Chapter Text
Time skip: 3 days later
After the whole incident Mallory stayed in the dorm just sleeping. She thought that if she just slept the days away she won't need to worry about anything. She skipped classes to avoid seeing anyone, and Vel was starting to worry. It's strange to see someone cry, and it's even worse when they live with you. Vel has made attempts to try to get Mallory up. She really has. She offered to let Mallory sleep in the class, take notes for her, even a walk outside of the school. But nothing worked.
But after a while Vel had to force Mallory to get out. Mallory starved herself because she didn't want to go to the cafeteria and wouldn't eat the food Vel brought back. In the morning Vel opened the curtains and dragged Mallory out of bed and into the bathroom. She had Mallory undress out of her sleepwear and into the tub.
Mallory couldn't process what was happening, everything was going by to fast for her to comprehend it. When she finally realized what was happening she was already out of the tub, clean, with her uniform folded in front of her. Mallory felt so exhausted, she had no motivation to even put her uniform on.
"Mallory. Please. Just put it on, or I'll do it myself." Vel said while looking at the corner of the room. Mallory slowly put the uniform on, it felt so unnatural. She wanted to rip off the uniform. The fabric felt so unfamiliar even though she wore it for so long. Mallory isn't feeling like herself right now. She doesn't know why she's so upset about making Sky cry, but she hasn't been thinking about it.
For the 3 days she stayed in the dorm she never once thought of Sky. She only blamed herself but now she can't even remember what she was blaming herself for. She feels sad. It wasn't making Sky cry that upset her and it wasn't Cassandra threatening her life. She felt so empty but she doesn't know what she needs. She feels so hungry, but not for food.
Vel turned her head once she heard the fabric stop rustling. Mallory stood still like a statue. Her hair was going crazy and it annoyed Mallory to no end. Everything touching her overwhelmed her, the feeling of her skin was downright dreadful, the clothes on her body felt too tight, her mouth felt dry, her eyes watered with each blink.
Just then, Mallory was sitting on her bed again. Vel started to brush her hair from behind. It wasn't painful like she expected it to be. Mallorys hair always had a mind of its own after she decided to let it grow out, but in Vels grasp it felt so...tame.
Mallory relaxed herself. She almost felt instantly better. As if she wasn't just freaking out over putting on some clothes. Vel started to braid her hair. Mallorys hair wasn't short or medium length at all, it was almost all the way down to her thigh. It was always so much work to take care of it. She had always contemplated cutting it off multiple times when she was in school. She always wore it in a bun because her principal and teachers said it was a distraction and it needed to look shorter.
The braid Vel gave her was long and she even styled her bangs in the front. Mallory stayed in her head the whole time so she doesn't know how long Vel has been doing this. The braid reminded her of- no. She shouldn't think about it. It'll only make her scared.
Mallory was placed in front of the mirror and she finally saw what she looked like after 3 days. She'll admit- she started to forget what she looked like during those days. But now when she looked at herself in the long mirror...she felt so normal. She didn't feel like herself, not one bit. Mallory doesn't want to be herself right now. She wants to be a different person, and she looks very different.
If Mallory was supposed to look how she feels. She would look like absolute crap. Hair messed up, dirty, tired, and definitely stupid. Then again, that's what she looked like she doesn't know how long ago. Vel smiled at her work.
"There...now you look better. Ready to go to class?" She asked. As much as Mallory wanted to say no. She just nodded along and left the dorm with Vel. When she got to her first class the teacher did a double take and handed Mallory all the work she missed. It was so much that when Mallory saw it she immediately wanted to kill herself so that she doesn't need to deal with this. Well, better get started on it.
When the bell rang Mallory wasn't even halfway done with the first worksheet. She felt so stressed about all the work she'd have to finish. But she needs to keep going through the day. Throughout her first period class she felt eyes on her, it just distracted her. She knew it was Sky. She remembers exactly what her gaze felt like. Does she want to talk?
Though Mallory wouldn't blame Sky if she never wanted to talk to her again. While walking to her next class she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Mallory tensed and turned around, but she relaxed when she saw Sky. She avoided looking into Mallorys eyes. She looked like a child who was guilty of doing something bad.
"I...wanted to talk to you. And I know your going to class right now. Do you think that I can walk with you?" Sky asked. Her voice had a shake to it. Mallory nodded and started walking, expecting Sky to follow behind her. The walk was silent. And the whole time she could see Sky open her mouth to talk but she just gave up. Mallory saw Sky tugging her sleeves down her wrists, an anxious habit that Mallory used to have.
When Mallory stopped at her classroom she turned around to face Sky. She looked anxious while looking at Mallory. "Are you mad at me?" Mallorys sudden question made Sky shoot her head up. Sky clenched her fists and shook her head. "Why would I be mad at you?" Sky asked. Mallory pointed to herself, "I made you cry. Is that why you aren't looking at me? Are you upset about it?"
Sky shook her head immediately, "No! It's not that! And you didn't make me cry- it's..it's complicated. There's..a different reason why I don't want to look at you right now. But it's stupid...just go into your classroom okay? We can talk later." Sky started to walk away but Mallory didn't stop her.
Mallory took a deep breath and went into her classroom. Even though she said she'd push through, it's really hard to try right now.
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By the end of the day Mallory had so much damn homework she could set it on fire and it'll last a whole night. She felt so tired, the people she didn't want to see talked to her. Her classmates occasionally shared some words to her, but it all felt like too much. Now she was in her dorm staring at her unfinished work.
She head a knock on the door and slowly looked over. The person standing at the door was probably waiting for permission to come in, even when the door has no lock. "Come in." Mallory said. Her voice sounded scratchy, she probably needed water.
The door slowly opened and Sky poked her head through, "Can we talk?" She asked. The simple question sent a rush of anxiety through Mallory. Her whole body felt hot with fear. Her heart started to beat faster. Her head began to throb.
"Yeah, sit anywhere..sorry about the mess." The mess being homework scattered on the floor. Sky stepped over the paper and sat on the desk chair. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry for crying-"
"I think you can see-"
They both paused for a moment before Sky asked, "You think I can see what?" Mallory asked after her, "Why are you sorry for crying?"
The silence was loud. You could probably hear a butterfly flapping it's wings as it flew. Sky cleared her throat, "I didn't mean to cry...and like I said. It wasn't your fault. I was crying because of.. different reasons I don't want to mention right now." Mallory slowly nodded, an understanding between them.
Sky added, "Why..why did you ask if I could talk to the Seraphim? Was it something about the need to go home through the portal?" Mallory shook her head. She hesitated to speak but if she wants an answer, she needs help.
"I...see someone." Mallory said, almost whispering. Sky was a bit confused and let out a "huh" but Mallory kept going. "Your the first person I've told. I don't know why. But I trust you more than everyone else here."
Sky listened intently, "You say you see someone? Are they a student here?" Mallory shook her head and clenched her fist. "You can see it too." She said. Sky looked more confused but her face slowly started to turn into an expression of fear and shock.
"I think it's a 'curse' I don't know..it looks scary. It followed me all the time, taunted me, laughed at me, showed me.. disturbing things." Sky grabbed Mallorys shoulders and started to shake. Mallory kept going, "It has long reddish hair, purple eyes, and lots of braids. But her face can.. shift."
When Mallory said this Sky hugged her. The contact made her flinch, but she accepted the hug nonetheless. "Mallory...how- why- what..you can see her?"
Mallory never referred to it as a she. She doesn't know what it is. Does Sky...know what it is? "You can see her...why can you see her..that shouldn't be possible for a human." Sky whispered to herself. Mallory was sure Sky knew that she was able to hear what she's saying.
The air felt tense around them both. After a few seconds Sky held Mallory close and pressed her forehead against hers. The closeness made Mallory turn red, "What are you-" but Sky shushed her.
Sky closed her eyes and after a few seconds pulled back, "I think I know why you can see her! Your third eye has a powerful aura!" She said quickly. Her panic was temporarily forgotten as she spoke. Mallory still had so many questions, but she's curious now. "What does that mean for me?"
Sky said, "That means you can see powerful entities that others can't! It's really useful if you learn how to use it right." Mallory raised a brow. Will she be able to help people by seeing danger that others can't?
"Do you know the thing following me? The 'curse'?" Mallory asked. Sky suddenly shifted and her smile fell, "I..I'm sorry but I can't tell you. But you can't tell anyone. That you know a curse is following you. Just trust me." Sky said while putting her hands together in a praying motion.
Mallory doesn't know why Sky needs her to keep this secret. But she trusts her enough. But now she has another question, "Does Cassandra know about the curse?" She asked. Sky nodded, "She knows. But she doesn't know that you can see it too. She just knows that I have- can see! She knows..I can see it too." Sky cleared her throat.
Mallory looked impressed, "You must be really useful as an angel. You can see danger and can spring into action to save someone. Your like a guardian angel!" Mallory spouted. Sky tugged her sleeve down and just smiled.
"But what about the curse following me? How do I stop that?" Mallory asked. But before Sky answered her she asked, "How much time does the curse follow you? Tell me." Sky's tone sounded more serious. Mallory remembered that it never followed her for long time, just a few minutes. "Maybe about 5-8 minutes? Sometimes it would come multiple times a day. But never for a long time, just maybe under 10 minutes." Sky sighed a breath of relief. Mallory didn't ask why.
"But to answer your question, don't worry about it. Trust me when I say that you won't see the curse for a while." She reassured Mallory. She seemed to have a plan in mind that she wasn't telling her. But Sky wouldn't lie to her, Mallory doesn't get that vibe from her.
"Okay...I trust you. But does this mean I have 'power' now?" Sky shrugged, "Well it's not really a power that can help you fight or anything. But it's considered one. You have a power Mallory! As a human!" Sky held Mallorys shoulders and lightly shook her.
Mallory felt special. She doesn't care if a lot of people have this power, she just liked to know she can be useful. Maybe her classmates will like her more. Maybe Vel won't treat her like shes a piece of fragile glass.
"It's getting late Mallory. Remember, don't tell anyone. Not even Vel. Okay?" Sky spoke firmly. She really doesn't want anyone knowing, just how far does this story really go? Mallory watched Sky leave the dorm. For some reason, Mallory has guilt in her stomach. But why is she guilty?
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When Sky left the dorm she rushed to the teachers office. She knew Vel would be in there. And she was right. When she walked in Vel was sitting at a desk and clipping papers together.
"Vel. Please can we talk. It's serious." Sky sounded worried and it made Vel turn her head.
"What is it now?" She asked with slight annoyance. Sky fidgeted with her hands, "I think Mallory could be in danger. She can see things and it's not looking good for her, if you help me we can-"
"Why should I trust anything you say? You murderer." Vel said coldly. Sky was taken by surprise and paused for a second.
"You don't actually believe that do you? Are you serious? Oh your so mature for bringing that up. That wasn't even the subject!" Sky got upset and defensive. Vel rolled her eyes.
"They say you holding the weapon. You think we're stupid? The only one who believes that you didn't kill that angel is Cassandra. She wasn't even there."
"Neither were you! Screw you Vel! Don't talk to me! If Mallory dies because you chose not to listen to me that's on you. I hope those stupid higher ups soak up all those years out of you." Sky said with malice.
Vel glared at Sky as she stormed off. Vel herself doesn't know why she got so upset with Sky. She was just showing some concern. Maybe she doesn't want to think for a second that Mallory could be in danger. She messed up...