Peace is a fragile thing

𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣: 𝙖𝙘𝙩 2

‘I am so — not ready yet…’ a wave of unease churned in my stomach — summer vacation had ended. This meant that my window for setting Polli straight, once so open and promising, was now narrowing rapidly. Managing her was already a challenge, and with the structure and constraints of the school year looming ahead, it was bound to become an even more daunting task.

Brushing my [H/T] hair, I took a moment to assess my reflection in the mirror, upon further reflection my hands had halted. I was in control, but just for the moment. Dressing appropriately was key; not only to avoid Polli's relentless nagging but also to ensure I didn’t arouse any unnecessary suspicion.

I just accepted fusion was the eventual result, however, I was weary of what that end result would be, especially since Polli was difficult to work with to begin with.

I swiftly rose and zipped up my backpack, double-checking to ensure all the essential items were packed. The weight of the day ahead hung heavy in my mind. With a deep breath, I braced myself for what I anticipated would be a long, challenging school day.

‘Ashley and Jace….’ Yeah, those two obstacles in my way.

I closed my eyes, as far as I was concerned, on top of Hyunwoo and Rina being the biggest, these guys are most certainly the biggest red flags you'd ever see in your life.

Ashley was portrayed as this loving and chill mother figure for Ren, but later it was revealed how she was back in highschool; a very calculated, burning, image conscious bully who used her family name and hunter powers to run the school and city.

Jace was no different in that regard, growing up to be a reputable vampire hunter and father to adopted son Ren and his biological daughter with Ashley, however I'd say he was much more worse, he was equally aware of his status and looks and it was uncommon for him to be cold and manipulative to those around him, but especially those who had ‘crush’ on him, Polli was no exception.

In fact, during college years [name] Politon was used as bait for luring a recently turned Rina and killing her, which caused [name] and others to die by the antagonist, while Jace and the important characters either escaped or were conveniently away like Rubie and Malachi.

You're probably wondering if he felt bad about putting several people to death just to complete a mission and kill a converted vampire without any interrogation? The answer is kind of…

He felt bad that people died, but he rest assured he lost no sleep over any individual person, I'm certain that the only person he gave a remote shit about was Ashley, his highschool sweetheart he likes, and if I'm not mistaken, their a textbook toxic couple who also makes everyone else suffer in their toxicity if they're jealous of another person.

And they lived happily ever after without any consequences for what they did to Hyunwoo and the reckless actions with Rina, sure, Ren and their daughter, Pam was incredibly upset with them, but the narrative leaned into having the protagonist forgive them after some time because they've ‘changed’ after those younger years.

It made my blood boil, especially since now I have to deal with that situation, Polli has a huge crush on Jace even though it's pretty obvious he likes Ashley and is a slithering snake, oh and speaking of Ashley—

Jace is certainly—without a doubt more of a threat than Ashley, but it's Polli’s “friendship” with Ashley that's more of the issue…

If you ever watched fairly odd parents, I'm sure Trixie and Veronica ring a bell, yeah— their relationship is kind of like that, with the latter girl being obsessed and envious of the former to the point of idolization and worship because the former is everything she is not.

However Ashley — is rather indifferent and doesn't care about her at all, just using what she can out of the girl.

I finished packing up and putting on my clothes before walking out of the house.

“Miss Politon…?” I was so absorbed in my thoughts I stopped in my tracks when hearing the voice of the house maid. “Aren't you getting breakfast? It's a little early for school and you don't have to take the bus.”

“Breakfast…right…” I brushed my bangs back, it's been a little bit since I last went to highschool of all things, but I forgot I was now a privileged teenager.

I quickly settled down to eat, aware that the longer I lingered over my meal, lost in my own thoughts, the more my anxiety would escalate. There was a certain urgency in the way I ate, trying to outpace the growing apprehension about what lay ahead. Each bite was a distraction, a momentary escape from the brewing storm of nerves. “I think I'll just go now, it's getting towards the time to get to school.”

“But…” I just dashed off to the car, I felt bad for leaving so soon but I needed to be this early, at least driving is one thing I had in common with Polli.

_____

‘Ugh…’ Anxiety couldn't get off me today, now could it? School was fairly close so driving wasn't too much of an issue, it was a public school but it was a very reputable public school being sponsored by the Bianchi’s, Bailey’s, and Politon’s, that's how Hyunwoo was there in the first place.

I parked in the front space of the school parking lot and got, I had to look at the 2005 Porsche to remember this was in fact the early 00s.

“You're here early….” I frowned upon hearing a female voice. “Usually you're here 10 minutes before…what's making you the early bird?”

I didn't even have to turn around, I already knew who it was. “Oh uh…”

Ashley.

“Oh my God, Ashley, Hi!” Polli just involuntarily took over, “Usually I'd get my coffee fix first, but…I just went homemade for now…”

I gritted my teeth slightly, given my response wouldn't be inline to Polli’s behavior, but it felt so irritating as she moved to chuckle like an easily impressed 5 year old.

Ashley’s icy gaze sharpened for a moment as she scrutinized me, her eyes moving up and down in an unsettling scan. It was an uncomfortable feeling, leaving me on edge and uncertain whether she was about to utter some disparaging remark. Her lips parted slightly as she let out a noncommittal, “Mmm…”, the sound hanging in the air, fraught with unspoken thoughts.

“Oh Polli, are you so eager to come here, that you forgot to order me usual iced Mocha latte…?”

She had such an eerie sweet tone that kind of made me anxious, it was baffling to be why Polli didn't sense this uneasiness.

The shock of forgetting her order made her slink back giving me majority control again, it only went one of us is emotionally shocked or paralyzed like this the other seems to jump in.

‘Don’t you dare say anything bad to Ash!’ Despite this Polli still persisted and I mentally groaned.

“I'm sorry Ash, I'll do it next time-”

“Of course you will.” I looked into her eyes, she just gave a small smile after cutting me off, ‘of course you will’ echoed through my mind, I bit my lip.

It almost seems like a threat.