Lesbian Academy (Girlxgirl, Lesbian)

Chapter42. Beguile

Chapter42. Beguile

The immense heat I felt by being too close to the volcano a while ago disappeared, as if I have never experienced it. I clutched the small egg I collected from the challenge and looked around. I was back in the holding area by myself. It looked like I was one of the first few to succeed. Lilith was separated from me during the challenge when a T-Rex came crashing near the volcano. She'd get past that. She always did.

Footsteps sounded. I spotted Red jogging to me, sporting a stern face. "Blue told me to check on you," she said once she was near enough. "Let's get that wound cleaned. I'll take you to the infirmary." I checked the scratch on my shoulder. I've forgotten about that. Red gave me a light push. "Double time, Kensington."

We ascended the stairs silently. Red wasn't much of a talker like our other friends. "Not that I'm complaining," I said. "Why didn't Blue come for me? She said that we have something to talk about."

"She has responsibilities." Red pushed the door open and gestured for me to go first. The hallway was empty. Everyone was concentrated on the challenge. They were probably in the Dining Hall, rooting for their favorite contestants. "Can I have a word with you first?" Red said. I swiveled around to her. "Are you alright?"

I glanced at my dusty boots. Strong as it was, the things we did at the VR made it look the worse for wear. "These boots have a better chance at recovering than I do," I murmured. "Every second I breathe, it feels like a pipe is being shoved down my throat. Don't get me started on my heart. Maybe this is what it feels like to die."

She smiled knowingly. She saw what happened. They all did. But I was not embarrassed by it. That feeling had no room for someone who was suffering. "You will survive," she assured. "Heartbreaks are the most awful kind of pain. I've been there. And to make it worse, we've both been fooled by the same person. I know how it is." Her eyes gleamed as she took a step to me. "But you will survive. You will come out of this stronger, better, and wiser. You will find love like I did with Candice."

"Candice is a fool," I said.

"Better a fool in love than a wise man who only knows how to care for herself."

"Are you two together now?"

She sighed. "It's complicated. As you said, that girl is a fool." She paused. "We've been meaning to have a word with you about the clues we got at the chamber, but the way you are now, it is best to leave you alone for a while. Solve your problems first, and when you're ready, we'll be here waiting."

"Thank you."

"If there's someone you need to thank, it's Blue." Red took quick steps forward. I didn't see her face. "Truth is, my best friend is still in our control room crying her eyes out. She knows that you wouldn't do it, so she was kind enough to shed the tears for you. She should be rejoicing by now because there's one less competition. Fool."

"Like you said, better a fool in love," I murmured as Red went ahead, obviously in a hurry.

After being patched up in the infirmary, I went to the woods. The trees offered better solace than the castle which would be filled with students at this hour. When I came out of the infirmary, there were already three challengers in line who were waiting to be seen by the medical team. The challenge for today has concluded.

Making sure that no one was following me, I went off path, deeper into the land where no one would see me. Walked I did without any direction in mind, ignoring the ache on my shoulder and the blisters that have surely formed on my feet. I swallowed repeatedly, hoping to stop the cry fest that loomed.