When the four had arrived Pyrrha had gone to call her parents to tell them she would spending some time with Neo before coming home. Unfortunately leaving Neo with her mothers who kept sending her knowing looks and mischievous eyes.
"Please stop." Neo said
"Stop what sweetie?" Asked Terra innocently
"You both know what!" Typed Neo
"No, I'm afraid we don't. Do you know Terra?" Saphron said, looking to her wife feigning ignorance
"I'm afraid I don't." Replied Terra, Neo feeling her eye beginning to twitch.
"Remind me again, who are the adults here? Because it feels like just me right now." Neo stated, both women finally stopping with their looks but still smiling
"Alright, alright we'll stop. We're just happy for you Neo." Saphron said, Terra nodding in agreement
Just then Pyrrha came back over.
"I just talked with my mother, she said it would be fine if Neo and I spent some time together as long as I'm not out too late." Said Pyrrha smiling, glad she gets to spend some time with her friend
"That's great Pyrrha. Well we'll leave you two to it. Be safe and don't stay out too late , Neo." Terra said
"And have fun, but not too much fun!" Said Saphron smirking at Neo's blush before she and her wife left to head home
"What did she mean by that?" Pyrrha asked looking at Neo
"Nothing! She meant nothing, now let's go. I planned out what we can do." Said Neo grabbing Pyrrha's hand and leaving the train terminal
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Neo couldn't stop smiling as she walked next to Pyrrha.
Once they had left the terminal, the girls had gone to see a movie, afterwards they went to a nice diner to get some dinner. Now they were enjoying a nice stroll through the park simply enjoying each other's company. While it might not be the most luxurious of dates, but for Neo it was perfect.
"This was fun Neo. I'm glad we did this." Said Pyrrha when they reached the center of the park, the same spot where they first met
"Me too. I like spending time with you Pyrrha." Neo replied
"Well I should be getting home before my parents start worrying. See you tomorrow Neo." Said Pyrrha preparing to leave
Neo however froze up at her words, she's leaving now. But she couldn't, not yet! She still had to tell her how she felt while she still had the courage. Seeing Pyrrha turning to leave Neo didn't even think before she grabbed Pyrrha's arm stopping her from leaving.
Confused by this Pyrrha turned to ask what's wrong, only to be met by Neo pressing her lips against her own. This, of course, shocked Pyrrha that her best friend was kissing her, however before Pyrrha could really register the kiss Neo pulled back.
"I'm really sorry! It's just you were about to leave and I didn't want you to yet, because I wanted to tell you I really, really like you for a long time, and I really hope you like me too!" Neo typed with look that was equal parts nervous of her response, mortified at her own action, and hopeful
Pyrrha looked between the message and Neo processing this.
"Neo, I'm flattered really. But I'm not sure if I feel the same or if I like girls that way. It's just really sudden and everything, I think it best if we just stay friends." Pyrrha said apologetically
She was flattered, but it was still sudden for Pyrrha and she'd need to sort out her own feelings, and maybe yet in a few years, before she decided if she liked Neo that way. She only hoped Neo could understand that.
Neo though felt both her world and heart shatter like one of her illusions. She had been prepared for a rejection, even expected it, but that didn't mean it hurt any less.
"O-oh, I see. Yeah that's, that's fine we can stay friends. I'll just… go now, sorry for the kiss." Said Neo
"Wait Neo—" Pyrrha said reaching out to touch her but Neo's form immediately shattered like glass showing it was just an illusion
Pyrrha watched in sadness as the remnant of the illusion faded away. With no other choice Pyrrha began walking home, while hoping she didn't just lose her only friend.
The real Neo meanwhile had immediately run home, leaving behind an illusion in her place. Reaching the front door Neo went inside, locking the door behind her, seeing her mother's still up having waited for her return.
"Hey you're back! Tell us how did it go?" Saphron asked eagerly
Ignoring both of them Neo slowly went up the steps, her parents only catching a glimpse of her downtrodden expression and tears glistening in her eyes. This obviously worried them both as they instantly went upstairs to check on their daughter but when they reached her door Neo had already gone in and locked the door.
"Neo. Is everything alright?" Terra asked knocking on the door lightly
"Did the date not go well, did something happen? Neo, please talk to us." Said Saphron
Neo ignored what they were saying from her spot curled up on her bed, while she finally let her tears fall freely. Closing her eyes Neo went to sleep, wanting to forget today ever happened.
However even when asleep Neo was plagued by images of herself being chased, attacked, and insulted. When it was over Neo desperately tried to call out for help, but no one ever came.
She was alone.
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Neo had a solemn look on her face as she packed her bag.
Three months have passed since her failed confession to Pyrrha and things have just gone downhill from there.
Now whenever they hung out, which was less and less nowadays, it was awkward and tense, neither of them knowing what to say or talk about, mostly just sparring or working on their weapons then parting ways. It got worse as nearly two weeks ago Pyrrha stopped showing up to their meeting spot, this saddened Neo as she believed the redhead no longer wanted to be friends with her.
Her mothers didn't help the matter, both trying to get her to talk about it. But Neo didn't want to talk about it and simply ignored their attempts to get her to open up. Neo didn't want to brush her mother's off like that, but Pyrrha's rejection combined with her no longer wanting to see Neo, was making the ice cream girl more than a little irritable.
It didn't help everytime Neo closed her eyes she was assaulted by those same images of herself being chased, attacked, insulted, and left alone. She wasn't sure if it was some long forgotten memories or just her mind playing tricks on her, and honestly Neo didn't care.
This led to Neo making a difficult decision.
She was leaving.
It wasn't an easy decision to make, mostly because she didn't want to worry her moms or hurt them, but Neo couldn't stay in Argus, not while everywhere she goes she's reminded of her.
Plus she hoped some time away would help the nightmares go away.
Finishing packing Neo grabbed her bag and the one thing she wouldn't put away, her weapon. It wasn't the most intimidating weapon, given it was an umbrella with pink, white, and brown lace used to make the canopy. But that's exactly why Neo picked an umbrella as her weapon, as it made opponents more likely to underestimate her.
She could use it as a melee weapon, a shield when opened as when she made it she infused Dust into it to increase its strength and resistance, and there was a thin sword hidden in the handle that could also emerge from the top.
Neo was rather proud of her weapon, the only thing she hasn't done is name it, not having thought of a name for it. She'll think of a name at a later time.
Finishing packing Neo next wrote a letter to her moms explaining why she was leaving, along with asking that they not look for her.
Now finished Neo looked around her room for what would likely be the last time in a long while, before exiting it and leaving her home.
Her mother was at work and her mom was out shopping, so Neo will have a good head start and she has plenty of Lien and supplies to last until she gets out of Mistral.
I love you and I'll see you soon. Neo thought giving her home one last look before departing to the terminal
She didn't say goodbye, she hated goodbyes.