Lost Wings

17~ Zarasa

Previously on LW:
The four friends plus Aric journey with the fairies towards the Elder Tribe, where the One Elder and the rest of the fairies will decide their fate. While Aiden is being an idiot with the fairy children and Chase is sulking with his gryphon friend (who is actually female), Hailey realizes Autumn is acting a bit cold with her and, feeling guilty, catches up to her while Aric leaves them to talk in peace.

Chapter 17

    As Aric flew off to talk one of the fairies, Autumn turned to me. "Hey."

    "Hi. Er, I'm sorry, okay? I know this sucks, and you didn't even want to come in the first place, and it's my fault we're stuck in the forest while our families worry about us, and I've been a bad friend overall, but I'm sorry and so grateful you came with me. Just wanted to tell you that."

    Autumn was quiet for a second. "Hailey, the fact that we're here isn't really the problem. I knew what I was signing up for, and I'm the one who got us lost."

    "That's not your fault-"

    "It is. I know you don't blame me, because you and Aiden are the worst at using maps and you think you would have gotten lost anyway, but it was my job. So, of course, I'm not mad at you for that. And yes, my family is probably worried out of their mind, but that's not your fault."

    Hearing her say this made me feel ten times better, but there was still a problem. "But you're still mad at me."

    "Not really at you. Well, a bit. It's stupid."

    "I know it's not. You never do anything for stupid reasons. I'm the one who does that."

    Autumn laughed, but her eyes were humid.

    "Want to ride Juno and Grey while we talk?" I suggested. "I'm still struggling with the 'flying through a forest while talking'-part."

    "Sure." She waved to Juno, who came back immediately. Grey followed suit, but was most likely only this fast because she wanted to escape a nosy child.

    "So, what's wrong?" I asked.

    "I know it's stupid, but I can't help but feel like I don't matter." She cut me off before I could protest. "It's true. It's always like that, at Sperodyfis or here. Everybody loves Aiden who's an elite archer on top of it, Chase is a great warrior and second in command, and you're a freaking princess. Then, there's me."

    "That's not true-"

    "Yes, it is."

    "That's not what I mean. Please listen to me," I pleaded. "True, people see me and think 'oh, look, the princess, wow!' but that's not anything I've achieved myself. I just showed up and was told that's what I was. I have no merit."

    "Everyone still loves you."

    "The only thing Princess Hailey has done since being back from the human world is learn stuff you guys knew in second grade and sit in silence at two fancy dinner-meetings. I know some people think I'm cool just because I'm related to the king, but I also know you know better. That doesn't make me important. People treat me like it does, but we -Aiden, Chase, and I- know the truth. Without you, we'd be completely lost. We might not even be friends."