Shattered Glass 6

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Carrying two take away meals, Rona walked uneasily into the Changeling wing of Poe, and saw that while the physical damage had been repaired, she and Ruth were getting some strange looks, especially the horrible UV band on Ruth. Everyone had to know what had happened. She resisted the urge to turn invisible, she had to face what had happened. Dana came up to them, since she was Absinthe's roommate she had to have heard everything.

“Hey guys, what happened today?” the girl asked, trying not to sound accusing, but not doing a great job of it.

“Belle played a nasty prank, and I panicked,” Rona admitted. “Ruth got me out, and beat up Belle. It wasn't as bad as it seemed.”

With her spending all day with Dr. Bellows, Ruth being a UV, and at least a few people hearing Ruth threatening to torture Belle until she begged to die, the short explanation probably satisfied no one, but it was the only thing she could think of. Looking anywhere but the girls and guys around her, she realized that she'd turned invisible again. Willing herself visible was hard, but had to be done.

“Is everything ok now?”

“For now. We're working through some things. So if you can please just listen to Mrs. Horton and give Ruth, and... and me, a bit of time to get used to everything, it would be great.” A lot of eyes were still on the UV band. “They took away Ruth's weapons and her power armour. So she's not going to punch anyone through a wall or pull out a knife or anything.”

That made some of the watchers breathe a little more easily. Ruth was still looking at her feet.

“So are we cool?” she asked.

“Can you tell us what happened?” Absinthe asked.

Rona felt herself turn invisible, she didn't stop herself this time. Dr. Bellows had told her that talking when she was ready, could help. Was she ready? “I was kidnapped for a few days. Locked up and drugged. That was about it. I don't like being trapped now.”

She flinched when Ruth took her arm, probably guessing where she was from her voice, and started walking them down the hall. Rona felt her start to tremble, then heard her voice, just loud enough to be heard by everyone. “For me, look up... Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Earlier this month. The bad stories.”

They entered their dorm, where both of them collapsed at their desks to eat supper, drained after the emotionally exhausting day.

As they were finishing there was a knock on the window. Looking up showed Teri flying just outside holding a kids backpack.

“Oh for the love of...” Rona groaned, and opened the window. “What are you doing here Teri?”

“Tutoring. Monday is a free day for me, so when I was told I was tutoring Ruth, I decided to start right away. Hi Ruth!” she shouted, getting a shy wave in return.

Flying inside, the fairy put her bag off to the side and went to sit on Ruth's shoulder. “Did you just finish eating? I guess you didn't want to deal with the Monday crowd at Crystal Hall. I don't blame you, sometimes it gets kind of wild. Like the first time I had supper there, there was a huge food fight, and I got blamed for it, even though I didn't throw any food. It was so unfair. If either of you ever want to eat in some peace and quiet, but not in your room, just ask me. Em, Splits and I know a few good out of the way places. All it will cost you is another wing massage. Oh, you got an armband!”

Teri slid down Ruth's arm, squeezing her legs under the band, and sliding down until it was snug under her breasts. “Hey I don't even have to hold on here and I get such a nice view! This is awesome! Can I get a ride with you if we're ever going in the same direction, this is a lot better than sitting in a hood or a pocket. On red flag days you can say I'm your Disney doll. I have a great Tinkerbell costume, that looks so cute on me. You're pretty tall, I wonder who you could dress up as.”

“Ok,” Rona said, sick of the non-stop chatter, “I'm going to tell Mrs. Horton you're here. Next time come in through the front door, you have to sign in ok, Teri.”

“Gotcha, got to protect your secret and all,” the fairy said.

“What- what secret?” Rona asked completely unconvincingly.

“That you're all lesbians. I came in once to see Splits, and her roommate was making out with a girl that would have Hustler breaking down their door if they were just a bit older. I didn't know people could bend like they did without being made of rubber or water, I swear that red head had to be warping space. Anyways, I was told all about it and sworn to secrecy on pain of a fly swatter. Don't worry, I don't judge.” She paused for a moment in thought. “Would you agree to model if I gave you kiss? And I think Miriam might swing that way a little, I could put in a good word for you.”

“NO!”

“Oh well, gave it a shot. So Ruth, I have to get your essays up to snuff. What do you like to read?” Teri asked, popping out of the UV armband to sit on the confused but smiling girls lap.

Rona left hurriedly.

**

Three hours later, Rona left the cottage library where she'd found some peace and quiet, hiding between the shelves. Invisibly she made her way back to her room, unwilling to talk to anyone. On her door was a small note, telling her to keep quiet. Curious she crept inside to find Ruth asleep, curled up in a ball in the corner, her head was visible for a change.

On Ruth's desk was a note written pretty sloppily, 'Goodnight Ruth. See you Wednesday. Great work today!!!! HUGS! Teri!'

Beneath it was an essay, it was pretty simple just three things that made Ruth happy. Hoping to understand her roommate better, she quickly read it over. The first one was helping people, second working, and third, actually there wasn't a third. Instead a space was left for it to be written later, and it went to the next paragraph explaining why helping made her happy. The reasons were morbid, talking about how she couldn't help people before and they'd died. How until now she'd been forced to watch helplessly, but now she could make a difference. The examples were intense, yet seemed to be hiding even worse things.

The next paragraph about work, was as disturbing in its own way. She wasn't hurt for doing a good job, she couldn't hurt anyone while she was working, and she was left alone. Below it were doodles of horses, fields, solar panels, a minivan, cows, chickens, a young girl in an old fashioned dress, an older man with a funny beard, and lots of scratched out words.

Turning off the desk lamp, she took out her phone and laid down on her bed, pulling the comforter over her head before dialing.

“Hey Mom, how ya doing?” she whispered.

“Rona, it's great to hear from you,” she answered sounding really happy for the first time in three weeks. "Things are going really good. I'm unofficially working with Herb as his house keeper and secretary. So I'll be able to start sending you a bit of pocket money. And Janet woke up yesterday. She's not out of the woods yet, but they're a lot more optimistic. How about you? And why are you whispering?”

“My roommates asleep. We kind of had a bad day. A really bad day.”

Her Mom became serious. “What happened? Tell me everything.”

Closing her eyes, she started talking, telling her everything even when the tears came. And her Mom listened, talking her through the harder parts, letting her get it out into the air. Finally Rona finished, feeling drained.

“Can I ask you a question, Mom?”

“Anything.”

“How did you deal with everything you had happen to you?”

“Badly. I only had John with me and he caused almost all of my problems. Don't do what did and crawl into a bottle or a needle. It seems Ruth really is trying to improve, and she see's you as her chance to do it. Let her help you, and you do the same for her,” she said.

“But,” Rona wasn't sure how to put it, “we're both so fucked up.”

Her Mom gave a little laugh, “Who isn't? When you were born, Janet was a drug addict who didn't know how to say no, unless she was negotiating a new movie contract, I was an alcoholic and recreational drug user, who just found out she was pregnant. I grabbed Janet and we used each other to get ourselves... not so fucked up. You're both younger than we were, and you have more support. Use it, and each other. And you'll be coming to Vancouver for Christmas, so you'll have my shoulder to cry on for a bit, and my foot kicking your butt to get you doing something fun.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“It's what I'm here for. You sound tired, how about you say goodnight and get some sleep?”

“Sounds good. Night Mom. Love you.”

“Love you to, honey.”

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Comments

Great chapter!

Your Whateley stuff is all really good, but I think this is my favorite.

nomad

Thanks. I actually was only

Domoviye's picture

Thanks. I actually was only satisfied with this chapter. It seems to be missing something.
But glad it works.

Teri just maybe a god-send to

Teri just maybe a god-send to the two girls. She is always so chipper and upbeat regardless of what is going on around her. She will drag that out of the two of them over time. I wish Ruth had someone like Rona's mom that she could call and just talk to as Rona did with hers.

Teri is special

Domoviye's picture

There is a reason for that and it was already planned out before the origin story for these two were planned. The first hint of it will come out late this week early next week. And Teri still has about three months to go before they reach the same time.

As for someone to talk to Ruth, that will take a bit of time but it's being worked on.

Good story

Jamie Lee's picture

This is a really good story. Blowups bring to the surface the real cause of pain and anguish. It then is up to the individual whether to face that reason or bury it again.

Until the next button is pushed, causing another blowup which again brings up the true reason for the blowup.

Such as Rona telling why she panicked. And directing others to the location for full details.

One thing Teri needs is a zipper for her lips. Or her trusting others enough to tell the real reason she talks incessant. Perhaps all the time alone is part of the reason. And what almost happened to her by her parents the other reason. Still, she is a cutie.

Others have feelings too.

Thanks

Domoviye's picture

Teri isn't going to get much depth or explanations here. She has her own story. And that story is going to continue being a comedy that uses the rule of funny and refuge in audacity 90% of the time. But we'll learn more about why she is a motor mouth and acts crazy at school soon.
And that attitude won't go away. I don't want her perfect, I want her annoying, silly and irritating sometimes, with some good characters hating her and bad characters thinking she's a ditz. It makes her human.

Teri's needed

Ruth and Rona need a person like Teri to be a friend to the two of them seeing as they each have gone though their own hell. It is nice to see they are getting help with their issues, Yet, Teri is so upbeat and cheerful that she can help them out just by being their friend, seeing as she has offered to show them some of the quieter places on campus to eat is a start. Just remind Ruth and Rona to watch how much sugar they give to Teri!

Well Ruth could use the help,

Domoviye's picture

Well Ruth could use the help, Rona legitimately finds Teri annoying. Some people just don't like or need someone who is that cheerful.

A wonderful read, felt a

A wonderful read, felt a little slow after the big blow-up in the last chapter caused by Beltaine. Although dealing with personal and relationship problems is just as important as external ones which tends to have more action or suspense. At least they are getting the help they need, now if someone could just find a little mouth gag for Teri sometimes. I like her, she is fun to read and watch grow and change...a little, but sometimes you just want to stuff a tiny sock in her mouth so she will be quiet for at least a few minutes.

Fair enough

Domoviye's picture

None of the people involved seemed to be the type to keep it going at least not violently. It was literally an explosion, not a grudge fight or anything. But I know what you mean.

If I didn't have Teri being annoying, she'd be too close to a Mary Sue. So she has some annoying traits, and mostly shows up briefly to lighten things up a tiny bit. Don't worry Rona will probably find a small gag just for her, or throw her into a sack for some peace and quiet eventually.