Author's Note

Three days until the Friendship Games.

Separate Mornings

Neon slowly woke up and got out of bed. I could barely sleep. I kept on seeing her face in my dreams. The image of Sugarcoat's saddened and betrayed expression appeared in his mind's eye yet again, and he sighed heavily. Goddammit...I have to get that image out of my head! He changed into his uniform and walked downstairs. He reached the kitchen, where his parents sat.

"Hey, Neon," Cypress said. "Feeling any better?"

"Hardly, Dad...I feel so guilt-ridden about yesterday," Neon said wearily. "I literally lost sleep over it."

Cypress and Cerulean glanced at each other worriedly. "You sound like you need a distraction," his mother said.

"I would definitely welcome one," Neon said, then sighed.

"Tell you what," Cerulean said, "your father and I will think up something while we're at work. We'll figure something out."

Neon smiled faintly. "Thanks. I guess I should head out now, I don't want to miss the bus after all."

"No. No you don't," Cypress said. "Have a good day at school!"

"Thanks, Dad. Love you both," Neon said, then left.

Sugarcoat woke up, slowly opening her eyes. She picked up her spare orange glasses from her nightstand and put them on. Stretching and yawning, she walked over to her bathroom and stared at the bandage covering the cut that... She shook her head rapidly. She didn't want to think about what happened yesterday. It was far too physically and emotionally painful. She brushed her teeth, then changed into her uniform. She was about to pocket her phone when she noticed she had a text message.

I love you, kid. - Mom

Sugarcoat smiled warmly. She felt like she'd need all the support she could get at this point.

I love you too, Mom. - Sugarcoat

Still smiling, Sugarcoat put her phone in her pocket and walked downstairs. She reached the kitchen, where her father was waiting.

"Good morning," Sizzle said. "Feeling any better?"

"Only marginally, Dad," Sugarcoat replied. "What happened to me isn't just something that a good night's sleep can cure."

Sizzle nodded. "Fair enough. At least you're getting there."

"I guess," Sugarcoat said, then sighed. She looked at her father. "Is it weird that I still love him, even after what happened?"

Sizzle blinked in surprise, nearly taken aback by his daughter's sudden question. He paused in thought for a moment. "If your feelings for him are that strong, then no. No it's not. But at least your love for Neon hasn't blinded you from the right to be mad at him."

Sugarcoat turned her head away. "I'm worried that if I stay mad at him, I'll start to hate him. If I still love him, I might stop being mad at him...I hate these conflicting feelings," she exclaimed, sighing again.

Sizzle walked up to his daughter and took her by the wrists. "Listen, honey," Sizzle said, using the one word that would always get Sugarcoat's attention. "If you need to talk about it, talk to me or your mom. You're not doing yourself any favors just keeping it all in."

Sugarcoat cupped her chin in thought as she considered her father's words for a moment. "Yeah...you're right," she admitted. "I'm just making myself even more miserable than I should. We're family, and we don't keep things from each other." She smiled genuinely then hugged her dad. "I might still be hurting, but I really feel a bit better. You and Mom are the best parents anyone could ask for."

Sizzle returned the hug. "You're the best daughter anyone could ask for," he said as a tear fell down his cheek. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

Sugarcoat sniffled as she broke the hug and wiped a tear from her eye, then checked the time. "I should get going. Love you, Dad!"

"Love you too, Sugarcoat...Love you too," Sizzle said, wiping away the tear on his cheek.

Sugarcoat walked outside and took a deep breath of the fresh air. Take that, you fucking whore! The words played in her mind unexpectedly, causing her to flinch. I think I'll start the day off by talking to Mom... she thought as the bus arrived.

Neon got off of his bus and walked towards Crystal Prep. I hope I don't run into Sugarcoat. It's bad enough that I see her face in my head, but it'd be another thing entirely to see her in person! He sighed. I don't like having to avoid her, but I can barely stand the guilt as it is. He cautiously entered Crystal Prep and looked around warily. Great, Neon thought sarcastically, I think I'm becoming paranoid over my girlfriend. He stopped for a moment and sighed. "Man, that is fucked up," he muttered under his breath. He continued on his way until he was grabbed by a pair of hands that pulled him forward.

Sugarcoat's bus arrived and she disembarked. I may still love Neon, but I also still don't want to see him yet either, she thought. Doing so might actually make the wounds he reopened worse... She walked the halls to reach the guidance counselor's offices as she continued to stay in her thoughts. Why am I making such a gray area out of this, she asked herself, throwing her hands up in the air out of frustration. She clenched her hands into fists, then sighed. Calm down, Sugarcoat, calm down, she told herself. I'm sure once I talk to Mom, I'll get some...clarity. Sugarcoat giggled, surprising herself. Okay, I needed that laugh, she thought with a smile as she reached the offices.

Sugarcoat walked up to the receptionist's desk. "Hey," she said, "is Crystal Clarity available?"

The receptionist looked up at Sugarcoat from her seat. "I don't think she's in right now, but you're free to check."

Sugarcoat shrugged, then walked to her mother's office. She knocked on the door. "Hello?" She stood in front of it for a few moments, but received no response. "Mom, are you in here," she asked as she opened the door, only to find her office empty. I wonder where she is, Sugarcoat thought.

Neon yelped as the outstretched hands grabbed him and pulled him forward. Temporarily disoriented, he shook his head to regain his bearings. He looked at the owner of the hands and his jaw dropped. There, mere inches from his face, was a very livid Crystal Clarity.