Witchling Academy Semester Eight - Avery Song Page 0,146

was best friends with and had a crush on but didn't have the balls to say shit because my fucked-up twin brother or triplet or whatever number of clones he has screwed everything up in my love life and formidable future, then ya. I'd be more than a little pissed, but it's just..."

"You’re afraid she won't have enough love to give you with him in the equation?"

"No," I whispered and rubbed my hands along my face. "Brianne has too much fucking love. That's the problem, Fuwa."

I lowered my arms to look directly into his eyes. "Her heart never lacks! It's like love just pours out of it and when she starts falling for someone, I know she can fight as much as she wants, but in reality, she won't be able to let go. You see it, don't you? She wakes up at four in the morning after falling asleep at two, gets up, trains, and then goes to make sure he's comfortable, groomed, and getting enough nutrition. No matter the fact she can barely keep up with school and cheer practice right now and is basically driving herself into exhaustion, just because she knows that Elijah not only has nobody who dares do the same for him but because she knows she wouldn't dare let anyone she loved experience such a horrendous way of living."

Taking a breath, I let it out nice and slow. "I heard those nurses. The mockery, the gossip. Like fuck, if I was in a coma and had to listen to all of that crap, I'd pray for someone to pull the damn plug. I knew from the look in Brianne's eyes when she saw Elijah in that bed that she wouldn't abandon him. Even if that was the evil Elijah, nothing would have changed. She would make sure he was taken care of because that's our Red. Our Notorious Queen with an ever-loving heart that pours and pours until she has none for herself, and that's what scares me. You know why?"

He seemed to swallow - his Adam's apple moving up and down.

"Because a moment will come when she'll have to choose between herself and one of us, and I know without a doubt in my mind that the woman I love will once again wedge herself between a strike of an arrow and one of the men she cares dearly about," I revealed the ultimate truth. "And it scares me because I know without a doubt that Elijah may be included in that equation because out of all the fucked-up shit we've dealt with in almost four years, I'm sure he's experienced ten times worse with not even one person to lean on."

We stood there in silence and I noticed then that Fuwa's legs were disappearing. He bit his lip but looked up at me. "Where do you wanna go? It's not safe to stay here."

"My place," I suggested. "Would be easier to get to the festival."

He nodded, and I swiftly moved to slowly scoop Brianne up from the bed. Elsa was still snuggled in her spot. Fuwa was next to me, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. The world around us shifted swiftly until we were right in my room.

I looked to Fuwa as his disappearing speed increased. Facing me, he got to the point. "Tell Brianne you guys know." He wasn't saying that lightly. "All of this is giving her anxiety and if we're not careful, it's going to trigger something. Whether that be her passing out at the wrong place and time like today or triggering her temper or frustration, which isn't good timing, period."

He took a step back though half his body was already gone.

"Fuwa," I whispered. "Why did you tell me all of this?"

"Again, out of the four of you, Brianne won't argue with you," he revealed. "And to be truthfully honest, deep down, you may be the only one who really understands Elijah."

"Why is that?" I tried to dismiss him, but his smile caught my attention as he was on the verge of disappearing entirely.

"Deep down you know what it's like to be a shadow."

Just like that, he was gone with a blink, leaving me in the middle of my room with Brianne still in my arms.

When the emotions you've kept buried are ignored, you merely wish for them to be heard by those you love the most.

22

Spring Festival Of Fulfillment

~BRIANNE~

* * *

Hmm. So sleepy. When did I fall asleep? What year is it? Wait...that's