☀ - believe {{ a collection of thoughts ;; }}

[balloon,]

xx
░░░░░░░░░░░░ I N - H E R ░░░░░░

❝── D E F E C T E D ░░░░░░░░░░░

─────────────── ❝ HER WORTH

[balloon,]

Nothing. Nothing ever came. They said to concentrate, to feel the power projecting from your gem. 'It's your soul,' My friend Hematite always said, 'Just make a choice, and your soul will fulfill your wishes.' Ha! As if it were that easy. Eight hundred and seventy nine years old and defected. Just shatter my gem now, please! Hematite always comforts me, but it never helps. I was born useless! 'Sunstone....' My friend's voice grounded me. I looked up. 'Yes.. Hematite?' 'Sunstone your gem, it's glowing!' I couldn't hide my shock. 'W-what?' I whispered. Hematite opened her mouth, then closed a few times. 'I-it is, I swear!' She said. 'But-' I protested. But before I could finish my own sentence, a huge ball of light surrounded me. Speechless, I watched helplessly as Hematite ran around screaming. Then with a bright flash, I found myself three feet from where I used to be. 'Oh my gosh Sunstone, did you just...?' Hematite's words barely registered in my brain. I stared at the ground, 'I think I just...' I mumbled. We were silent for a while, staring at each other. Finally, I slowly smiled. 'I JUST TELEPORTED!'

'One hit wonder' That's what they called me. The one hit wonder. All I could do was teleport, and though Hematite said that was really cool, I didn't believe her anymore. By now, everyone else could summon their weapon and shape-shift. I was the late bloomer. Or, as everyone else called me, defective. Hematite tried her best not to show off her four foot spear, but it didn't help me feel better. I stared at the waves crashing on the shore, each moment becoming harder to bear. I buried my head in my knees. I heard scuffling near me, and I looked up. Hematite walked onto the beach, sitting down near me. I was surprised she didn't notice me. 'Hey... Hematite..' I mumbled, looking her way. 'W-who said that?' Hematite said, looking around wildly. 'M-me.' I said, a bit confused. 'S-Sunstone?' Hematite said, looking to where my voice had come from. 'Why can't you see me?' I asked, looking her in the eyes. 'Sunstone...' She whispered, 'I- I do believe that you've just turned invisible. Congratulations.'

'Everyone can shape-shift, well, everyone except you, Sunny. It's time you faced the facts. You're defective.' I backed up against the all, whimpering with fear. 'And you know what they do to defective gems, right?' I shuddered, sliding downwards. 'They shatter 'em.' I closed my eyes. 'What's wrong, Sunny?' I couldn't stop the tears from falling. 'Aw, are you scared little Sunny?' 'Hey!' I heard a familiar voice, 'Get away from her!' Suddenly, I no longer felt cornered. I opened my eyes, and instead of seeing Carnelian, I saw Hematite. 'Hey, Sunny, you okay?' 'Yeah...' I mumbled, standing to my full height, which was actually still a lot shorter than Hematite. 'Don't be sad, Sunny. You'll learn how to shape-shift soon, I'm sure.' I sighed. 'I don't think so...' I mumbled, 'I'm almost nine hundred. Most gems know how to shape-shift by then. Maybe I am defective, Hematite.' Hematite looked at me, putting her hand on my shoulder. 'Never say that again, okay?' 'O-okay...' I mumbled, looking at the ground. There was a flash, and suddenly, I was a lot shorter than Hematite. I was looking up to her face, which was very shocked. 'Sunny, you're a fox!'

[balloon,]

'Sunstone?' I struggled to keep her secrets, yet the laughter of the others echoed in my ears. And she had just sat there... Watched with a look of horror on her face. But I knew I could not blame Sunstone for this. 'Yeah, your friend.' I forced a laugh. 'She's not my friend! She's just some weak gem that I see around sometimes.' Hatred for the diamonds and worry for Sunstone piled up inside me. 'W-what do you want with her, anyway?' I heard cruel laughter, yet didn't dare open my eyes. That would be an honestly stupid thing to do. 'Defective gems are not allowed on this planet, gemling. I thought you knew that.' 'I- I do but...' 'But what?' 'But she's not defected.' I whispered. 'And how would you know?' The voice sneered, 'Or have you been lying to me?'