The Real Villian

Year: 4055; Day: 89

{Song of the chapter: Change of Heart - The 1975}

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My thoughts were cloudy and my eyes stung.

The mirror in front me reflected a girl who I didn't recognized. She was a stranger-- with her ginger hair, her empty brown eyes, her contoured cheeks and fake eyelashes.

She was going to do something awful today. Her heart was going to break, but it would be worth it. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

I sighed and set down the heated curler. My hair was in light, bouncy waves. The look, I realized with a frown, reminded me of Cassi.

Speaking of... I had no idea what Cassi was doing these days. I regretted not prying Zak for more information after our odd encounter days ago. Had she found a new best friend? Did she miss me?

My thoughts then drifted to Javi. My heart pounded at the hope he was okay. My eyes stung even more now, and a tear rolling down my left cheek came to attention. As much as I pushed these thoughts away, I couldn't ignore the void my brother had left me.

As I've gone through life as half of a duo, leaving my other half had ripped me apart. Javi was a piece of me, and a big one at that.

Without him...

I didn't know who I was. My own name didn't seem to belong to me. It was the price I had to take, I figured. Leaving an old me behind. The new me takes that girl's place.

A rush of empowerment came over me, and I glared at myself in the mirror. Myself. From now foward, I was not Kara Xiver. I'd never be her again.

My eyes narrowed at this new reflection. I was beautiful. Stunning. Courageous.

A sickeningly bittersweet smile formed on my face. My old life has left an empty hole. I will fill it with something new and better.

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"Are you sure you're ready?" Lake said. He draped a gloomy blue colored trench coat over me. His hands hesitated at the collars of the coat while he glazed into my eyes with an anxiety ridden look.

I nodded. "This is what I'm meant to do," I told him. He didn't understand that I was convincing myself as well, but he'd understand soon enough.

Letting out a deep sigh, he gestured towards the front door.

"Thank you," I whispered with tears brimming my eyes.

A flash of concern contorted his face. "Hey, now, don't be sad. You'll be fine. This isn't the end of us, I won't let it be."

But I will, I thought. Rather than speaking my thoughts aloud, I bit my lower lip and avoided his eyes.

The door slid open from behind me. I took a careful step backwards and gave one last look at Lake. He had put on his unreadable and emotionless expression, but his feelings were all in the eyes. Longing, worry, hope.

"Bye, Kara," I heard a voice softly call while I was walking down the steps.

I didn't respond. My eyes caught the wilted rose on one of the steps. He should really plant a new rose, I thought-- almost grinning at the thought.

My gaze didn't last long on the dead plant. It was immediately drawn to the Authority standing a few feet down from Lake's house.

The streets were full of people shuffling their way to work or the Academy. I did my best to keep my eyes on the ground and my hair covering my face.