What Is Your Name?

Chapter 8: Hurricane (Lillian)

Anger. Love. Forgiveness. Grey. Tempest. Sky. Mom. Dad. Sky. Would Eli have really told me Mom's name? If this evil tyrant who ruined my life before it even started could tell me what I wanted to know, why couldn't Sky? Would my life ever make sense?

So yeah, I was not happy with Sky. When we reached our room, I told him, "You go ahead. I'm gonna take a walk." I knew he'd be confused. We went everywhere together. But I needed my space. "I met my dad today. The one and only. I just need a sec." Sky nodded, and as soon as he disappeared into the dorm, I bolted.

And ran straight into Tempest. But instead of a snarky "Watch where you're going!" I received a relieved, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

I was skeptical. "Sorry for bumping into you, but did I really hit you hard enough to make you see stars? You realize who you're talking to, don't you? Um, you hate me?"

Tempest rolled her eyes. "Yes, Lillian, I'm talking to you. I... I wanted to say good job. Attacking the Shadow and all. I know he's your dad, and I couldn't imagine throwing a katana at my dad, but you did. So, uh, great job, I guess."

I stared at Tempest for a good long moment. "Is your dad a psycho killer sorcerer?"

"Well, obviously not, but..."

"Then don't compare your dad to mine."

"Lillian, wait!" Tempest called. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... maybe you're not just like him. And maybe... we could be friends?"

I hesitated. "I don't know my mother's name."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"That's why I'm out for a walk. It's Sky. He knows Mom's name, but he won't tell me. And I think he could totally sing in the talent show, but I don't think he wants to. His guitar, it used to be my dad's, and it hurts him to play it. Sky's the one who's supposed to take care of me, but if he's hurting, I'm left alone. Like now. Sky always calls me his flower, but he won't even rain on me. I'm dying, Tempest."

Tempest nodded like she totally understood. And maybe she did. "Did I ever tell you what my name means?"

"Um... no?" Not sure why she'd bring that up.

"A tempest is a big storm. Like a hurricane. It's rain."

"Ok..."

"Lillian, if you ever need to be watered, you can tell me."

I blinked back tears. "All the world's water comes from the sky."

"Maybe... maybe Sky and I can be friends, too. And, I know I owe him an apology."

"Oh yeah, I owe you an apology, too," I remembered. "For the whole 'shipping you with Sky' joke."

"Apology accepted," Tempest laughed. "Hey... do you want me to show you how a katana is supposed to be swung?"

"That would be nice."

(While we're talking let me offer you some free advice...)

"There you are!" Sky said literally the second I reentered our room. "What were you doing?"

"Practicing with my katana." It was a white lie, but I didn't think Sky would be too happy about me hanging out with Tempest before she apologized to him. But in my defense, I had literally never hung out with a fellow girl before. It was kinda fun. "So... what are you doing?"

Sky smirked. "Nothing..."

I laughed. "Tell you what, Sky. I'll tell you what I was doing if you tell me what you were doing."

"You weren't practicing with your katana?" I rarely ever lied to Sky. In fact, this might've been the first time. He had a right to be pretty mad, but he wasn't. He looked flat-out crushed.

"I was, but there's a little more. Do we have a deal?"

"Fine," Sky sighed. "But... you go first."

"Fine," I agreed. "When I was out walking, I ran into Tempest. And I mean literally ran into her. But... she apologized. She watched me throw my weapon at Eli, and... she finally tipped to our side."

"Tipped?" Ok, so Sky was being awesome and letting me finish explaining before lighting into me.

"Yes, tipped. She probably would've accepted us sooner or later, Sky. When I told our story, she believed me. She believed what I said about you. She said she's going to apologize to you, too. Then... she offered to show me how to use a katana."

Sky stared at me. He turned to my katana, to the door, then back to me. "Lillian... I was writing a song."

I started squealing. "You're writing a song?!" Then I stopped. "But it's not our birthday."

"Lillian, here's the deal," Sky grinned. "You go hang out with Tempest. And Grey. Maybe sometimes I'll join you. But while I'm working on this song, you leave me alone. It's the most important song I've ever written."

"Why?"

"I'm going to sing it in the talent show."