The Real Villian

Year: 4055; Day: 88

{Song of the chapter: EASE - Troye Sivan}
Comment one of your favorite songs :)

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The ear-wrenching sound of slathery dye being slicked onto my hair made me wince. I was sat in front of a mirror, but my eyes were squeezed shut to avoid the heartbreak. Like many girls, my hair was my favorite thing about myself. Its blonde waves with natural dark highlights were now being replaced with a ginger brown.

"You'll look fine," said Lake. I opened my eyes just in time to catch him rolling his.

"You're not the one losing your hair," I mumbled righteously.

He chuckled and grabbed another large strand of undyed hair. Then he ruined it by slicking on dark dye. "Remember, this is all your idea."

I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest. Even though I usually would come back with a snarky remark, I stayed quiet. It was the least I could owe him with what I was going to do tomorrow.

We had agreed only one of us could go into The City. Since I was going through the gut-wrenching pain, we decided it was fair to let me to see the world. What Lake didn't know, though, was that I was planning on...

I took in a deep breath. The thought nearly killed me, yet it was what I had to do for this City.

I was going to sell Lake out. Take away his freedom in exchange for my own. I was going to go to the City Port and talk to the Head. I would tell him where these fugitives were, and in exchange, he would give me his position of power. And if he refused, I would kill him.

It seemed simple in theory. In practice, it would be different-- I knew that much.

"You okay there? You seem a little quiet, sweetheart," Lake mumbled while finishing off a strand.

I nodded and put on my best poker face. "Just thinking."

I saw his reflection glance up at the mirror and grin. A pair of hands came in contact with my shoulders. "We're done!"

I took in a sharp breath and forced a smile. Right now, my hair just looked wet. I'd have to leave it for a few hours and then wash it out to see the final results.

"I should be a professional hair stylist," Lake remarked with a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I sat up from my chair and turned to face him. "As much as I hate this," my voice lowered to a shy whisper, "Thank you for helping out."

His features softened. "Of course."

I breathed out a long sigh. "So what should we do now?"

A cocky grin replaced his soft smile. "I have a few ideas."

My eyes narrowed into millimeter squints. "What kind of ideas?" I mused.

"You're thinking lowly of me," he scoffed, "I was just going to suggest we get to know each other more."

"And how are we going to do that?"

With a slight shrug, Lake walked over to a white couch and slumped down on it. "Why don't we just ask each other questions back and forth?"

I pursed my lips and tilted my chin up a few inches. "Okay."

He gestured to the open seat beside him and I followed his lead by sitting down on the couch. "You first," he said.

I racked my brain for things I wanted to know about him. A memorable night from tens of days ago came to mind. "What was your sister's name?"

His face grew somber. "Aliva," he whispered-- avoiding my eyes.