"I'm going to review the plan over a few more times," Petra exclaimed, patting Jesse on the shoulder before heading to the other side of the table and looking down at the sheets of paper. Jesse nodded and then turned to look as someone else called her name.

"Hey, Jesse." Aiden said, waving and walking up to her. "You okay?"

"Who isn't?" She replied, shrugging. Aiden didn't answer, but leaned on the table next to her.

"I just-I wanted to tell you-" he took a deep breath and sighed. "I wanted to tell you to not beat yourself up."

Jesse blinked.

"What?"

"Don't beat yourself up. Don't throw yourself on the floor and let your problems step on you."

"Aiden, I'm not-"

"Yes, you are. I can see it." He said, concerned. He grabbed her hand and placed it in his. She felt heat rush to her cheeks.

"Don't let your problems take control, Jesse. Like Petra said, things will get better. I mean, yeah, there'll be a heck of a lot of pain, and a whole lot of suffering. But you gotta endure, you have to stand up for yourself. Okay? You can do this."

She looked into his eyes, and then looked away. He let go of her hand and rubbed the back of his head nervously, She thought about his words.

"Thanks Aiden."

"No problem. And when all this is over, I'll buy you some donuts to cheer you up, okay? Just like I promised." He told her, winking.

Jesse rolled her eyes and laughed, which made him laugh too. And it felt so good, to be laughing, to be happy. Unfortunately, this was only temporary.

"See you later, Jess." He said, smiling. "It'll be alright. I swear it."

She watched as he walked away, praying that he was right.

************************

"What are you going to use to destroy the heart?" Petra finally asked, right after Aiden left. Jesse looked at her and thought for a moment.

"My diamond sword." She replied, taking it out and showing it to her. "I'm pretty sure it will work, it's our best shot after all. We don't have any materials to enchant."

Petra put a hand on her chin and nodded.

"I have faith, especially in you-"

"Jesse, we need to talk."

She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. She ignored Lukas and continued talking to Petra.

"Thanks Petra, I don't know what I'd do without you."

The redhead gave her a look saying 'talk to him.' She nodded a little, gesturing to Lukas. Jesse returned that look with 'no.'

"Jesse, you can't just keep ignoring me like this. We have to talk, one way of the other." Lukas stood in between them, trying to catch her eye but failing as she looked away.

She had been avoiding him ever since he'd returned, whether it was talking to him, or even looking at him. She didn't even call him by his name anymore, just 'blonde guy,' which she got from Ivor, or something else.

"Petra, would you mind telling mister persistent here that if he wants to talk, tell him to look in a mirror."

The redhead was about to speak when Lukas spoke up.

"Come on, this is ridiculous! You're acting-!"

Jesse burst into rage and turned to finally look at him in the eye. Burning green stared into shattered blue. He flinched under her gaze and froze, no words leaving his mouth.

"Finish that sentence, blonde guy. Come on, I dare you." She threatened, voice full of contained fury.

He hesitated, and then opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"That's what I thought." She snapped, and then turned on her heel to her room.

Welp I haven't updated here in while. This one is for @ajj221 :D

To you and everyone reading, thanks for the support and patience!