Astro Boy: Core Collision

Episode 11: What Is Love?

The next day, Marionette leaned against the school wall alone while Candace hung out with Cobalt and her other friends. Cora sat at the table with the popular kids while Astro sat alone at another table. A lot seemed to be on his mind.

Cobalt looked over at Marionette and sighed. Candace looked over at Cobalt.

"What's wrong? You look sad!"

Cobalt avoided eye contact with Candace. "It's nothing. I just feel bad for Marionette, that's all."

"Why do you feel bad for her? She's horrible! Remember the homeless shelter? She hurt someone! And plus, she hurt my feelings, too." Candace said while putting a hand over her heart. Cobalt sighed again.

"I get it. Thanks, Candace, for reminding me." Cobalt said, faking a smile.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the day, and everyone went inside the school toward their classes. Candace walked into the auditorium and smirked when she saw Marionette on the stage, but her smile dropped when she saw Astro talking to someone nearby.

"The auditorium looks so pretty!" Candace spoke up. "Are you guys doing a play? Can I be the lead role? Please please pleeease?" She begged dramatically. Everyone froze and looked over at Candace.

Marionette rolled her eyes and turned her head away from Candace. "I'm not doing a play yet, and besides, you'd have to audition first."

"Can I audition?"

Marionette sighed. "Fine, go ahead."

Candace smiled and stepped onto the stage. She started to sing, but her voice sounded like a dying cat. She interrupted herself.

"Oh my god, you guys! Stop looking at meee! I'm so shyyyy!" She put her hands over her eyes and giggled. Astro shook his head and left the auditorium. As soon as he left, Candace dropped her act and smiled at Marionette once again.

"We all know I'm gonna get the lead role."

"I'm not even doing a play."

"Well..." Candace grabbed Marionette's arm and dragged her backstage. "I'm gonna get the spotlight one way or another. Besides, I am the queen of this school."

Astro realized he had forgotten his notebook and went back to the auditorium through the back. He stopped when he saw Marionette and Candace and hid behind a wall.

"You're a queen? That's cute, but keep in mind that royalty is only temporary, but goddesses are immortal." Marionette shot back at her, completely destroying Candace's ego. Astro walked toward their direction and laughed at Candace after walking in on them.

Candace's face turned red with anger, and she slapped Marionette across the face. "How dare you speak to me that way! You're gonna regret that. I promise you!" Candace shouted with an icy glare.

Astro helped Marionette get up. "Wow! I actually never thought you would say that to her. Good for you for standing up to her." Astro said. Marionette looked down at her feet.

"Thanks." She said shyly. She walked toward the back of the auditorium but was stopped by Cobalt.

Cobalt stood in the doorway, holding something behind his back. He smiled gently at Marionette.

"Hey, Marionette! How are you?" Cobalt asked.

"I-I'm fine. How about you?"

"I'm doing great, although I was wondering about something."

"Yes?" Marionette smiled nervously.

"Well, I've been thinking a lot about how we spent a lot of time together, and we both got to know each other pretty well, and... well, I've fallen in love with you."