Lesbian Academy (Girlxgirl, Lesbian)

Chapter 68. Sleep

Chapter68. Sleep

Heights weren't something I was usually afraid of, but with hundreds of feet up, my legs had to at least shake. I steeled myself to calm down and just breathe, to focus on what was around me. There was a pebble near my foot. My guess was as good as anyone on how it got there. Carefully, I nudged it with my shoe. The pebble tumbled down the side of the wall, rolled, then was blown by the gust of wind, forever lost in nothingness. Briefly I wondered. Was it better inside the castle with its ever changing layout, or outside it like I was now, teetering on a stone that was only wide enough for me to set foot on?

I swallowed the lump on my throat and stared forward. The tower I needed to go to, the tower that could possibly held the lamp was only a short distance away. If, a very big if, you didn't count the three tight ropes I had to cross to get there. Three tightropes, three challenges, three very real chances of me falling. The first rope was inches from my shoes, waiting for me.

The view was lonely from the top. With this high up, I couldn't see anything but the tower, the tightropes, their corresponding stone landmarks where I could rest, and the numerous clouds. There were no students, no friends, and certainly no schoolwork. No enemies either. Just me. The only consolation was the sky. It wasn't lukewarm orange like twilight, or baby blue like dawn. It was a mysterious midnight purple, with twinkling stars sprinkled everywhere. I took a second to admire them before I set foot on the rope.

My apprehension declined as I did so. Here in this moment, there were no people to impress, no parents to please. Idiotic as it was, the unstable rope that danced with the wind was tamer compared to what was out there. To it I wasn't an outsider, a genius, a poor woman, or a lover. I was just another girl, another person, trying my best like everybody else to reach my goal. It was because of these thoughts that I got to the first landmark without falling. I kissed the stone, never happier to be stepping on stable ground. Now there were only two tightropes left.

"Look who the cat dragged here," someone spoke. Her voice was carried by the wind. I stilled. "I didn't think you'd still be alive. I was so sure you'd be drained out of blood by now. You're luckier than you look." Jade was tucking a dagger on her belt when I swiveled to stare, the same dagger she used on me. A few feet away, I could tell that she had no signs of injuries or bruises. Her clothes were pristine. Anger bubbled in my chest. I didn't think it possible to hate and love a person this much.

She smiled when my hands balled into fists. "I remember watching you while on the competition, Mars. Didn't you become bff's with Trish on a challenge with a tightrope like this? Pity she had to die." The first tightrope vibrated when Jade edged her foot on the line. Alarm throbbed on my chest. I was weak. She shouldn't get anywhere near me. I quickly faced forward, spread my arms, and started to cross the second rope. "Where are you going?" she called. "Don't you want to have a reunion with me, your best friend?" My anguish flared. How dare she call me that?

"Shut the hell up, Jade! You talk too much." I swayed side to side. "Woah!" The rope wasn't as friendly as it was before, corrupted by her presence. It rocked more harshly, dangerously, as if wanting me to fall. I flailed my arms and strengthened my legs, balancing myself.

It was mind-boggling and nothing sort of a miracle, but I made it to the second landmark safely. Unfortunately for me, Jade made it to the first. Only one line separated us like before. "I'm starting to think that you hate me," she said with an innocent look on her face.

"I do, believe me, I do," I said. If I wasn't in this state, I would have pushed her down, and that was me being kind.

"Why, because I stabbed you? Or is it because I killed Trish? It wasn't my fault if she was gullible." Jade shrugged. "Since you're going to die anyway, I might as well tell you about it. Trish thought I poisoned her through the formula we drank prior to the party." Her lips contorted into a sneer. "Plot twist! The actual poison came from the antidote I offered her. Stupid, right?"