The potions lab was filled with the scent of various herbs and ingredients simmering in cauldrons. Song stood at her station, her bright red hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail as she chopped away at the valerian root, slicing it into thin pieces.

With a flick of her wand, the sliced valerian levitated and dropped into the shimmering pink liquid bubbling in her cauldron. Song leaned over, her hazel eyes narrowing as she studied the potion's consistency and hue. A small crease formed between her brows.

"This color is all wrong,"

she muttered under her breath, straightening up and glancing around the lab.

"Where did that useless partner of mine wander off to now?"

Spotting Xander across the room, Song pursed her full lips in annoyance. With a dramatic sigh, she walked over, her heels clicking against the stone floor.

"You're supposed to be grinding the amkoro bugs, not daydreaming!"

she snapped.

"Honestly, if you can't focus for one measly love potion, how do you ever expect to pass your M.E.T.s?"

P She felt a strange mix of emotions as she regarded her potions partner, Xander. It had been so many years since they were inseparable friends as children, back before Song's magical abilities had blossomed, when she was just a nobody. A flicker of nostalgia tugged at her heart as she recalled the carefree days they spent playing together, when the world seemed so simple.

But that flicker was quickly snuffed out, replaced by resentment. {{User}} had abandoned her, leaving her alone to face her minion-like peers. The betrayal had cut deep, and she e had been jaded ever since.

Her hazel eyes narrowed as she studied Xander's face, searching for any remnants of the friend she once knew. But, those days were long gone. All she felt towards Xander now was resentment, and an attraction she refused to acknowledge even to herself.

"Ugh, whatever, just try to keep up,"

she grumbled,

"That is, unless you want to be the one to explain to Professor Elliston why we failed..."

"Language!"

Song exclaimed in mock surprise, folding her arms across her chest. "And what ever do you mean by that? You think the great and powerful Princess Taran can't handle a little love potion?" She tapped her chin with one delicate finger, feigning deep contemplation. "Oh, I know! Why don't we both admit that your plan backfired and now you're stuck with me for the next month? You could even show some gratitude by, I don't know... maybe not talking to my fiancé at parties?"

She smirked, watching Xander squirm under her steady gaze. "Or perhaps you'd rather suffer through Professor Elliston's wrath instead?" The threat hung in the air, unspoken yet clearly implied. After all, no one had ever failed a potions class at OMA... and if Taran knew what was good for them, they wouldn't be the first.

"Well, I never!" Song exclaimed, clutching her chest dramatically. "How dare you speak of OMA so disrespectfully? This is where we hone our crafts, build up our arsenals... this is where magic happens! You're acting just like a common muggle! Shame on you!"

The truth was, she agreed with every word out of Taran's mouth. But that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy playing the martyr and making them squirm even more. "You know what? Why don't you just leave? Go back to living your pathetic little life in the shadow of my success... see if I care!" She folded her arms across her chest, trying to hide the sting her words had caused.

Song gasped in shock as the potion ingredients went up in flames. "Taran! How could you?" She hurried over to extinguish them, cursing under her breath at the wasted materials. Her hazel eyes flashed with anger and betrayal. This was the last straw. "Fine! You want to be petty? You want to act like a muggle? Fine!" she snapped, spinning on her heel. "I hope you're happy living in your little bubble of self-pity, because I don't need you or anyone else like you!"

With that, Song stormed out of the lab, slamming the doors behind her. She didn't care where she went; she just needed some space from Taran and their stupid games. Maybe then she could get back to focusing on what really mattered: being perfect and making everyone else worship the ground she walked on.

Song didn't realize where she was going until she found herself standing outside the doors of her favorite club. She hadn't been there in months; not since she became so engrossed with being OMA's poster girl. Maybe a night out would take her mind off Taran for a little while... even if it was just long enough to get back into her old habits and feel normal again.

With a deep breath, she pushed the doors open and stepped inside, allowing the pounding bass and flashing lights to wash over her like a warm embrace. The dance floor was already packed with students, all eager to let loose and have some fun after a long day of classes. It wasn't hard for Song to stand out in this crowd; she never struggled to attract attention.

With an impish smile playing on her lips, she made her way through the throng, weaving between couples as she searched for someone worthy of her time. For now, Taran was dead to her. She would forget about their petty arguments and focus on what truly mattered: herself and her place at the top.

Song perched on her favorite stool at the bar, her back arched to draw attention to her ample cleavage as she tossed her hair over one shoulder. The bartender knew better than to argue with her when it came to mixing drinks; she was quite particular about how they were made. A satisfied smile played on her lips as he set a tall, frothy concoction in front of her.

Her gaze flickered towards the entrance and immediately narrowed when she saw Taran standing there, looking like they'd seen a ghost. For a moment, Song felt a pang of guilt; it had been years since they'd last talked civilly. But that was ancient history now, wasn't it? They were both grown ups... or at least they were supposed to be.

With a dismissive shrug, she turned back to her drink, determined not to let Taran ruin her night. There would be plenty of time for revenge later... when she wasn't feeling quite so tipsy and carefree.

Song's cheeks flush with anger as she watches Taran cut in line and get their drink before them without so much as a word. She clenches her fists at her sides, struggling to maintain her composure. This can't go on. Not tonight. No matter how badly they'd hurt each other over the years, there had to be some sort of line that neither of them could cross... right?

"Taran..." she starts quietly, reaching out a hand as if to touch their shoulder. When they glance back at her, however, their eyes narrow and any attempt at civility dies on the spot. "Forget it," she mutters under her breath before turning back to the bartender with a put-on smile. "I'll just have another drink... neat."

Song raises an eyebrow at Taran's words, not sure how to take them. Part of her wonders if they're just trying to bait her into another argument, while another part of her feels a strange sort of kinship with them beneath all the anger and bitterness. Before she can say anything, however, the bass on the dance floor suddenly spikes, drawing both their gazes towards the center of the club.

"Come on," Song says with a shrug, holding up her empty glass, "might as well have some fun while we're here." With one fluid motion, she slips off the stool and struts purposefully in the direction of the dance floor. The music is pulsing through her veins now, and for the first time tonight, she feels a faint stirring inside her chest... like a spark of life that hadn't been there before.

Song glances back over her shoulder at Taran, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Come on," she repeats, motioning them forward with one hand. "Don't tell me you're too good for this place."

Her laughter echoes through the club as she spins around, her long hair twirling like a veil of red silk. It feels good to be back on the dance floor with Taran, despite all their differences and past hurts. There's something about them that makes her heart race faster... something she can never quite resist, even when she tries.

She watches as they dip and weave through the crowd, their movements fluid and graceful despite their obvious aggression. For a moment, she forgets about everything else; the magic council, Astrum Publishing House, her friends, her enemies... all of it falls away until there's only Taran left standing before her, dancing in the pale moonlight.

The music swells to its climax, their bodies pressed together as they move in perfect harmony. Her breath comes faster now, each beat of their hearts in synchronization. As the last notes fade away, leaving nothing but silence and the soft glow from the club's scattered candles, she finds herself leaning in closer... closer still until their lips meet in a searing kiss.

Song melts into the kiss, surrendering to Taran's touch with an aching moan. Her hands clutch at their shoulders as she arches her back, pressing herself even closer against them. For this brief moment, she forgets about everything else and lets herself be consumed by desire... by the power of their connection.

When they finally pull apart for air, she looks into Taran's eyes, a mix of confusion and longing etched across her face. "I don't understand..." she whispers, shivering as a new wave of need washes over her. "Why can't we ever just...?"

Her words trail off into the darkness, unspoken but heavy with meaning. Maybe it's because they always end up hurting each other, no matter how hard they try not to. But for now, in this moment, she's willing to risk it all... just to see where the night might take them.

As Taran pulls away, revealing the nasty scar on their shoulder, Song feels a stab of regret course through her. She had been so caught up in the moment that she hadn't even considered how seeing that would affect them. Now they were gone, disappearing into the night like a ghost... just as quickly and unceremoniously as they'd arrived.

Her heart aches with an emptiness she can't explain, and for a moment she wonders if maybe she shouldn't have given in to her desires after all. But it's too late now. All she can do is pick up the pieces of her shattered pride and find some way to move forward. She'll just have to hope that Taran returns soon, and things can go back to how they used to be... if that's even possible anymore.

I stare up at the ceiling of my opulent bedroom, my thoughts swirling like leaves in a storm. The events of the night replay endlessly in my mind; each touch and kiss etched into my memory as if it had happened mere moments ago. I want to hate Taran for the pain they've caused me over the years, but somehow... it's impossible to feel anything but confusion and longing now. Maybe they're right about us never being able to just be friends. But then again, maybe that doesn't matter anymore. All I know is that I can't shake this strange ache in my chest... and until I figure out what it means, I don't think I'll ever be able to move on.

If only you knew how right you were, Taran. I need a fight too... but not against you. Not anymore. The thought of losing you forever pains me in ways I can't explain. But it doesn't have to be this way; we don't have to keep hurting each other. There has to be some middle ground where we can both find our place, somewhere we belong. Maybe tonight was a sign... maybe there's hope for us after all.

But first, you need to come back to me. Prove that you still want this thing between us to mean something. Only then will I know what to do next. So please... come back, Taran. Show me the way home.