Your Sweet Heart | Issue #7

"Well, That Escalated Quickly"

Cassandra knocks on Belly’s bedroom door, hoping for him to open up.

“Bellyyyy, come out of your room already! I went out and bought cake, it’s your favorite! None of that ‘gluten free’ crap! Hahaha!”

“I’m sorry, Cassandra, but I don’t deserve to eat cake. All of that time you wasted training me, I’m really sorry it was all for nothing.”

“Bellyyy…” But, it wasn’t for nothing. You gave me a place for me to call home. So please…

Cassandra sits against Belly’s bedroom door, “Just come out of your room already… You depressing bug…”

It’s been about a week since the entrance exams. Rumors about Belly saving the day began to spread throughout the City of Heavenly like wildwire. These rumors, however, consisted of lies to put down his achievements. To completely drag his name across the mud.

On the day of the Entrance Exam, as Cely holds Belly’s hands while jumping up and down like a little school girl, participants began to cheer and rejoice over Belly saving them all. Belly for the first time in his life felt what is was like to have so many people clap for him. It truly was an overwhelming moment for him. His weak little heart was truly filled with joy.

But then, one degenerate who did absolutely nothing during the exam stepped forward from the crowd with a smug look on his face, ready to say what’s on his mind. He began flapping his fish lips, completely ruining the moment and taking the spotlight away from Belly.

“Maaaan, are you guys seriously happy about this guy CHEATING??? You bunch of normies!! All of you should just give up on becoming knights if you’re this dumb!!”

Belly, unable to speak in front of such a large crowd, can only whisper, “I- I didn’t cheat.”

A tough guy from the crowd aggressively asks the degenerate, “Wha- What the hell did ya just say, punk???” Another participant adds on, “You want everyone here to kick your ass or something??”

The Flappy Bird looking mother fucker continues his infamous speech, “Hey! Hey! Woah! Chilllll!! All I’m saying is that- don’t you think it’s funny how this kid only got as powerful as he did while he was carrying around that LEGENDARY SWORD, Shooting Star, in his hand???”

People in the crowd start whispering to one another, as they began to take the degenerate’s words into consideration. Belly, and even Cely, start to panic.

The degenerate realizes these facts, and resumes, “And remember how he turned back to normal literally right after he threw Shooting Star at the weak, puny dragon?? That can only mean he must’ve somehow been getting power from the sword itself the whole time!! He played us all like a fool!!! And may I remind you just who this kid is?? He’s the useless younger brother of the Legendary Knight, Big Bad Wolf!! Do you seriously expect someone as pathetic as HIM to hold that amount of power??”

Another participant in the crows tries to defend Belly, “He- Hey!! Shut up already!! That isn’t… that can’t be true!...”

“Ooooohhh, but it is!”

Belly doesn’t know what to do, he’s too scared to say anything as he looks around at everyone second-guessing his actions. But then Cely steps forward for Belly.

“Sto- Stop it, already, you’re being really mean. B- Belly used his own power so he could protect us all from the fake bandits. He- He even saved me from the giant dragon.”

The degenerate retorts Cely’s praise for Belly, “Are you that stupid?? Look everyone, he even used this girl to show off how much of a hero he is!! Just like me, he figured out that this was all just illusion magic all along, but he took full advantage of it to make sure that NONE of us stood a chance to be accepted into the academy!!!”

Everyone around began to murmur, looks of resentment and anger grew on their faces. The warmth in Belly’s heart was replaced with a void of emptiness and sorrow. And because of all the sad emotions swirling around inside Belly, the ball of light began to dim down more than ever.

Belly tries his best to speak, but he can only manage to whisper, “P- Please, stop it… I- I didn’t cheat… I’m a- I’m a c- completely different person from my brother.”

The degenerate notices Belly’s unsureness, and prepares to drill the final nail in the coffin.

“HEEEEHHHHH???? What was that, Belly??? If you think I’m SO wrong, then why don’t you show us that power of yours again??? Should be easy for the YOUNGER BROTHER of BIG BAD WOLF, riiiiiiight?”

People in the crowd start to agree and side with the degenerate.

Cely tries to stand up for Belly once more, but it’s to no avail at this point, “Le- Leave him alone. Using his power made him pass out just a moment ago.”

“I’m sorry, girl, but I want Belly to answer!! So Belly, can you please prove to everyone here that you’re not a cheater by showing us your power??”

Belly starts to feel nauseous from all the pressure. He can’t think straight, and a few seconds pass before he can finally answer,

“I- I’m sorry. But I can’t. I don’t know how.”

The entire crowd gasps at the sound of Belly’s words.

“Whaaaat??? You saying you CAN’T???” He turns to the crowd, “So I guess I was right ladies and gentlemen!! Belly did in fact CHEAT!! Wooowwww, and odds are HE’LL be the ONLY one to be accepted into Arpie High!! How selfish of him to hog alllll the glory. Cheaters like you make me SICK!!! BOOOOOOOO!!!! SCREW YOU, BELLY!!!! WAHAHAHAHA!!!!!”

And at this point, the entire crowd follows the degenerate’s lead. Except for Joshua, though, who only walks away.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!”

“You seriously suck!!!”

“I can’t believe you would do such a thing!!!”

“You selfish jerk, I hate you!!!”

“Go home and cry, you disgrace!!!”

“You don’t deserve to carry that sword!!!!”

“He doesn’t even look strong to begin with!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!”

******HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!*******

“You will never EVER be like your brother!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Belly, on the brink of tears, turns around and runs away, leaving Shooting Star behind.

Cely didn’t know what to do. She was scared. Her timid nature, and the fact that everyone was hating on Belly made her feel weak and out of line to say anything. All she could do was go and pick up Shooting Star for him and hope that Belly will be okay on his own. Somehow.

The sun is almost finished setting. Belly runs along the beaches of Heavenly crying hysterically all alone. He trips a few times, but quickly gets up each and every time only to start running again with no clear destination.

And while he runs, a meteor shower can be seen high above night sky of Heavenly.