She is Louise

And then she saw it. Niels was there, too. He would kill her. He's a warrior. This is the end of it.

"Hey, come on, maybe it's not what you think it is. Appearances are deceiving at times. Sit down and observe," my heart spoke.

"Why not, though? I believe Niels is a good boy until I can be convinced otherwise," Louise agreed and sat down on a small rock nearby. The commander who was giving orders to the boys couldn't see her – unless he looked closely, of course. But he was busy. No one paid any attention to Louise – there was no telling what kind of people one might meet in this world.

The boys weren't even firing guns. They were doing all sorts of silly things – running in place, yelling, doing push-ups and squats. "What on earth is this? Definitely not a real war," the girl reassured herself.

She herself didn't know how much time she'd spent in the Glade. Maybe an hour. Or more. The sun had not yet reached its zenith, but soon Louise felt an unpleasant pain – the stone was hard after all, and did not suggest cushions for comfortable observation. What to do? Sit in a different pose? Go home? Go up to the commander and ask how much longer they would be here? The girl still didn't feel any danger and made sure no one was going to kill her. "That's fine".

"Meet me tomorrow at your luxurious cottage. I'll be there as soon as I wake up," Niels heard a gentle whisper in her ear. He had long ago noticed a girl sitting on a rock in the distance, but he didn't show it – if only because he wasn't sure if it was the right girl.

Roxy was determined. On that Saturday afternoon, when Niels had gone on duty and his classmates could get at least a little sleep, the three friends were cozying up on a couch in the cafе. But, of course, they were not writing a biology report, they were writing an official-looking letter. It was addressed to the Minister. Not just of the City, but of the whole country. They're going to make it. Roxy will be a ruler. Consul, Minister or President. She hasn't decided yet. Besides, Edol's heart wouldn't be free forever. Even though he was weak, Roxy wanted to be close to him. Maybe she didn't want to give him to anyone else. Or maybe she just felt a strong need to love – like eating, drinking, and sleeping. Natural.

Louise applied the green stuff to some particularly large and very sore pimples. Now it was as if she'd caught chicken pox.

It's a good thing Niels didn't see her like that. Or if he did, he didn't see her. How did they see each other and fall in love? For no particular reason. Not for beauty, wit or style, but as a human being. Not everyone can do that. However, for Louise it was just a wonderful adventure, but Niels will also have to divide his life between two worlds – Louise's and the military one. The good and the warring. The wonderful and the ordinary.

The residential complex "Chascha" was located in a stone's throw from the embankment – the river was visible from the windows. The two of them lived on the twentieth floor. He was at work, and Elizabeth stayed home to deal with the paperwork. At the beginning of five she took her purse-shopper out of her dresser and ran to the store to buy some milk and bread. There was no need for anything else – they both didn't like to eat much and often. On the way to the elevator, Elizabeth looked in the mailbox as a matter of habit.

Chapter Seven

Evie didn't know how to tell Niels. Whatever she wanted. Whatever she needed to say. There are millions of teenage couples out there who do nothing more than spend all their evenings in cinemas or fast food restaurants. Well, they might kiss each other when they meet to tease their classmates, especially the smart girls in the front of the class. Evie hadn't even decided what she really wanted: dating, kissing, or twirling around at the prom?

Niels was a redhead and rather odd. Sometimes moody, sometimes mysterious. But he looked so cool. Perfect.

"If Roxy becomes High Minister, Thea and I will be her princesses. And I have to have a prince! Of course, Roxy will be together with Edol – as king and queen. But I won't be left out, either," Evie decided to herself.

"In general, I'm always in the shadows. But it's for the best – I don't go for leading roles. We're so different. But when I start dating, everyone will be jealous. That someone needs me. I'll never be lonely…"

– Already back? " Galya asked Louise in surprise as she untied the strap on her sandals. "It would be good to buy sneakers".

– Yes. I was hungry," the girl replied.

– I put some lentil patties in the oven. But I know that's not the only reason.

– Everything has gone wrong. Niels is a military man. He knows my face. The pimple face. He won't kill me? " Louise asked with a note of fear in her voice.

– Are you serious? Where did you see him? " wondered the old woman.

– At the Glade. A whole troop of soldiers came there.

– Really? That can't be true! And what were they doing there?

– Well. running, doing push-ups, drinking something out of tin cans.

– Hmm, weird. Didn't they have any weapons? Swords or guns?

– Nothing.

– Then you shouldn't worry. They wouldn't kill anyone even if they wanted to. I think they're just practicing. Learning.

– But why here? Who invited them to our world? Niels?

– Do you miss him?

– What?

– The spark was real. Like all Butterflies, future or present. Your mom had it too.

– Did what?" the girl didn't understand. Galya almost never told details about her parents. The girl only knew that she would have wings. Because that's the way it's supposed to be.

– Whether you like it or not, your souls were linked at that moment. For eternity," Galya began to explain, but Louise had to interrupt her, as she usually did:

– You mean the moment we met?

– Yeah, that's what I mean. You looked into each other's eyes, didn't you?

– We did, Galya. So bottomless, but empty. And clear, like crystal. No, not empty, not empty at all!

– You're a Butterfly, Louise. And the love of a Butterfly is not an easy thing. It's the second time in my life, though it's been a long time. What a miracle!

– Are you saying Butterflies can't love human boys? Where would they find someone to love?

– Nowhere, dear. I used to be a butterfly myself. And I live alone. As you can see, I still do," Galina said, probably trying to emphasize a certain sense of pride.

– Alone? But, Galya, you are not alone. To be more precise, you… we live together!

– You realize that I'm talking about something another, " said Galya slyly.

– W… well, yes, okay. So what about the Butterflies? What will happen to me?

– I'm not forbidding you to love, Louise. The heart can't forbid it. And I don't want you to suffer. At least not for the next six years.

– What will happen in six years? " Louise asked insistently. She hadn't even gotten off the hallway rug yet.

– You're not ready for this conversation yet, baby. Grow up a little more, please.

– But I'm a teenager now! How…" she objected.

– I don't disagree that your body is changing. But please, talk to your mind. Make it serious.

– You said that at eighteen I would become a butterfly. I'll fly and do a little magic. Eat nectar. Travel the skies. Isn't that all?

– No, that's not all.

– Will I get wings on my birthday?

– What? " Galya was surprised by this change of subject.