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Chapter 7.3
“How can you do that?” Sarah demanded, stopping her twirl to rush at Nyla and look intently at her mouth. “Smile, I mean. You shouldn’t be able to.”
Nyla sat down and grabbed the sack lunch Eason offered. “I don’t know. Eason taught me how to do it by explaining to me what happiness feels like. Since then, I’ve been able to smile when I want to.”
“Nyla,” Eason hissed. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” He jerked his head in Sarah’s direction. “You can’t trust her.”
“I can hear you,” huffed Sarah. “And you can trust me.”
“I trust her,” Nyla surprised herself by saying. She just had a feeling that everything would be alright with Sarah.
Grinning victoriously, Sarah inched closer to inspect Nyla’s lips. “Happy? So that means you can feel happiness?”
“Yes.”
“W
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What Is Love? Chapter 8.1
While wiping the thick fluid out of her eyes, Nyla heard the crowd laughing loudly. “Look at the killer now!”Nyla stood there, unsure of what to do. Covered in blood from head to toe, she knew that her clothing was ruined. She stared silently at the crowd before her, who were all laughing and jeering at her. Something fiery and hot rose within her, and her hands balled into fists.Don’t do anything. Don’t do anything.The clatter of someone climbing down the ladder froze her tormentors. “Oh shit,” the leader called, turning and rushing down the stairs. The rest of his group quickly followed.Nyla turned carefully in the puddle of blood and waited for Sarah or Eason to open the door. She could hear both of their voices bickering behind the wall. Their conversation ended when they swung the door open and saw her.“Nyla!” Sarah screamed.Eason rushed to her side, slipping on the bloody f
What Is Love? Chapter 8.2
The door opened, startling her. “Oh, there you are. Come in, come in.” Edmond ushered her inside. His tone was perfectly pleasant, no hint of anger remaining. The sudden change in him made Nyla uneasy. “Sit,” he directed her to the chair in front of his desk. Nyla sat.Without preamble, he said, “You did well today, Nyla.”Nyla stared at Edmond stunned, forgetting that he expected a reply. After several moments she hastily said, “Thank you.”With a great sigh, he settled himself into his chair. A self-satisfied grin appeared on his lips. “I’ve leaked the events today to the media. Your lack of response when attacked has garnered intense sympathy. One of the students took pictures, and we’ve been able to retrieve them and slip them to the media as well. My campaign has recovered from the backlash of your introduction, and the MRP approval rating has gone through the roof. In fact, my entire campaig
What Is Love? Chapter 9
Gunfire echoed around Nyla as she sprinted through the night. She didn’t pause as her platoon members called out to her.“Major!” she screamed, her voice hoarse from breathing in the smokey air.An enemy soldier emerged from the night and sprinted towards her. She sent him flying with one swipe of her arm. He hit one of the few trees in the town square with a sickening crunch before falling to the ground, dead. Nyla didn’t give the body a second glance.Out of the darkness, the labored breathing of hundreds of men rose, but Nyla sought only one: the Major’s. She knew his breathing better than she knew her own. Finally, the signal she had been waiting for appeared – she heard him whisper her name. In seconds she was by his side behind the half wall where he had taken refuge.There was blood soaking his front. “Major! What happened to you! Where are you shot?”
What Is Love? Chapter 10.1
Edmond insisted that Nyla return to school the next day, despite Veronica and Eason’s protests.“Really, Edmond? After what happened yesterday? Let the poor girl have a day of rest!” Veronica chastised.Eason added, “Seriously, Dad. I can go, but let Nyla stay home today.”“I can go,” Nyla piped up. She had been standing in the doorway unnoticed.“See, Nyla says she can go,” Edmond declared, finishing the argument.Walking towards the hovercar, Eason leaned over and whispered, “You don’t have to do this, no matter what Dad says. Mom will back you on this one.”“No, I want to go to school.” She added at his dubious glance, “I want everything to go back to normal. I don’t want to have to think about it anymore.”“If you say so.”To their surprise, Edmond got behind the wheel again. Exchanging glances, Eason and Nyla s
What Is Love? Chapter 10.2
“They’re not private enough for him,” he replied, watching the hologram greet Sarah.“Is something wrong, dear? Why are you calling me from school? Did another incident occur?” the little hologram woman asked.“No, Mom, nothing like that. I was calling to see if Eason and Nyla could come over after school.”The tiny figure froze for a moment before she started nodding her head, craning her neck as if trying to see them. “Eason Braun? And Nyla? Yes, of course, that wouldn’t be a problem. I’m meeting with the Governor in a few moments, do you want me to ask for them?”Sarah raised her head towards Eason, who nodded. “Yes, Mom, that’d be great. We’ll see you when we get home.”“Love you, sweetie. See you all later!” The call clicked off, and the hologram disappeared.“Well, that’s settled then,” Sarah sighed. “I should w
What Is Love? Chapter 10.3
Their conversation was interrupted by Sarah’s parents entering the room and sitting down next to their daughter. Earnestly, Sarah’s mother looked at Nyla. “Dear, would it be too much for you to tell us about the day you saved Dylan?” “Mom!” Dylan hissed. His cheeks tinged red. “Seriously, Mom, she's a guest,” Sarah added. “I don’t mind,” Nyla said, drawing everyone’s gaze. She looked back blandly. “Well, thank you,” Dylan’s father chimed in, solemn and serious. Nyla thought back to that night. She remembered it perfectly, just like
What Is Love? Chapter 11.1
Somehow the threat of expulsion from Alet Academy was enough to keep anyone else from attacking Nyla. The hallways were still fair game – the students were continually shoving and tripping her – but nothing worse seemed to be brewing. By the end of the first month, her bent hands were raw from catching herself when she fell, but Nyla felt safe with Sarah and Eason by her side.Mason was still on house arrest as she liked to remind everyone by screaming and crying every chance she got. Her animosity towards Nyla had only grown until it seemed like a living being inhabiting the house. Nyla avoided her as much as possible. The only time she couldn’t was at dinner, where they sat next to each other at Edmond’s command. They obeyed Edmond, but still pretended as if the other weren’t there.At one such meal, Edmond turned to Nyla. “Are you ready for your first campaign stop?”Caught off guard, Nyla asked, “It’s tim
What Is Love? Chapter 11.2
Traipsing downstairs and still yawning, Nyla found Edmond and Eason waiting for her. “Ready?” Edmond asked, glancing at his phone. Nyla nodded, and stepped down next to them. Edmond turned and strode up the hall, Eason and Nyla trailing in his shadow. Instead of walking next to her, Eason walked ahead. She could have easily caught up to him, but he was firmly planted in the middle of the hallway with no room on either side of him for Nyla. She found herself frowning. Whatever happened last night between us didn’t solve whatever problem he has. The thought unsettled her. How could she fix it if she didn’t understand? She just wanted her friend back. The five-hour car ride was silent. Edmond sat on his phone, typing away to invisible people. The moment Eason had settled into his seat, he had closed hi
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