13 The Conversation

"Cleo!" Theo said, running up to greet her. "There you are! Come on!"

"Where are we going?" Cleo hesitated, dragging her heels on the ground as Theo tried to pull her away.

"You'll see. Come on!"

The two of them made their way through the academy grounds until they were in the garden. Back in the spot where the midnight rose had been planted. Back in the spot where Rosa was supposed to have pricked herself. The sun was slowly making its way towards the skyline, giving the flowers a rosy sheen. Cecil stood there, arms crossed, leaning on a wall.

"W-why is he here?" Cleo stammered, backing away to hide behind Theo.

Cecil looked up. His eyes met Cleo's and they narrowed menacingly. He began to make his way over to the two of them.

"Seriously, Cleo!" Theo scolded, trying to drag her out from behind him. "He's not that scary!"

Cecil was standing in front of Theo now. He crossed his arms again. He watched as his best friend finally managed to pull Cleo out from behind him, and plop her right in front of Cecil.

"There you go!" Theo said, resting his hands on his waist. "Now, that wasn't so hard now, was it?"

Cecil gave his friend a sharp look.

"Anyways, I have things to do and places to be! Have fun without me, okay?"

And he was gone, running off faster than the speed of light.

Now it was just Cleo and Cecil. Cleo was still not meeting Cecil's eyes. She slowly backed away from him. She was about to turn and run, but Cecil grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her into him. They stood there for a moment, both of them unmoving. Cleo could feel the movement of Cecil's chest as he breathed. She could feel his strong arms wrapped around her waist, his hands placed at awkward angles, trying not to touch anything he should not. She could hear the beating of his heart, accelerating so slowly she almost did not notice. And then the moment was over.

"Let me go!" Cleo demanded, trying to squirm out of Cecil's grip, but he did not budge. Instead, he pulled her closer, resting his head on her shoulder. Her body went stiff.

"Don't go," Cecil whispered softly into Cleo's ear. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Why have you been avoiding me?"

"B-b-because you were angry."

Cleo closed her eyes. How could the same person be stern and menacing one moment and so sad and pitiful the next? Her ears and neck felt hot. Cecil was breathing lightly, but Cleo could still feel his breath as he exhaled from his position leaning against her shoulder.

"Don't leave me alone like that again, okay?"

"If you're not angry...why did you scream at me like that?"

"I don't know," Cecil replied, raising his head to look Cleo in the eyes. "Something in my head told me that was the right thing to do, and then it took over my body. I couldn't do anything about it."

Cleo looked skeptical.

"I'm serious!" Cecil pouted. "I'm sorry...okay?"

"Okay, okay!" Cleo shouted, trying to squirm out of his arms once again. "Just let go of me. I can't breathe!"

"You're not going to run away?"

"No, just let me go!"

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Can you let go now?"

Reluctantly, Cecil unwound his arms from around Cleo's waist. Before he could react, Cleo was already halfway down the path, running at a sprint.

"Wait-" he called, jogging to catch up. But she was already to far away to hear him.

Cecil sighed. He plopped down on a bench, resting his head on his wrists. He could still feel the lingering sensation of Cleo, wrapped in his arms. If only he could hold her like that forever and never let go. But he would not force her to be with him. In the end, all Cecil wanted was for Cleo to be happy.

***

"What is wrong with him?" Cleo huffed, collapsing onto her comfy bed. She thought of how calm and safe she felt in Cecil's embrace. Her face flushed, and it was not because of how hot her room was. Cleo covered her face with her hands. She was so mad at herself, and yet, she was so satisfied at the same time. It was not every day that a fictional character-

"No, no, no!" Cleo screamed, interrupting the congregating thoughts in her head. "I will not think about that! That's right! I am totally and absolutely angry with him!"

As if responding to Cleo's screams, a message popped up in front of her face. It was almost identical to the one that Mirabelle had sent, but this time, it was a little bit more direct.

No, you're not.

"I'm not what?"

Angry with him.

Cleo gasped in feigned outrage.

Are you okay? Ari and I are wondering what happened, since your body is currently very...not alive...in the real world. Does anything feel strange or different?

The message was from Rosa. But, did the message mean that Cleo was dead? But she was certainly very alive and well. So why was her body deceased, while the rest of herself remained intact?

I don't know. Beats me.

"Shvshst!" Cleo shushed the message box. "I'm not talking to you!"

Well, I wouldn't know. The book thing is still going. I know everything that's has happened.

"What book thing?"

The book that records everything that happens to you from your point of view. It's like if the original novel had been written with you as the main character. It's really quite interesting. I think they disappear when you wake up, which is unfortunate, since I wanted to read mine. But anyways, your book thing is still going, so that must mean that you're fine. Oh well, goodbye, and have fun with your little boyfriend!

"W-what boyfriend? What are you talking about? Come back here, Rosa!"

Nope.

"Oh, come on!"

The message board fizzed out. Then, a second later, a new message board replaced the one that had disappeared. This time, the message was from Mirabelle.

Rosa used up all of her words. We have to use this feature carefully, or else we will lose all contact with the book world. Currently, there are four of us out here. Rosa has no more words, and I'm almost out. The other three are doing okay, since they just sent messages to their friends inside the story.

There was a word limit?

Yes, there is. I have to go now. We all do.

A moment of silence.

I'm running out of words. Goodbye Cleo, and good luck.

The message board fizzed out once more. But this time, Cleo did not care. All she wanted to know was one thing.

Why did she die?