Chapter 2 Goodbyes and Daggers

Goodbyes and Daggers

"I'm not letting Loverboy be the only one who sees you before your big departure," a familiar voice rang out as the door slammed shut behind her.

It was Aurora. The only female Ivy was ever really close to in the orphanage.

She stood with that usual defiant glint in her eyes,

As always she was dressed in trousers, despite the orphanage's strict dress code that all girls should be in skirts. No one knew where she got them from, and honestly, Ivy had stopped asking long ago. Aurora was a rule-breaker through and through. Today, her outfit was a torn, faded top paired with muddy shoes. A bag hung from her shoulder.

"Rora," Ivy groaned, already noticing the dirt smeared across her clean floor. "How many times have I told you to take off your shoes before coming in here?"

Aurora glanced down and shrugged. "Oops. I forgot," she said with a grin that showed zero remorse. She didn't attempt to stop, instead she walked in further into the room like she owned the place.

Ivy sighed. The name Aurora had always seemed like a cruel joke. It belonged to a fairytale princess, not the unruly girl walking about with mud in her little room.

"Loverboy," Aurora said with a teasing smirk, turning her attention to Leo. "Are you here to celebrate too? Ivy's about to start sipping tea with the elites. I'm proud of her."

Leo groaned at the nickname.

Aurora had joined the orphanage when she was seven and had quickly latched onto Ivy and Leo. When she noticed how close the two were, she'd started calling Leo Loverboy when she noticed that he would do anything for Ivy just to annoy him. She never stopped.

Leo tossed Ivy the small bag he had just tucked the cellphone into. Before anyone could understand what was going on, Aurora's fist flew forward and punched Leo in the stomach.

Leo groaned and dropped to the floor, clutching his stomach. "Ow...What the hell, Rora?!"

Ivy quickly rushed towards Leo. She gave Aurora a questioning look. Waiting for her to explain.

"Her eyes are red," Aurora narrowed her eyes at Leo. "What did you do to her? I've told you to stop coming into her room alone."

Ivy quickly grabbed Aurora's wrist before she could punch him again. "Stop it. He didn't do anything. Ask questions before you throw punches!"

Aurora scoffed. "Fists first, questions later."

Leo sat up slowly, still wincing. "Why do your punches hurt more every time?"

"Because I have a dedicated punching bag," Aurora said sweetly, patting his shoulder. "Thanks for the practice. Keep up the good work."

"Enough, Rora," Ivy said firmly, stepping between the two of them.

Aurora rolled her eyes and finally picked up the bag she'd brought. It had fallen to the floor during the chaos, and now had a smear of mud on it. She wiped it clean with her sleeve and held it out.

"For you."

Ivy eyed it cautiously. "What's in it? Please tell me it's not something weird." I said not eager to look into the bag. Ivy always gave her scary things.

"Am I that kind of person?" Aurora asked, then sighed. "Okay fine, it's not weird. Just open it."

Ivy kept the bag at a distance like it might explode, then she slowly unzipped it. Nothing jumped out, so she leaned closer and peeked inside. Reston at the bottom of the bag was a sleek silver hairpin, delicate and beautifully engraved.

"A hairpin?" Ivy said, surprised "Thank you..."

"It's not just a hairpin," Aurora smirked. "Press the tiny button on the side."

Curious, Ivy ran her thumb along the metal until she found the almost-invisible button. When she pressed it, the pin shifted, clicking open to reveal a thin, sharp dagger hidden inside the decorative casing.

She gasped, staring in awe as the blade glinted in the dim light. With another press, the dagger disappeared, returning to its harmless form.

"You made this?" Ivy asked, her voice shaky with emotion. "How long did it take you?"

"Don't cry," Aurora warned, pointing at Leo. "Or I'll punch him again."

"Ivy, please listen to her," Leo said quickly, ducking behind Ivy.

Ivy couldn't help but laugh through the tears in her eyes. "I'm not crying. Just... touched, that's all."

"Use it well," Aurora said, folding her arms. "Stab anyone who talks down to you. You're too quiet so let the dagger speak."

"I'm going to a school, not a warzone," Ivy said, still holding the hairpin carefully. "I'd be expelled before I even unpacked."

Aurora stepped forward and hugged her. Ivy froze for a second, then melted into the embrace. The tears came easily this time, streaming down her cheeks, she didn't hold them back.

Aurora said nothing as she held her tight.

After a long while, Aurora pulled away. Her own eyes looked a little glassy.

"I'll miss you. It won't be the same here without you. I don't have anyone else to talk to."

"You have me," Leo offered with a small wave.

Aurora ignored him.

"Don't cry. You're getting out of this dump," she continued. "You're finally escaping Harrington's death grip."

"But I've never been anywhere else," Ivy whispered. "All my life, I've only known the orphanage. What if I mess everything up?"

Aurora groaned and rolled her eyes. "Please. You're the most obedient person I know. If anyone can survive a fancy school, it's you. Just be yourself. Don't try to fit in. The right people will come. And eat properly, you're already too skinny."

Ivy nodded, sniffling. Her eyes were puffy.

Leo ruffled her hair. "Don't you ever get tired of crying?"

She swatted his hand away, half-laughing through her tears.

"We'll let you pack," Leo said gently. "We'll be here tomorrow morning before the car comes."

Ivy nodded again. It was safer to nod than to speak, because if she opened her mouth, she might start crying all over again.

"Don't forget me while you're off sipping tea with the elites," Aurora teased. She grabbed Leo by the arm and dragged him out. The door slammed shut behind them, making Ivy flinch.

She stood in the silence for a moment, then let out a long, shaky breath.

Everything would be okay, she consoled herself.

She just had to keep her head down.

Blend in.

Piece of cake.