𝕄𝕀𝕊𝕋ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕊(es)* Ⓢⓔⓐⓢⓞⓝ ①

Ep. 12a: Trust Issues

As the clock began to wind down toward the end of the day, Abby and Cleo looked nervously at Erica. Today was going to be her first "tutoring" lesson with Pepper since she had been woken up, and every plan that the girls currently had was hinging on her not finding that fact out. If Pepper asked Erica any questions while under hypnosis that resulted in her admitting she knew what was going on outside of the classroom, she'd be brainwashed back into surrender along with Cleo and Abby in no time. Sadly, the alternative was Erica avoiding her entirely and trying to get out of the lessons, something that would eventually tip her hand anyway. All of that was bundled up in the fact that any day now, Erica might have a break through with her powers like Skyler and become a completely different person.

And speaking of Skyler... The girls hated that they had to simply let the boy go to Pepper's domination too, seeing as right now he was the most interesting toy to her. Should he go missing, she'd know something was up just like with Erica. They also had to let Skyler go to himself which sucked more. Even if they found a way to snap him out of Pepper's thrall, he was still second in his own mind to Eros, and they still had no clue how to stop him right now. The suckiest part of all though? Before they could deal with either the Enchantresses or Eros, they needed to talk to the god of love again.

Abby was dreading this the more time went on, genuinely a little afraid of what Eros might be capable of. The boy obviously had a plan, and anytime they woke him up right now, they ran the risk of becoming a part of it. Despite the danger, the girls had their next heading, and it was about to be their most dangerous situation yet. They needed to know more about this evil coven pulling the strings of everything if they wanted to succeed, and Eros had let it slip that he knew something about them. It was a shot in the dark, but it was the best one they had.

The bell finally rang, making Abby jump from her thoughts. She grabbed her bag and caught a nervous glance from Erica before turning to Skyler.

The boy had a warm, loving smile on his face as he leaned over to side hug her, "See you tomorrow, Abbs, yeah?"

"Oh, um, actually, are you free tonight, Sky?" Abby asked him, "we were kind of hoping to talk to you about something. Both Erica and I?"

"Oh, um, sure, I think later! I am!" the boy looked to Cleo with eyes that could melt her to a puddle, "Just you two, huh? Not you, snow white?"

Cleo's mouth fell open, and she became enamored by the boy without even needing his spirals, "I mean, I could probably—"

"She's busy," Erica cut her off with a fake pout. She turned to Cleo with gritted teeth and spoke through them with a smile, "You have that thing tonight, remember??"

"Yeah," Abby said with the same expression, "You said you were busy for the next few days, remember."

Cleo slipped her bag on and crossed her arms, scowling to the side, "Oh, yeah, that's right, I am busy... Sorry Sky; we'll hang soon."

"Oh, um, alright..." Skyler said. The girl's heart broke as he gave her puppy eyes, but he quickly turned back to Abby, "Well, anyway, what did you two want to talk about? Is something wrong?"

"N-No! Nothing. Just wanted to run an idea by you is all." Abby said with her most innocent smile.

Skyler smirked back and chuckled, "Well, color me curious. I guess I'll see you later then! Meet at my place?"

"Sounds great," Abby smiled.

"Great. Erica and I can race over after tutoring, right, Belle?"

"Y-Yeah, sure..." Erica smiled nervously, still concerned about what was to come.