Blue

6:37 PM

Checking herself one last time in the mirror, Wendy made sure the dress wasn't too tight on her. Thankfully her back was covered, so her mark wasn't showing, but it did make her uncomfortable, the fabric of the dress itchy.

I'm fine, everything will be fine...

She sighed, faking a smile and finally making her way downstairs to join her family.

6:50 PM

It was a month after Liam disappeared. Her mother was so furious about her staying out the night without informing her. She grounded Wendy for two weeks going out, except for school that is.

She didn't dare tell her what happened back then with her soulmate.

Wendy didn't mind being grounded, didn't want to be around people anyway. So each day after school, she would lock herself in her room, and completely isolate herself from everyone and everything that could remind her of him.

7:00 PM

"Are you ready?" Her brother asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She looked at him, then out of the car windows.

She was so caught up in her thoughts the whole ride, she hadn't noticed they were already in the school's parking lot.

She felt a hand grab hers, she looked at it and then up at her brother's face.

He was smiling reassuringly, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

She tried to smile back at him, but she couldn't.

He knew something was wrong with his little sister, and wanted to help her. If only he knew, he wouldn't be of much help, even if he tried.

7:30 PM

"Wendy Seo, please come up on stage to receive your diploma."

She had zoned out, again. Lately, that seemed the only thing she was able to do, not having control of her mind, to stop it from straying away.

She didn't realise that she needed to get up from her place, until she heard her mother clap excitedly beside her, followed by the rest of the crowd.

She closed her eyes, mentally reassuring herself that it was going to be okay.

She put on the best fake smile she could muster, before making her way upstage.

She shook the principal's hand after receiving the diploma, ignoring his congratulatory words. Turning to face the crowd, she suddenly felt nauseous, she tried her best to hide it.

She caught herself looking for a specific face amongst all the people present there.

He's not here. She thought.

She quickly bowed and made her way down the stage.

Walking to her seat she locked eyes with a certain person. One she didn't see or talk to a long while ago.

Judy smiled at her sadly, thinking that maybe, if she made the first move Wendy would finally talk to her.

But to her misfortune, she didn't have the energy for that. Wendy missed her, for sure... But her being Liam's sister only reminded her of him. And she couldn't afford to break down in front of her best friend.

The night when Judy revealed her brother's biggest secret to Wendy, it was as if something flicked in her. She yelled at Judy and screamed at her to leave. She was so mad at being kept in the dark all this time. But that wasn't all she was mad about. Her parents were politicians. If they ever knew that their daughter was dating a Menima, there was no telling what they could do. They might've killed Liam and in the process killed her as well. It somehow made sense to her why Liam hated being around her so much then.

Breaking eye contact with her, Wendy rushed to find her seat.

7:56 PM

The ceremony continued, many of Wendy's classmates had received their diplomas, and some of them even gave speeches.

But her mind was busy of course, not bothering to keep up with the rest of the ceremony.

"Lewis..."

Her brother turned to look at her, slightly surprised that she called him, she hadn't talked to him in days. But he quickly hid his shock, giving her his undivided attention.

"I'm tired." She sighed, looking down once again.

He wondered if she was tired from the ceremony, or if it was something else. He wanted to know... He needed to know. He was witnessing his little sister straying away from him, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Staring at her for a while, he suggested "Do you want to go home?"

She silently nodded, standing up and ready to leave.

Both of their parents followed her and her brother out of the ceremony hall, not questioning their sudden departure, and quietly complied by driving back home.

8:56 PM

It was an hour after they got back home. She lay on her bed, not even bothering to take off her dress or makeup, and absentmindedly stared at her ceiling, while twirling the ring around her finger.

Fuck it, I'm doing it.

She abruptly sat up, determined to execute her well-thought plan. She got out her largest backpack and stuffed as many clothes and necessities as she could fit in.

She changed into more comfortable clothes and got rid of all cosmetics on her face, before she took her laptop, booking the soonest departing train ticket possible, before sneakily making her way downstairs and out of the house.

*

Breathing out a sigh of relief after successfully closing the front door without making too much noise, Wendy threw a glance at the window.

She could see her parents both standing at the dinner table, having turned it into an office, discussing law matters between them.

Thankfully the dining area and heart of the house were completely excluded area from the entrance hall and stairs, so she had managed to get out without being caught by her parents or the maids. Also, the house is pretty huge, her father was the president after all.

Standing there for a while, she pondered on what would happen after she executed her plan... But she quickly snapped out of it, the train would move at exactly 10:30 PM.

Just as she was turning around, she felt her nose bumping into someone's chest, carefully lifting her head, she found herself face to face with Lewis.

Shit. She mentally cursed herself for not checking if her brother was home before going. What am I going to do? Think Wendy, think.

He just came back from a late-night date with Anne, his soulmate and also Liam's younger sister.

"Where do you think you're going like that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

That only made her more nervous. But she hid it well.

"Judy invited me for a sleepover..." She innocently said, hoping he would believe her.

"Do Mom and Dad know?" He inquired, not sure about the events taking place.

Sure their parents were politicians and had a lot on their minds, but between work and everything, they barely had time for their kids. But they still cared a great deal.

"They're working, I didn't want to interrupt them. Could you tell them instead?" She smoothly saved herself from being any more suspicious.

Walking past him, she didn't let him answer her question. She wanted to go away. . .

When she finally thought she could escape from her brother, he stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

She slowly turned around to face him. "Wendy... You know I love you, right?"

Her whole demeanour softened. Her brother was always caring and knew how to make her feel safe. Maybe he deserved to hear those little three words from her, for the last time.

"I love you too, brother." He smiled, finally letting her go.

And oh, if only he didn't.

*

Frantically helping her to get in the room through the window, Judy was half suspecting this was all a dream. Wendy was finally in her room! It's been a month, she thought she lost her, but she was there. That somehow made her hopeful that whatever was happening between them was long forgotten.

Wendy could see her all giddy, she thought she would be upset with her. But all Judy could think about was wrapping her in her arms and never letting her go.

"Wendy! Before you say anything, I am so sorry... I never meant to hide anything from you but it's a sworn secret in our family, we can never speak of it to anybody. Liam being the only Menima was hard enough to hide when he didn't have a soulmate but now-" Judy immediately jumped into apologies and explanations, leaving Wendy guilty for giving her the silent treatment all this time.

"Judy...''

"No! Please, please forgive me. I promise I will never lie to you again, you're my best friend, I- I should trust you'll never say anything to anyone but-"

"Judith!" Wendy had enough. If she weren't her best friend she wouldn't even be there, and all she was doing now was wasting her time.

I can't miss the train.

Judy halted in her step. "Don't call me that." She said with a low whisper. Deep inside her, she knew Wendy wasn't here to fix things. But sometimes being delusional helped. Well, at least it did for her.

Watching her with her head held low, Wendy tried to blink back her tears. She needs to get this done with, she can't waste any more time.

She dropped down on the bed, patting the spot beside her, mentioning for her to sit down.

"I'm leaving, Judy. I can't stay here. Too much is happening and-"

"Is it because of Liam?" The sudden mention of his name made Wendy tenser than she originally was.

"He left the city." She started, her voice falling to a whisper.

"Wendy, you don't have to leave... whatever my brother did to you, you can just move on. I'll help you, just please... don't leave me alone." Stray tears made their way down her rosy cheeks, and Wendy could hear the slight crack in her tone.

The nausea was back again, and she knew she had to get away from there as fast as possible.

She stood up from her place, gripping at her tummy as sudden cramps started seeping through. "It's more than that Judy. You can't help me even if you try to." Wendy took in deep breaths, trying to steady her frantic heart.

I need to do this, it's what's best for everyone.

"I'm pregnant." Wendy started, winning Judy's attention as she quickly wiped her tears away, staring at her best friend in disbelief.

"I can't stay." She repeated. "If my parents ever find out about the true nature of Liam it'll be over for all of us... me, you, Liam and this baby. I can't let that happen. That's why I need to leave." Wendy said, her tears starting to build up in the corner of her eyes.

Judy stayed silent, absorbing the information Wendy just dropped on her. She couldn't believe it... she was going to be an aunt, and that thought alone made her smile.

Embracing Wendy in a hug, Judy understood where she was coming from... it was all for the greater good, and she appreciated her best friend for her pure intentions. And that's why she was going to help her no matter what, stick with her through it all.

"Take care of the baby, Wendy... and everything will be fine. I have a feeling it will be the key to all problems in the future. And I can't wait to be the aunt of a superhero." Judy said dreamily, softly caressing Wendy's long hair.

Wendy sniffled a cry and reluctantly pulled away from her best friend. "You haven't seen me tonight, and I was never here. Goodbye, Judith." Those were the last words she pronounced before climbing out of the window again.

Landing on the ground with a thud, she winced at the pain that rushed through her knees. Looking down at them, she could visibly notice the injury, blood flowing from it. But she couldn't sit there and weep about how miserable her life was about to get. She still had a long journey ahead of her. And it wasn't going to be easy.

*

Reluctantly opening the sliding door, Wendy found a guy sitting there, reading a book. She couldn't see his face, but she presumed he was her age, by the style of his clothing. She cleared her throat, earning the boy's attention. "Can I sit here? All the other booths are full." She asked, looking down, waiting for an answer.

When a few seconds passed and he still didn't answer, she looked up.

"Blue."