take a seat so we can finish this off and you can be on your way."

Winter nods again, heading back to sit on her leather seat. Dr. Darnel looks up from his notes and adjusts his glasses. He pulls out a fresh notepad and flattens it before grabbing a pen. He looks at Winter with the most comforting smile a doctor could give in an intimidating and nerve-wracking situation.

"So, Winter," he starts, "if you had the choice today, would you go back to Artemisia?"

Winter remains still as a single tear rolls down her face, tracing her scars.

-o-

Hours later, Levana opens the front door of their home. She enters and Winter follows, happy to be home after this long day for her. She turns to face Levana and can see her tired eyes from underneath her sunglasses. Winter has no idea why she's tired since she didn't almost get eaten alive by some wolves.

"I'm going to take a nap," Winter says.

Levana nods, probably not even hearing what Winter said. Winter starts running up the stairs. Once Winter is gone, Levana silently curses to herself since Dr. Darnel wouldn't prescribe Winter on anything, just like all the experts in Artemisia. She thinks of going to a better specialist but Dr. Darnel was already claimed as Commonwealth's best combined neurologist and psychiatrist. Going to a separate neurologist and psychiatrist seemed like a waste of time for both herself and Winter. As she takes out her phone to make a call, Cinder comes down the stairs.

"You had nothing to do with Winter at school, right?" Levana asks her.

Cinder shakes her head. "You saw me leave the house, Levana. I didn't even know it happened until I heard rumours."

Levana nods, starting to dial a phone number. Cinder finds herself leaning against the stairwell's railing since she has a hunch that their conversation isn't done yet.

"I had to cancel my meeting because of Winter's incident," Levana explains, now holding the phone to her ear. "I'm rescheduling it to this evening. It'll be here."

"I'll be glad to get out of your hair again," Cinder says, heading back upstairs.

Levana watches her niece go upstairs, bitterly thinking about how much that girl reminds her of her late sister. If anything, Levana wished that Cinder took after the unknown father so she wouldn't have to deal with a mini Channary. With that in mind, if Cinder hadn't gone upstairs, she would've given her permission to go out.

[Oh look, Cress got mentioned. She will physically be in the story in the next arc and she plays a vital role in it]. [2020: One of my regrets isn't properly introducing Cress in this arc but I couldn't find a place that didn't feel forced, and I love how she's introduced in the next arc].