SOUL DORM

28

Well you're dirty and sweet...

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CHAPTER 28:

PIECE OF WOOD

I turned my head towards the voice, simultaneously feeling a warm touch on my arm.

"Finally, we get to be in a class together," Blue said cheerfully. "You look adorable in that jumpsuit!"

I couldn't respond because another hand had landed on my left shoulder. Following the fingers with my gaze, I looked up to find Tarben's face.

"What a nice coincidence that we're all together, right?" he said.

It seemed he was talking to Pam, not me, as his eyes were fixed on the princess. Although he was smiling, the discontent in his voice was unmistakable. Pam's violet eyes were narrowed.

"What a great coincidence indeed..." she said suggestively. Her gaze bounced between my two guardian angels, Tarben and Blue, finally settling on me. You escaped this time, she was saying. Her confident smirk made it clear I wouldn't be so lucky next time.

Then her eyes shifted back to Blue. "How interesting to see you here, darling. You don't usually show up for classes."

I was curious about the answer too. I glanced sideways at Blue and saw her shrug. "I felt like showing up today, darling," she said. "When I heard Olive was in the same class, I just couldn't resist."

I didn't know if this explanation was true, but it clearly bothered Pam. Her face soured for a moment before she quickly put on her smug smile again. She looked at me with fake sympathy and said, "Well, at least this poor girl will have someone to talk to. I heard she attends all her classes alone. So tragic."

This time, it was my face that fell, and unlike Pam, I was a terrible actor. I was sure the bitter feelings her words evoked were visible on every inch of my face. I felt the flames rising from my throat to my cheeks. I needed to respond, my lips parted, but I couldn't find any retort. She was right, and she knew it. Thankfully, my second angel came to the rescue.

"Don't worry too much about it, sweetheart," Tarben said. "That was just a temporary period. New song, concerts, and all... You probably wouldn't know, but I have firsthand experience. Being a rock star's soulmate isn't easy. But love makes it bearable." He turned to Blue and blew her a kiss. Blue responded with a dramatic show, placing a hand on her heart and sighing deeply.

"We stars sometimes leave our partners feeling very lonely. But when you understand and care for each other, missing a few classes doesn't matter, right?" She extended her free hand towards Tarben. Tarben took it immediately, and the two of them stood there, gazing dreamily into each other's eyes. Wow, what a performance!

"And besides," Blue continued, turning back to Pam. "Like Tarben said, that was just a temporary period and it's over now. Olive won't be attending classes alone anymore."

I struggled to close my mouth, which had dropped open as I listened to Blue. Pam, on the other hand, burst into laughter. "Mars... The Mars I know... Coming to class? For this girl?"

Tarben's hand tensed on my shoulder. He was probably worried I'd lunge at Pam. Honestly, all the ideas running through my mind right now involved some form of crime. But before Tarben or Blue had to intervene, or before I did anything crazy, the Dorm stepped in. Pam's eyes widened; her full lips parted. Gasps erupted around us. When I noticed the other souls were looking in the same direction as Pam, I turned too.