S I X: Beneath the surface

Tega's POV

I float in the dark, everything around me heavy and suffocating. It's odd—this cold embrace, this nothingness. Strangely, it feels comforting, like a release from the stress, the noise, the expectations. But… wasn't I just with someone? My mind struggles to hold onto the memory, but it slips through my grasp like sand. I felt something, something real.

Where am I now? Am I… dead?

If I am, would anyone really care? I know the billions who "love" me wouldn't. Not really. But… I think there's someone. Just one person who might care.

That's why I need to wake up. No matter how comforting this darkness feels, I have to—

A sudden sting snaps me back. My cheek burns, and my eyes blink open.

"Ow." My voice is hoarse. "Was that really necessary?"

Stella kneels beside me, arms crossed and a hard look on her face. "It worked, didn't it?"

I rub my cheek and sit up, disoriented. "Yeah, but still…"

She sighs, offering her hand. I take it, letting her pull me up.

"Could've done it myself, you know," I mutter as I stretch, my body still heavy with fatigue.

She releases my hand without warning, and I stumble back to the ground. "Then do it yourself."

I glare at her as I push myself up again. "Fine. See? I'm good."

"How long was I out?" I ask, shaking the last bits of fog from my mind.

Stella narrows her eyes, feigning nonchalance. "Three minutes, I think?"

"You think?"

"Look, I wasn't exactly timing you."

"Three minutes, and you're already drenching me and slapping my face?"

She rolls her eyes. "It was bottled water, Tega. Hardly drowning material."

I glance down at my soaked shirt, sighing. "Felt like more."

Her face shifts, worry bleeding through her attempt at sarcasm. "What the hell happened, Tega? Why did you just… faint like that?"

I brush off the concern, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. I've had worse."

But her gaze lingers on me, seeing through the façade. Stella may act tough, but I know she cares—more than she lets on.

Just then, I feel a warm trickle down the side of my head. Blood. My fingers instinctively touch the wound, and I see red. Damn it. I can't hide this one.

Stella's eyes widen. "Nothing serious, huh?"

"Yeah," I say, as the pain sharpens. "It's nothing."

But nature seems intent on proving me wrong. More blood seeps from the wound, and the dull ache flares into a throb.

"Stay still," she orders, rushing to the car. "Cover it with your hand while I get the first aid kit."

I do as she says, wincing as the pressure intensifies. When she returns, I raise an eyebrow at the kit in her hand.

"You just… carry that around with you?"

She shrugs. "You never know when someone like you will faint for no reason."

I chuckle, despite the pain. "Must be nice, playing hero."

She smirks. "More like a queen."

"Sure, your majesty," I tease. "Let's just get this over with."

---

Stella's POV

Ten minutes later.

I finish patching up Tega's wound and lean back, satisfied with my work. "There. That should hold you for now, but you need to get to a hospital soon."

Tega scoffs, his signature sarcasm kicking in. "How long have you waited to use that movie line?"

I grin. "So long. You have no idea."

He rolls his eyes, sighing in mock defeat. But I notice something… off. He hadn't flinched once while I cleaned his wound. No wincing, no complaints. Just… nothing.

Curiosity gets the better of me. I poke at the freshly bandaged spot—hard. His only response is a soft "Ow."

I frown. "That's it? Just 'ow'? You didn't even flinch while I treated you."

Tega shrugs, his voice casual. "It's not that serious. I just can't—"

"Can't what?"

He hesitates. "I can't cry. Not in front of others, at least."

I blink. "Are you sure about that?"

"Very. It's been like this for years. I feel pain, but I can't cry when people are around. No matter how much it hurts."

I bite my lip, my voice softer now. "When did it start? Do you know?"

He looks away, his expression hardening. "Let's drop it. I'm fine now."

I want to push him—ask more questions—but I don't. Instead, I nod. "Okay. But… don't pretend like it's nothing. You're not okay."

He forces a smile. "I'm alive, aren't I?"

I see through that smile. It's a lie. He's lying to me, to himself. And for some reason, knowing that makes my chest tighten.

---

Tega's POV

"I'm sorry."

The words slip out before I can stop them. I didn't mean to say it, but there it is—hanging in the air, surprising even me. I don't apologize, not for things that aren't my fault. So why did I say that?

I fainted, sure. But was it really my fault?

Stella's eyes widen in shock. She wasn't expecting that. Neither was I. But it's out now, and I can't take it back.

Before I can dwell on it, she speaks. "What's unlikely?"

I blink. Did I say that out loud? "It's nothing."

She frowns but lets it go. Still, there's something unsettling in the air between us, something I can't shake.

Suddenly, I freeze. It's there again. That dark figure. Always just out of reach, always watching me. Why won't it leave me alone?

"Leave me alone!" I shout, stepping back. My pulse quickens, the panic setting in.

"Tega, stop!" Stella grabs my arm, her grip strong, pulling me back to reality. Her eyes are sharp, focused, pulling me in.

"Look at me," she commands, her voice firm. "What do you see?"

I blink, my vision blurring. "I—I see it. It's still there, Stella. I can't—"

She tightens her grip. "Breathe. Tega, breathe."

I try, gasping for air. "I can't—"

"Yes, you can. Breathe in."

I obey, forcing a shaky breath in. My vision clears slightly.

"Now breathe out."

I exhale, my heartbeat slowing down, my mind clearing. She keeps her hands on my arms, grounding me.

"What else do you see?" she asks, her voice softer now. "Not the figure. Look around. What do you see?"

I blink, focusing on the world around me. "Buildings. Trees. The car. The bench…"

I meet her gaze. "I see you."

She smiles. "Good. See? You're okay."

I chuckle weakly, the tension easing, just a little. "I'm okay."

She nods. "Let's get in the car.Tega, look at me. It's all okay now, no need to panic. You hear that? No need to worry. Let's get in the car before something else happens."

"Wait, Stella… why?"

"Why what?"

"Why bother helping me? Am I even worthy of it? Do I deserve help? Why are you so kind to me?"

Stella paused for a moment, her eyes soft yet unreadable. "This is just who I am. If being kind is what you call it, then... yeah, I guess I am. But, trust me, I have my reasons, and I wouldn't call myself 'kind.'"

"A kind person, huh." I muttered, staring at the ground. Then, louder: "Stella?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know you're an idiot?"

Before she could respond, I turned and walked away. At first, my steps were slow. I half-expected her to chase after me—after all, she was kind, wasn't she? But she didn't. She didn't follow me.

And that made me angry.

Before I even realized it, my slow pace quickened into a full sprint. Why was I running? I didn't want her to chase me, right? Or did I? Maybe some twisted part of me wanted her to.

Why is she like this? I've always hated kind people. They think they're better, looking down on you with pity, masking it as compassion or love or some bullshit. It's all lies. They're just sorry for you. And I—Tega Castle—refuse to be pitied. Who does she think she is to look down on me?

I ran faster, anger bubbling inside. She doesn't understand. When she said "no need to worry," something in me snapped. How could she know what I worry about? How could she know anything?

Suddenly, I stopped running, breathless. I found myself in a park, leaning against a tree. As I tried to calm down, a passerby halted nearby.

"Wait… aren't you Nexis?" they asked, their eyes wide with recognition.

And just like that, things escalated. I was quickly surrounded by admiring fans, their phones out, all clamoring for a picture or a moment of my attention.

This. This is what I live for. How can anyone feel sorry for me when I have all of this? When so many people love and adore me?

Stella, you know nothing. I'm not some sorry, sad person.

I glanced at the crowd around me, flashes of cameras and bright smiles.

But then a thought hit me.

Or… am I?

--