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Chapter Twenty One

Meredith Tanner

"Now that I think about it," Ryan said, as we walked down the school halls. He was helping me carry a few boxes of books from Miss Smith, who approved of his change in attitude. "Prom is coming way too early. It's like time just jumped out the window."

Ryan was right about what he said. Time had flown by in a series of months, and it was already early April. In that time, Ryan and I hung out way more often, and it confused a lot of people. Some suspected I blackmailed Ryan after receiving my attributes back, but more logical people assumed right: that he simply felt pity for me after what Dexter had done.

Speaking of which, the story was leaked by Linda when she heard about it from her father's office, as she was hoping people would be grossed out or feel disgusted by me, the literal victim. Instead, they told Linda that what she did was an invasion of privacy, and tried to be a little nicer to me. Some were still ignorant, but a few were quite righteous.

Anyway, after all the good news, Lukas congratulated me, quite proud that I was able to somehow turn myself around. I said that it was him he helped me, and he replied in a sassy manner, obviously taking the credit jokingly. Our friendship has blossomed quite prettily, as we called each other almost everyday. Some days we looked presentable in our calls, and other days, we both looked like we had been dragged through a garbage dump.

No one minded.

Continuing to walk forward, I peered at Ryan for a second, only to shrug. "I guess it just means we're having fun." Shaking my head a little, a strand of hair flew out of my view. "Besides, I can't wait until everyone is there. That means I won't have to deal with them being anywhere else, and finally get myself a milkshake without feeling uncomfortable."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at me. "You're not going to prom?"

"Nah," I sighed, frowning a bit. "Prom is way too overrated in my opinion. I don't care about the memories. If I went, the only thing I would be bringing back home is bad karma." I chuckled darkly, murmuring under my breath, "Those little fucks will do anything to ruin my day. Especially Linda Skies. She's the worst one."

"That's too bad then," Ryan responded, seeming quite upset by my harsh response. "I was thinking we could stand in a corner and make fun of people together."

I felt a shiver run down my spine when he said the word "together". It was.. unusual. Always, it was voice throughout most of high school that I heard screaming insults at me. I never expected this day to come, for Ryan to treat me kindly. I guess I still wasn't quite used to it yet. Looking up at him, his eyes were elsewhere.

"I can go if you want me to," I said. Ryan turned to look at me, appalled by my suggestion. "I mean, intentionally, I wasn't planning on going because I wouldn't make any memories in the first place. But if I get to hang out with you and make some memories, I'd probably go."

"You for real?"

I rolled my eyes slightly at his response with a small smile on my face. "Of course."

~~~

"You're quite short then, aren't you?"

"Hey! Leave me aloooone!!"

"Pffft.."

My cheeks puffed out in annoyance as Lukas continued laughing. During a video call, the two of us were catching up with each other by talking about our real lives. I learned that Lukas was literally a beanstalk, taller than his whole family. He said he didn't like it, and I understood what he must've felt. When I told him how tall I was, he just laughed and called me small and short.

"Everyone is short to you, so don't just go bullying me like that!" I whined, annoyed.

Lukas smiled, holding in a laugh as he put a hand to his mouth. "I-I'm sorry," he stuttered out, his voice uneven because of his laughter taking the best of him, "b-but you just seemed like some b-badass and macho person, and now I know y-you're just a cute and tiny cupcake."

I flushed a little at his comment, still a bit annoyed. Crossing my arms, I said, "I don't know whether to be offended or not. Am I not badass then?"

Lukas shook his head, smiling brightly at me. "You are! Trust me. You're just more mellow than one would think from your intimidating demeanor."

"FYI, we aren't in a profession, so don't speak so academically. Damn."

"And you tell me not to bully you..."

"Hey! I'm just saying!"

After a few more hours of arguing, we were left dry of anything to say to each other. The game is still updating, so I can't just suggested playing a round. Sighing, I sat up on my chair. Maybe this time I will let my feelings go.

"Um.. Lukas?"

Lukas looked up from his desk, hearing my call. "Yeah? What's up?"

Peering down awkwardly at my hands, which rested in my lap, I mumbled, "I just wanna say thanks.. for helping me out." I smiled shyly and added, "No one really cares about me except for my parents and Nana. Of course, I have other relatives that love me too, but.. I didn't have any friends."

"What do you mean by that?" He questioned, sitting up when he realized this might end up in the deep zone.

"I-I guess, when I was a girl, I knew this world was dangerous.." I whispered softly, clutching my hoodie in my hands. "I just didn't know.. I'd end up here. Handprints everywhere on my body where they shouldn't be."

"Meredith..?"

My eyes blurred with tears, and I pulled my knees to my chest, leaning back in my seat. "I-It didn't scare me then as much as it scares me now, since I'm realizing it'll haunt me for the rest of my life." Looking down at my hands, which flexed awkwardly, Dexter's hand clutching my wrist suddenly flashed in my mind. I shook my head vigorously, closing my eyes shut. "He's everywhere. And— And I can't help but think that even though I am the daughter of two elite people, I was nothing but easy prey to him. I should've been able to defend myself, right? I have the abilities of my mother and father, and they're extremely strong, so why wasn't I?"

"Don't look down on yourself," Lukas said, looking up at me with worry. "You were able to get out of there, weren't you? You're here now, right?"

I looked up at the screen, and Lukas inhaled sharply, seeing my tears streaming down my cheeks as I hiccuped, upset with myself. "I didn't do it myself. I needed help. B-But I know I'm stronger than that. Than him..!" My jaw clenched, holding in sobs of realization. "What if I'm not what I'm cut out to be or what my parents want me to be? My name was given to me because they believed I could protect the world, but it isn't a title I deserve if I can't do that for myself..!" I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand, hiding my face from Lukas. "I don't.. want to be a disappointment to them."

"Meredith: protector of the world," Lukas whispered. I looked up at him, confused when he said that. "It's not far off from what you are, Meredith." Lukas looked at me, smiling brightly. "If anything, you're quite strong. Anyone would agree with me. Besides, a title doesn't need to be the same from birth till death. You have time to grow, and you will."

Time..?

Putting a hand over my left eye, where the green color glowed softly as tears welled, I nodded to Lukas's words, understanding what he meant.

I have time.

A/N

I FEEL LIKE THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, OH MY GOD I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN TEN DAYS. IM SO SORRY T^T