Crystal Sides

Chapter 17: Tanzanite

--POV = Virgil--

I sipped my latte quietly, listening to the endless clicking of my phone as I hid in my hood. It had been almost two weeks since the battle at the school - almost two weeks since...

No! Don't think about that!

Patton said I needed to let go and stop ignoring Roman. To fix this issue, I started ignoring Patton. It's harder that you think. I asked for Logan's opinion once: he told me that it was only logical to stop ignoring everyone, seeing as we're teammates. I ignored him. It seemed like the easiest option. I sighed, making my phone screen steam up. Behind me, I heard Patton enter the room, calling to Remy in a sweet voice. Remy, who was curled up next to me on the couch, yawned and hopped clumsily onto the floor, trotting off. I continued tapping at my phone. Another door opened. I could tell by the heavy, purposeful footsteps that it was Logan. He came over to Patton.

"Why are you giving Remy coffee?" he asked.

"It's all he drinks!" Patton replied, "By the way, that batch of tarts looks ready, and-"

Stop, stop...

I tried to block out the conversation by playing some Panic! At The Disco through my earphones. Eventually I got bored of the same song on repeat and unplugged them, continuing to scroll through Tumblr memes. Another door opened. The light footsteps announced the entrance of Roman. I heard him pause. I could feel his eyes drilling into me. Then, he started walking towards me.

I acted fast. I stood up and made for the balcony. I hadn't been out there before: I hated going outside. But the other's rooms were off limits for me, and I'd have to make eye contact with Patton and Logan to go to my room, so the balcony was my only option. I strode meaningfully towards the door as I heard Roman call my name desperately. I slammed the glass door behind me. The balcony was no more than a little wooden rectangle with a few unkempt houseplants drooping to the side. It overlooked a small pond. Birdsong filled the air. I heard the door creak open behind me as I squeezed my eyes closed in frustration.

"Virgil," Roman closed the door and took a step forward, resting his hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged it off and made for the door. I'll go to my room, I thought. I twisted the handle. It wouldn't turn. Again. It wouldn't budge.

Great, I thought, he's locked me out

I turned to him, not making eye contact, "Let me out." I said firmly.

"Virgil, please talk to me," Roman started.

"I said," I gritted my teeth, "Let me out!"

"Why is this such a big deal?" Roman asked desperately.

"You don't understand." I marched over and leaned on the fence.

"And I won't if you don't tell me."

I turned and looked into his eyes.

He gazed back.

He'd never struck me as handsome before, but now...

I looked away, snapping back into reality. I have to tell him.

I sighed, "Do you know what type of gem I am, Roman?"

"No." he responded.

"I'm a Tanzanite." I paused, wondering how I was going to say this.

"So?" he pressed.

"Tanzanite's are like Rubies," I explained, "We're made in bulk - a very common gem..." I gulped, "a gem created to fuse. When I was created, I was made with five other Tanzanite's." I flinched at the memory, "I hated them. I really did, Roman. Anyway, our first mission was to protect a Lapis on his way to a new colony. We'd had training beforehand, of course. Halfway through the mission, we came across a ship stolen by rebels, looking for a fight. I remember it like it was yesterday: five rebel Jaspers and their leader, an Emerald. The fight got so intense that they parked their ship next to us and invaded ours. Our leader ordered us to fuse. But I didn't want to. He forced me to: and for a while, I went along with it. But I still hated it: it was like being forced together with someone you despise. During the fight I did something no other Tanzanite has ever dared to do: escaped. I unfused and I boarded the enemy rebel's ship. And I just... flew off."

I sighed. Roman was gazing at me with curiosity in his eyes, "How did you end up here?"

"My ship must have blown off course," I told him, "I was heading for the edge of the universe, on some far-off meteor. Instead I ended up here. The tracker on the ship told me there was gem life: I just decided to stay here. And now, here I am." I looked into him, my heart beating faster, "With you."

His eyes flooded with warmth. I suddenly had the urge to move forward, my feet carrying me closer and closer towards him...

"I understand why you're upset," Roman said, "But fusing with me is different. It's not the same, because you choose to do it. And I know, if you just accept it, you might even enjoy it..."

He trailed off and closed his eyes, leaning closer towards me. I let it happen, my heart thumping in my chest.

White flooded my vision and a light feeling filled my chest as we became one.