“They lied.” I yelled, storming into the library. I slammed the door behind me and threw my books onto one of the tables. “They said there would be something good. Some great treasure at the end of the rainbow.” Marcus looked up from his book. I couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Did you not find it?” He asked. I glared at my feet and slumped into the chair next to his. “I doubt there was anything to find.” Marcus tilted his head.

“Then why are you so distraught?”

I glared at him. “I’m not distraught. I’m angry.”

He shook his head. “No, you’re clearly-“

“Oh, what the hell do you know, anyways?” I yelled. “You’ve known me for a week.”

Marcus’s face turned red. “Liliad, I’m just trying to help.” I rolled my eyes. “You could probably help more if you ever left this damn library.” He blushed even more, and looked away. I huffed and turned my back to him.

“I could come with you.” He suggested. “On the trials?” I focused on the nearest bookshelf, trying to read the titles. “I mean, I know it’s against the rules but maybe you would win automatically-“

I choked.

“You- what??” I whirled around, gaping at him. “You mean you want me to win-“

“NO!” he yelped, making me jump. “I mean- no. I want you to go home. Because that’s what you want, right? To leave?”

I nodded slowly. My eyes stung. “Yeah. Just like you want me to leave.”

We paused then, staring at each other. I felt a tug in my chest- but I squashed it down into my stomach. Don’t. Even. Think. About it.

I stood up. “I should get going.” I snatched up my books. “It’s almost dinner time.” I moved to the door, when his voice stopped me.

“Liliad?” I turned around and- I could swear he was about to cry.

“Don’t leave too soon, okay? I like having a friend.”

I looked away. “No promises.”

I pushed the door open and walked away.

****

“I want to go home.”

the messenger spat out his soup. “you what?”

“I want to go. Home.” I repeated, more forcefully. He seemed to have his whole world unravel in that moment- and his eyes were wider than the dinner plates. The other girls watched in dead silence. Well, except for Kayla, who was stuffing her face.

“I’m the one that’s not supposed to be here, right?” I pushed. “There’s always five matches. I make six.” Gwen coughed very pointedly. I didn’t look at her. The messenger shook himself. “No, no, no…” he looked to the far side of the long table, the empty seat at the head. “He’s coming!” He insisted, pointing at the builder chair. “You’ll get to meet him-“

“I ALREADY HAVE!” I screamed, making the other girls jump. “I’VE SEEN HIM SO MANY TIMES AND HE’S ACTING LIKE A BRAT! “ I stomped my foot. “I’m not marrying some idiot because you won’t let me go home to my friend and my FATHER!” The man looked around, as if for help.

“These trials are kind of ridiculous.” Kayla pointed out. “What’s the point of having us shove at a door all day?”

“Yeah, I sort of want to go home as well.” Undine squeaked. “I miss my cat.”

Guinevere slumped. “I miss Kai.”

Agatha sighed. “I miss seeing the mountains.”

Edda huffed.

The messenger looked at us, then shrugged. “What harm could a field trip do?”