Before the Friendship Games: Sugarcoat

Sugarcoat tapped her foot, still waiting for her mother to come back from wherever she was. She folded her arms and made a sputtering noise, then walked over to the receptionist's desk. "Are you sure you haven't seen her," she asked the receptionist. She was answered with a shrug. The warning bell for first period rang, and she sighed. Well, it's not like this is the only time I'll ever be able to see her anyway, she thought as she rolled her eyes. She left the office and went on to her first period class.

Neon and Crystal looked at each other after the warning bell for first period rang. "Go," Crystal said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "If you want, we can talk about this later."

Neon smiled. "Thanks, but I think I'll be fine," he said softly. "But before I go..." he shot over to Crystal and gave her a big hug. "Thank you."

Crystal smiled warmly and returned the hug. "You're welcome," she whispered.

Neon broke the hug and ran over to his first period class.

First period ended for Sugarcoat, and she left her class. Won't have enough time to talk to Mom in person... She sighed. She's probably got someone in her office anyway. She shrugged. I'll just leave her a text.

Hey. I wanted to talk to you this morning, but you weren't in your office. - Sugarcoat

Sugarcoat's phone buzzed almost immediately, surprising her.

What did you want to talk about? - Mom

She smiled, and sent another text.

Let's just say I'm ready to talk about what happened yesterday. - Sugarcoat

About that. I have something to tell you. - Mom

The warning bell for second period rang, prompting Sugarcoat to make a break to her next class.

Neon walked out of his first period class and yawned. That breakdown took a lot out of me...I need an energy drink or something. He shook his head rapidly. "Come on, Neon," he said to himself. "You don't always need caffeine...you just want it." He sighed. "But in this case...I think I both need and want it." He made his way to the cafeteria as fast as he could, then grabbed a coffee just in time for the warning bell for second period to ring.

Sugarcoat left her second period class and immediately took out her phone.

What happened? - Sugarcoat

Slowly but surely, Sugarcoat received a series of texts from her mother that put her through a series of emotions. Shock, anger, pride, relief, happiness...tears fell down her face as she finished reading her mother's last text. She sniffled, then sent a text of her own.

You and I are going to have to talk when you get home... - Sugarcoat

The warning bell for third period rang, and Sugarcoat ran to her next class.

Neon left his second period class, pinching the bridge of his nose. Ugh, that teacher's voice gave me a goddamn headache, he thought. I would've preferred nails on a chalkboard! At least it kept me awake as well as the coffee. He felt better, albeit marginally, since his talk with Crystal. Some of the guilt he felt had left, but not all of it. He'd have to talk to Sugarcoat directly to get the weight off of his shoulders. He shuddered as her heartbroken expression once again flashed through his mind. Sighing heavily, he walked to his third period class.

Third period had ended, and Sugarcoat steeled herself. She took a deep breath, exhaled, then sent a series of texts to Neon.

Hey.

My mom told me what happened earlier.

I believed every word of what she said, but I want to hear it from you.

Sugarcoat felt her heart racing as she typed out her next text, despite knowing full well the answer she'd receive.

Do you still love me?

Neon left his third period class and took out his phone. He noticed he had several texts. He read them, and his eyes widened. Of course Crystal would tell her, Neon thought. He sighed. Might as well hash things out, he thought, then sent a few texts.

Yes, Sugarcoat. I still love you.

I wanted so badly to apologize to you.

I still do.

But I can't bring myself to meet you in person.

Not yet.

Every time I think of you now, I keep seeing that look on your face.

I just need some space right now.

To clear my mind.

Neon put his phone back in his pocket in order to keep an eye on his surroundings, lest he bump into someone.

Sugarcoat stared at her phone until she heard a familiar voice shout.

"So. BORED," Sunny Flare shouted.

Sugarcoat smiled and walked silently towards Sunny until she was about a foot away. "You could always masturbate," she said.

Sunny yelped and jumped. "You shouldn't say that in public," she snapped.

"I just did." Sugarcoat said, smiling faintly. "Last time I checked, that wasn't a crime. At least, not in a high school." Sunny opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it. She opened it again, only to close it again a second later. "You don't look like you're bored anymore," said Sugarcoat. Sunny blinked, then sighed. "You're welcome!" said Sugarcoat as she continued her journey to her next class. As soon as Sunny was out of sight, she checked her phone and read Neon's messages.

As she read them, relief flooded her mind. She smiled softly and sent Neon some more texts.

I still love you too, hot stuff.

You have no idea how happy I am right now.

Knowing that you still love me.

Honestly, I'm still hurting from yesterday too.

And not just physically.

But just now, a vast majority of it has washed away.

I completely understand where you're coming from.

Take all the time you need, Neon Lights.

Because I'll wait as long as I have to.

I love you.

Sugarcoat pocketed her phone and made her way to her fourth period class, smiling.

Neon found an open spot in the hallway he was walking through, and he checked his phone. He read the messages, and a tear rolled down his eye. He sent Sugarcoat a few more texts.

You won't have to wait long.

I'm starting to feel much better.

Knowing that you still love me.

Even after the way I treated you.

It really alleviates the guilt.

I love you too, Sugar.

The warning bell for fourth period rang, and Neon smiled all the way to the classroom.