The Leaving

Eyes Like Ice

~"And where have you been?" Jessica says coolly. 

She is sitting in a chair close to the door, her  icy-grey eyes running across the pages of the book in her hands.

"I was in the garden," I reply quietly, staring down at my shoes. I'm not sure what it is but, something about Jessica makes me nervous. I know she would never hurt me or scold me, as doing so would result in her early Leaving, but her eyes are full of loathing and resentment, pain even. Like she's constantly holding back hatred for someone,  something, but oddly I don't think it's us.

She pulls a peice of her long red hair behind her ear and looks up at me. "In the garden, huh?" I nod. Looking back down at her book she says "Well, you missed mid-day."

"Ya, I know. Sorry."

She holds a hand up. "Don't be." With swift movements she folds the corner of her page, places her book on the table in front of her, and stands. She cocks an eyebrow and adds "It's your loss."

Kade and I exchange looks as Jessica marches down the hall and up the stairs. I've never really understood Jessica and her ways. Kade tells me that she's only this hostile because she cares. If that's true,  she sure does show love differently.

Kade turns to me with pleading eyes. "Listen, Belle. It's not her fault. She just-"

"Yes, I know." I use my best Kade impression and recite "She cares. She just loves you."

Kade crosses her arms and smirkes. "I don't sound like that." She tries to hold a straight face, but ends up laughing. So do I. We go back and forth doing 'completely accurate' impressions of eachother until we hear a knock on the door. I open it.

"Hey, Annie."

"Oh, hello Aria." I smile. I do like Aria. "I'll call Jessica." Aria is Jessica's best friend and , other than Kade, the only person she smiles at. Aria somewhat resembles Jessica. She has red hair, pale skin, and a slim build. Though Aria doesn't have Jessica's cold, mean eyes. Her's are bright blue. They're full of joy and happiness.

"Thanks. Oh, and please tell her to hurry. We have somewhere to be."

I dash up the stairs, stumbling on the top step. I quickly gather myself, flipping hair out of my eyes and straightening my grey shirt. I cautiously walk to Jessica's closed door and knock three times.

"Come in," she calls.

I open the door just enough to call through it, "Aria's here. She says to hurry."

"Okay. Tell her I'm on my way down."

"Sure," I say, closing the door. By the the time I give Aria the message, Jessica is already striding down the stairs. She's dressed in a sleek red dress, used for special occasions, like the one she will wear to her Leaving. The bright red makes her eyes look even more dull. She also has on shiny black shoes and her hair is put up in a neat bun.

"Off to meet with the Council?" Asks Kade. Aria and Jessica nod, wave, and take off.