MUSA
The graduation party at Red Fountain was in full swing. Laughter, music, and celebration echoed through the halls.
Fairies danced, laughed, and embraced, congratulating one another on years of hard work and magic earned.
But Riven didn't join them. He was in his and Sky's room, hunched over his hoverbike, tools clattering softly as he tinkered. His jaw was tight; his thoughts were tighter.
A soft knock at the door drew his attention.
"Riven… come on," Musa said gently,"come celebrate with us."
Riven didn't look up. "I'm busy" His voice was low, edged with frustration.
"And the last thing I want to see is Sky,who is sure to rub it in my face that he is the valedictorian and I am the salutatorian. "
Musa sighed and stepped inside, placing the bag Stella designed for her on a nearby desk.
"Sky isnt like that.You're the one who takes offense at everything he says,"Musa says,dryly.
Riven looks at her.
Sapphire eyes,raven haired,heart shaped face,tall,a curvy body, Musa was easily the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.The white bodycon she was wearing only made her look mire gorgeous.
But she was sticking up for Perfect sky.
"If Sky is so perfect, why dont you go be with him?"Riven bites out.
Musa sighs and rolls her eyes.
"Riven please dont be like that.Im just trying to spend time with you before leaving for Melody tommorow morning."
This makes Riven pause,shocked by this new information.
"Since when are you leaving tommorow?You told me that you were going to stay for another week,"he says,his voice almost accusing.
"Things changed,Riven. My father has gotten even sicker and now I have to go be with him,"she informs him.
Riven feels bad for her and her father but omits to express this. Instead, he focuses on how he wasnt told about this before.
"That's not my fault.You've been MIA, the last few days and you wont even answer my calls."
"I had a lot on my mind,"Riven says defensively.
Musa crosses her arms angrily.
"Really,what is more important than us spending the last of our graduation days together?"
Riven wants to tell her the truth,that lately he's been occupied,contemplating going home to his Father,who he hadnt talked to since Riven came to Red fountain.
But he didnt now how to tell Musa.
"Just know that it was important,okay?"He says.
Musa takes a deep breath and decides to calm down. Riven was a lot of things but he was not a liar. If he says that it was important,then it was.
Though she wished he'd share this reason like a normal boyfriend.
"Fine,I'll take your word for it,"she said through gritted teeth.
She accepted that she would get it out of him at a later date when he was feeling vulnerable.
For now she had something else she wanted to run by him.
"On other topics,I know you still havent decided where you're going to go from here and I was thinking that maybe..."
She paused, nervous.
"Maybe,what?"Riven says,a curious look plastered on his handsome face.
"Would you like to come with me to Melody?"Musa burst out saying."We could...spend time together,make up for the past few days."
Looking at her,Riven considered the idea,liking it more each second.Except...
He thought about Musa's Father, Thomas. What if he didnt like him,thought he wasnt good enough for his daughter?
Riven could very much see that happening.
Being the rebellious figure that he was,he wasn't popular among grown ups
"No way, Melody's lame,"he said,matter of factly.
When Musa's face falls,Riven could almost take it back.
"Okay,"she says while nodding,turning her head.She goes further into the room to hide her hurt expression.
On Sky's side of the room,he had multiple pictures of Bloom.And Musa went to one portrait,feeling a pang of sorrow go through her.
How she wished Riven loved her the same way Sky loved Bloom, the same way she loved him.
But it seemed like her love was one sided.
"Hey,I've been thinking,"she starts i n a casual voice. "We've graduated and it looks more and more like life is pulling us in different directions.Maybe it's a sign that we should...break up."
The words hit Riven like a punch in the gut.He had not expected this but he knew he should have.
Beautiful,talented and fierce,Musa had always been too good for him.
It had only been a matter of time before she realised it.
And he was a scoundrel but he didnt have it in him to hold her back.
He grabs his bike for support feeling his head reeling,his heartbreaking.
"If-If that's...what you want,"he says ,turning towards the bike again,dusting off invisible dirt.
Musa bites her lips, crushed by his nonchalant rely.
A part of her actually thought that he would actually beg her to stay. But she guessed that she was wrong.
He didnt love her.
She is about to tell him that it was what she wanted but she ends up saying,"Arent you even going to pretend to care?"
Atleast she managed to keep the tears out of her voice,she tells herself,dissappointed.
The look Riven gives her is cold.
"This is your decision,"he says,raising his voice slightly.
She bites her lips again, to stop the tears this time.
"You're right.It is,"she says before grabbing her bag. "I guess this is it."
"I guess it is,"Riven says slowly,looking into her eyes,internally begging her to change her mind.
Musa waits one last moment for him to say something but the moment never comes.
"Well,have a nice life Riven,"she says in a slightly bitter voice before getting out of there.
The tears flow as soon as she is out,whimpering in a low voice.
It felt like her whole world was ending tonight.
She thought about going to the party but she knew that she would just ruin the party for the rest of the girls.
No, she would go back to Alfea or better yet,home to Melody.
Atleast there she could just cry her heart out with no interruptions.And most importantly, there was nothing there that would remind her of Riven.She wanted to forget about him and any memories they shared.
And she would,she vowed.
*****
RIVEN
Sky entered his room. It's dark.
Riven's bike was in the middle and he didnt neatly pack away the tools in their tool box like he usually did.
He sees Riven lying in his bed,just staring at the ceiling.
"Dude,you okay?"he asks him.
"Fine,"Is all Riven says.
"Really?Because I just saw Musa leaving Red Fountain in a hurry.Did you guys get into another fight or something?"Sky asks, knowing how thing usually were between the two.
"She broke up with me,"Riven blurts out,as if finally admiting it to himself.
This takes Sky by surprise though he knows he shouldnt be.Riven wasnt exactly boyfriend of the year.
He was actually surprised that it lasted as long as it did.
"Im so sorry,man,"Sky's says.
"Youre not surprised,"Riven says, a statement than more than a question.
Sky sighs,he didnt want to hurt Riven's feelings but he needed to be honest.
"You're right.I mean, Dont get me wrong, you're a good guy but you werent exactly good to her."
"True,"Riven acknowldges.
Sky looks at him,having a bad feeling that his roomate was broken hearted and maybe slipping into depression.This worried Sky.
He would rather have his angry frenemy.
"Riven,"Sky called.
The guy took a moment before answering.
"Yeah?"
"Come with me to Eraklyon next week,"Sky said,not sure why.
He only knew that he didnt want to leave Riven alone in this state.Having spent the last four years together(bickering mostly if he was being honest),Riven mattered to him.
Riven blinks at him,surprised.How was it that people kept inviting him to their home kingdoms?
"Why?"he asked confused.
Sky scrambled for an answer.
"Well,Im going to start my notoriosly brutal Princely training soon.I thought you be interested in tagging along,"Sky said.
He knew Riven liked a challenge.
"Oh,"he exclaims as mulled it over in his mind.
Training with Sky?
It didnt hold the same temptation as Musa's offer did but it did beat the option of going home to his Father
"You sure it's,ok?"He asks Sky.
"Im sure,"Sky tells him.
He nods,staring at the ceiling again.
"Eraklyon here we come."