Umber In Level 8

+Chapter Nineteen+

"Why are you and Gisela being so weird with each other?" Dorky Trix asked.

I grabbed books out of my locker with more force than necessary. "It's none of your business. Plus, aren't you no longer talking to me?"

Trix cleared his throat. "I also heard this rumor that–"

"Bye." I stormed off before he finished his sentence. I was not going to tell Claude Trix that we kissed.

Yes, I knew about all the rumors. The interaction between me and Gisela had not exactly been in private, and most the school knew about my personal life anyway. Not that it mattered. People could believe whatever they wanted.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Gisela and stopped in my tracks.

I cursed myself. I hated that she made me feel this way. I hated that I let her make me feel this way. This needed to end. I wished I had the willpower to push Gisela out of my life for good.

"Hey, Umber." Gisela offered a tight-lipped smile.

I pushed past her. "Get out of my life."

As I stormed off, I fought back a smile.

I'd done it. I just hoped Gisela would listen to me and stay away.

I was done fighting all my feelings. So what if I liked Dorky Trix? So what if I liked Gisela? I could like anyone I wanted. I just needed to choose one. And I wanted Claude Trix. Soon, he would be mine.

+++

I tapped Dorky Trix on the shoulder. "So, have you decided you're talking to me again?"

"I may have overreacted with the no-longer-talking-to you think. But don't think I'm no longer mad. You need to prove yourself, and the only way you can do that is if we can talk."

"Great! First stop, revenge against Gisela. You're still on board for that, right?"

Claude Trix looked at his feet. "Uh..."

I let out a frustrated growl. "So, you and Gisela are back together?"

Trix shook his head. "We haven't talked in a while. I don't want to talk to her, either. I think we're done."

I pretended not to be relieved. "Uh... I'm sorry, I guess."

Trix nodded awkwardly, his feet starting towards the door. "I'll just go. And I expect an apology hail, by the way."

I waved rather un-gracefully. When it came to Dorky Trix, almost everything about me was ungraceful.

+++

I took the long way to the Leapmaster that day. I needed to steer clear of Gislea. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. I just hoped my plan for forgetting Gisela would work.

I'd just passed Dame Alina's office when I heard voices coming from inside. They sounded angry. I froze, curious.

"Just give me a few more weeks!" Dame Alina begged. "I'll have it all under control by then!"

"I wish I could believe that, Alina. I'm afraid that this doesn't look good for you." Councillor Bronte's voice answered coldly.

"Please, just— Can you put Alden on the line?"

"Alden isn't talking to you after that stunt you pulled."

"Bronte—"

"I'll give you one more week out of my infinite generosity. If you haven't pulled it together by then..."

"I will!"

"For your sake, I hope that's true."

My heart hammered from what I'd just heard. Was Dame Alina about to get fired? Despite our differences... I wasn't sure if I wanted that.