The infiltration of Hexside and the heart (goldric)

Ed paced around the exit of the school, chewing his thumb. Hunter hadn't been back to school after the incident at his house. After his uncle had picked him up, Luz had broken everyone out and they got to the Manor with enough time to clean up and get everyone out. They had returned to school with no problems, but it had been four days since he had seen Hunter. He knew the other boy was acting strangely when they had last spoken, and that Luz was upset at him since the sleepover. Ed just wanted to know why. He managed to get out of class early- and by that he meant Illusion his way out of class- and was waiting for everyone to leave. He watched as students started to file out the doors, spotting Em and Amity as they walk up to him with Luz, Gus and Willow in tow. Eventually students stop leaving and the school is left empty.

"Ed, I don't think Hunter's going to come back." Luz said.

"What makes you so sure?" Ed snapped. "I'm sorry. I just want to know he's okay."

"I think he's just avoiding us. He's been going to the music contest and passing." Willow pointed out.

"That's worse! Can't he just say something about it instead of leaving us to guess?"

"Maybe his uncle is forcing him to stay away from us. We kinda know what that's like." Em suggested.

"That's the worst possibility. Thank you. So much." Ed jumped down from where he was standing and started walking with the group.

For some reason, he had grown fond of Hunter. Possibly because he was way out of his league, very cute and cool. Plus he was a musician and could easily serenade him oh titan he was in love. He didn't want to be in love again. The last time he loved someone, they joined the Emperor's coven and left him. He remembered the night it had happened.

He was sitting on his windowsill when Em had delivered the letter. He recognised the neat lettering and had torn off the seal. He read the words, tears welling in his eyes when he realised what they were saying.

'I'm sorry my love, but I'm afraid it has to be over. I leave with the coven at dawn, and I don't want either of us to have to adjust to a long distance relationship while dealing with our lives. I regret leaving you a letter and not delivering the news myself, but I fear I would only leave my duties and run away with you. I don't want us to be on the run for the rest of our lives, as exciting and romantic as that would be. I'm sorry, for everything.

All my love, Drew.'

Ed put the letter down and looked at his sister, who stared at him with sympathy.

"Ed, what did the letter say?"

He handed the note to his sister who read it.

"Oh Ed."

She wrapped her arms around him, and Ed burst into tears, bringing his sister to the floor as he sobbed into her shoulder.

He wanted to remove that memory. He could've as well. But he knew some of the side effects. If he erased one tiny memory everything else could spiral out of control-and he would still remember Drew and probably think they were still dating. And so he left it. At least he got a goodbye that time, unlike now.

"Ed, come on. Don't get caught up over someone you weren't even dating. You just got over Drew." Amity whined in his ear.

Ed knew she was right, well mostly right.

"I know. Besides, he's a friend. Just a friend." Ed breathed, trying to convince himself it was true.

"Are you going soft on me, Blight?" someone said, wrapping their arms around Ed's shoulders.

Ed turned to face the person and smiled.

"Hunter you sneaky little- have you been avoiding me?"

"Not exactly. I've just been forced out of class and I got put in Detention until today. Instead of jail my uncle managed to get me into Detention as a punishment." Hunter explained, lying through his teeth.

The truth was he wasn't allowed at school. His uncle only allowed him to sneak into the music competition, other than that it was his usual duties as the golden guard. He had only just managed to convince his uncle to let him continue his mission. But nobody knew that.

"That blows. But at least we can hang out now." Ed smiled.

He desperately wanted to hang out with Hunter more.

"Yeah. Well, I gotta go, my uncle is picking me up." Hunter detached himself from the boy and started walking away, unable to see that Ed was bushing.

"Ed, you look like Amity when she's sitting close to Luz." Em whispered into his ear.

"Shut up!" Ed shouted, making Em laugh.

----

Ed sat in his room, flipping Drew's letter in his fingers. He somehow decided he could keep it. Something to remember Drew by. And so he had crammed it into a desk and locked the draw. He only ever got it out in times of emotional dilemma, and yet here he was, staring at the parchment. He thought about writing his letters in a poem, like some of the old witches did, or about writing it into a song or just telling Hunter how he felt. But if it blew up in his face- only the titan would know how bad it could get. He could talk to Em or Amity, but it'd only prove them right. And so, he picked up a quill and a separate parchment and started writing. His mother had given him a poetry book when he was little, and expected him to be able to recite it by heart. She then forced him to write poetry (even though he was eight and awful) and memorise all of the techniques. He supposed he was pretty bad because he had nothing to write about-his only successful one was writing about being trapped in a cage- and yet now the words practically flowed onto the paper. It was like the pen was a gateway to his soul and the ink was... titan that simile was stupid. He had almost written something similar but gave up, knowing how ridiculous it was. Almost like what he was feeling. By the time he had finished, the moon hung above him and he had almost burnt an entire candle. He looked at what he had written and smiled. It soon faded as he knew it could never be kept. He felt tears dripping down his face as he opened the window, waiting for a strong gust of wind. As soon as he felt one strong enough he let go of the paper, watching as it was carried away, towards the unknown. Ed sat on his bed after blowing out his candle, letting the darkness consume him. He just wished his feelings would go away like a piece of paper in the wind.

Huh. That wasn't such a bad simile.