Starlight

Rebecca crossed the street cautiously and made her way towards Sugarcube Corner, making sure she didn't trip in any of the cracks in the pavement, or step in anything ... Unmentionable.

It wasn't a long walk from the school to the bakery but it gave the purple-haired designer a lot of time to think about Diane, and whether she was really ill, or if it was something else.

Only Reyna had ever seen Diane at her worst, a few years ago, and she never spoke to anyone about what had happened between her and Diane.

If Diane had sunk into a state of madness again, Rebecca had no idea what had caused it, and whether or not anyone could pull her out of it again.

She reached Sugarcube Corner and, instead of entering by the shop entrance, she turned and went around to the back, climbing a set of stairs that lead to the door to the apartment above.

She knocked twice.

“Diane? Diane, dear, it’s Rebecca.”

After getting no response for several minutes, she checked no one was looking then sneaked the spare key out from underneath the flowerpot beside her. She unlocked the door then stepped inside the apartment.

Immediately she was greeted with the sound of heavy rock music, and that’s when she knew something was up. She didn't even know Diane owned this type of music. Diane listened to pop music and weird remixes and Japanese songs, not … This.

She headed to Diane’s room and knocked once, then opened the door slightly, giving her just enough room to stick her head in and survey the surroundings.

…

Oh dear.

This was bad.

Diane was lying on her bed, her normally curly hair flat and dull, as if shadows were permanently hanging over it. Her entire body seemed like it had dulled. Her ice blue eyes were empty and detached from the outside world. She was sipping from a Coke can- Rebecca was sure you weren't supposed to drink soda when you were ill- and the curtains were closed; the only source of light now came from Diane’s pink lava lamp, which cast eerie shadows around the room.

“Hello Rebecca.” Diane said. Even her voice had changed. Normally hyper, her voice now held no emotion. It was as if she couldn't see you at all.

“Um, hello Diane. I just came to check on you, to see if you were okay. We all missed you at school today.” Rebecca said, sitting on one of the pink beanbags dotted around the small room. It wasn't very ladylike, but for Diane she was willing to sacrifice some things.

“I’m fine. Thank you for bothering, though. Would you like a Coke?” Diane gestured half-heartedly to her mini fridge next to her bed.

Rebecca grabbed a Coke, but just held it in her hands, staring at the bright can dulled by the shadows around them. This whole experience has just been bizarre.

“Thank you. So … Are you okay? Why exactly are you off sick anyway?” Rebecca asked, trying to drag out the conversation.

“I’m fine.” Diane repeated. “And it’s nothing. It’s just a headache. I’ll be back in school in … In a few days.” Diane reassured, even managing a small smile, though it was pained and quite obviously fake.

“Good. I know Reyna wanted to talk to you very badly, so should I tell her to come over next time she’s free? To cheer you up?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room turned icy at the mention of Reyna. “Reyna wants to talk to me? That’s a first. What, doesn't she want to talk to Twila anymore? I thought they were close. No one wants to talk to poor weird Diane. Especially not Reyna. No one! And I don’t want to talk to any of you!”

Diane’s outburst finished and she glared at Rebecca, her eyes cold and hard, and it was all the purple-haired girl could do to stop her jaw from dropping. This was … Unusual, to say the least. And heart-breaking.

Suddenly, Diane’s expression changed. She wasn't glaring anymore. She looked lost, and scared. Scared of herself.

“I-I think you should leave now, Rebecca.” Diane whispered. When Rebecca stayed there, still staring, Diane turned bitter again. “Leave!!” she snarled.

Rebecca got up hurriedly, stumbling on her way to the door. she closed it with a strangled gasp.

Whatever Diane was sick with, it was definitely not a headache.

She noticed she was still holding the Coke can, and figured a drink may calm her down.

When she lifted the can up to her mouth, the liquid that touched her tongue made her squirm.

The Coke was flat.

She could hear the sound of sobbing from Diane’s room as she left.

Reyna was training.

Her heart banged against her chest in time with her bandaged hands hitting the punching bag.

Smack! For Twila.

Smack! For stupid love.

Smack! For Rebecca.

Smack! For Diane.

She didn't know why she was feeling so angry with everyone all of a sudden.

It could be put down to hormones, hut Reyna knew that wasn't it.

She didn't even want to acknowledge what happened after school on the football field.

It had to be something else.

All of her friends were achieving amazing things. Chylenne was going to college, Jack was running a farm, Rebecca had her boutique, Twila had her studies, and Diane had her apprenticeship … And what did Reyna have? A washed-up dream and a talent she had only acquired because she forced it on herself.

She had nothing.

She was interrupted from her discouraging train of thought by a sharp whistling noise that could only be her phone. This happened twice before she finally stopped beating the punching bag and jogged over to her bag on the other side of the room.

She unlocked her phone and saw she had two text messages.

The first one, from Rebecca, read ‘Go talk to Diane.’

Nothing else. No smiley face, no explanation, just those four words.

Reyna dismissed it. Diane was just sick, she’d be fine in a couple of days.

The second one was from Twila. Reyna groaned inside but read it anyway. Maybe Twila wanted to get back together?

Her hope was kindled when she read the words ‘Reyna, can we talk?’

Maybe Twila did want to get back together! Everything could go back to normal- well, sort-of normal- and Reyna would have the girlfriend she loved back in her arms again.

She made her way back to the punching bag happily.

A voice in the back of her head begged to be allowed to speak, but Reyna pushed it back. She was happy with Twila. She loves her. She wanted to get back together with her.

Do you really want that?

“SHUT UP!!!” she screamed, punching the bag so hard it broke, flying onto the floor.

She did want Twila.

She had to.