Chapter Text
How did this happen, how did things end up like this? were the questions this girl asked herself while she felt a surge of heat through her body, there was a loud sound echoing dulling the rest of the sounds around, it was a constant accelerated pounding, it took her a while to notice that it was coming from her own chest, while she managed to tune in the functioning of her breathing, it sounded almost as loud as her heartbeat, it was choppy and difficult to control, could it be because of that thick substance something viscous between reddish and black colors that ran through her fingers? Dripping slowly, but that wasn't all, there was something else, a scent in the atmosphere that began to cross his nostrils a bit metallic with a slightly sweet earthy touch.
“Lux...”
She heard her name pronounced, almost like a whisper as if it was far away from her, but it wasn't. She managed to focus her gaze with the person standing in front of her just a meter away, so many times she had heard her say her name but now it was different, there was a different nuance in her tone that she could not finish deciphering, her eyes of beautiful blue color trembled a little without being fixed for a long time in one point, her expression also began to alter, her eyebrows joined together, her lips twisted at the same time, this made her swallow heavily a little bile perhaps, she ended up looking away without words before the inert body between the two.
“Jinx... ”
She could barely find her own voice as it came out through her throat in a faint whisper.
//Two months earlier//
A girl with blue hair tied back by twin long braids stood in front of a huge crowded gate. The grandiose Piltover University, they couldn't even be original with its name, the girl chuckled looking at the huge sign of metallic golden letters anchored on the wall.
But well here she is for another day, having to move from her comfortable cave; for that was how she considered her room, to come to this prison that pretended to be a beautiful interactive place of learning. Three weeks had passed since she entered this school for her taste she still believed it was no big deal, but to her dear sister Vi's thinking she said. “It's as good as it gets for someone with your brilliant brain”, she ended up squirming her eyes silently moaning at the thought of her words, as it's all nonsense it was obviously a lie she just wants to be here in the city near her beloved Cupcake. Blag! A loud smack came out inside his lips trying to repress the feeling, it was bad enough that he would hear Vi talk about her every day now, to have to put up with them together? A shudder ran down his back deciding to banish those thoughts as he picked up his headset resting on his neck and placed it in his ears turning up the volume of his current song even louder, he gave a deep sigh raising his shoulders as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie resigned to take the first step and enter the school.
The corridors were already practically full, everyone was going to their lockers to get their respective books, laughter could be heard from friends who had just met after their weekend, talking excitedly about practices at school or about some movie they had seen over the weekend, among other things. He turned up the volume on his headphones, it was exasperating to hear them talking about such nonsense. She clung tighter to her backpack strap and quickened her pace, as she walked she noticed how most people avoided her and moved as if an invisible bubble surrounded her and pushed everyone who came near. That actually comforted her, she didn't want to have to put up with those people let alone Monday.
As he was reaching his locker he couldn't help but pause for a moment to watch a small group make their way through the crowd commanded in the center by none other than the brilliant Luxanna Crownguard. Little had he learned of this school in just a few days but one would be living under a rock if he didn't know who she was; the most intelligent, applied, educated, polite, kind, athletic, even better haired student for God's sake, studying at that school. And let's not even talk about the weight of her last name, although it is not for nothing that she is “the princess of Piltover” if she has that weight here, put her on the streets and they will also know who she is. She is a brilliant walking beacon, her white complexion, which makes the tone of her blue eyes stand out, her huge wavy blonde hair that reflects the same rays of sunlight and sways gently as she walks as if even the wind itself was afraid to touch it. As the icing on the cake; her perfect, gleaming, innocent smile that was strangely real at least most of the time I could tell it wasn't a fake one like all the inhabitants of Piltover tend to have.
All these thoughts occurred at the moment she didn't notice that he didn't take his gaze away from her, he didn't even blink until they crossed glances and a gesture from her made her finally blink.
Luxanna had waved at her and not only that if it wasn't for the blaring sound of her headphones she could have sworn she even spoke to him by name, but she didn't need to hear it as she could see it clearly on his lips. “Good morning, Jinx.”
This puzzled her for a moment, however before she could react she watched as one of the blonde's friends pulled her in another direction slightly observing his displeased face towards her as they walked away. Coming to her senses she shook her head and headed for her destination.
Lux let out a slight whimper as she was dragged away by her friend Evelynn listening to her talk in her ear.
“Please Lux we know you're nice to everyone but you don't need to tempt with your life wanting to be nice to the new girl.” Murmured her friend seeing that they were already far away from the blonde-haired girl.
“Come on Eve you can't possibly be a believer of those rumors about her, at least I think we should hear her side of the story, I don't see her being a bad person” Lux refuted as she took some books from her locker.
“But what if they are true?” complained her friend Akali scared. “We love you Lux and we care, your kindness could lead you down a bad path, leave it at that, as if you don't have enough friends and followers all over school.” She laughed lightly noticing how many gazes were directed towards them including that of a blond boy who extended a huge smile to her while shaking his hair. “Again Ezreal is lurking around, he's quite self-centered but cute, you should try something there Lux, every princess needs a prince doesn't she?”. He winked at her giving her a little playful nudge.
Lux only replied with a chuckle closing the locker. “Let's get to class before we're late.” She hugged her notebooks walking listening to her friends start talking to each other about cute boys at school and it's not that Lux doesn't like them, there are indeed very attractive, strong and smart but it wasn't something she was looking for. Instead there was something in that girl Jinx that called his attention unfortunately he could not even introduce himself to her, thanks to the rumors was that he knew her name, although by the teachers he knew that her name was actually Powder, but other sources told him that she called herself Jinx, so he could not miss the opportunity today that he passed near her and greet her by that name risking to see her response which was not entirely expected, plus it took him a while to pronounce it. Since they made eye contact his voice got stuck in his throat feeling a tickle in his belly, she did not stop looking at her at all times causing him (hoping it was not noticeable) a blush on her cheeks, her gaze was so intense, those eyes felt her piercing her own soul and those little pink lips looked so cute puckered slightly. But it wasn't anger in his expression it was..... Surprise?, this person seemed to be an enigma and she urgently needed to know her but not by third parties, she wanted to know who Jinx really was.
Jinx yawned counting the seconds and hearing the bell he pulled his backpack with a bang leaving at last his last class, everything had been boring as usual but he let out a small smile feeling his backpack, it was time to do something fun. He scurried to the empty back of the school throwing his backpack down and pulling out a couple of aerosols. “Hello Mr. Wall, you look very white.....” With a crooked grin he began to graffiti.
Meanwhile Lux who managed to get rid of his friendships, walked around taking a breath of air. Someone hadn't paid enough attention in class, all she could think about was blue eyes. No matter how much she thought about it it was going to be very difficult to get to her without someone interfering, not that she cares what people say but no one talks to Jinx or is that what they say always ignoring or insulting anyone who gets too close.
Without thinking he ended up arriving to an empty part of the school, hearing a giggle and perceiving the smell of paint he turned around the corner opening his eyes wide, it was Jinx! Alone! Apparently it was fate, he approached silently but was immediately perceived seeing her jump a little about to run, Lux reached out his hand by inertia managing to stop her by grabbing her wrist. “No! Wait!”.
“And wait for you to turn me in? I don't think so Sun” she tried to let go but his grip was stronger.
“Sun?” ..... I want to say.... Turn you in, well yes it's trespassing but I'm a little unconcerned about it.” He gave a small smile with a shrug, looking at her more closely now, she was smaller than she was and boy was she thin at least what she let on outside of her jacket, noticing now how he still held onto her he quickly let go of her. “I think... That blank wall was already missing something...”.
“ It was just what I said!” Jinx indicated with some excitement although a few seconds later somewhat shocked by his sudden enthusiasm he pretended to cough and clear his throat.
Lux smiled a little finding his change of mood cute” Wow you are good at painting, I like your style. oh by the way, sorry to be rude I'm Luxanna, but you can call me Lux.”
“Of course I know who you are Blondie” She was quiet watching her for a few more seconds ” you.... Do you really think it's good?” she questioned hesitating a bit with her hands hiding them in the pockets of her jacket.
“Of course, drawing in spray paint I think is somewhat difficult and even more so on such a large canvas.” He took another step closer to her, he couldn't believe he was actually talking to Jinx.
To Lux's discontent she heard voices approaching identifying one of them by one of the old school policemen, she turned around for a moment and suddenly heard a rattling sound noticing Jinx put her things away and run off in one swift movement.
“ O...hey!” she grumbled and without thinking ran after her, as someone else yelled from behind her to stop and also ran after them, she settled her backpack following Jinx's route, boy was she fast, she moved too fluidly through the halls. He could notice the route she was tracing however it was a dead end, would she really go there? They would definitely get caught.
Lux tried to speed up the pace and when he saw that they were approaching the wall he had predicted they would end up on, he noticed how Jinx did not stop at all, instead he accelerated and climbed up the wall holding on to the edge and jumping, how the hell did he do that? That wall was at least 4 or 5 meters high, she bit her lip trying to think what to do now, her physical condition and height should be useful for these cases, “come on Luxanna” she encouraged herself running noticing not far from her some stacked boxes which she used as steps and finally giving a jump that allowed her to grab the edge and climb to jump to the other side falling dry one of her feet twisted, she complained hearing screams of other guards that were outside, she started to run again towards the streets dodging some people and suddenly she felt a strong pull, when she was about to react she was practically thrown against the wall bouncing her head. Before she could counterattack she felt a hand on her lips noticing now that she had Jinx on top of her pushing her with his thin body, she was strong despite her appearance and stature, she saw her watching her all the time outside the alley giving her time to see her features better, her small nose covered with ..... Freckles? Now that made her cuter. She heard some heavy footsteps approaching down the street and noticing the policemen chasing them following their way along without turning to the alley, after that she was released finally managing to pull in some much needed air.
“What the hell Blondie?!”
“Me?, what did I do?, it was clear I couldn't stand there, just because I agreed with the painting didn't mean I agreed with being punished” she stuck her head to the wall pulling in another breath of air loosening the tie of her uniform noticing that Jinx actually looked cool as a cucumber, without even a little gasp. After a moment of thinking about what happened something in her made her start laughing.
Jinx caught herself looking at her all at once furrowing her eyebrows and crossing her arms. “What's funny?”
“Well.... All this, I don't know about you but this is my first time doing this and....” He sketched a huge grin. “ And I think it's been a lot of fun.”
Jinx froze at the sight of that smile which caused her cheeks to rise a few shades of pink making her avert her gaze. “Well, I guess you didn't do too bad at all for your first time.... I didn't even think you'd make it over the wall.”
“Yeah, me neither, I definitely couldn't do what you did” she stood up from the wall grimacing she stopped herself returning her body back against the wall noticing the pain in her foot now.
Jinx was shocked by her reaction and walked over to her. “What?, what's the matter blondie?
“As I was saying... I couldn't do what you did, I didn't know how to fall off that wall” Moving her foot a little she looked up meeting Jinx again close to her noticing his worried expression. “You really aren't what everyone says...” She said without thinking out loud.
Jinx looked at her, raising an eyebrow and smiling wryly accompanied with sadness as she shrugged her shoulders a bit. “People will always think and say whatever they want, especially if you're a dumb Pilti” sighing she threw down her backpack and squatted down carefully taking her Lux foot that she had unsupported.
“I guess then it's a good thing I'm not a Pilti?” he smiled a little as he felt some embarrassment watching her on the floor examining her foot. “It's okay, just some ice will do, maybe a painkiller.”
“You're not?” he questioned, moving his foot watching her complain about the sudden movement.
“I..I'm from Demacia, but well I can't deny it's universal human criticism.”
Jinx got up from the floor pulling the backpack “Right, I think I heard that somewhere” he looked at her hesitating for a moment causing her braids to sway behind her. “Well as a good point your foot will live, no need to cut it off” raising his hands sketching an amused smile. “But if you have a sprain and it's already swollen, the doctor's recommendation is not to use force and the ice with pussy doesn't sound bad” she rubbed her neck, now uncomfortable. “Anyway see you around Blondie” she turned to leave but a tug on her wrist made her turn, raising an eyebrow in response. “You do have a problem with not letting people go”.
“Sorry” she laughed throwing up her hands in shock ‘I just thought, well if it was okay with you, we could go for ice cream?’ she smiled slightly tilting her head.
“Stop right there sunshine.... You still want to be with me?, didn't you see everything that happened?, you almost got sanctioned for no reason, you ran away from school security, you hurt your foot and barely didn't die trying, don't you notice a pattern there? You went through all that bad luck in minutes for getting close to me” he pointed at himself suddenly touching his chest ”Jinx, remember? The name is for a reason, believe me”
“Well I think I earned all that myself, you had nothing to do with it” she shrugged her shoulders a little bit sketching a smile on her lips ‘ besides I remind you that I said I had fun’ her gaze lowered playing with a strand of her hair a little nervous ‘of course if you don't want to be with me I'll understand’ doubtful she raised her gaze again to see her a little while some strands of hair fell down her face.
Jinx blinked in puzzlement not understanding what was going on with her “You're the lady princess of Piltover, there's nothing binding you to me, unless this is a damn bad joke” she turned her gaze all around now somewhat annoyed.
“What?, of course not! For god's sake how could I plan something of that magnitude? My foot wouldn't have included it in the plan I swear!” she sighed now somewhat loudly ” and there's no need for that silly title.... I really don't like it” her lips pursed as she arranged her backpack ”just say you don't want to go and that's it, you don't have to....”
“Okay but you'll pay for them since you invited” he interrupted her taking his hands to his head, turning his body sideways directing a subtle glance towards her, he extended his hand without making eye contact ” now ...just give me your backpack, ok? You'll go slower than a turtle with extra weight.”
“I told you it wasn't for both....” She was again interrupted by his hand waving in front of her, twisting her eyes resignedly she took off her backpack handing it to him. “I appreciate it.”
“Yeah yeah whatever” He settled both backpacks starting to walk. “I'll warn you I'm a fan of ice cream so I'll order a really big one.”
Lux laughed following her and watching the girl from behind. “I don't have a problem with it.”
The walk was in silence, Jinx ended up slowing down and walking at Lux's side but her gaze always remained towards the road, instead Lux every certain number of steps watched her curiously thinking about saying something to break the silence, however, it's not like the silence was uncomfortable either, contrary to how she usually has to be making up conversation topics with her groups of friends. Here there was no need, she felt calm and comfortable with that.
Arriving at the ice cream shop Jinx practically ran to the counter looking at the flavors available. The warning was no joke, Jinx ordered a glass of ice cream with 6 scoops of different flavors plus topping it with sprinkles and melted chocolate. Lux ordered something plain with two scoops. Upon receiving their orders they went to sit at a table.
“How can your body eat so much sweet?, don't you end up getting harassed?” asked Lux with intrigue at Jinx's tower of ice cream who had already taken a spoonful and had started devouring.
“That's the secret Blondie, by ordering different flavors. If you get tired of one, you eat another and so you level them out” Jinx replied with a big smile taking another spoonful of her ice cream. “Besides that after running you should always make up for that lost sugar.”
“That's a point, I'm actually very surprised at your condition, no offense, I just hadn't seen you on any team so I didn't think you were athletic”
“You answered yourself, all that involves teams and I don't tolerate people so I don't see the point” she ate another bite thinking before speaking again ‘I have this condition only thanks to my sister, in the neighborhood since we were kids it was the most played thing, climbing the walls jumping from one side to another, it was many years like that, until we had to stop doing it’ her face saddened ‘...but for me it brought back good memories and I always wanted to be as good as her, so I took it up and practiced it until now and obviously it's very useful for these occasions’ her countenance changed again. .but it brought back good memories for me and I always wanted to be as good as her, so I took it up again and practiced it until now and obviously it's very useful for these occasions” her face changed back to her smile and she ate her ice cream again. “I guess thanks to your natural athletic condition is that you didn't break something.”
“I guess I appreciate that” she smiled as she ate and watched Jinx. “and also I guess your sister is older than you?, I have an older brother too, due to school I haven't seen him anymore, but still we were closer before, in fact he was very protective, when I...”
“Look what we have here, always so good our beloved Luxanna, adopting dogs from the street, you should be careful what you pick up Lux, it might hit you something” said Ezreal who stood next to their table along with his group of friends who were laughing.
“And on this side we have a brute that escaped from the zoo, a species that will hopefully become extinct soon” Jinx swept him with his eyes now reluctantly eating his ice cream.
“That's the best you've got?, oh right, your thing isn't words, it's blowing things up isn't it?”
“...Shut your mouth” mumbled Jinx, stopping eating and clenching his spoon.
“Or what?, I'll explode just like your family?...” his laughter and his friends' laughter sounded louder inside the room.
Lux watched as Jinx's whole body tensed up and turned to Ezreal. “That's enough Ez..”
“No Lux” Ezreal spoke again ”it's just that's what happens when you're with Jinx. That's why your only living family member left you, isn't it? I understand her, I wouldn't want to end up the same as the rest of them either” the boys shared a high five praising and laughing at Ezreal's comment.
“Shut the fuck up your mouth!” Jinx shouted standing up abruptly making them back up and stop laughing, her own breathing and body were agitated, she grabbed her backpack and walked past them who removed themselves to avoid all contact with her. She walked out of the ice cream shop and it wasn't until she passed the windows of the ice cream shop that she felt tears running down her cheeks and her body trembling, her legs acted on their own throwing herself into a run through the streets.
“Ezreal that wasn't nice of you” indicated Lux who could barely react to the scene.
“It wasn't to be nice Lux, didn't you see how she reacted?, you are really too good Luxanna, you should realize the people around you which ones are really good for you or do you expect her to really hurt you, she is insane, she exploited her own family, you are very smart Lux, I know you will do the right thing” he took a deep breath indicating to his friends to go sit down. “Do you want to join us?”
“No, actually I have to go home already” he got up from his seat and grabbed his backpack from the seat in front of him. “ Enjoy your ice cream...” Lux walked past Ezreal without daring to look at him, leaving his and Jinx's ice cream abandoned on the table.
The next day Jinx felt terribly more exhausted than usual, she hadn't really wanted to get up to come to school but she didn't want to get in any trouble for being absent either. She rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked into school, she could fall asleep in class and maybe that would help her regain some energy.
Getting through her first two hours of class, it seemed like it wasn't enough to recharge her, she couldn't even get a good night's sleep, the teacher had such a shrill and loud voice that it kept her from falling into a deep sleep, oh but the next class was history and that teacher you could barely hear what he was saying. At last she could get a good night's sleep. Or so she thought as she walked to her other class with her eyes on the floor until she noticed a figure standing in front of her which made her raise her head.
“Powder, I'm glad to find you here, please join me in my office.”
This didn't sound good at all, what could the headmistress want just after the first few hours of class? “Sorry headmistress but I'm heading to my history class now, so yes we can reschedule...”
*“It's not a proposal Jinx, I'll talk to your teacher now please come with me” she moved away indicating with her hand for Jinx to go in front of her.
Jinx had no choice but to walk to the direction room. Upon entering Jinx walked as if it was her home, to the couch and lay down on it climbing one of her legs over the armrest “Ok principal tell me what I'm good for?”
“Powder we have already talked about this, you need to improve your behavior and manners, this is no place for you to be lying on a chair, please sit properly”
Jinx obeyed grumpily crossing her arms. “I don't think you invited me in for a cup of tea, so to what do I owe the pleasure,” he asked.
“Earlier in the day one of my best students reported to me, to inform me of the “ work” you did yesterday with one of the school walls, plus I was told about some officers chasing a student, sound familiar?”
Jinx's body tensed for a few moments, out of anger rather than concern “Work? Pursuit? mmmm no, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, perhaps your ‘best student’ didn't point you right. I'm sorry to have taken up your time and I hope you find the person you are looking for” she started to get up from her seat but was stopped in the act
“Powder take your seat again please” retaining his seriousness and calmness, he waved his hand at the chair ,which Jinx reluctantly sat back down in. “I must admit that you are the person with the most visits to my office in only 3 weeks since you joined. Unfortunately none of those visits have been cause for praise, Ms. Powder, if I have not found myself in the penalty of a major sanction or even having already expelled you it is because I recognize the value you have here” he indicated towards her head with his finger ” there are very few people who enter with a scholarship due to a very high score you obtained in the entrance exam, you are a brilliant person. That is why I sense that you may find many of your classes boring. I assure you that you will find challenges ahead. ....
*Well, I'm getting the hang of it and what's it all leading to?” commented Jinx, starting to get bored and bouncing one of her legs.
“That's not the only reason I'll let her get away with it, she can't go damaging school property. You will have to repair what you did by painting it back to its original color and that...” she was suddenly interrupted by her phone on the desk ‘allow me a moment...’ she picked up the phone. “Yes say...” Her serious countenance slowly faded with astonishment. “I had not been informed about it... I thank you very much for the notice, have a nice day” hanging up the phone he proceeded to approach a microphone that rested on the opposite side of the desk, turning it on made a slight thunder in the sound that echoed through different speakers in the school. “Good afternoon students and teachers, it has been brought to my attention that yesterday a homicide occurred near the school. Due to this, until further notice, for security reasons, the class schedule will be shortened so that you can go home early, preferably accompanied. For the moment that will be all, thank you...” Cutting the call he took a deep breath looking at Jinx. “I'm sorry to put you through this. Just to conclude and given the circumstances you will now proceed to repair the mural hoping you will finish in time to leave with your classmates early.”
“Won't I have to go to class? It's telling.... I'm very sorry to have to skip classes, but what about the other subject, it's really a bomb just to say on a loudspeaker that someone died, I admire the fact that she was straight with everyone but please, Context?” she couldn't help her curiosity leaning towards the principal's desk with a wide smile.
“I would only know to tell you that it was a man, they recently found the body and by the upcoming analysis it was determined as homicide, please be careful and don't put yourself at risk before this, I was informed beforehand due to the proximity, but it is likely to be spread shortly in the media.”
“Now that's having good contacts director” smiling she stood up lifting her backpack ‘quiet no big deal, but I'll be careful’ I bring her hand to her forehead with her fingers together as a salute to a commanding officer. “I'll go paint my painted wall then” she indicated highlighting some quotation marks with her own fingers.
“Thanks, and about that... maybe you should stop putting your monkey face signature too if you don't want to get caught” she made a small smile picking up her phone dialing a number as Jinx walked to the door.
The blue haired girl just laughed looking towards the headmistress. “Please I think that takes the fun out of it” she gave him a wide smile that was short lived as she walked out of the direction crossing only now a more important thought over the rest so.... “Someone“ came gossiping with the principal” her lips pursed as did her eyebrows and eyes. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. They were all the same.
The school had become a chaos and fear among the students and it was to be expected that a body had been found in the streets near the school. Lux had better things to think about, she had not been able to meet Jinx and obviously did not have his number to know if he was okay, after what happened the day before. And with the class schedule cut it was less likely to be able to find her... or was it, as she walked to her class change she saw some blue hair coming out of the direction.
“Jinx!” called Lux as she approached as fast as her still injured foot would allow, managing to catch up with her by stopping in front of her to make her stop ” Hey, hey I...”
“Please Blondie save yourself the trouble, let me guess, you couldn't stop being the perfect girl at school? The blond ape opened your eyes? Whatever it is it was already clear to me and I don't care what you have to say” - he settled his backpack passing pushing his shoulder with hers leaving with long strides.
Lux moved his body trying to catch up with her but it was just the change of classes and the boys passed by cutting her off making her lose sight of her in just a moment.