Star-crossed Rivals

LEANNA’S POV “Yes father.” “Yes father.” “Yes father.” I repeated at intervals as I stood, faced down with hands behind my back in the ridiculously large study my father built for his equally ridiculous amount of books. My gaze studied the intricate patterns on the carpet I stood on. Something I had come to enjoy as I found myself in this situation more often than I’d like to admit. I had zoned out of whatever conversation my father might have thought we were having as I awaited his dismissal. While throwing my replies randomly. “Did you hear what I said?” his tone felt sharper as he remarked. Still with my head bowed, I replied, “Yes father. I won’t make the same mistake next time.” The room grew silent as as extremely palpable tension “You may leave Leanna,” his cold voice rang out with thick disdain. I raised my gaze up to meet his, searching for any hint of familiarity. But I quickly averted my gaze as I came up short once again. His gaze held nothing but indifference as he stared at me from his high-table. A hint of mirth flashed across my gaze as I shook my head softly. “Thank you father,” I said with a bow, before turning on my heels to leave. The sound of my feet on the wooden floors not covered by the elegant carpets created large echoes that resounded across the room. It was something I knew irked my father so it served to add a little spring to my step as I enjoyed doing it. My joy was cut short as I stepped out of his study. “Another bashing?” I didn’t bother turning to face the voice as I walked in the direction of my room. “What else would it be? Don’t tell me you thought he wanted to give me the keys to his prized possessions or something,” I said with a low chuckle as I maintained my pace. “But that’s not fair! You’re the best shot here. He can’t reprimand you just because you missed a single shot out of a hundred.” I paused in my steps as I turned to face the voice. My gaze softened as I took in her short brown hair that was cut into a bob. Her green eyes tha glistened with ferocity. Only further emboldened by the light scar that cus across her right brow. I stepped closer to her as I cupped her face in my hands. It was easy as I towered over her with a significant difference. “I’ve given up on trying to please him Robin,” I said softly. Her lips parted as she tried to do what she always did. Convince me otherwise. I shook my head softly, causing her to settle down, albeit with a bit of difficulty. “My job is to lead the Garcia family to greatness after he steps down. His approval or not doesn’t make any difference to me,” I let out indifferently, before dropping my hands back to my side. I turned as I continued to move towards my room with increasingly hurried steps, leaving Robin to digest my words. I stepped into my room, slamming the door behind me as I let my back rest against the cold wood. I crumpled to the ground, biting my lips as tears streamed down my face. I drew my knees closer to my chest, burying my face in between them as I let out muffled sobs. “Mom I miss you,” I whispered in between sobs as I raised my head to stare at the portrait that hung over my bed. The bright smile that dotted my lips then, with my teeth inlaid by braces, was the last time I remembered being truly happy. And now, it is gone. Knock knock I jerked from the ground as I bounced to my feet in a flurry. Slipping my hands into my pocket as I fished out a portable mirror. With expert movements, I cleaned away every trace of tears that might have marked my face. I had never shown weakness, and I wasn’t about to start now. The knock on the door resounded once again, forcing me to cut my preparations short as I let out, “Come in.” “Leanna?” Robin’s sharp voice rang out as the large double doors were pushed open. My tense nerves calmed slightly as I let out, “Oh, it’s you.” I said with more relief than I had intended as I walked towards my bed, with Robin trailing behind me as usual. I plopped down on the bed, eyes closed as I laid on my back with my feet still planted on the ground. I felt a shift as Robin mimicked my actions. We laid in silence as I opened my eyes to trail the starlike ceiling that decorated my room. The purple and black hues populated the entirety. My ever favorite combination. “Admiring the ceiling again?” Robin asked softly, with her head resting lightly on my shoulder. “You know me too well,” I replied softly, as I had grown up to enjoy the beauty of the world around me. There was nothing bright about my life, hence I had taken it upon myself to add that color. “We’ve been together since we could walk. I know you better than I know myself,” Robin chuckled as she moved closer towards me. Her arms wrapped around me as we enjoyed the other’s warmth. “And I know you better than I know myself,” I said with a smile as I turned to face her. A small smile bloomed on her face, elevating my mood somewhat. “I don’t know how I would survive without you,” I said softly, my eyes glistening as I stroked her hair. Her eyelids fluttered as a satisfied smile tugged at her lips. “What are best friends for,” she said with a bright smile, before it dimmed somewhat. “What’s wrong?” I asked, a frown tugging at my lips as I pulled away. Stifling the shudder from the loss of her warmth. A hesitant expression surfaced on her features, before she let out a soft sigh as she went on to say, “It’s Terrian. He keeps bragging about how he’ll make you his wife soon.” I watched as she bit her lip, turning her gaze away as she finished her statement. My eyes blazed, cheeks burning as I stood up abruptly. “Where’s the bastard?” I growled, pulling Robin with me as I didn’t want to waste another minute before burying my fist in the jerk’s face.