Brighter Than the Stars

Annabelle - I Hate Exercise

Everything seemed quieter after Nicole's absence, which was weird, because she never spoke, anyway. But it also made Leo more on edge, and he practically jumped up everytime it was announced that someone was arriving. Which didn't make much sense, because Nicole wouldn't be back for at least a week, and probably wouldn't announce her arrival back, either. It was more likely that she'd join a room and act like she'd never left, without any sort of announcement.

James kept his guard training running on a rigorous schedule–the first time in his life that he'd ever kept something on track, most likely. I didn't often go; my skills with a knife or sword were limited, and I preferred to use spells. However, there wasn't much magic being taught there–Star had been banned from using it for a week after she'd thrown Max backward into a wall so hard he'd ended up with a concussion to go with his broken nose (which had, unfortunately, long since healed). Leo didn't usually go, either, far more content to sketch or do work for the Council, but Nicole frequented it.

I wandered down into the arena late in the afternoon, after James had begged for Leo or I to come. Since Leo had a meeting, I had to go–not that I minded. Nicole and James were always on me about being able to use something other than a spell, and, technically, they were right. Star was far more competent with any sort of weapon (though, I was the better witch) and Nicole had no magic of her own to rely on, and took great pleasure in seeing how many of James's soldiers she could take down. I, on the other hand, preferred spells–they were faster and more efficient, anyway. Until–as James and Nicole insisted–they weren't accessible. People would watch me for magic, and I should have another form of defense, according to them. As much as I wasn't a fan of regular combat, they were right. So I went.

People were already everywhere by the time I came down, James up on top of a barrier wall as he gave out pairings. He raised his eyebrows at me when I stepped up. "You're late."

"We all just need to switch over to my schedule. And I'm not late, anyway."

"Sure. Here, you can go with Star–I usually put her with Nicole, and you're different builds, but it's good enough. And remember, do not use any sort of spell."

"I know, I know. Except for–"

"Annabelle."

I snapped my fingers, the dagger set Nicole had given me years ago appearing in my hands. "Just this. Promise."

He rolled his eyes. "Very funny. Try not to let Star kill you or anything."

For the next two and a half hours, I had what could possibly be described as one of the worst times of my life. Why anybody–especially anybody I was friends with, which made me reconsider that with all of them–would willingly do this was beyond me. It was a lot of sweat and dirt and wanting to collapse onto the ground and never get back up.

Technically, I guessed, I learned something. My control had improved, and though I definitely never disarmed Star (or even really knocked her off balance), I at least wasn't absolutely demolished, and was still alive (barely). Everything felt sore–something I was sure would only worsen by the morning. Which I would be more than happy to take out of James.

"See?" James said. "It wasn't so bad." We walked back together; Leo had most likely finished his meeting, and I planned to tell him that he was more than welcome to take the next one.

"Yes, it was."

He rolled his eyes. "It was not."

"Speak for yourself." We entered the living room, just as Leo laughed–which meant he had either completely lost his marbles and was talking to imaginary friends, or he was talking to Nicole with the mirror. Both, I figured, were equally likely–though it was perhaps more likely that James would be first to lose his marbles. I peeked over Leo's shoulder, unsurprised to see Nicole. "If it isn't my favourite person in the entire world. Except, right now, you're not, because guess what you made me do?"

"Sorry?" Nicole asked.

"Good. You should be, because I just spent over two hours in the deathtrap that James seems to think is fun."

"You went to training?"

"I never will again."

"Hey," James protested. "She's just dramatic. And doesn't like to do anything that doesn't involve eating sugar or being obnoxious."

"That's not true! I do plenty of other things," I said, turning up my nose at him. "Anyway, this is pointless–Leo, you're going next time, or I need some serious incentive. How's life, Nicole? Steal anything interesting lately? Did Leo ever stop being a coward and actually kiss you?" The last question had the desired effect–Leo choked on the sip of water he was taking, coughing most of it back up onto the table and his arm (which was gross), and Nicole stared at me like I'd just murdered a precious childhood pet in front of her eyes.

"None of your business," she said.

"Fifty julits says yes," James added.

"Sixty to mind your own," Nicole told him. "Or, better yet, do it for free." The tiny image of her shot James a death glare–which was still incredibly convincing, despite it being on the small surface of the mirror. "Anyway, I'm not going into their lab until tomorrow. If I'm lucky, I'll be back about three days after that."

"Will you bring me back a souvenir?" James asked. "I was thinking, I could use some dirt. A little jar of it."

"You could use some...dirt," Leo finally said, after a brief pause of staring at James.

"Yeah. From Atala."

"Out of all the things in Atala," I said, "you pick dirt."

"It's free."

"Okay then," Nicole said. "That's my que to say goodnight. See you all–hopefully–with a sample next time. If not, then I guess I'm dead." The mirror went back to just reflecting our faces and we stared at it blankly for a few seconds. Leo sighed and rested his head in his hands.

"She's always so cheerful," I noted.

Word Count: 1,045

Short and a filler but it's okay