Fangirl

Chapter 7 Martha

Phillip asked me to the ball. He was so sweet at that moment. Excited, embarrassed, touching. It made my stomach tingle with pleasure; I'll never forget that open, vulnerable look in his eyes.

Naturally, he wanted to thank me for helping him with the fire. He almost glowed when the spell succeeded and, inspired by his own success, he wanted to play with the fire element some more.

He would succeed further, I had no doubt. But putting his tender neck on the scaffold of public opinion over such a trifle was not worth it. He was too kind, of course, and he must have wanted to return the favor inviting me, but I couldn't accept the sacrifice.

My refusal seemed to upset him, so he ran away. Perhaps I should have thanked him for the honor. What if he misunderstood me and thought I didn't want to.

No, it was too unbelievable to imagine, but still, I saw his extreme agitation and hoped I wasn't the cause of it. On the other hand, there was no one else.

I caught up with Phillip in the classroom. Came up from behind and put my hand on his shoulder. The boy flinched and jumped back.

'Spirits, Martha!'

'I'm sorry, I frightened you.' I said, upset and looking truly penitent.

'You walk very quietly.' He said conciliatingly, and took a small step closer, seemingly trying to show me that even though I'd scared him, he wouldn't run away like he had on the road.

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't apologize. It's not your fault I didn't notice. Did you want something?'

'Yeah, I was wondering why you're upset.'

Phillip's golden eyebrow rose slightly.

'I think it's obvious. Getting rejected by a girl is not too much pleasant.'

'Phillip, you do realize that going to the ball with me means you'll be the object of ridicule and bullying for the rest of your studying.'

'Nonsense.' He said with his chin stubbornly up.

'Not a nonsense at all, and you know it yourself. I can't let your gratitude go that far.'

'Gratitude?' There was a look of puzzlement on his face.

'I know you're grateful for my help with the fire, but you can't fix my reputation, and you can easily ruin yours by coming to the ball with me.'

He was still staring at my face, and only after a moment did he speak:

'Gratitude, right.'

Now I didn't understand.

'A thank you would be more than enough. I couldn't ask for more.'

'I'm sorry, Martha, I'm not thinking straight today. You mean, you don't want to go to the ball with me because it would damage my reputation?'

'Of course.' I nodded affirmatively.

'I see.'

That was the end of the conversation. There was a distant echo of footsteps outside, and we went separate ways.

Phillip behaved as he always did, except that we continued to work in the library together from early morning on all the remaining free days.

Thus, ended the year. Phillip, of course, passed his exam with flying colors. I was a little worried, but I had faith in him, and I wasn't wrong. I wished I could have come up and congratulated him openly like the others did. Alas, that was impossible. Though he winked at me when our gazes met.