Back to Atlantis

the memories they carried with them nearly overwhelmed her again. She wanted nothing more than to lean against his shoulder, to have someone she could trust with her life.
“Not to mention he thinks you’re hot!” Jon called from a few feet away.
David let go of her hand like it was a hot coal.
Yasmin flinched, remembering. Oh right, she thought. David is not someone I can trust. He is not someone I know. And as much as that hurts, I have to remember that. I don’t know him. Not one bit.
Wiping tears off her face, Yasmin stood and surveyed the room. The fog had mostly cleared, making it safe to stand. Blood was sprinkled here and there on the floor, but it didn’t look like there were too many casualties.
The queen was lying on the floor far off to her left, her guard’s bodies littering the ground around her. On her right, Princess Amanda and Violet lay on top of each other, and about ten rebels lay near them on the floor, along with a few guards.
Yasmin left, knowing there was nothing more she wanted to do here. There was no one here she could really trust. Not now, not ever. These people played mind games. But she wasn’t here for them. She was here for the citizens. As long as she kept reminding herself that, she would be okay. She wouldn’t break. And she would find some way to help Atlantis without magic.

Chapter 12
The magic block
“Yasmin, try again,” Gloriana’s exasperated voice penetrated Yasmin’s daydreams. “You did this perfectly last week.” Even though her teacher tried, she couldn’t keep the annoyance from her voice. Tapping her finders against the wooden chair, she scowled.
Yasmin closed her eyes and pretended to draw on her magic. She wore a look of concentration, and held out her hand to summon lightning. But nothing happened, of course. Because ever since last week, Yasmin hadn’t done magic. At all.
She was still training her body, getting stronger each day. Her teacher in sword lessons called her a natural, and she was doing better at karate, too.
But no matter how much Gloriana pressed, or people pushed, or shouted, or begged, Yasmin would not do magic. She wouldn’t hurt someone.
“I just can’t do it,” she said, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I feel faint. Maybe I have the flu?” She tried to keep her voice light and her face innocent.
Gloriana tutted. “Yasmin, you have to stop pretending!” She got up and paced the grass. Turning around, she faced the trees. “What is happening to you? Just last week you were excelling in your lessons, and now you refuse to even try!” She sounded furious. “And in case you’ve forgotten, a rebellion is still going on, and the kingdom of Atlantis still needs you. Or are you giving up on us?”
“No!” Yasmin cried, jumping to her feet. “I just…” She tried to find the right words. “Maybe there are different ways to help Atlantis.”
Gloriana checked her watch. “I have a council meeting. The princess suggested you attend, but you’re not coming until this nonsense is out of your head.”
Yasmin turned away from Gloriana, hurt.
“I care about you, Yasmin,” Gloriana said, but Yasmin didn’t turn around. “You agreed to be the mage, to help Atlantis, and that’s not something you can abandon on a whim.” She picked up her bag. “Maybe go to the town, to see how much Atlantis really needs the mage.”
Gloriana left, leaving Yasmin feeling a bit guilty. But she had made a decision. Grabbing her bottled water, she left for the town.
It was cool, but also unseasonably warm for February, so she only needed a sweater. But just in case, she grabbed her pink hat too, tucking her ears in well as she departed.
Whistling to herself, she strolled around town, looking at shops and occasionally entering bookstores. But she wasn’t able to concentrate. Her mind kept coming back to Gloriana’s harsh words. Worst of all, she knew Gloriana was right. It did feel like she was abandoning Atlantis, a bit. But she hadn’t been able to help before. Besides, she had a plan to help Atlantis. She would get the rouge army and the queen’s army to work together, doubling their chances of winning.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she wondered if she should go to the orphanage. But today was Friday, so maybe not. She would see them in two days, anyway. What was the point of going now?
“Yasmin!” Someone called from across the street. She turned, trying to figure out who had called. Then she saw someone waving his arm, grinning at her and coming closer. Lucas.
“Lucas!” she called out, smiling and waving. She had only met him once, but he had seemed really nice. “What are you doing here?”
“Buying groceries.” He came up next to her, pushing his wild hair out of his eyes. “What about you?”
Yasmin shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable. “Just wandering around. I feel a bit down for some reason.”
Lucas tilted his head, grinning. “Wanna come with me to buy tomatoes? I hear company and fruit do wonders for sadness.”
“I don’t know.” Yasmin ducked her head, suddenly shy.
“Aww, come on.” Lucas laughed, such a carefree sound that Yasmin had to smile too. “The tomatoes in town have magical properties. They can make anyone smile. Plus, they are so sweet!” He licked his lips.
“You’ve persuaded me!” Yasmin lifted her hands into the air, surrendering. “Let’s go buy groceries!”
“Onward!” He proclaimed, and pointed in the distance, where the farmers market was.
Yasmin giggled. “Onward!” She suddenly felt so much better.
“This is the big decision.” Lucas looked more serious than he’d ever been. “Which tomatoes should I get?”
“Hmm.” Yasmin tapped a finger on her chin, feeling lighter than she had in days. “I don’t know. The big red juicy ones over there seem promising. But they might get crushed on the way back, and then…” She gasped dramatically. “No tomatoes!”
Lucas bit his lip, deep in thought. “I think I shall risk it!” he cried,