Broken Hero

Chapter 21

Anna watches from the bed as Eclipse brushes her teeth, having already gotten dressed for the day.

“You’re staring at me again,” Eclipse smirks, looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

She could feel her face turn red as she looked away. “I was just thinking, that’s all.”

“Oh?” Eclipse wipes her mouth as she exits the bathroom, tossing the towel into a laundry basket.

Anna tried hard not to stare again as Eclipse walked across the room to grab her watch. “I just can’t believe how much things have changed.”

Eclipse nods. “That’s true.”

“Hey, Eclipse... did you mean it when you said you liked me?” Anna bites her lip as she looks down.

Soft fingers tilt her head up, and she finds herself looking into Eclipse’s eyes. “I never say anything that I don’t mean, princess. Can’t lie, remember?”

“Right... sorry, it’s just hard to believe that someone like you would be interested in me.” Anna blushes even more as Eclipse gently kisses her forehead, the piercings on her lips tickling her skin.

Eclipse moves back, her fingers brushing Anna’s cheek. “Give yourself a little more credit, princess.”

She grabs her hand, making her turn around. “Can we... Can we go on a date? Maybe make it official?”

Eclipse stays quiet, making her nervous as she studies Anna’s face. “Of course. I need to make a run into town for Warfalcon tomorrow. Would you like to go with me, and we can have some fun first?”

She smiles as Anna breathes a sigh of relief. “You know, I kind of miss your real eye color.”

She laughs as Eclipse looks at her in confusion. “What? They’re unique.”

Eclipse shakes her head. “I’m just trying to remember when I’ve used my real eye color in front of you.”

“Your red eyes, silly.” She pushes her playfully. “Wait... those weren’t...”

Eclipse grins. “Nope. I used those to honor my brother. My eyes are unique though, want to see?”

Anna nods excitedly as Eclipse bends down, so their faces are close together. Her eyes slowly darkened to black, and a yellow ring formed around her pupils.

“Wow. It’s almost like looking at pictures of a solar eclipse.” Anna couldn’t stop staring at them. “Is that how you got your name?”

Eclipse shrugs as she stands up, her eyes switching back to pink. “I don’t know. My parents never mentioned where I got my name.”

“Too bad. I think they’re gorgeous.” She smiles to herself as she watches Eclipse’s cheeks flush a bit.

Eclipse clears her throat and mumbles thanks as they go their separate ways, clearly embarrassed. Anna waves at her friend group, jogging towards them as they sit down with their breakfast. Azura waves back, motioning for her to sit by her. She sets her tray down on the table and sits down to take a bite of her pancakes. The warm food made her hum with joy.

“You sure love your pancakes.” Azura giggles.

Anna laughs. “I can’t help it. They're so warm and fluffy!”

She notices Eclipse out of the corner of her eye, leaving the cafeteria. She had thought she’d gone to the office, but apparently not.

“She never eats in the cafeteria. Usually slips in and out, only talking to Fire and staying out of sight.” Azura answers the unspoken question as she notices where she was looking.

One of the other girls snickers. “She’s a weird one. I don’t know how Warfalcon could be friends with her.”

“She’s not that bad. You just need to get to know her first,” Anna mumbles as the others roll their eyes at her.

They quickly change the subject as Anna stays quiet, picking at her food.

“So, we’re all getting together in my dorm for a sleepover tonight, right?” Blitz, the leader of their group, asks excitedly.

Anna had forgotten about the sleepover. It would be a good chance to tell them about her and Eclipse.

That night, Anna and Azura were sitting on the floor in their pajamas as they talked to the other girls. Anna was waiting for the right moment to bring up her relationship with Eclipse when Echo threw open the door and hurried inside.

“You won’t believe what I saw!” She squealed, getting everyone’s attention. “I was walking down the hall past Stronggirl’s room, and she was standing in the doorway talking to Warfalcon... in a crop top! Damn, I didn’t realize she had abs like that. If she weren’t a girl, I’d have jumped her on the spot.”

Blitz rolls her eyes. “Don’t forget, she used to be a villain. She can’t be trusted.”

Anna’s heart dropped as the others giggled and agreed. Azura was the only one who didn’t agree. She takes one look at Anna’s face and stands up suddenly, grabbing her arm.

“Hey guys, I’m not feeling too well suddenly. I think Volt and I are going to skip tonight.” She drags her out before she can protest, the others making disappointed sounds behind them.

She waits till they were almost to her room before stopping and turning to Anna.

“Alright, spill. You looked all excited about something until the others mentioned Stronggirl, and now you look like you’re going to throw up. What's going on between you two?” She crosses her arms, staring her down.

Anna rubs her arms, looking at the ground. “You promise that you won’t think any less of me?”

“Volt, when have I ever done that?” Azura’s voice softens.

Anna nods and takes a breath. “Stronggirl and I are going to start dating.”

Azura’s face turns to shock before breaking out into a wide grin. “It’s about f*****g time!”

“Wait... what?” It’s Anna’s turn to look surprised as her friend laughs.

“Dude, you’ve been giving her puppy eyes ever since she came here. I’ve just been waiting for you to finally fess up.” Azura ruffles her hair.

She groans, moving away. “Quit that.” She falls quiet as Azura keeps laughing. “What about the others? They don’t have a very high opinion of her in the first place. They're never going to approve.”

“They don’t have to. All that matters is how you feel.” Azura puts a hand on her shoulder, but she doesn’t feel very convinced. “Look... why don’t you go talk to Stronggirl? I don’t think I’m the one who can help you this time.”

Anna nods and hurries towards Eclipse's dorm room. She hesitates at the door, starting to think that she should wait when it opens to reveal a sleepy Eclipse. Her short, boyish hair was ruffled from lying on a pillow, and she yawned as she looked at Anna.

“Are you just going to stand outside the door all night?” Her lips curled into a teasing grin before being replaced by worry when she saw how upset Anna was. “Anna? What's wrong?”

She pulls her inside and shuts the door behind them. Anna can’t hold the tears back anymore as Eclipse pulls her into a tight hug, whispering soothing words until she’s calm enough to speak.

“Are... Are you sure that you want me?” she sniffs into Eclipse’s chest.

A sigh slips from Eclipse’s lips as she strokes Anna’s hair. “Anna, I told you before that I do. What happened?”

“I... I know... It's just... There are a bunch of girls around that would love to be with you. And...” Eclipse interrupts her, tilting her chin up and kissing her nose.

“And there are plenty of girls and guys who would want to be with you. But I don’t want anyone else, Anna.” Eclipse gently wipes her eyes with a thumb. “Now what’s this really about?”

She rubs her cheek against Eclipse’s chest before telling her about the sleepover and what the girls had said.

“So, you’re worried they won’t approve?” Eclipse finally asks.

Anna nods slowly. “I know it shouldn’t matter to me, but they’re the first friends I have made since I came here.”

Eclipse looked thoughtful for a moment before leading her to the bed and sitting down, pulling her onto her lap. “I understand wanting their approval, and you should tell them. However, if they make you feel bad about someone that you like... are they really your friends? I can handle them not liking me if you choose to be friends with them. I just want you to be happy, princess.”

Anna curls against her chest for a moment, absorbing her words before kissing her cheek. “Thanks, Eclipse. That makes me feel a little better. Can I stay here again?”

“Of course, you’re welcome here any time you want. I have already added you to the keypad so you can come here whenever you need to.” Eclipse smiles as she sets Anna on the bed.

Anna grabs her hand before she can move. “I want you to sleep with me... cuddling with you just now helped me feel calmer.”

Eclipse hesitates for a moment before slowly nodding, climbing into bed with her, and pulling her close. Her strong arms felt warm and safe, like nothing could touch her.

“Goodnight, princess.” Eclipse whispers in her hair as she slowly falls asleep.