Umber In Level 8

+Chapter Seven+

"I am very disappointed in you, Umber." I sat in the principal's office under Dame Alina's piercing glare.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I crossed my arms, glowering.

"I think you do. Does all the drama ring a bell?"

I crossed my arms. Why did Dame Alina care that all the guys were fighting over me? It wasn't my fault! "Talk to the boys. It's their issue. So what if everyone ditched class to wait for me at my locker?! Not my problem."

Dame Alina clenched her fists. "Call off your fans."

"They never listen." I turned and walked out the door. "Toodles!"

Dame Alina yelled something after me, but I wasn't listening. I had my own life to live. If Dame Alina had a problem with my popularity, that was her problem. She was probably just jealous.

+++

"Umber, are you going to Ruy's bramble match today?" A fan had the nerve to ask me later that day.

"No. Why would I? We're over." I answered.

The fan laughed awkwardly. "I'm playing too, you know."

"Good for you."

"Don't I get a kiss for good luck?" He asked.

"Go ask your actual girlfriend."

"But I like you better than her!"

I scoffed and started opening my locker. Per usual, a million love notes fell out.

The fan behind me blushed. "Those are mine. Open them later."

I rolled my eyes.

+++

The next day, I went to school in my best pair of heels. I wanted to make a good impression. But not for Dorky Trix. I was totally over him.

I was minding my own business, walking to first period, when a loud electric guitar rang through the atrium. A voice yelled "TRIX IN DA HOUSEE!"

Fake smoke filled the room. From behind the curtain, Dorky Trix ran out from the fog. But he wasn't Dorky Trix anymore. He looked... good. Very good. Imposter.

"That's not Dorky Trix!" A guy yelled.

"But it is." Dorky Trix slicked back his hair. "Recognize me?"

Dozens of girls fainted on the spot.

I took a step forward, about to say something, when Gisela came into view.

"You're early, Claude." Gisela linked her arm with his. "Do you want to go to my locker with me?"

No-Longer-Dorky Trix nodded, though not as eagerly as he used to. That just fueled my anger. "Of course. I'll lead the way."

My jaw dropped to the ground. No-Longer-Dorky Trix was taking charge?

"Claude!" I grabbed his other arm. "Will you go to my locker with me tomorrow?"

"Um–" No-Longer-Dorky-Trix frowned.

"This way, Claude," Gisela led him away. "We don't want to be seen talking to her."

I watched them walk away, unable to speak. I was the popular one. I was the good-looking one. I'd let both of them know that they were frauds. Thankfully, I had a plan all ready to go.