Chapter 42: Cracks in the Glass
Light Pink suddenly staggered, her boots dragging as she clutched her heavily bleeding shoulder. Despite the pain, that unnerving smile remained on her face. "It seems... I must go already. I love you all so much. I will be back another time, but for now... I must let the other two recover."
A dual aura erupted around her frame. She grew slightly taller as the pink hues vanished, instantly splitting back apart. In her place stood White, who immediately dropped to her knees on the asphalt, wincing sharply as she clutched the exact same shoulder wound.
Alice rushed to her side, her eyes wide. "It's... it's you..."
White looked up, offering a gentle, genuine smile. "Yes... it has been a while since I last saw you. And my, my, how you have grown emotionally!"
Alice blinked back fresh tears. "White, you are really hurt."
"Yes... I am," White admitted softly. She turned her gaze toward Grey Girl, who was still curled up on the pavement, desperately hugging Pigeon Chad. The bird was staring off into the far distance, occasionally letting out an encouraging, gentle coo. White sighed. "Grey... do not take what Light Pink said the wrong way. She is... terrifying. Pink and I had absolutely no idea she even existed until today. But she was fiercely protective of you."
Riley looked up slightly, her voice cracking with deep-seated fear. "I... please, don't. Don't do that. I don't want to believe you... I don't want to be tricked again..."
Alice stared at her, a realization suddenly washing over her features. "Wait... you're Riley, right? I heard... I heard about you. You used to have a group of friends..."
At the mention of her past, Riley broke completely, burying her face in her knees as she sobbed violently.
White caught Alice's eye and gently shook her head, offering a sad smile. "Right now... that is a wound she still hasn't recovered from." Wincing in pain, White carefully scooted closer to the weeping girl. "But right now... whether you want to or not... we are here for you. And you saved my life today. Do you understand that, Riley?"
Riley looked up, her nose red as she sniffled. "No... you saved mine first. I just... I just jumped in without thinking."
White let out a soft, warm chuckle. "That is exactly what makes it wonderful. Most people freeze up or run when they are faced with that type of situation. You didn't."
Riley's eyes widened slightly at the praise. On her shoulder, Pigeon Chad nuzzled his head gently against her neck, cooing in quiet encouragement. Riley closed her eyes, crying silently as the numbness finally melted away.
Alice held her hands tightly against her chest, then quickly walked around to sit on the pavement on Riley's other side. "White is right. You didn't know what you were going to do-I saw it on your face. You just... you just wanted to protect Light Pink any way you could. Whatever happened in your past... we are in the present now. And like I said before, I'm not saying we're the best of people. We're actually kind of terrible-"
Riley let out a soft, tearful laugh. "Honestly... I was scared. Light Pink was just so..."
"Overprotective," White finished the sentence for her, a visible shiver running down her spine. "Pink and I were both watching from inside the fusion. You should have heard her thoughts... it actually made me shiver. But what Alice is trying to say is the truth. Yes, we are all completely unstable. But we care about each other."
Alice nodded firmly. "We don't even have to be friends. But the care is there. I saw it today. We all care about each other."
"You guys are so sappy..." a voice sighed from behind them.
Maya walked out of the alleyway, completely reverted to her civilian clothes. Suki walked right beside her, also back in her standard school uniform.
Suki nodded in agreement, though a faint, painful smile touched her lips. "I am going to feel the absolute worst of this beating tomorrow... I am not excited for it." She took one step forward, her eyes locking onto Grey Girl's face-and instantly froze. Her eyes went wide. "Riley...? I..."
Riley stared back at her, the tears fresh on her cheeks. Slowly, she looked away, clutching her oversized shirt. "I know... you tried to warn me. I didn't believe you..."