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[indent][indent][color=darkgray] A fresh start.

Again.

Was it even worth testing to see if the third time was the charm?

[color=73C2FB][i]I guess another fresh start is probably better than trying to make it work with all the questions.[/i][/color]

Nights were restless more often than not for Alina Zabrecky lately. There were a lot of changes, a lot of departures, a lot of stuff piled on to a brain that was still trying to make sense of itself. The summer didn't provide a lot of clarity on that front. Especially with the news that Liberty High was being shut down for at least a year.

Maybe it was for the best. Liberty didn't have the same cache it held when Alina first arrived there. It was fading fast given the lack of attention she paid during her junior year. But, Rosefell held no promises. It held no solutions. She had no idea what it held.

She knew what it didn't hold. That would be Callie.

When the Grey daughter told her there would be no paint fights in the immediate future, that she would be at a boarding school while the rest of Liberty was slumming it up, it just compounded the feelings she felt of being inadequate, inept and unable to deal with everything. There were promises made, promises of protection that she could not offer anymore on one scale, and felt she didn't have control of on the other. It led to a crisis of confidence and faith, one that hadn't resolved itself at this point. One that led to many of those hot sleepless nights that plagued the summer.

But now the summer was over. It was time to be real. Or as real as could be expected.

Alina had some idea of what she was going to wear. It wasn't her pyjamas, but if she had to go into an unknown territory, she was going to be comfortable. A striped tank top and a pair of loose leggings that would eventually be accompanied by her trademark jean jacket. But not now. Now was just about trying to be comfortable enough to make the necessary movements to get to where she needed to be. If not for her, then for the other people that needed her.

She knew one of them would be waiting for her, likely downstairs at this point. Summer had been been rough. She did her best to make sure that her sibling knew that she would be there for her, but ever since the red incident, Alina had her doubts. It's why she wasn't exactly ready as she descended down the stairs, only to hear...

[color=E9967A][b]“Mornin’, Ali. I’m ready whenever you are.”[/b][/color]

Ready. Ready for what? That was the question that went unanswered the entire summer. Niki seemed to have more answers on that front than Alina did at this point. How were they able to recover so quickly and here she was still feeling everything? Feeling so powerless? Feeling the darkness?

It was hard to feel such darkness with chocolate chip pancakes, though. Her mom’s pancakes could soothe many ills. Or at least give a game effort.

Alina could try to be as effective as pancakes. [color=73C2FB]“Morning. I… think I’m going to need a little bit more time. I have to get some more stuff together. I’m not even sure I should be bringing all the stuff I’m bringing. Maybe I should leave some stuff here.”[/color] Attempts were failing. She couldn’t even find words anymore, the catch-all “stuff” serving as a replacement for the paints, the laptop, the notebooks, it all blurred together as she tried to talk it out.

[color=E9967A][b]“It’s our first day,”[/b][/color] Niki said with a shrug as they stabbed a forkful of pancake and looked at Alina. The anxiety was written all over her face. Nik couldn’t help but feel a wave of shame wash over them, because they put it there. At the very least, they contribute to their sister’s distress, if not being the full source of it. [color=E9967A][b]“All you need is like… a pencil and a notebook. Nothing crazy happens on the first day.”[/b][/color] They said reassuringly, meaning that the workload wouldn’t be intense. There were a number of other crazy things that could happen, but Ali nor Niki needed to be thinking about that right now.

[color=73C2FB]“OK, yeah, you’re probably right, Niki,”[/color] Alina said, as she grabbed a seat at the table, intent on grabbing some of the breakfast on offer for herself. Maybe the chocolate would help her think better. Or the bananas. Bananas were supposed to be good for the brain. [color=73C2FB]“And like you said, it’s not going to be anything crazy, right? No one’s going to be dodging cars like Frogger or unleashing tests on the first day. It’s just… going to be in a different spot. It’s going to be different.”[/color]

[color=E9967A][b]“Exactly, just different.”[/b][/color] Niki raised the corner of their mouth in a half smile. [color=E9967A][b]“And I think we're pretty used to different by now.”[/b][/color] Finishing up with breakfast, Nik walked over to the sink to rinse their plate and put it in the dishwasher. [color=E9967A][b]“Plus, it's more than just us this time. When we moved here, we only had each other. But all of our friends are moving with us this time. We aren't alone. So, it'll be different… but in a good way.”[/b][/color] It was unclear who they were trying to convince most at this point, but the sentiment was the same. Manifest it, speak it into being, and it [i]would be[/i]... right?

The pancakes weren’t working as well any more. Alina tried to hide it, but it was a tough task. She didn’t have all her friends. She didn’t have Callie. She didn’t have that person to try and cheer her up out of this state. She didn’t have someone to get into paint fights with and wreck another shirt to have an excuse to go get another one. She didn’t have anyone to help her understand Cas to the fullest possible extent translations would allow. The syrup was slightly diluted with a tear, but she did her best to shield the action away from her sibling so they didn’t see.

It’s true. Christian was still going to be there. Billie too. There would be people. They just wouldn’t be Callie.

It was a good thing Alina hadn’t done her makeup yet. It was easier to hide the remnants as she brushed her hair and wiped her cheek all in one motion. [color=73C2FB]“Right. It’ll be good. It has to be, right?”[/color] Who was she kidding? And now the pair of pancakes were close to finished. [color=73C2FB]“I’ve still got a couple things to do before we head out. Are you ready now? Cause I’m sorry, but you’re going to be waiting a few more minutes.”[/color]

Niki watched silently as their sister’s mood shifted. She tried to hide it, but the wallflower Niki had made quite a hobby of reading people. Alina was their sister, and they knew each other better than anyone else. She was probably upset about Callie, and rightly so, but everyone [i]else[/i] would be coming along. [color=E9967A][b]“Yeah, I’m ready, but I can wait.”[/b][/color] Niki replied, sliding out their phone, instinctively opening Instagram. [color=E9967A][b]“Do what ya need to, I’ll be here.”[/b][/color] Maybe Wade had replied, or better yet, sent a picture of his own.

Alina quickly bussed her plate to the dishwasher and darted upstairs. Given the confidence from Niki that nothing else was going to be necessary for today, she headed to the bathroom to focus on touching up her appearance. It was weird. She gave little thought to it before. She did basic stuff, stuff that she was happy to share with Niki when they asked for the pointers. Now, it seemed more important. Almost like it was going to serve as a mask for what she wanted to hide. A light foundation, a dose of mascara, that pink lipstick that seemed to lighten her face, every layer serving to help hide the nervousness, the uncertainty, the dread.

She stared at the job she did in the mirror, as if assuring herself that she was ready to get on with this final year of high school. A sigh escaped Alina’s lips. Tasked with helping helm her ex-boyfriend as well as her sibling through another change in education locations was not going to be easy, especially since she still had no idea what that was going to entail. Maybe this DeShawn fellow would have some answers on the tour.

Satisfied enough, she grabbed her messenger bag out of her room and headed back down the stairs. She looked around for Niki, but she didn’t spot them immediately. [color=73C2FB]“Niki? You in here or out in the car?”[/color]

[color=E9967A][b]“I’m here!”[/b][/color] They replied, pocketing their phone with disappointment at the lack of responses. Niki observed their sister’s makeup with a smile. [color=E9967A][b]“You look super pretty, Ali.”[/b][/color] The compliment was genuine, if not tinged with a bit of jealousy. To make up for it, Niki applied a bit of pink-tinted chapstick once they were seated in the passenger seat of Alina’s car. [color=E9967A][b]“Did you read your email about the tour? I got someone named Hunter… I wonder what kind of family names their kid that? I’m imagining lots of camouflage and shotguns.”[/b][/color] They mused, hoping that they were wrong. The last thing they needed was to be paired with one of the many bigoted buckeye rednecks.

[color=7eC2FB]“Sounds pretty loaded on the testosterone, that’s for sure,”[/color] Alina confirmed, feeling a little better about herself after Niki’s compliment. She knew they would probably prefer to get closer to her style for today, but it was their choice. It was going to be tough for both of them in that regard. [color=7EC2FB]“But hey, don’t knock camo. There are plenty of people who can rock camo. I like to think I’m one of them.”[/color] She clicked her seatbelt in place and started up the cobalt 2018 Ford Escape that had been her vehicle of choice since their parents gifted it to her on her 16th birthday. [color=7EC2FB]“I’m sure you’ll be fine. I got someone named DeShawn. Pretty sure he’s not a redneck. Doesn’t strike me as a painter type though.”[/color] Slowly she backed out of the driveway and followed the map that Google told her was definitely the correct way to get to Rosefell.

Niki winced at their sister’s defense of camo, it was never, [i]never[/i] okay, in their opinion. Even when the high end designers tried to modernize it on the red carpet, it was a big fat fail. But… to each their own. Niki shrugged, [color=E9967A][b]“Who knows, maybe they’ll both be great. But, even if they suck, we can just ditch them and find each other. It’s not like Rosefell is going to be some huge labyrinth that we can’t navigate. It’s just a school.”[/b][/color] Niki watched as the buildings went by in the window as Alina drove through Columbus. The blurring scenery did little to relieve the growing anxiety in their stomach. In fact, it was only making them feel more nauseous. [color=E9967A][b]“You think you’ll sign up for any clubs or sports? My therapist recommended that I try to join something this year… for engagement or whatever…”[/b][/color]

Alina shook her head at first, but then hesitated. [color=7EC2FB]“I dunno. I haven’t felt too much like wanting to do anything like that…”[/color] Not that the elder Zabrecky was a complete social butterfly last year before the incident, but there were a few things she could do. Debate was proving to be a strong suit since she couldn’t fight with her fists anymore. That pinky finger wasn’t getting any more crooked. And there was art, of course. But without her main link to that club, it was hard to see it happening. Besides, the rumor was Rosefell couldn’t even afford paint, let alone fresh canvasses. [color=7EC2FB]“Maybe once we get settled in there, I’ll see, but I just don’t think it’s going to happen right now. I think it’s about as likely as you and [i]Hunter[/i] hitting it off and going on a date after school.”[/color]

[color=E9967A][b]“Hah!”[/b][/color] Niki laughed, breaking the nervous tension in their stomach for a moment. [color=E9967A][b]“Highly doubtful, then.”[/b][/color] They clarified. In Alina’s eyes, that would be unlikely because Nik had never dated before, or even expressed interest in it. But in reality, it was unlikely because Niki’s heart secretly already belonged to Wade. Subconsciously, Niki’s thumb brushed the back of their phone, as if it could be Wade’s hand. [color=E9967A][b]“Well, if I have to pick something, then you do too. Deal?”[/b][/color] Nik glanced at their sister with a half smirk. If this would be good for them, then it had to be good for their sister too. Niki had to take care of her now, since they’d hurt her so much last year. [color=E9967A][b]“I might… try cheerleading… I dunno, it depends on how Rosefell feels about people like me.”[/b][/color]

The driver gave a caring glance over while doing her best to keep her eyes on the road. [color=7EC2FB]“I think Rosefell would be lucky to have you on their cheerleading team,”[/color] Alina affirmed. [color=7EC2FB]“I have to imagine they could use an infusion of talent and pep and good cheekbones, yeah?”[/color] One more turn, chimed the phone GPS. [color=7EC2FB]“Also, it would give me a reason to actually go to their football games. Maybe I can join with you. Pretty sure they need backup in case the other cheerleading squad wants to rumble, right?”[/color]

This was pretty laughable in Alina’s mind. While she embraced some aspects of her femininity, the thought of being subservient to the boys on the field, cheering them on and waiting for the faintest bit of praise as they passed by on the sidelines was never appealing. Still, it made some sense that Niki wanted to embrace that aspect. Besides, she wasn’t kidding about them being a good fit for it. When Niki embraced the things they enjoyed in life, they did it with full vigor. It would be nice to see. The thought was starting to renew Alina’s spirit a little bit, anyway.

[color=7EC2FB]“Maybe [i]Hunter[/i] will have a connection to help you get on the squad. You should probably grill this redneck for all he’s worth, get all the inside dirt on this place.[/color] At least Hunter was proving to be a reliable comic relief target for the moment. 

[color=E9967A][b]“I dunno, they might be a better source of info for archery… or target shooting.”[/b][/color] Niki joked in return. [color=E9967A][b]“But I’ll ask, for sure. You gotta get the scoop from DeShawn for me, too.”[/b][/color] The car rolled into the parking lot of their new school and Niki kept their eyes peeled to take in all the sights and people watching before they would have to leave the safety of Ali’s car. [color=E9967A][b]“I don’t think cheerleading is really your thing though, sis. No offense. Maybe you could try to make something out of their art department?”[/b][/color] Niki suggested as their sister put the car into park. They took a deep breath as they looked down at the door handle and tried to prepare themself for the tremendous task that was… actually facing this day.

[color=7EC2FB]“That sounds like a task that is way above my paygrade, little sib,”[/color] Alina pocketed her keys in her bag and leaned back in the seat for a second, eyes closed, trying to psych herself up for this moment. Even with her and Niki talking, it was still something else. It was so much easier when they moved from Cleveland. Now? Now it seemed like she was getting out onto the lunar surface. She let out a huge sigh. [color=7EC2FB]“But, I will do my best to get some info from DeShawn. And give me a text if things get to be too much, OK?” [i]I may need that assurance too…[/i][/color] 

[color=E9967A][b]“I’ll text you even if it’s fine, promise.”[/b][/color] Nik replied with a warm smile and used that bit of positive energy to up their door. The weather was still too warm for wearing a sweater like Niki was, but that didn’t matter. Niki wouldn’t be caught dead without long sleeves and if anyone asks, it’s because of their taste in fashion. Nik waited for their sister to join them on the sidewalk before walking towards the entrance together, their hands buried in their pockets and balled into nervous fists. [color=E9967A][b]“I wonder if everyone is going to think we’re twins again.”[/b][/color] They mused. [color=E9967A][b]“Also, I don’t think you need to worry about anything being above your paygrade, we just parked between a Tesla and a Benz. The rest of the Liberty kids are coming with their Liberty parents’ paychecks, and you aren’t the only artsy fartsy one.”[/b][/color]

Alina walked around the crossover to stand beside her sibling, hands firmly ensconced in her jean jacket pockets, staring at the school from the sidewalk. [color=7EC2FB]“I don’t think we’ll have to worry about the twins thing again. Your hair is far cuter than mine this time. But, we’ll see if the other Liberty parents start pouring money into this place I guess. It’s only for one year, right? Then, who knows what will happen?”[/color] That was the part Ali was afraid of, but no one could control the future, no matter how many healing crystals or aromatics they owned. [color=7EC2FB]“Let’s just get it started.”[/color]

[color=E9967A][b]“Two years for some of us, ma’am.”[/b][/color] Niki said teasingly. [color=E9967A][b]“Plus some people have younger siblings too that aren’t even in high school yet. 
But who knows how long this merger is even gonna be.”[/b][/color] Nik walked along with a shrug. They got to the front door and Niki pulled it open. They were greeted by a plastering of handmade decorations in the colors of Liberty High. There were balloons, streamers, a large poster board sign welcoming them to Rosefell, and glitter was everywhere. [color=E9967A][b]“That’s kinda cute.”[/b][/color] They mused while waiting in line to sign in. After a brief, awkward interaction with the students running the table, Niki had to correct their name as being Niki instead of Nikolai, as it was printed. They wrote their nickname on a tag in curly letters and then waited for their tour guide to arrive.

The decorations in the old Liberty colors got an eyebrow raise from Alina. [color=7EC2FB]“Wonder who was responsible for that?”[/color] She was used to Niki having to correct people in regards to their name. Soon they would be old enough to do a legal change hopefully, but for now, it was just a bit of extra awkwardness. Alina grabbed a blue tag and wrote her name in block letters, attaching it to the jean jacket. [color=7EC2FB]“And now we play the waiting game…”[/color]

Or so she thought. However, it became clear that fate would not allow that to happen. Cas was punctual as ever, and once she spotted him waiting, she knew it would be impossible to avoid at least touching on some of the issues between them. Even if he seemed to be distracted by... yep. That was Christian next to him. However, her sibling would be no help.

[color=E9967A][b]“Oh, it looks like I got some texts from Fi. I’ll be right back, I’m going to go meet up with her to walk her inside. She doesn’t have an awesome big sis to walk in with like I did. Text me if this Hunter shows up looking for me!”[/b][/color]

And so Alina was left in the hallway, with a bunch of people but only one of them mattering at the moment. As she looked across at her ex-boyfriend, wondering if he even noticed that she was there, she decided it would be better to at least get the acknowledgements out of the way, lest other things be dragged up in the public sphere that didn't need to be addressed in front of so many.

[color=7EC2FB]"Hey Cas,"[/color] she offered. [color=7EC2FB]"How is everything?"[/color] It was a weak offering, but it was all she could muster at this time.

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