Clouds Don't Own the Sky

Chapter 11

"Hey! Lauren, wait up!" Lauren turned around and looked at Micah who was running towards her. "What's up?"

"I was thinking, how about today we take a break from the whole mystery thing. Dorm sleepover, maybe?"

"You're a boy, you're not allowed to sleep in our dorms."

"Well, not a sleepover per say, maybe just we all go into Austin's dorm and chill with her and Myra for a few hours after school. I actually had to talk to you about something too."

"Uh... sure, I guess. You won't be sleeping with us, right?"

"I'll be leaving, I promise."

"Fine, do the others know?"

"Yeah."

"Cool then..."

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Lauren managed to catch up to Lucas in the hallway and smiled as wide as she could. "Long time no talk..." Lucas tried to say something but the curse's chains were too strong, as he moved around the curse snarled and said nothing, just forcing the body's continuous walk down the hallway ignoring Lauren's presence.

"Look, I know you can see me." The curse continued to remain silent and continued to walk on, even walking faster to lose her. This was all part of his, well Mrs. Luna's, plan after all. "Dude, I'm sorry. What do you WANT from me? It's been 3 days, come one, give it a rest, please. I really miss you." The curse finally stopped. Lucas wanted to say something, he struggled to move from his chains, but his eyes once again turned darker and the curse turned around to face Lauren. They both stopped in the middle of the hallway taking up the space as the late bell rang. "You're late."

"It's not like anyone will CARE. Lucas, you didn't care. We would go on scary adventures together anyways, how is this any different. I can't imagine being someone's friend without you there too. I miss you, I'm really sorry, I want to take everything I did back."

Lucas finally managed to focus, focus hard enough, his chains broke enough that he could speak. "Lauren. I-" he paused for a moment trying so hard to break out of his shell, to break out of more chains. To hug her and cry and say that he wants her back too. The curse snarled and grabbed back control, it didn't just chain Lucas; it threw him, threw him far away, the magic immobilized him, he couldn't move anything and no attempt to focus was able to break this lack of mobility. "I don't want anything to do with you." The curse walked off, leaving the tear-stricken Lauren behind him. She collapsed to the floor in tears and the Lucas still alive inside wanted to turn back, deny everything. The magic was too strong and the curse's footsteps echoed across the hall to his new destination, far away from Lucas's best friend.

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"Lauren's here!" Myra jumped up to hug her but Lauren stared coldly back at her and she frowned and retreated with her hug. Austin smiled and patted the seat next to her, they had a popcorn bowl in between and were all taking turns eating some popcorn and talking about random things. Lauren plopped next to Austin and curled into a ball position. Her head was still visible, and so was her frown. "You good, Lauren?" Austin said through a mouthful of popcorn.

"Now PRINCESSES shouldn't be talking with popcorn, dear," Micah lamented in his best impression of Austin's mom.

"Oh, shut up!" Austin shoved him, but Lauren continued to frown. "Lauren, are you okay?" Austin asked again.

"NO! Alright! I'M NOT OKAY. I don't want to be here."

"Lauren..."

"I DON'T CARE WHAT LUCAS SAID. I DON'T CARE WHAT HE SAID AT ALL." Austin remained quiet and just stared at her in bewilderment, she had no idea what had happened between that morning and right now.