Umber In Level 8

+Chapter Two+

I watched in silent horror. Ruy used to only ditch with me! Heck, I was the only girl he'd even look at!

I had half the mind to walk in there and put that girl in her place. But I refrained. I'd have to get my revenge some other way.

I continued on my way to my locker, brainstorming some different forms of revenge against Ruy. He'd never look at another girl again. I'd make sure of it.

I was actually coming up with some great ideas for vengeance when I bumped into Dorky Trix. Literally. I made a mental note to rush to the bathroom to wash my hands after our encounter. The last thing I needed was Dorky Trix cooties when I was trying to plot revenge.

"Dorky Tr–I mean, just Trix! What are you doing out of class?" I asked suspiciously.

Dorky Trix spun around and straightened his uniform. "I was um– ditching! Um, like you!"

I was shocked. "You ditch? You, Dorky Trix?"

Dorky Trix scowled. "D-Dor– what?"

I rolled my eyes. "Never mind."

Dorky Trix conspicuously attempted to fix his hair. "Uh, what brings you here, Umber?"

"Ugh, another Sir Bubu lecture. He just drones on and on."

"I like Sir Bubu's lectures." Dorky Trix mumbled, then saw the look on my face. "Sorry."

"Was that the bell?" I asked, making a big show of checking my wrist. "I think it was."

Dorky Trix's face fell. I guess he didn't buy my lie. "Uh, later, I guess."

I managed a small wave and speed-walked towards my locker. I had to say, out of all my fans, Dorky Trix was the hardest to talk to. Something about him made me feel... uncomfortable.

I opened my locker, and–per usual–about a dozen love notes poured out. I was used to the attention. It didn't really faze me anymore. For a split-second, I had the impulse to check if one of the letters was from Dorky Trix—then I realized that I didn't really care. Dorky Trix wasn't in my league at all. He wasn't even in my universe. And I was determined not to think of him.

+++

"Hey, Umber!" Gisela broke through the line of guys to rush to my side. "Are you going to my winnowing gala this weekend?"

"Yes, I think it will fit in my schedule." I fixed my hair in the mirror inside my locker.

"Great! Oh, and don't worry. I invited Ruy just for you." Gisela winked and left.

I leaned against my locker and sighed, content. Everything was going perfectly. I could fix things with Ruy easily. All it took was the downfall of my dignity.

"Everything okay, Umber? Do you need a hug?" One of my obsessed fans asked, perhaps noticing my posture.

"Ew, no. Back off. I'm taken!" I put my hands in front of me like stop signs.

The guy sighed. "Figures."

"Move along, now. I need to get to class." I pushed through the line and headed down the hall. Up next was alchemy, and Lady Galvin did not appreciate tardiness.

"Umber. You're late." Lady Galvin didn't even look at me when I walked into class.

"Only by one minute!" I told her.

"Unnaceptable. You're getting detention."

"Again?" I groaned.

"Until you've learned your lesson." Lady Galvin turned around to point at me disapprovingly. "I've seen you talking with Claude Trix. I thought that maybe some of his ways would rub off on you. I guess I was wrong."

I was mortified. People had seen me talking to Dorky Trix? My life was ruined!