"You did what?", San yelled, the vein that popped out when he was mad, furious, doing what it did best: make Anabella feel terrible. 

"I had to. It is what is best for everyone.", Anabella whispered from were her bed, her knees brought up to her chest. 

San's eyes shot to her, crazed with petty anger, "Ember, I spent nights without sleeping because I was worried about what was going to happen. Are you really telling me I ripped out half my hair for you to give up?"

Anabella got on her feet, "Stop thinking about you and start thinking about those people who died and the ones that are going to die if I keep the power."

San sighed and a small, uneased smile took over his lips, "I'm sorry, Anabella. I just hate seeing you unhappy."

Anabella smiled and motioned for San to come forward. He wrapped his arms around her. She dug her chin against his chest and looked up at him, tears of frustration building up into her eyes. 

"And, how exactly are you going to tell people?", he asked, placing a hand over his friend's head. 

"I will get someone to call back the journalists.", she sighed and pulled away. 

"You really do not want to do this, do you?"

Anabella fell forward on her bed with a groan, her legs smacking against the ground, "Does it look like I want to?"

San sat next to her and rubbed at her face, staring at her with pity in her eyes. 

"This isn't fair. Why shouldn't I just have been born a male?", she turned onto her back, the blanket wrapping around her body, and stared at her ceiling. 

"It's not all smooth sailing for us either.", San responded. 

She glared at him, "I think it is in your best interest to agree with me right now."

He lifted his hands up in surrender, "Alright. Yes, Your Majesty."

Anabella pulled herself up, "I wish my parents were here. They would know what to do."

San smiled reassuringly, a sadness taking over his teary eyes as he moved a strand of her dark hair away from her sticky face, "I know, Ember."

Anabella sighed and wrapped herself in her blanket. 

"Did you talk to Seonghwa?", he placed a hand on her knee. 

She rolled her eyes, "Do not mention it. It was a disaster."

"How? What happened?"

"I told him he was perfect or some other nonsense, the conversation became murky at some point, and it all became an awkward mess.", she grimaced, a ping of embarrassment stabbing into her chest just remembering the moment.

San snorted, "Really? Is Anabella finally warming up to him?"

"It just kind of slipped out. It doesn't mean anything.", Anabella responded, her face in her hands. 

San shook his head. "What?"

"You're developing feelings for him, Anabella."

She scoffed, "We've known each other for less than a month, San. Stop coming up with fantasies."

He shrugged.

"What about you?", she gently slapped his arm, "How are things between you and Mari-Lacy?"

He smiled, "There is nothing between us."

"You're in love with her. That must be something."

He sighed, "It's one-sided, Anabella, and you know that."

She smiled and patted her friend's head, "You are extraordinary, San. I'm convinced she must love you back."

"Alright, mother.", he fell back onto the mattress, causing Anabella to bounce up.

"I'm being serious.", Anabella kicked his side. 

San picked up the locket from where it was laying on his chest and twisted it between his fingers. 

"But, this isn't my love story."

A/N

Kind of a filler chapter, I'm sorry. And, I totally forgot to update yesterday. Next chapter is also going to be a filler one, so I may get it out of the way and post a bonus chapter tomorrow. 

I will not be posting a chapter next Thursday, because I will be celebrating Christmas Eve.