DIVE
CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR
❝SO DON'T CALL ME BABY UNLESS YOU MEAN IT, DON'T TELL ME YOU NEED ME IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT. SO LET ME KNOW THE TRUTH BEFORE I DIVE RIGHT INTO YOU. YOU'RE A MYSTERY, I'VE TRAVELED THE WORLD THERE'S NO OTHER GIRL LIKE YOU, NO ONE. WHAT'S YOUR HISTORY, DO YOU HAVE A TENDENCY TO LEAD SOME PEOPLE ON? 'CAUSE I HEARD YOU DO.❞

♔ ♔ ♔

      How old were they when they first began this battle of theirs. They're now 20 years old and two years ago they started a battle that was surreal, something that belonged in a dream more than anything else. Because their adventures, the things they've seen, all of it, it can't possibly be real. Hell, if they were to tell anyone as to what had happened they would've brushed it off and laughed.

      But what they saw was very much real. Their adventures, their pain, their losses, their growth, all of it were part of this long journey that was finally coming to a close. Everything they strove for was worth it, the sacrifices that were made, decisions that took nights to think about, all of it was worth it. Because in the end they won, they won the battle, they won the war, they won at saving the human civilization.

      It was blue when she looked at him. There's no other way to describe how she felt when her eyes laid on him. Maybe it was blue because of his pale skin and how the tip of his nose was tinged red from the cold. Maybe it was blue because of the way he threw his head back when he laughed carelessly. It was blue because of the ache in her chest, the bitterness that resonated inside of her.

      Apollo walked up next to her and followed her eyes to only look at Theo. He shook his head and chuckled to himself, "Kid, you're going to get yourself hurt, you know that right? But hey, there's no harm in telling him, is there? What's the worst that could possibly happen?"

      "We might not be Reyna and Theo anymore if I tell him," the young warrior whispered as she tore her eyes away from the sight. She couldn't watch Theo and Carter any longer, not yet. The wound was still fresh, it still stung with any type of contact made. Because at the end of the day Theo will always be an open wound for her, but she could cover that wound and hide it from the rest of the world.

      "You deserve to be happy, Reyna Cohen. You've earned it."

      "That's what everyone tells me, but I can't help but feel that things are supposed to be this way — "

      "See, that's the one thing I don't like about you humans," the god interrupted. Reyna looked at the god of healing and sun with curious eyes as he waggled his pointer finger in front of her face. He even went as far as to flick her forehead. "You all go around justifying everything you do, trying to make it seem as if things happen for a reason. Let me tell you kid, that's not how the world works, believe me. Things happen because you let it happen."

      Reyna scowled deeply as her hands formed closed fists. She still felt the pain in her lower back and wanted to run her fingers over the jagged, white scar at the center of her abdomen. She could still feel the pierce of the sword. But nothing was more painful than Apollo's words, and maybe it's because she knows that he's right.

      "Stop blaming it on him and blame yourself, because you were so scared of changing things that you caused this awkward shift. Now you'll have to let him go. How do you feel now?"

      "I . . . You don't know anything about me."

      Apollo hummed in agreement as he shoved his hands in the front pockets of his blue jeans. He shrugged his shoulders and gave her one of those infamous small smiles of his. "That's true," he agreed, "But I know separation when I see it. I've been alive for so long that I know when some things are going to drift, even when they're not supposed to. But hey, if you're okay with it who am I to interject my useless opinion?"

      Reyna was left with her own thoughts as Apollo walked away. Maybe the god was right — not that she'll ever admit that — but it doesn't change the fact that she wasn't ready to change a lifelong friendship.

      People assume that if you confess that everything will be better. But have you ever considered how the person confessing might feel? Sure there is this relief you receive after telling them, you feel like a load was released from your chest. But the aftermath is so much more. You feel like you're drowning, like you can no longer breathe as anxiety fills you up and the idea that you're the one to blame kills you slowly.

      You feel guilty for expressing your feelings.

      Isn't that sickening to think about?

      "Hey, Rey," Theo greeted as he walked up towards his friend. Carter followed from behind and offered a large smile at her boyfriend's best friend. The dark haired boy reached out and ruffled her hair earning an irritated huff from her. "You ready?"

      Was she ready to let him go?

      The answer is no.

      He's the only home she knows of. He's the only reminisce of a happy life, of an old life. And maybe it's insane to think of him as a home because he shouldn't be. A home isn't meant to be a person, but a physical place.

      Theo wasn't going to stay for he was constantly moving.

      And she can't hold him back from that.

      She gave him a small smile as she nodded with a tight lipped smile. Theo extended his hand out to her to which she accepted. The two walked down the hallways of Zeus' palace their eyes forward as they stared at the King and Queen of Olympus. The eyes of gods and goddesses followed them as well as the watchful gazes of their friends who accompanied them on this long journey. They were there since the beginning, and now they were going to watch the final end.

      An end doesn't mean a definite closing. Maybe it was an open ending to a bigger possibility. That's what Reyna told herself, that even though this may seem like an ending it couldn't possibly be. They were two people full of life, they were two people with an endless imagination and a personality so big that it couldn't possibly fill one book.

      Reyna looked to her left and stared at Theo's side profile, almost as if she was trying to memorize this perfect sight. She was trying to remember his happiness one last time, she was trying to remember him in this very moment.

      "We'd like to thank you both for your contribution to this war. We honor the sacrifices you've made, the difficult decisions you have chosen, and the amount of time you've given away for our benefit," Zeus declared in a booming voice, his deep tone echoing through the halls of the palace. Next to him stood his wife Hera whose stoic expression sent shivers down her spine.

      "Thank you, Theo Hartens and Reyna Cohen for protecting Olympus when no one could," Hera spoke for the first time. Her pale fingers extended out as they placed a golden wreath on the crown of their heads. Reyna felt Theo squeeze her hand out of excitement and she couldn't help but grin.

      Zeus clapped his hands together, a large smile on his face as everyone around them applauded the young heroes. "To finish the ceremony we must rid you of your marks," the god declared as he ushered them to come forth. The two heroes walked towards the god, their hearts racing against their chest with every step closer.

      The King of Olympus arched his eyebrows in amusement before he cleared his throat. When the two heroes returned his gaze with a look of confusion he then referred to their hands that were still intertwined. Embarrassed, Reyna made the first move and pulled her hand away, but little did she know that Theo stared at her confusedly at her action.

      "Give me your hands, please," Zeus instructed. The two stuck out their arms as Zeus turned their arm over, the palm of their hands facing upwards. Right on their inner wrists was a torch, burned and scorched into their skin. When the god ran his finger over the tattoo the two hissed out of irritation. "I shall now remove this mark. Are you both alright with this?"

      They exchanged glances, both unable to read the expression on one another's faces.

      When they first received the tattoo bestowed upon by Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, they wanted nothing more than to get rid of it. They hated it. Why is it that out of everyone with the sight of their world was it them that had to save humanity. Why not anyone else? Why them?

      It wasn't just a tattoo, it was a beacon of some sorts. It attracted kids and people with the sight as well, bringing them to Theo and Reyna. For whatever reason that may be, the two built their army from scratch and soon became one of the best. Reyna never felt unsafe knowing that she knew where Theo was and vice versa. They were connected. But now the day has come where that connection must be cut.

      "Yes." Theo looked at Reyna in shock at her response and how quick she had replied. A pang of hurt slapped him across the face, but he had no other choice but to nod along like an idiot. If Reyna was uncomfortable by this tattoo that bounded them for life, what right does he have to tell her no?

      "Mr. Hartens? Would you like your tattoo removed as well?"

      "I . . . Yes."

♔ ♔ ♔

      Rosé was spending her last night in Germany on her balcony. With her chair facing the city skyline and her laptop on her lap, she couldn't help but stare wistfully at the beautiful city. Memories were made, feelings were exchanged, and pain was left in the open. Berlin was an ideal city in her eyes, a place that is beautiful and full of life. But she didn't think that the city would hold an oddly, special place in her heart.

      WebToon had just uploaded the newest update for Falling Dimensions and Rosé, as always, read to make sure everything ran smoothly. She was ready to go on the desk and fix any mistakes if she spotted it. But so far everything was alright and as always she tried her best not to read the comments knowing that they'll simply bring her down. 

      You're almost done now, she told herself. Rosé smiled sadly to herself as the thought remained in her thoughts. The last update was supposed to be next week to this day, but she couldn't wait any longer. She needed to close this last chapter of her book, to finish what should've ended long ago. Because at the end of the day this was something she had to do for herself in order to move on. No matter what, Falling Dimensions will always hold her back.

      A knock on her hotel door brought her abruptly out of her thoughts. Rosé was forced to return to her room and closed the door behind her. After placing her laptop down she began walking towards the door, half expecting it to be either Noah or her mother.

      She was wrong.

      Because the minute she opened the door Tom stumbled in and brought her into a hug. His arms around her waist, his face buried in the crook of her neck as he held her close. It was as if he was scared of something that wasn't even worth thinking about. But knowing her best friend it had to be something that bothered him.

      Quietly, Rosé closed the door behind him before she guided them to her bed. She sat him down, moving his face to rest on her stomach. Tom sniffled as he groaned out of embarrassment. The Korean girl couldn't help but smile as she hesitantly ran her fingers through his curls. "You alright, Tommy Boy?" she asked in a quiet, reluctant whisper. She spoke to him like they were meeting for the first time.

      "Do you think we'll ever forget about each other?" His question puzzled her deeply, but when he looked up and met her eyes with his own teary ones she hesitated. Tom shook his head as a bitter chuckle left his lips, his forehead resting over Rosé shirt cladded stomach. "I . . . It hurts, Rosie. If we had the chance to move on, find a better life for ourselves, should we? Even if it means leaving one another?"

      "I — "

      "Because I don't think I can. Live without you, I mean. You're my best friend, Rosie. No one could replace you, you know that, right?"

      "Even right now I wish I could lie to you and say that I promise. But I can't. Because we're not the same anymore, and maybe it's time we realize that. But I believe that some day we'll find our way to one another."

      Tom chuckled once again, but this time his laugh was full of laughter and held a bit of amusement. And Rosé couldn't help but smile at the goofy grin on his own face. "At least you're honest."

      "Can you be honest with me now? Tell me what you want."

      "Can . . . can I stay here for the night? We can have the pillow wall up again."

      "I'd like that."

♔ ♔ ♔

A/N;

THIS DID NOT GO THE WAY I WANTED IT TO AND I'M SO MAD. GAH. OKAY SINCE I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT I'M GOING TO JUST TELL YOU. SO I PLANNED EVERYTHING OUT SO I WROTE REYNA AND THEO SEPARATING LIKE I PLANNED, BUT I ALSO PLANNED FOR A FLASHBACK SCENE WITH ROSÉ FINDING / MEETING TOM'S FIRST GIRLFRIEND AND SHIT.

BUT NO I HAD TO MAKE IT A TAD BIT FLUFFY.

In other news! We made it into the voting round guys! So do me a favor and check out the page in this book titled 'Vote for Blurred Lines Part 2' and it'll give you all the details! Once again I thank you for your support, it truly means a lot to me!

Dedicated to -regiis for supporting this book! thank you so so much!

Much Love Guys.

( written: september 21, 2017 )
( published: september 21, 2017 )