Of Kings and Queens

12/Confrontation/

"I was five, and he was six,
We rode on horses made of sticks.
He wore black, and I wore white,
He would always win the fight.

Bang bang. He shot me down.
Bang bang. I hit the ground,
Bang bang. That awful sound,"

•September, 12th•

Perry wrapped his arm around Madaelyn, as they were lounging infront of the school gardens with their friends.

"Perry, are we still on for movie night tomorrow?" Robin spoke to her brother where he leaned back on the trunk of a tree with Madaelyn lying against his chest. Robin smiled with her whole face excitedly.

He brushed his dark hark from his forehead, "Yeah I thin—"

He was cut off by Maddy adding, "I thought we had plans to study together tomorrow Perry?"

He akwardly rubbed the back of his neck, tilting his head out of the way of the sun beams of light emitting form the clear sky.

"I—Uh -" Perry looked helplessly from Robin to Maddy. "Yeah Maddy, I remember now—Is it okay to use your dorm though?"

Madaelyn smiled at him serenely at him, turning her head to look him in the eye. She leaned up and pecked him on the cheek, "Sure."

Robin's smile faltered and a look of hurt crossed her face. Bill reached his hand out to brush her hair from her face, asking her, "Robin? You okay?"

Then the look vanished completely, a perfectly poised mask overtaking it. She stomped down the feelings of betrayal and abandonment quickly.

Bill's concerned face reminded her that she needed to be strong, not weak. This was her chance to show everyone that she was not breakable. And she was convinced that's she would not screw it up.

She shot him back one of resurface and stood up from her position on the ground leaning on Bill's shoulder.

"I have to find a book up from the library to finish a paper due on Wednesday. Gotta run before Linda kicks everyone out," Robin stated as she glanced at the slowly sinking sun.

Bill winked at her as she departured and the conversation fluidly restarted without her.

"There's a light and I can see it in your eyes.
There's a memory of the way you used to be.
Nothing's gone, it still shines every time you turn it on,"

•••

Robin browsed the high shelves, walking leisurely throughout the deepest corners of the school library, searching for a specific book.

After half an hour, she had still not found it, so she did the next best thing. She went to the front desk, to check if anybody else had thought to take it out to use for their essay, but according to the log, it was still in the library.

Newly determined to find what she was looking for, she strolled vigorously through the long rows of books of classic literature and early century poetry. She made it through one corridor and was just turning to the second one when she bumped into someone standing at the end of the shelf.

Automatically she spoke, "Sorry."

A pair of intelligent blue eyes peered down at her when she looked up from the chest she head butted. She recognised those eyes.

"Oh hey, Oliver." She glanced at the books in his arms.

"Hello." His voice was subdued and easy to miss if you weren't listening. Robin fingered the hole in her sleeve and stepped around him casually, still searching for 'Samtlige Skrifter', by Johannes Ewald.

Her finger glided across the titles of the books as she muttered the names, tucking them away in her brain for future references.

"Damnit! Why isn't it here?!" She cursed quietly to herself, wrapping her cardigan around her more securely as she got a shiver down her spine.

"Were you looking for this?" Robin realised Oliver was talking to her.

Then as soon as she turned to face him, she stepped back, stumbling into the bookcase as she did so.

"You need to learn what personal space is and how to respect it." His ears flushed red at her words, but his perpetual sneer hardened. She saw one of books that and been in his arms, that he was now holding up infront of her.

The title read, 'Samtlige Skrifter, (Volumes 1—3)'

"It is! Thanks!" Robin's hand went out to grab it, but he pulled it away moments befor it fell into her grasp.

"You can have it after I write my essay, of course."

"You're a pain in my ass, Roscoe." She added in mock-exasperation.

But Oliver's strong and unbreakable facade broke momentarily, a deep sadness settling in his eyes, before snapping back into reality.

His face evened out and the cold statue returned.

"Goodbye, Robin." Oliver turned gracefully and strode away with purposeful steps.

(A/N: If you like the story so far, feel free to leave a vote!)