Legends of Mirandis Academy

Chapter 9: White Knight

The collar of Brielle's blouse was slightly askew. She frowned at the washroom mirror and pulled it back into place.

Most students would not be in their school on Saturday. However, Brielle was not most students. Mirandis Academy's Chess Club was hosting a tournament: not just for the other schools, but for the public as well. As the president of the club, Brielle was in the spotlight for the day. She had already triple-checked the room reservations, the catering, the signs advertising the event... There were so many details to track. Brielle doubted that she would even get to sit down and play a game.

She was touching up her lipstick when the door to the bathroom banged open. A haggard figure barged through, collided with the paper towel dispenser, and then started towards Brielle.

With lightning reflexes, Brielle whirled to face the intruder. She saw the school uniform, rumpled and stained, beneath a leather jacket that reeked of marijuana. The whole ensemble was draped over an unfortunately familiar frame.

"Luna! I—" Brielle regained her composure. "I was not expecting you here."

Luna slumped against the tile wall and groaned. "I was not expecting me here either. Man, I'm faded as shit. What time is it?"

"8:27am," answered Brielle promptly. "Luna, can I help you get somewhere? Home, perhaps?"

Luna pawed at the air. It was presumably intended to be a dismissive gesture. "Can't. It's important. Do you have any coffee? Or scotch?"

"I don't have time for this," Brielle informed her. "If you'll excuse me—"

She tried to move, but Luna blocked her path, swaying. "No. Please. It really is important." Luna concealed a burp with her hand. "Sorry, that sounded sarcastic. It's not, though. I need help."

"I daresay you do," said Brielle sharply. It wasn't polite, but Luna had exhausted her supply of goodwill. "If you don't get out of my way—"

"You'll what?" Luna tilted her head. "What are you gonna do?"

Brielle scoffed. "I'll push you over. Given your condition, you won't be able to get back up. Get out of my way!"

Luna stared at her. With a sinking heart, Brielle watched the girl's eyes fill with tears.

"You're gonna... push me?" she croaked. "So that's it? I spent all my pocket money on a taxi to get here, to warn you, to get help." Her chest heaved as she sobbed. "And to just be... pushed aside. Why not?"

"Luna—" Brielle rolled her eyes angrily. She went into one of the stalls, yanked out a length of toilet paper, and thrust it at Luna. "You have two minutes. What is it that you wanted to warn me about?"

"It's Duran," said the girl thickly. She blotted at her nose with the toilet paper. "His wrestling match is today. It's here, against Green Valley. But they're coming for him. They think he's a threat, and they're gonna mess it up."

"Who's gonna mess it up?"

"The Tarantulas. The—" Luna waved vaguely, searching for her words. "The Green Valley people. We can't let that happen! We've gotta stop them!"

Overcome by emotion and illicit substances, Luna's knees buckled. Brielle tried in vain to lift her back onto her feet. "Luna, I swear. I will just leave you here."

"I'm sorry about yesterday," Luna blubbered. "The pep rally. That was bullshit. If I'd've been there, I would've pulled the fire alarm. That was my bad, Brielle. That was my bad."

"Get! Up!" Brielle's blouse was now hopelessly mussed. She tugged savagely at Luna's arm. "I don't care about the pep rally. I don't care about the wrestling match. I don't care about your taxi money, or whatever. Maybe you would have more money for transportation if you didn't spend it all on booze and— and narcotics!"