Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Fifty-Six - Electric Blue Rose vs. Edge

Jade tossed and turned all night, haunted by the words Edge left her with about Alex. She wanted to believe that Alex was moving on from her and falling in love with Joe. However, their relationship possibly being based solely on a pill that forced Alex to get over Jade made her stomach twist. Joe was falling head over heels for Alex, especially as Alex and Jade put some space between them. Jade shook her head, trying to get Edge's words out of her head. Jade rushed to the door when today's letters arrived. She wrote to Lily immediately after meeting with Edge and hoped she had some insight. Grabbing the letters, Jade smiled, setting Emanuel's letter to her on the desk and a letter from Amorio. Opening Lily's letter, she took a seat and began to read.

Jade,

It does seem like you've been placed in an impossible situation. Unfortunately, there are pills just like that, and by what you tell me about Alex's sudden shift in attitude. He may be under the influence of them. The pills don't cause a person to fall in love with others. Sometimes, when certain emotions are powerful enough, they can evolve into different behaviors. I know you may have the urge to investigate or tell Joe about your discovery, but I'm telling you that you don't have to. Regardless of the potential, Edge has manipulated and lied to you repeatedly. Not trusting him is a reasonable response. If your friends are happy, then maybe, that's enough? I wish I had a better insight to provide, but the side effects of medications aren't my forte.

Much luck, my friend, good luck in your battles,

Princess Lily of Retedian

Jade sighed, tossing the letter on the pile of other read letters. This situation was impossible. She could either let it be and not worry that some of Alex and Joe's relationship could be based solely on the forced removal of Alex's feelings for her. Or, she could tell them the truth, which was a risk because, as Lily said. Edge wasn't a trustworthy source. For now, she refused to make any decision. Maybe with enough time, Alex's feelings for her will pass naturally, and she wouldn't have to worry if his feelings for Joe were genuine. All she knew for sure was this was not the day to figure it out. Today's battle is against Edge and his team, and she couldn't let anything shake her up.

Jade took a deep breath, lowered herself to the ground, and fell into meditation. Clearing her mind would be the first step towards having a chance of beating Edge's team. Her aura warmed her as it circled her, the colors lighting up in shadows behind her eyes. Their strength of them tightened around her nerves and returned her confidence. Edge's power was manipulation, but Jade had no idea how well he wielded it. As he told her, the discovery of his power was near as new as Jade's. However, he manipulated her and her friends for an extended period without her being the wiser. Maybe looking for Edge's weaknesses was the wrong way to go about this. Maybe instead, her focus should be on her strengths. Though after five wins in a row, her strengths became evident. After all, they beat Blaire, another Manipulation wielder, in their first battle. Jade nodded. Everything would be fine. Topaz promised he would be here to ensure at the end of the battle that Jade would not fall under any more of Edge's manipulations, as she obviously could not wear a nulling gem in battle.

Jade's alarm rang, signaling for her to leave. Jade grabbed her bag and put the last of her uniform on before walking toward the stand. Her stomach pained. She thought she had overcome the fears as prominent as ever. Edge controlled her. He forced her feelings or beliefs, whatever he claimed. Now, it would be a head-to-head battle. As much as everyone claimed it was a team battle, she knew it would come down to the two of them. Jade waved as cheers sounded when she walked in—forcing a smile until she was out of view. Alex and Ray both stared at her with looks of concern, but she disregarded them. She had to focus. It would be the only way to win this. Jade, Alex, and Ray made their way to the stage. Edge smirked at Jade from the other side. Jade forced as intimidating a stare as she could, but she knew it wouldn't fool him.