//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: Jumper // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// The next few days felt like a blur to the changeling teen. Her sister hated her more if such a thing were possible, Shining Armor was avoiding her, and somehow all the other students were more interested in her than ever. But it wasn’t the kind of interest anyone wanted. Guys would leer lewdly while the girls would glare clutching their boyfriends a little tighter. Whispers and stares had become such a daily occurrence that she no longer bothered to glare in return. She could guess at what people were saying. Just so long as no one approached her, Chrysalis decided she could care less. Maud and Fluffle remained true friends and were supportive as ever. The three skipped the cafeteria that week and lounged in the Pie sister’s car, trading parts of their lunch instead of bearing the scrutiny of their classmates. She forced herself to focus strictly on her classes and no one that wasn’t Maud or Fluffle. Her wrist stopped her from going to fighthouse and she didn’t dare visit the bridge, lest she ran into Shining Armor. She felt like she was being punished for circumstances she had no hand in creating. Her evenings were spent jogging the neighborhood, drawing, doing her homework and avoiding her sister’s pissy attitude. Chrysalis was done trying to fix things. Seeing Regal again had made her realize that nothing would ever be the same. Her heart was broken in all the ways that mattered and as much as she wished love would fix everything, she wanted nothing to do with that stupid emotion. As she settled in bed, her phone buzzed. ‘I miss you. I’m sorry. –Lu’ The text message read. So maybe some of her family cared. She sighed and sent back a generic smiley face before setting her phone to ‘do not disturb.’ Tomorrow was Friday and Chrysalis couldn’t wait. The next morning she awoke and dressed for the day. Heading downstairs to a quiet house, she realized her sister had already left. Her Dad had left a note saying he had an emergency to tend to at work and left her money for an uber on her account. With a sigh, she headed out to call for a ride when she noticed a familiar SUV in her driveway. The passenger leaned out the window and smirked. “Hey Loser!” “Get in!” Celie laughed honking excitedly from the driver’s side. “Luna?! Celestia!” The Halfling wasted no time dashing to the vehicle, already mulling over excuses to tell her Dad. “I can’t believe you’re here!” Chrysalis grinned after they’d grabbed breakfast at a waffle shop. “Sometimes you need a break.” Luna smirked folding her arms lazily behind her head. “Skipping school? But what about your parents?” Chrysalis asked. She doubted she could sink any lower with her own. Not that one of them would notice. “Who cares,” Luna shrugged. “Actually, our parents know.” Celestia glared at her rebellious sister. “Your Dad does too. He’s been worried about you.” The information made her pause in reflection. Her Dad always seemed to know when something was up. She smiled softly at the thought. The trio paid for their meal and piled back into the car. Celestia connected her Spotify mix to the bluetooth and Oneka Nicki’s Chun Li blasted through the speakers. The girls drove through a local Starbucks drive-thru and were on their way. “So tell us about this boy...” Celestia goaded as they found parking near Pier 31. “Uncle Justin mentioned a guy and I distinctly remember watching a guy chase after you at the game.” The trio visited local museums and hit up different restaurants and neighborhoods. Chrysalis listened to her alicorn cousins talk about their course loads and plans for the future. It made her think about what she planned to do in the future. Maybe this trip to the Badlands was just what she needed to open her eyes and options to the world around her. *-*-*-* “Have you decided what to do?” Twilight had asked her brother earlier on their way to school. Shining Armor hadn’t answered her question aloud, but they both knew it wasn’t in his nature to run from things that were difficult. He’d been avoiding his problems long enough. He’d told Cadence that he wanted to talk to her after school if she had the time. He would’ve spoken to her sister too, but Chrysalis had been absent from her morning classes. Shining Armor tried to focus on his studies but found it difficult. He couldn’t stop thinking about what he wanted to say. Being honest would be the easy part. Dealing with the fallout was what would be hard. He thought of the way she’d been acting this past week. If Chrysalis had been distant before, she was an ice queen now. You’d have to be blind to not notice the aura she now projected. In her defense, he knew he was partly to blame. Shining Armor had all but promised Chrysalis he’d be there for her. But the moment things became tough, he did the complete opposite. Still, he hadn’t expected that frost to rub off on her friends. When he saw them sitting in the cafeteria, he hoped they knew where the other girl was or at least if she was okay. “Hey...” Shining Armor greeted the two casually picking through their lunch. “Have you guys seen Chrysalis today?” Maud and Fluffle traded looks. “Nope.” Maud responded gazing up at him with her signature look. He waited for her to say something else, but realized she wasn’t going to. Even Fluffle didn’t look as cheery. She had barely acknowledged him. “Well do you know if she’s alright?” Shining Armor tried again. “She’s fine.” Maud answered expecting him to nod and walk away. When he didn’t she dropped her aloof attitude and really studied him. If Shining Armor was bothered by her intensity, he bore it well. Maybe he cares after all, she thought. The elder Pie decided to throw him a bone. “I guess some family showed up in town or something.” “Oh. So she won’t be in at all.” “’fraid not,” Maud drawled. Fluffle Puff nudged her discreetly underneath the table. Maud groaned. “What did you need to talk to her about? Your art project?” She was being facetious but Shining Armor supposed he deserved it, so he took it. “Yes, actually.” Her expression changed as her gaze narrowed. “Let me make a mental note.” Maud closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple. “Chrys, after treating you like a plague victim for the past week, Shining Armor wants to talk to you. Not about ignoring you though- just about his art project.” Fluffle snickered as the other girl opened her eyes and fixed him with a glare. “How’s that sound?” He smiled tightly at the eldest pie sister. “Thanks Maud.” “Don’t mention it.” The duo watched him walk away with slumped shoulders. “Too harsh?” Maud asked. Fluffle shook her head. Not harsh enough, she thought. *-*-*-* Adelpha walked into her home and placed her things down on the kitchen island. “Justin? Chryssie? Cadence?” This latest development had her thoughts buzzing. She was dreading the workload but excited to see where this would take her office. “You guys?” She called out into the darkened house. She flipped the light switch on to see her husband sitting at the kitchen table with two empty glasses and a bottle of wine before him. “It’s just us. The girls are gone.” Chrysalis was with her cousins and Cadence was with her friends from school. Adelpha tilted her head as she studied his form. He looked calm, but the changeling princess knew better. “What’s this?“ “We need to talk,” Justinian said said finally looking at his wife. “Can it wait? I’m super tired.“ That drive was something else. “I’m afraid it can’t. If you care about our family... our marriage... then you’ll sit down now.” *-*-*-* Celestia had rented a hotel for the night at her uncle’s urging. The three were listening to music and snacking on leftovers as they passed around a bottle of vodka she had brought with her from school. The suite they found themselves in was pretty nice with a gorgeous view of the city. “How’re you.... Really?” The oldest and completely sober girl asked when Luna had disappeared to the bathroom. “I wish the earth would open up and swallow me.” Chrysalis lamented after taking another hard gulp of liquor. “It can’t be that bad.” Celestia sympathized and gently took the half empty bottle away. “It’s that bad.” “What happened?” “He was at my school the other day,” Chrysalis breathed tiredly. “At our fucking basketball game.” “Are you serious?!” “Cadence invited him. I’m surprised Luna didn’t tell you.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes and glared at the open bathroom door. “She seems to have no problem running her mouth when it’s me.” “I was worried!” Luna called out eyeing her complexion in the mirror as she texted someone from her school. “I’m still worried.” “Maybe you should consider getting real help,” The older heir encouraged as she rubbed her back. “I already have a psychiatrist, Celie.” Chrysalis flopped back on the bed. “A changeling one, too.” “Did you tell her the truth?” “I told you,” she mumbled willing the room to stop spinning. “Chrysalis-” “It’s not my fault, so why do I have to fix-it?” She exclaimed feeling overwhelmed by her situation and the alcohol. “I’m not saying it’s your fault! No one would say it’s your fault, Chrysalis!” “No one?!” Chrysalis raged jerking into an upright position. “No one here gives a fuck about changelings! Why would they when according to public opinion changelings have to scheme and stoop for love? Why wouldn’t sex be a part of that? I’m supposedly unscrupulous, unrepentant and carnal by nature. Who’d ever believe anything different?” Her tirade shocked her cousins. Luna was leaning against the frame of the bathroom door looking on with wide eyes. Celestia waited for her to continue expressing herself even though the words were cutting her heart as well. “How is it that I did nothing wrong but I’m the one that’s suffering?! I try to be a good sister and a better person but Cadence just thinks I’m awful! Being sisters is supposed to mean something!” Luna quickly strode to the bed and threw her arms around the shaking girl, with Celestia gently following suit. “It’s okay...” Celestia comforted with glassy eyes of her own. It took a while, but once the Halfling stopped shaking, Luna kissed her sloppily on the cheek and straightened up. “They don’t deserve you- especially Cadence!” She enunciated with all the aggression she could. “Luna!” “Cadence has been a real twat,” she maintained. “If we weren’t related I would’ve fought her at the game that night. I got suspended from the next two games by the way.” “What?!” “Yep... Fighting and unbecoming behavior,” she mocked her coach petulantly. “Seriously?” Chrysalis giggled through the remnant of her tears. “I’d do it again if I could.” “Look, I’m sorry if I upset you but don’t you at least feel a little better? You-“ “Stop talking about it, Celestia!” Luna interrupted belligerently. “Let’s just finish this bottle of pink vodka lemonade and have a good time.” Luna cradled her cousin’s face a little roughly. “Me and my sister will always have your back. No matter what. We’ll fix this- I’ll fix this.” She promised. “You don’t have to ‘try’ for the people that matter, Chryssie. We know who you are,” Celestia agreed. “Now wipe your face, Warrior Queen,” she let go. “What?!” Chrysalis snorted feeling better than she had in a while. “I said, wipe your face, you‘re dripping snot everywhere,” Luna teased pushing off the edge of the bed to stand up. Chrysalis wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve and leaned against her older cousin. Celestia discreetly hid the half full bottle of liquor. “Let’s go catch a late showing!” She suggested to which the others agreed.