Ending Paradise

Settling Scores

A witch's duel as big as ours became the talk of the town. Everyone from Monovore students to small inner-city families knew about it. Fireheart's breakdown, Embra's bittersweet victory. Starry's classy techniques, Wolfe's animal-like abilities. Quake's shaking display of strength and speed, Wallflower's seemingly effortless crystal formation.

Although there was much more emotional destruction than physical. I get more hurt training than I did during the battle. My body feels fine but my mind sags the weight of the world on top of me.

Now at school, no one can shut up about my body. Most people don't fully know it's me but the over-objectification of my features gives me chills. Everyone in the duel has been getting similar treatment.

Whispers, rumors, sort of stares, and such are spreading faster than I've ever seen. There are
Exceptions however as Vivianne can't help but take as much attention as she can for herself.

I sat from a distance watching her fans squeal and squirm just to be near her. It's not even the fans or her arrogance that bothers me.

"Hey, Temmie," Wynter waved to me before taking a seat next to me. He took a look between Vivianne and me confused.

"Did She do something? Or do you not like her using us to get more attention to her name?" He asked leaning over to me.

A deep breath of pent rage left my body, "That's the part I could care less about,"

"So what do you care about that's got you so mad?" He asked once more, our eyes meeting once more as he grabbed my clenched hands.

I let my hands go as blood pools back into my painfully numb hands. Gently I rubbed my hands together to try and soothe the pins and needles.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked with a small smile creeping onto my face.

Wynter smiled back looking down at the floor then to the side. Even with a loss of words, I knew what he meant.

"Ugh, it's just. That smile of hers. It looks friendly, innocent but damn is it deadly," I said trying my best not to let memories flood my head.

As I blinked back waves of tears as I listened to her giggles from afar.  "I- I used to have a crush on her, Vivi. For the longest while, I didn't know if she liked me back so I'd watch her. I watched for a sign she could be the slightest bit interested,"

"When she fucked something up, I apologized on her behalf. Ran miles just because she briefly wanted to see me for no reason. If she got herself in a bad position and pissed someone off, I was first in line to fight,"

I sighed once more, but it doesn't relieve any pressure clenching at my chest.

"I guess she realized she had the best toy in front of her. A fool so blinded by their love to not even noticed or at least care about their red flags,"

"She used me as a human shield. Watched me suffer for her sake because that kind of devotion is a priceless joy to her,"

"So if that's the case, why like her for so long? Didn't you feel suffocated?"

I could only shrug, "I wish I knew. Kendra says it's my daddy issues, Charlie thinks it's because I was blinded by love, but I dunno,"