Underground Shadows

Jealous much?

My legs almost seemed glued to the ground at the moment, I was so surprised by our match up being announced that I was left completely speechless. I had no time to prepare myself for this at all and the fact that we were up next made all the uneasiness even stronger.

Me and Ellie were forced back inside without even saying a thing to each other.
the moment I saw Bada it was like seeing a reminder of my past failures. It felt like every memory that had happened with Bada came rushing back to me and I could feel myself going back into that same mindset of feeling like I had an even bigger reason to beat her. I was still feeling incredibly angry and frustrated and I couldn't wait to let that all out.

ELLIE'S POV
I needed to talk to gayoung, urgently. I couldn't believe that I had let everything that had happened cloud my judgment so much that I never bothered to fully hear her side of the story. But after realizing this I immediately felt ashamed and guilty for everything that I had misunderstood. this must've been so hard for gayoung.
After spending so much time letting my anger and frustration build up at Bada, I was determined to see Chocol beat her in the battle. I wanted to see her win in this competition and especially during this battle.

Chocol immediately began walking towards Bada with the utmost confidence. I knew she had no intention of holding back at all when it came to this battle.

My eyes were glued on chocol, just like the first time. She started dancing and every movement, every step, every move that chocol made was like a piece of art, each of them executed with incredible perfection. I couldn't explain the overwhelming feeling that was building up inside of me as I watched her. It was like my world had just been turned upside down because here I was expecting her to just be a good dancer but instead she was like a genius at this, and gosh...she was too hot. i felt my face getting redder and redder, at this point, i might've looked like a tomato

Bada looked irritated and i had no doubt that chocol would win this.

Music finally stopped...

MC: JUDGES, READY? 3...2..1

CHOCOL!!!

Chocol ACTUALLY WON. i couldn't help but feel so so proud of her.

The crowd started to go crazy and cheer louder than they had at any other moment in the competition.

CHOCOL'S POV

After the battle ended the crowd was still going crazy, cheering loudly as I walked off the stage, i was overwhelmed, but the only person I could see was Ellie who was standing next to haechi and mini, looking...red? my god...what is she doing to me?

The moment she realized I was looking at her, I knew i needed to talk to her, so i didn't even think about competing till the end of the competition.
she began walking over to me with a look of relief and excitement on her face. We finally stood in front of each other and we immediately started to speak.

"I'M SORRY"
"I'M SORRY"

did we just say this at the same time...

Neither of us were able to finish what we were saying as we both laughed nervously.

"Listen I..I'm so sorry Ellie, this seems absurd, but things were not as they se-

I suddenly realized, that she might've already known the truth...
"wait...do you know?"

Ellie: I know...

I couldn't help but notice her teary eyes

Ellie: I know everything, Halo told me just like 10 minutes ago, I'm so sorry for doubting you, I'm so sorry for not trusting you, I really am

The moment that Ellie admitted that Halo was the one who told her everything, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off of both our shoulders. I could see the guilt written all over her face and the way she was apologizing so genuinely just made me feel even more sorry for her, i couldn't hold it anymore, I needed to at least hug her.

ELLIE'S POV

The moment when Gayoung suddenly hugged me, it was like a shock to my system. I didn't expect her to be so forgiving towards me and the warm and comforting feeling of her hug caught be completely by surprise.

The moment we both pulled away from the hug we were both completely shaken up from it but in a good way. We both let out a laugh as the overwhelming feeling of relief filled us up from the inside.

sigh what the hell just happened...i thought to myself

"Well look at you two" Yeni chuckled "Halo, I told you we put a good match up together" she whispered to Halo, but i heard it.

Halo and Yeni high fived each other

Halo: "Well we all should congratulate choc-"

"Ellie....?
what are you doing talking to her? You know what she said about you...right?"

Suddenly interrupted Bada

This sudden interruption completely caught all of us off guard.

We had just finally been getting somewhere and yet she decided to intervene in the middle of our conversation....

Halo: Bada, you lost, please accept it and leave!

Bada: "Ellie, she said you're not impressive, she said all these bad things about you, but you still prefer her? why? am i not better? i could give you everything."

I didn't reply to her, her gaze suddenly shifted to chocol.

"Let's just cut the BS and get this over with." Bada scoffed.

She suddenly grabbed chocol by the arm once more and dragged her away from the stage and into a more isolated area.

"HEY! LET HER GO BADA!" - I yelled, but she didn't listen.

CHOCOL'S POV

"What the hell is your problem, Bada?" I ask with an angry expression on my face. She ignores me and continues to pull me further away from everyone.

Bada: this time you may have won, but i promise you, ellie will be mine sooner or later, I'm gonna get her no matter what.

I can sense the hint of jealousy radiating from her as she says this, but I'm not about to let her get away with it. I'm going to make sure that she learns her place.
"Jealous much?" I ask with a smirk.

she suddenly let me go, I watched her as she started to walk away, It was clear that she didn't like the fact that I wasn't taking her seriously.

I can't help but feel good knowing that I was getting under her skin, i decided to go back to the girls.

Ellie suddenly ran up to me

"Gayoung, are you okay?? did she do something to you? I swear if she did-"

I immediately realized that Ellie was worried for my wellbeing and I couldn't help but smile gently.

"No no no, I'm fine, there was just some tension between me and Bada but nothing too serious, she's not gonna bother you anymore."

I turned my attention back to Ellie and noticed that her expression had not yet changed and she still looked worried. I was surprised by how protective she felt of me, despite how cold I may have come across at times.

ELLIE'S POV

I could feel my heart beating faster as I looked at gayoung, who was now gently placing her arm around me.
I was still trying to process how everything had played out between us but as I was getting lost in my thoughts, I felt her grip around my shoulder getting tighter, this sudden movement caught me off guard and quickly snapped me back to reality. The feeling of her warm hands around my shoulder was comforting, but it also made me realize how much I wanted to be closer to her.

Suddenly, a sound of frantic crying cut through the air. In a split second, we both turned to see what it was.

It was Natty, who suddenly ran out with tears running down her face. I had never seen her like this before, she looked completely devastated and I couldn't help but feel worried for her.

"Choco, Ellie," Natty said while crying, "You need to come with me."

Without hesitation,me and gayoung followed her natty , until we reached a secluded area, away from the hustle of the competition.

Once inside, natty turned to us, "I saw something," she began ,

Me and chocol exchanged wary glances