Sparkle (KOTLC) {Completed}

16

Janessa woke up shaking in her own sweat, glancing around the unfamiliar room. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was; she had forgotten she'd returned to Quinlin and Livvy's apartment in Atlantis with Amy the previous night and was in the room she temporarily would share with her younger sister.

Rolling her left shoulder back a few times to ease the remaining pain she felt when she was too tense, she rolled out of bed and into the shower, where she cleaned herself up to be presentable.

Going through the secret entrances between the rooms, she reached the library where she found Livvy giving some papers to Amy.

"Are those to help find the Freemans?"  Janessa asked, settling herself into the chair as Amy started to pass her some papers.

Livvy's facial expression became pinched and uncomfortable. "Actually, JJ, well, Mr Forkle said you should have more time before being actively involved in the research... I'm sorry."

Janessa's slight smile dropped to a shocked frown. Somehow, she felt even a little betrayed. "What do you mean? Why? I'm ready to help!" This was the first time in years that she'd argued with Mr Forkle's orders.

"I'm sorry, JJ. He said you need more time."

The words felt like a punch to the gut. He didn't trust her anymore. She couldn't help. Tears welled up in her eyes. "What, does he think I'm gonna go tell the Neverseen everything we know?" Janessa's voice broke.

"What, why would Janessa not help?" Amy demanded. 

Livvy sighed. "JJ was kidnapped by the Neverseen until recently. Mr Forkle decided she shouldn't do any work for the investigation for now."

Amy looked shocked for a moment, then reverted to confusion. "But, doesn't that just mean she's more motivated than anyone to help us?"

Livvy sighed, fingering one of her beaded braids while making direct eye contact with the trembling white-haired girl. "She needs to rest and recuperate. We can't be sure she won't let her emotions get the better of her."

Each word felt like another punch. Tears welled up in Janessa's eyes but she fought them down. Amy would never see her cry. "It's... it's ok. I get it. I wouldn't trust me either." At her last sentence, a light in her eyes died but she smiled despite the pain she felt. "You two, good luck with the research." Janessa made sure to smile at Amy before she left the library and returned to the bathroom.

She looked in the mirror, staring at the tears falling down in the divots of her scars on her right cheek. She had long since forgotten about them, having had so much more to think about, but now, all she could see was how damaged she was. How much she had lost since she had first met her friends, who she now couldn't even picture herself next to. 

Instead of letting herself cry by herself, she remembered what Dex had felt the day before and decided she would go apologize to him properly, as she hadn't been able to finish their discussion. Besides, she needed someone.

After wiping her face, she left a note saying where she was, then left the apartment for the streets of Atlantis. Wandering the underwater city, Janessa found herself at the outskirts of the futuristic Venice where a small lagoon with an iridescent film in a hoop formed the exit. She levitated herself, the Livvy had shown the previous day, through the hoop and the film formed a bubble around her, then launching her through the ocean and into the sky. When she started free falling, she levitated and turned her pathfinder to the correct facet, forming a protection of concentration around her body. 

She appeared in the streets of Mysterium, the same dark, working class city Biana had brought her to. She walked straight to the bright store called Slurps and Burps and headed to the counter at the back.

"Hello, how can I help you?" A man who looked just like Dex but older said.

Janessa awkwardly tried to smile. "I'm just looking for Dex. Is he here?"

The man shook his head, still smiling. "He's got a meeting of some sort. Should I tell him you stopped by?"

Janessa shook her head, smiling politely at the man. "It's alright. I'll come back another time." Although she felt some relief that she had more time before apologizing, Janessa felt an aching pressure on her chest. As she turned to leave, she thought of herself in the mirror and asked, "Do you have anything that could make my scars less noticeable? Or is it too late since they're already closed up."

The man frowned. "Not in stock right now, but I could whip something up by tomorrow."

Janessa nodded. "Thank you, Mr Dizznee. I'll see you soon then."

The girl left the store then wandered the streets for a little longer, trying to ignore whenever she saw someone's gaze linger on her longer than necessary or very obviously try not to stare. She couldn't blame them.

As she looked at the stores, she thought of Biana. Maybe she could manage to have fun shopping with her. Pulling out her Imparter, she called the brunette, waiting for it to ring a few times as her the small hope in her chest fizzled out. No answer.

Sighing in disappointment, Janessa turned her pathfinder to the facet that would take her to Atlantis and light leaped right back to where she'd come from. The waves were crashing against the desolate shore and the rickety shack that held the whirlpools to the city seemed almost as lonely as her.

Janessa jumped into the whirlpool, sliding down and landing on a giant sponge that absorbed all the water that had soaked her.

Dragging her feet as she walked the beautiful streets of the city, Janessa made her way back to Quinlin and Livvy's apartment. She reached the secret 50th floor and entered the library that was on the way to her room.

"Back already?" Livvy asked tentatively. Amy looked up from the papers she was working on.

"Everyone's busy helping out." Janessa mumbled.

Livvy paused for a long moment. "What about Keefe? He's also not allowed to help while he's recuperating."

Janessa paused. "I mean- He's injured, I don't want to bother him, I don't even know where he is, and I-" Janessa froze. Dex's words came back. "That's how you'll make us happy, not by running away and hiding again". She was already running away. If she was going to be a good friend to Dex, she couldn't run away anymore. "Actually, that's a good idea. Could you tell me where he is and how to get there?"

Livvy smiled, sensing the change in her mindset. "Of course, JJ. I'll take you there myself if Amy's ok being alone for a little while."

Amy smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I'm ok. I have a lot to distract me anyways."

Janessa smiled, still avoiding looking at the stack of papers they were studying, but too nervous and determined to see Keefe to be hurt by it. "Thanks. I appreciate it."