A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

Midnight Conversations are Exhausting

That was the first time we fought, and it wasn't the last. It only got worse. I wouldn't let him meet my parents, and he... He wasn't innocent either.

As I finish explaining the incident, someone knocks on the door. I pause mid sentence, and all three of us look at the door. Guanyin stands to open it, and before she does, says, "We're not done here." She sends me a look with the words, letting me know that she won't be dropping it anytime soon. Jessica is as quiet as ever.

Luke is behind the door, and he kisses Guanyin on the cheek when she opens it, "Sorry for bothering you, Guanyin, but Mr. and Mrs. Blaz are looking for Freya." She smiles at him, "No problem. We can finish later. I'll send her down in a minute, alright?"

Luke takes the hint, and side-hugs Guanyin before leaving. I'll admit, I'm a little envious of their relationship. They seem so happy, and so in-sync.

"I wish I had a guy that would treat me like that," Jessica says, sighing.

Guanyin smiles at her. "He'll come eventually, Jessica."

"And then we'll get to laugh over how he annoys you so much," I tell her, smiling at the thought of smart Jessica being coddled by someone.

"Oh, yeah. I'm still not used to that," Guanyin laughs before taking my hands to help me up, "Freya, we don't know the full story yet, but I do know this. You obviously care about him. And even with the few interactions I've had with Benjamin, I can see he cares about you."

Jessica nods with her. "Talk to him. And keep trying. You only get one chance at this. Don't blow it, alright?"

I laugh. Of course they know. Not only that, but they're right, too. I can't mess this up. Not again. "Ok. I'll do my very best not to."

"Good. Now I believe your parents are summoning you," Guanyin's face splits with a crooked grin. I grin back at the two girls. I can't believe how lucky I am to have met her.

My parents wait for me in the living room occupying the base floor of the dorm building, sitting on a loveseat together. Ben sits on a chair next to them. To my surprise, they're talking, and laughing, together. When I enter the room, Ben immediately faces me, which draws my parents attention. I'm guessing he heard me on the stairs, and he's very attentive due to his rough past. That's one thing I opted out of telling the girls. We've talked about some of what he's been through, and it's definitely something that needs to stay between us.

"Hey," Ben says, offering me a smile. Something is off about it though; it doesn't seem right.

"Hi," I respond, I should turn to my parents, and ask them what they need, but his eyes suck me in.

My Dad takes care of that for me, "Freya. Your Mom and I need to talk to you for a moment."

I nod, then follow my parents out the door to find a private place to talk. We end up at the edge of the forest, where the grass grows up to our ankles. Immediately, I start picking at the bark of the tree we stand next to. Talks with my parents don't usually go amazing, and talks after I've done something wrong are just horrendous.

My Mom half-smiles at me, "You can stop worrying, Freya. We're not going to punish you."

"Though we probably should," Dad grumbles, then when Mom shoots him a glare, he rolls his eyes, then wraps his arm around her, "But we agree that you had the right motivation, if not the best response to it."

"We really just need to go over a couple new rules for you," Mom says in a much lighter tone.

I groan, "Rules?"

"Rules to protect you now that people know who you are," Dad gives me a look, "Or would you rather come home with us?"

I close my eyes, bracing myself for the new restrictions, then look at them, "Alright. Go ahead."