Chapter 32: The Distance Between Us

Celeste didn't look back.

She walked away from Sapphire, her steps steady, her expression blank. But inside?

Inside, she was burning.

She had expected Sapphire to fight her, to push back like she always did. What she hadn't expected was for Sapphire to let her go.

To not say a single word as Celeste walked out of her life.

It shouldn't have hurt.

But it did.

And that made her furious.

---

The next few days at the academy were unbearable.

For the first time since their war had begun, there were no glances exchanged in the hallways. No smirks, no whispered taunts, no stolen moments where the world felt like it belonged only to them.

It was like they had never happened.

Like Celeste had imagined it all.

But she hadn't.

And that was the problem.

Sapphire was everywhere—her scent lingering in empty hallways, her voice echoing in Celeste's mind, her presence like a ghost Celeste couldn't shake.

But Sapphire wasn't looking at her anymore.

She was distant. Polished. Back to being the perfect, untouchable Sapphire Langford.

Celeste hated it.

More than anything, she hated how much she missed her.

---

The turning point came on a Friday afternoon.

Celeste was leaning against the rooftop railing, staring at the skyline, trying to convince herself that she didn't care.

That she wasn't waiting for something.

But then—

The door creaked open.

Celeste didn't have to turn to know who it was.

She exhaled, dragging a hand through her hair. "What do you want, Sapphire?"

A long silence. Then—

"I don't know."

Celeste turned, surprised at the honesty in her voice.

Sapphire stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her mask slightly cracked.

She looked tired.

As if she hadn't slept since the night in the garden.

Celeste tilted her head. "That's a first."

Sapphire exhaled sharply. "I didn't come here to fight."

Celeste smirked, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Then why are you here?"

Sapphire hesitated.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, she finally admitted—

"Because I don't want you to hate me."

Celeste stilled.

For all of Sapphire's games, all of her power plays and carefully crafted responses—this was the closest thing to vulnerability Celeste had ever seen from her.

Celeste sighed, leaning against the railing again. "I don't hate you."

Sapphire took a step closer. "Then what do you feel?"

Celeste let out a bitter laugh. "What do you think?"

Sapphire looked away. "I think that's what scares me."

Celeste clenched her jaw. "Then stop running."

Sapphire closed her eyes briefly. "I can't."

Celeste's fingers curled against the railing. "Then I can't do this."

Sapphire's breath hitched.

Celeste turned to her fully now, her gaze unwavering. "You don't get to play with me, Sapphire. You don't get to keep pulling me in just to push me away."

Sapphire flinched like she had been struck.

Celeste took a slow step forward. "So decide."

Sapphire swallowed hard. "Celeste—"

Celeste shook her head. "No. You don't get to say my name like that unless you mean it."

A beat of silence.

Sapphire didn't mean to reach for her.

Didn't mean to let her fingers brush against Celeste's wrist, desperate to keep her from walking away again.

But she did.

And this time—

Celeste didn't pull away.

Not yet.

---