Sweet Heaven

Chapter 10: Echoes of Grief

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Archangel dorm, casting a warm glow across the living room. Amber's steps were quiet as she entered, her expression carefully neutral. She had donned her usual attire, the soft pastels and delicate accessories that formed her outward persona. She was a master of maintaining appearances, but today, the facade was heavier than ever.

Lucian, already seated at the small dining table, glanced up as she entered. "Morning," he muttered, his tone devoid of any warmth.

Amber nodded in response, her eyes meeting his briefly before she focused on preparing her breakfast. She couldn't bear the weight of his gaze right now, the scrutiny that might reveal the turmoil beneath her controlled exterior.

A silence settled between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Lucian cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. "You... you okay?"

Amber's movements stilled for a fraction of a second before she continued spreading butter on her toast. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice even and detached.

Lucian studied her for a moment, suspicion tugging at the edges of his thoughts. Amber was always animated, expressive, even when their interactions were steeped in sarcasm. But this—this absence of emotion—was unsettling. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on her. "You seem... off."

Amber's fingers tightened around the knife, her heart pounding a little faster. She had always been good at putting on a facade, but today she felt like a marionette, her strings being pulled by forces beyond her control. "Just tired," she offered dismissively, finally looking up to meet his gaze.

Lucian's brow furrowed, his skepticism evident. "Tired? You don't look tired. You look..."

"Like myself," she finished for him, her smile thin and brittle. "Thanks for your concern, Lucian, but I can handle my own well-being."

Lucian's jaw clenched, irritation flickering in his eyes. This was not how she usually acted, and it bothered him. But before he could probe further, Amber abruptly rose from her seat. "I need to get going. Coffee with the girls."

Without waiting for a response, she walked away, the sound of her footsteps fading as she headed to her room to grab her bag. Lucian watched her go, a mixture of frustration and confusion swirling within him.

As Amber's footsteps grew distant, he clenched his fists on the table. Something wasn't adding up. He had seen her vulnerable, broken by grief just yesterday. And yet now, she was putting up walls, burying her emotions behind a mask.

Shaking his head, he pushed back from the table and stood up. He couldn't let her get away with this facade. Not this time.

The quaint café was a familiar haven, a place where they could gather, unwind, and indulge in lighthearted conversations. Nick, Dorian, Elinor, Luna, and Amber settled into their usual seats, each grappling with the weight of their loss in their own way.

"Hey, guys," Nick greeted, flashing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "How's everyone holding up?"

Dorian looked around at the somber faces of his friends before offering a small nod. "As well as can be expected, I guess."

Elinor chimed in with a subdued smile, her eyes betraying her concern. "Yeah, we're hanging in there."

Amber's response, however, was different from what they expected. Her tone was detached, her words devoid of the usual warmth that radiated from her. "Hanging in there like chandeliers in an abandoned mansion."

The others exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and unease crossing their faces. It was a stark departure from her usual self, and they couldn't quite put their finger on what was wrong. Luna, always the peacemaker, tried to steer the conversation toward lighter topics.

"So, guys, any plans for the weekend?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of forced enthusiasm.

Dorian shrugged. "Probably just catching up on assignments and stuff. You know how it is."

Nick nodded in agreement. "Yeah, same here. Got a bunch of readings to do."

Elinor fiddled with her coffee cup, her gaze fixed on the swirling patterns in her drink. "I might check out that new art exhibit downtown."

Amber, however, had a different response, one that once again left her friends taken aback. "Weekend plans? Oh, you know, just plotting the takeover of a small island nation."

The silence that followed was palpable. The usually sweet, cheerful Amber was replaced with this edgier version, and her friends were at a loss for words. Luna shot a concerned glance in her direction before trying to maintain the conversation.

"Amber, are you... okay?" Luna's voice wavered with uncertainty.

Amber looked at Luna, her eyes devoid of their usual sparkle. "Never been better," she replied, the words dripping with sarcasm.

Dorian leaned forward slightly, his expression softening. "Amber, if there's something you want to talk about..."

But before he could finish, Amber cut him off with a scoff. "Oh, Dorian, don't play therapist. I'm just having a blast here, can't you tell?"

The awkward tension in the air was palpable, and her friends exchanged more glances. They were worried about her, but they also didn't want to push too hard. Luna's attempt at conversation had backfired, and the atmosphere had turned even more strained than before.

They continued to chat, albeit with an undercurrent of unease. Amber's responses remained sharp, her usual sweetness nowhere to be found. And as they left the café, the lingering feeling of unease followed them, leaving them all wondering what had happened to their once-vibrant friend.

As the school day continued, the peculiar detachment that Amber had adopted was evident in every interaction. The hushed whispers of concern from her friends echoed in her ears, but she pushed them away like a distant echo. Only Nate's presence seemed to breach the surface of her indifference.

"Nate, hey," she acknowledged, her voice devoid of its usual warmth as she met his gaze.

Nate regarded her with a furrowed brow. "Hey, Amber. How are you holding up?"

Amber's response was curt, a mere shadow of her former self. "Fine. Just... fine."

Nate frowned slightly, sensing something was amiss. He wanted to press further, to delve into her emotional state, but he decided against it, believing it was her way of dealing with the recent loss. Instead, he offered a supportive smile and reached out to touch her hand.

"Amber, if you ever want to talk or if you need anything..."

She cut him off abruptly, her lips crashing onto his in a sudden, passionless kiss. The gesture was as unexpected as it was confusing, and Nate instinctively pulled back, a mix of surprise and concern on his face.

"Amber, what's going on?" Nate's voice held a note of apprehension.

Amber's expression shifted from detached to hostile in a heartbeat. Her eyes bore into him, icy and distant. "What's the matter, Nate? Can't even kiss your fucking girlfriend?"

Nate's brows furrowed further, completely caught off guard by her sudden change in demeanor. "Amber, what's gotten into you? This isn't like you at all."

Amber's frustration bubbled to the surface, her tone sharp and cutting. "You know what, Nate? Just forget it. I don't need your pity or your concern. I can handle myself."

Before Nate could respond, Amber's body glowed with a faint light, and she disappeared, teleporting out of the library. Nate was left standing there, bewildered and concerned, his thoughts racing to make sense of what had just transpired.