2DDLC: Element Guardians! (Sayonika + Natsuri)

Chapter Eight: Acting Different

She was..

Patrisha, the friend of Sasha..

Patrisha was telling the truth.

She gave me directions to the shortest way to the cafe. I'm standing right in front of it. Jess must've closed it down, because the lights are off and all the chairs are up.

But why? What would she get out of it? It doesn't matter right now, I have better concerns.

I run past the cafe and am greeted by the large entrance and open gate of the school. Not to mention a loud trio of girls with shopping bags just walking in.

I can set aside my pride, I need to thank her.

I run up to the girls, who don't notice me at first. Patrisha is walking in the back, so it'll be easy to just get her attention.

I gently tap on her shoulder. In response she spins around, and once she notices me, she glares.

"Hey," I whisper. "I just wanted to say thank y-"

"What is wrong with you?" She whispers harshly. "I told you to stay away!"

"But you helped me," I whisper back. "So I just wanted to say than-"

"No!" Patrisha yelled, now getting her two friends attention. "Get away from me!"

Sasha storms over to us, I don't like where this is going. "What are you doing here?" She asks.

"I want to talk to Patrisha, that's all." I say, glaring back at her.

Sasha crosses her arms. "She's not important, I am. Tell me instead."

Did she just..? Wow, that kind of harsh..

"Uh, no. It doesn't involve you, it involves Patrisha."

Sasha then whips her head around to Patrisha, who is visibly looking tense. "What did you do with this idiot?"

"N-Nothing, I swear!" Patrisha yells. "She's just harassing me!"

What is going on? She helped me, she deserves a thank you, doesn't she? But if she really wants me to leave, then so be it.

"Fine then." I say, backing away. "I'm sorry I bothered you."

Sasha's eyes stay on Patrisha. "Whatever, leave."

I quietly turn around, hearing Megan yell a, "Bye!!"

I can't handle everything happening so quickly. Just when I thought it was starting to get easier, all of it changes.

I finally run into the forest, memory taking me back to a usual spot we always visited. A spot with a rather thick tree and a small river that flowed gently.

(A/N: AJ here! A quick suggestion, if you can listen to Forest Sounds, it might help emerge you in the story! I'm listening to those things as I write this! -AJ :) )

It was peaceful there. And it could also be a great spot for us to practice our powers. Once I get there, it's still quiet and still. Small birds chirping, the water flowing and rippling once it runs past some small pebbles.

I take a small inhale, letting myself relax. The trees bark looks as sturdy as ever, yet I want to sit by the stream, this time. I sit down on the grass in front of the water, feeling the grass tickle my legs.

It's calming here.

I stare at the water, watching my reflection.

I look.. Fine.