The Language of Love

Chapter 9 - Love

Nell couldn't deny it anymore. Jolie was different. The way she made her heart flutter, her cheeks burn red... what were these feelings?

She thought of all the times Jolie had given her presents, alongside a gentle smile. The way she'd taken her hands in her own, swinging Nell in the moonlight. The way she'd waited by Nell when she was having a prophecy, lying alongside her. She was always there for her, no matter the case.

Nell clenched her fists. How was she supposed to deal with these... feelings?

Her head began to pound. She rolled over in her bed, eyes burning scarlet.

SOMEONE MUST MAKE AN EMBARRASSING PURCHASE.

She hissed as she rolled onto the floor.

...

"Nell, are you feeling okay?"

Nell looked up. Prez was standing above her, brow creased in concern.

"Yeah," Nell jumped back on her bed. "Why are you in here?"

"Sorry," Prez raised her hands. "I was just coming to visit, and I saw you were on the floor."

"'M fine," Nell muttered, crawling back onto the bed.

"If you say so," Prez sighed. "I also came to let you know, Jolie won't be here for a little while."

Nell tensed up. "Why?"

"Something came up back home," Prez told her. "She told me to say she's sorry, but she's not sure when she'll be back."

Nell collapsed onto her bed, shaking.

"I know you two are very close," Prez frowned. "But don't worry, I'm sure she'll be back soon." She turned away. "Do you want anything else?"

"No," Nell grumbled. "Thanks, Calpernia."

She sighed, gloomily. She thought of Jolie's haunting smile.

Nell watched Jolie as she beamed wide, chatting to the other members of the CPC. Nell grimaced, feeling the burning rage in her heart once more.

Jolie came over, sitting beside Nell.

"How do you talk to them so easily?" Nell asked her.

Jolie shrugged. "They're pretty easy to talk to. They've all been through a lot."

Nell hugged herself. "It's not easy for me."

"That's okay," Jolie assured her. "Everyone is different."

Of course it was okay. Nell had to wonder why Jolie was so gentle, so caring. What were her true intentions? Was she just like that? Did she truly care?

"You're welcome," Prez waved, leaving Nell alone once more.

Nell flopped backwards. She felt her heart racing. She was used to being alone, but still... there was a hole in her heart. Jolie wasn't there.

"You're beautiful too."

Nell stared at Jolie, her eyes widening.

"W... what?" she stammered.

"You're beautiful too," Jolie repeated.

"I..." Nell shook her head. "How do I know you really mean that...?"

"You're beautiful because you care," Jolie replied. "You care, so, so much."

Nell wished she could go and visit Jolie in her kingdom. But it was too dangerous. She would not put herself at risk of being discovered by the Stripe Kingdom.