Descendants: The rise of red

Jane's secret

Jane woke up to the soft sound of her alarm, four in the morning. She was used to this rhythm by now: waking up before dawn, while the rest of the world slept, to follow that secret routine that no one, not even her best friend and roommate, knew about. Tiana was sleeping soundly on the other side of the room, and Jane moved with utmost caution.
First, she slid out of bed, her bare feet making no noise on the wooden floor. She slipped on the sweatshirt she had left ready on the chair next to her bed and tied her hair into a neat bun. With precise and careful movements, she retrieved the yellow backpack she kept hidden under her bed and began to pack it.
First, she added some energy bars, then a couple of fruits, two bottles of water, and a few sandwiches she had prepared the night before. She had to be ready before any of her companions could see her, and food was one of her priorities. The backpack made no noise as she filled it, thanks to the practice she had gained over time.
She checked the clock. There was still a bit of time before leaving, but something caught her attention: a soft sound coming from the door, like a gentle tapping. Jane approached, her heart beating a little faster. She wasn't expecting visitors at this hour.
When she opened the door, she saw Fay standing there with a shy smile, still in her pajamas and slippers.
"Fay?" Jane whispered, careful not to wake Tiana. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
Fay raised a hand and showed a small package wrapped in simple but thoughtful paper. "I thought you could use this. It's a little gift to thank you... you know, for helping me last night."
Jane looked at her for a moment, surprised. She certainly wasn't expecting a gift at this time of the morning. "You didn't need to go to the trouble," Jane said softly, trying not to show too much surprise. "But thank you."
Fay handed her the package, and Jane accepted it, placing it carefully in her backpack next to the food. She didn't know what it contained, but she appreciated the gesture.
Then, with a glance toward Tiana, Jane gestured that they should remain quiet. Her roommate, Tiana, was still sound asleep, wrapped up in her blankets. Jane didn't want to wake her, didn't want her to discover her secret routine. Tiana knew nothing about what Jane did every morning before dawn, and Jane wanted to keep it that way.
Fay smiled conspiratorially, quickly understanding the situation. "Don't worry, I'll be as quiet as a shadow," she whispered, raising an eyebrow, "but why are you already ready? We still have four hours until classes start."
Jane hesitated for a moment, trying to hide her tension behind a smile. She had always feared someone would discover her routine, but Fay seemed merely curious, not suspicious.
"I like going for an early morning run," Jane whispered, trying to maintain a light tone. "It's the best time, when no one's around. It helps me think."
Fay studied her with an inquisitive look, her lips curling into a slight smile that suggested she didn't entirely believe that answer. "Hmm, running, huh? With a backpack full of food?"
Jane lowered her gaze, realizing the inconsistency in her excuse. She wasn't an experienced liar, and Fay was sharper than Jane had anticipated. But she couldn't reveal the real reason, not now.
"You know, sometimes I get lost in the parks and get hungry," Jane said, trying to recover.
Fay looked at her, crossing her arms, but didn't push further. "You really are an enigma, Jane Porter."
Jane gave a small smile. "And you, what are you doing up so early? You mentioned something about last night..."
Fay nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to thank you for helping me with that spell. I know I bothered you at a ridiculous hour, but talking to you made me feel better. That's why this." She indicated the package Jane had just put in her backpack. "It's nothing big, just a little good luck charm. I made it by hand, and, well, it's always protected me. I thought it could help you too."
The warmth spread through Jane's chest. Fay, with her shy smile and sweet way of speaking, managed to melt away some of the reserve that Jane always imposed on herself.
"Thank you, Fay," Jane said sincerely, resting a hand on her backpack where she had placed the gift. "I'll keep it with me always."
Fay stretched, ready to head back to her room. "Alright, then. I'm going back to sleep before anyone notices me wandering the halls in pajamas." She laughed softly, gesturing toward her fluffy slippers. "But don't do anything too weird out there, okay?"
Jane watched her walk away down the hallway and closed the door gently behind her. The smile slowly faded as she leaned against the door, her breathing a little heavier. Fay could never imagine what Jane was really doing every morning. And though the thought of telling her the truth crossed her mind for a second, Jane knew it wasn't possible. That secret had to remain hidden.
Jane glanced at Tiana, who barely stirred in her sleep, and made sure not to make a sound as she headed toward the exit. The day had just begun, and Jane had a mission to complete, one that no one could ever know about.
With one last look at the silent room, she slipped into the hallway, closing the door behind her without making a sound.