To think that a match was still going on. They were both chattering, completely oblivious to the fact that their team had scored a point thanks to Twilight.
Before Silver could say anything, Fiona decided to leave her there and enjoy the game. But just then, Silver sharpened her tongue.
"There goes Mama's little virgin. All you ever do is wait to see the chaos before you walk away."
Fiona snapped. She clenched her fists and turned to face Silver, rage burning in her eyes.
"You always run! Even when I needed you, all you did was watch, and then you ran!" Fiona stepped closer. Salty tears streaked down her cheeks.
"I didn't run because I couldn't do anything. I ran because I didn't know what to do." More tears fell. She wiped them away, trembling.
Silver glared at her and turned away.
"Why did you change, Silver?" No answer. She went back to her position, leaving Fiona to the memories clawing at her heart.
That gloomy day was etched into her mind. Once, she and Silver had been inseparable. They had been playing in the park when two older boys appeared and grabbed Silver by the hand.
"Let go of me, you jerk!" Silver winced as the boys yanked harder. Fiona tried to pull them off her friend but received a sharp slap that sent her sprawling to the ground.
"So you're the precious gem of the Benson family, huh?" one of them sneered, a boy in a red jacket. He grabbed Silver by the hair and twisted her arms behind her back.
"Let go of me!" Silver struggled, but the boys only laughed.
Fiona scrambled to her feet, desperate to get help from their butlers. Silver was still struggling. The boys, frustrated, began slapping her repeatedly. Tears stung her eyes. Her shirt tore, leaving only her singlet, until finally their butlers arrived. The boys scattered. Silver's butler lifted her in his arms.
From that day, Silver kept her distance.
Back in the present, their team was leading. The match had grown intense.
"Pass the ball!" one of the opponents shouted. The same boy who had scored the first point. He dribbled toward Fiona, but she felt a firm slap from behind. One of her players intercepted the ball.
The boy scowled. Fiona stumbled back and collided with someone's chest. She looked up. Twilight stood there, his face unreadable, staring at the perverted boy as though she were just a wall in his way. The boy broke eye contact and ran back.
Twilight's eyes met hers.
"You should move before you get crushed, skinny legs."
Her mouth fell open. Did he just call her skinny legs?
He ran a hand through his freshly dyed black hair and stepped back calmly. His height was intimidating, like a towering tree beside her.
Minutes passed before the coach blew the whistle. The game ended in a tie. Everyone headed toward the exit to wash up.
"Skinny legs," Aviva called behind her, teasing. "Let's go wash up, skinny legs!" Fiona just rolled her eyes.
After a quick shower, everyone went to the cafeteria. Lunch passed peacefully, and after two more classes, school was over.
Fiona planned to stay back to watch the basketball match between the Peacocks and the Swans. She and Aviva secured good seats at the podium.
The Peacocks wore dark blue jerseys with white trim. The Swans wore white with black accents. Dribbling, dodging, and passing made for a thrilling game. Fiona's eyes caught Fredrick in the Swans' jersey, playing impressively. Twilight moved like a dark fox, effortlessly swaying past players.
"Look! Your hot science partner and your new friend. You won't even talk about him," Aviva whispered. Fiona sighed, too focused on the game to answer.
At halftime, her phone rang. Stepping away from the noisy court, she answered.
"Daisy?"
"No greetings, young lady," came the mature tone.
"Good afternoon then, sister," Fiona replied, trying to sound formal.
"I called to tell you, Dad's arriving today, and Mom wants you home as soon as you finish at school," Daisy said, emphasizing at school.
"Okay," Fiona replied softly and ended the call.
At the other end of the hallway, Twilight was speaking in hushed tones to a figure in a white cloak.
"The girl feels like no use to me, Zavion. She's an empty vessel. Besides, how sure is Queen Yvonne that she's the chosen one?" Twilight's irritation was clear.
"It's a chance worth taking, my Prince. The darkness is slowly leeching out. Her abilities must be triggered. If not, what hope lies for Phosaither?" Zavion's voice trailed as he vanished.
Twilight glanced over his shoulder, and Fiona caught him mid-conversation.
"Um… who were you talking to?" she asked.
"You seem to have hit your head, Miss Marvin, if you're hallucinating," he said bluntly, barely hiding amusement.
Fiona folded her phone, smirking. "Excuse me for interrupting a weirdo talking to himself."
He brushed hair from his forehead and rested a hand on his chin. "You can make those skinny legs of yours useful. Get back to your seat, Miss Marvin." He walked away, and the nickname lingered on his tongue.
Fiona returned to her seat.
The Peacocks eventually won. Caesar grabbed a microphone.
"Greetings, Royal High!" The crowd cheered.
"I know you're excited about our win, but to celebrate… a beach and barbecue party this Saturday. Everyone's invited!" The crowd erupted.
Fiona left quietly, while Aviva stayed behind. On the way home, her new driver, Mr. River, waited.
At home, her dad was in the living room, talking sweetly to Bluebell.
"Now dear, how's school?" he asked. Fiona ran to him, hugging him tightly.
"What a hug! You must have missed me, mi amor," he said, patting her back and head.
Fiona smiled. "I really did, Dad."
He pinched her nose playfully. "Why the sad face? I'm here now."
Bluebell tugged at his sleeve. "Dad… I saw you first!"
He handed her a packet of candy. "Now, manners must travel with you too." Bluebell thanked him eagerly and ran off.
Dad gestured for Fiona to sit beside him. "How has school been?"
"It's been good so far, unlike other years. I even have a project to plan for," Fiona said, hiding that it involved Twilight.
"Sounds fun," he replied. "So, how was Egypt?"
"Promising," he said vaguely, avoiding the dark truths.
He handed her a golden pack. A heart-shaped necklace inside. Fiona marveled, and he helped her put it on.
After freshening up, he left to rest. Fiona admired the necklace, thinking fondly of him. He had always been her hero.
Later, Fiona pulled out her journal. Twilight must have gotten it when he sneaked in last night, she thought. She read of ancient rings, visions, and mysteries, pausing at a blank page.
"Who is this "Jinx", guy?"
With a soft sigh, she hid the journal under her pillow and headed to dinner.
Her parents greeted her warmly, Bluebell sticking her tongue out. Fiona ignored it. Dinner passed, and her dad eventually asked about her project.
"It's with Twilight Fall," she admitted.
Silence fell. Her mom frowned. "A boy? Then you'll drop it."
"No need, Brenda," her dad said. "You can have your project supervised by one of our helpers. That's settled."
Fiona hesitated. "And… there's a party Saturday. Can I…?"
Her dad raised a hand. "You can have a project with a boy. But that doesn't mean you go to a party. Youth ahead of you."
"But Aviva will be there," she protested.
"So? If we don't approve, the fact remains. You can't go." Fiona realized Silver had been right about running away.
"But I'm half a woman!" she insisted, her voice firm.