Chapter Nine
THE TRUTH OF HER

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Everyone has their own place of solace-the one refuge they retreat to when the weight of the world becomes too much to bear.

For Drusilla, that place was Nyx.

Nyx wasn't just a companion; she was her anchor, her confidant, her steadfast soulmate. The bond they shared was unshakable, built on years of unspoken understanding. Whenever life felt like it was spiraling out of control, Nyx was the one constant she could rely on.

Thankfully, Shiz had allowed the Tigelaar siblings to bring their animal companions to campus. And as Drusilla found herself slipping away from the chaos of the week, she knew there was no place she'd rather be than with Nyx. She was her safe haven, her reminder that she wasn't completely alone, no matter how isolated she felt.

The sun was barely up when she slipped into the stables, her boots crunching softly on the hay-strewn floor. The familiar scent of leather and fresh straw surrounded her, soothing in its familiarity. Nyx lifted her head the moment she appeared, her dark, velvety eyes brightening as she nickered softly in greeting.

"Morning."

"Morning, Nyx," Drusilla murmured, her voice trembling as she stepped into the stall. She pressed her forehead against Nyx's warm neck, inhaling deeply as her fingers curled into her mane. "I missed you."

The week had been unbearable. Drusilla had managed to avoid Galinda for the most part, but it had been far harder than she anticipated. Everywhere she went, Galinda seemed to appear-her laughter echoing down the hallways, her golden curls catching the light like a beacon Drusilla couldn't help but notice.

And more often than not, Galinda was on the arm of Fiyero.

Drusilla's chest tightened at the memory of her brother's easy charm, the way Galinda would giggle and lean into him, her eyes shining with a warmth Drusilla had once thought might be meant for her. Watching them together was agony. It was like a cruel reminder of what she could never have-what she had convinced herself she didn't deserve.

She buried her face deeper into Nyx's neck, her tears slipping silently into her dark coat. "It's so stupid," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her frustration. "I don't even know why I care so much. She's just-she's just Galinda. She's nothing to me."

But even as the words left her mouth, she knew they were a lie.

Nyx nuzzled her shoulder gently, her breath warm against her cheek, as if to comfort her. Drusilla closed her eyes, letting the steady rhythm of her breathing calm the storm inside her. She didn't judge her, didn't expect anything from her. She was simply there, a quiet presence that asked for nothing in return.

"We both know that's not true," Nyx declared, letting out a puff of air.

"She prefers him," Drusilla whispered, the admission cutting deeper than she'd expected. "Of course she does. Why wouldn't she? He's Fiyero-charming, perfect Fiyero. And I'm... just me."

Her hands tightened on Nyx's mane as a fresh wave of emotion washed over her. It wasn't just jealousy that burned in her chest-it was something far more complicated. It was the memory of that almost-kiss, the way Galinda had looked at her, as if maybe-just maybe-she felt the same pull.

But Drusilla had pulled away. And now she was left with the haunting what-ifs and the sight of Galinda smiling up at her brother like he was the only one who mattered.

"I shouldn't feel like this," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the soft rustle of hay. "I shouldn't want something I can't have. It's not fair to her. It's not fair to anyone."

"Don't say that," Nyx whinnied softly, her head nudging her shoulder as if in quiet disagreement. Drusilla let out a shaky laugh, brushing the tears from her cheeks as she stepped back to look at Nyx.

"You're the only one who gets me," she said, her lips curving into a small, bittersweet smile. "At least I've got you, huh?"

"Always," Nyx bobbed her head, and for a moment, the weight on Drusilla's chest lightened.

She wasn't sure how she was going to get through the rest of the week, let alone the semester, but at least here, in the quiet sanctuary of the stables, she could pretend the world outside didn't exist.

"Drusilla?"

The familiar voice pierced through the quiet of the stables, and Drusilla froze. Her breath caught as she recognized it immediately. Slowly, she pushed herself up from where she'd been sitting, brushing bits of hay from her skirt and sleeves, though her hands trembled slightly.

Turning toward the entrance, she saw her. Galinda stood there, framed by the soft morning light streaming through the stable doors. Her pristine uniform was immaculate, as always, her curls bouncing lightly with the slightest movement.

Drusilla's heart clenched. She hadn't prepared herself for this.

"What are you doing here?" Drusilla asked, her tone brisk, her jaw tightening in defense. She folded her arms across her chest, though the stance felt more like armor than anything else.

Galinda hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. "Fiyero said you might be here. We couldn't find you earlier this morning, and I thought-" She paused, her expression softening as she took a tentative step forward. "I thought I'd check on you."

Drusilla let out a quiet, bitter laugh, her lips twisting in a grimace.

"Of course he did." She shook her head, her voice low and edged with frustration. "It's so like him, isn't it? Always meddling."

She turned away, unable to meet Galinda's gaze any longer. Instead, she busied herself with brushing her hand down Nyx's mane, her fingers tangling briefly in the horse's hair. The familiar feel of her companion grounded her, even as her heart raced from Galinda's presence. Nyx shifted slightly under her touch, sensing her unease.

Galinda didn't move, her hands now clasped in front of her as she stood awkwardly in the doorway. "He was just worried about you," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of hesitance. "We both were."

Drusilla's head snapped up at that, her eyes narrowing. "We both were?" she echoed, her tone sharp. "Funny, I didn't realize you cared so much."

The words came out harsher than she intended, but Drusilla didn't take them back. She couldn't. She didn't know how to handle the storm of emotions bubbling inside her-anger, hurt, longing. All of it tangled together in a mess she didn't have the energy to untangle.

Galinda flinched at the sharpness of her words but didn't back away. Instead, she took another step forward, her expression tinged with something Drusilla couldn't quite place-hurt, maybe, or something softer.

"Of course I care," Galinda said, her voice quieter now but steady. "I thought you knew that."

Drusilla's grip on Nyx's mane tightened. She kept her gaze firmly on the horse, unable to meet Galinda's eyes. "You shouldn't," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You shouldn't care, not about me."

"Why not?" Galinda asked, the question hanging in the air like a challenge.

Drusilla didn't answer right away. She couldn't. Instead, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead gently against Nyx's neck, willing herself to stay calm. Her emotions felt like a tidal wave, threatening to pull her under.

She could feel Galinda's presence behind her, so close and yet so far.

After a long moment, Drusilla finally spoke, her voice low and trembling with the weight of her words. "Because it's easier that way."

"Easier for who?" Galinda's voice cracked slightly, and Drusilla could hear the hurt in her tone.

Drusilla swallowed hard, her throat tight. "For everyone."

Silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating. Drusilla's heart pounded in her chest, the air between them charged with everything unsaid. Nyx nickered softly, the sound breaking the stillness, but it didn't ease the tension.

Finally, Galinda let out a soft sigh. "I don't believe that," she said, her voice barely audible.

Drusilla didn't respond. She couldn't bring herself to turn around, to face the emotion she knew would be written all over Galinda's face. Instead, she stayed where she was, her forehead resting against Nyx, her eyes squeezed shut.

And Galinda, though her heart ached, didn't push any further. For once, she didn't press or demand answers. She just stood there, waiting, hoping Drusilla would let her in.

But when no more words came, she let the silence speak for them both.

Drusilla's voice broke the silence, soft but carrying an unsteady weight. "That night you came to my room... before our night at the Ozdust. What were you thinking?"

Galinda blinked, startled by the question, her nerves bubbling to the surface as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her hands instinctively found the hem of her dress-a frilly pink one with intricate lace that Drusilla had always secretly adored. It was the same dress Galinda always wore when she wanted to be noticed, and the sight of it only deepened the knot in Drusilla's chest. Galinda twisted the fabric nervously, refusing to meet her gaze.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Drusilla straightened, summoning a steadiness that belied the vulnerability in her words. "Did you really want me to come with you that night?"

Her voice faltered, but she pressed on, determined to let the question breathe. "Or... were you just using me to get closer to my brother?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and unforgiving, cutting through the tension like a blade. Drusilla finally lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Galinda. She wasn't accusatory-there was no anger in her tone, no malice in her expression.

Just quiet pain, raw and unguarded, like an open wound exposed to the cold air.

Galinda froze, her hands stilling against the fabric of her dress as the words sank in. Her face paled, her lips parting slightly, but no response came. She blinked once, then twice, clearly grappling for an answer that didn't exist. The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the faint rustling of hay and the quiet snuffling of Nyx in the background.

Drusilla's chest tightened, the lack of a response twisting her gut.

Part of her wanted to look away, to let Galinda off the hook and avoid the truth that was threatening to break her. But she held her ground, forcing herself to meet Galinda's gaze as if the answer she so desperately sought could be found in her wide blue eyes.

Galinda finally exhaled, a shaky breath that seemed to carry the weight of her uncertainty. "Dru, I..." She faltered, her fingers curling around the hem of her dress again, wringing it as if it could give her strength. "I asked you because I wanted to spend time with you. I-I needed to spend time with you."

Drusilla's heart leapt and then sank, her stomach twisting painfully at the confession. "But was it really me you wanted?" Her voice was quieter now, but her words carried the same weight, fragile yet firm.

Galinda's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression softening with something that looked like regret-or maybe guilt. She took a tentative step forward, her hands trembling at her sides.

"It was you, Drusilla," she whispered, her voice cracking. "It's always been you."

Drusilla's breath caught, but the sting of doubt remained, echoing the conversation she'd had with her brother only days ago. The words Fiyero had spoken-words she hadn't wanted to believe but couldn't forget-rang in her ears, louder now than ever.

"You're saying that now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But how can I know it's not just... convenience? That it's not just because Fiyero isn't here right now?"

Galinda flinched as if the words physically struck her, her face crumpling with something Drusilla couldn't quite decipher.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though Galinda might fight back, might say something to chase away Drusilla's fears. But instead, she dropped her gaze, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly.

The silence that followed was deafening, filling the space between them with unspoken truths and unshed tears.

Drusilla shook her head slowly, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like a boulder. "I can't do this, Galinda," she whispered, the words trembling on her lips. "I can't be your second choice."

Without another word, she turned and stepped back toward Nyx, her hand brushing against the mare's mane as she sought some form of grounding. Her chest ached, and her throat burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall.

Not now.

Behind her, Galinda stood frozen, her hands still clutching the fabric of her dress as if it could hold her together. Her lips parted as though she wanted to call out, to stop Drusilla from leaving, but no sound came.

The words she wanted to say were stuck somewhere deep inside, tangled in the fear they both shared but couldn't admit.

For a moment, Galinda considered reaching out-closing the distance and forcing Drusilla to see the truth in her eyes. But the fear of rejection, of saying too much and ruining everything, kept her rooted in place.

So she simply watched as Drusilla pulled farther away, her heart sinking as the girl she so desperately wanted slipped through her fingers.

CHAPTER NINE... 🫢

this chapter is a little shorter than i preferred but some stuff happened... also i am SO SO SO sorry for taking so long to update this story! BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the love on it so far. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! 🫶 the girls are going through a hard time but i PROMISE... things will get better (don't listen to me...)