Umber In Level 8

+Chapter Twenty-Four+

[A/N: Extra long chapter! It's the final one! (Stay tuned for the epilogue)]

"What are you doing here?" I asked Dame Alina.

"Did you think I'd leave you to teach this lesson unsupervised? Sparkles, no! You two would get into too much trouble."

Trix groaned. "Now what?"

"Uh, we'll make something up." I said hurriedly. "Call the Prodigies to attention before Dame Alina gets suspicious."

"Uh, hello!" Trix said loudly. "Please direct your attention to me."

Nobody listened.

"Hello!" I tried again. This time, the conversations came to a stop. "Today, Trix and I will be teaching you ballroom dancing for detention."

Groans filled the room. I caught many prodigies glaring at me like ballroom dancing was my first choice.

"Um, first, you stand with your partner like this." I attempted to demonstrate, grabbing Trix and placing him in front of me. I tried my best not to blush when his eyes met mine.

"Step this way," Trix said as he put his foot in some random direction. I did my best to follow him as he went in a few more directions.

I eyed the other Prodigies, doing my best to co-teach. "Uh, does everyone understand?"

They each mumbled different variations of "yes," casting fearful glances at Dame Alina. I got the sense they were lying, especially after I watched their half-hearted attempts at dancing.

"Are you just making this up as you go?" I whispered to Trix.

"Yeah," he replied.

I sighed. We were doomed.

I peeked at Dame Alina through the corner of my eyes. She didn't look impressed.

"Then think of something else, quick!" I frantically urged him.

"Fine," Trix pulled me towards him, and I couldn't quite disguise the way my breath hitched when he touched me. For a second—and just for a second—I considered telling him that I truly did have feelings for him and was just scared to tell him the truth. But the moment passed, and Trix's gaze lost its intensity.

"We're going to start with the, uh, the waltz," Trix peeped. "That is a type of ballroom dance, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Trix," Dame Alina answered, reminding us that she was everywhere. "I expected you to be more competent in this matter, given you're the instructor."

Trix apologized before I could come up with a snarky response.

+++

I sat down beside Trix at an otherwise empty table. This had become a routine, given that we both had no other friends.

"Hey," Trix said, not looking up from his food.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked, grabbing his fork and forcing him to look me in the eyes.

Trix sighed. "No, Umber. But it's complicated. Things feel awkward, you know, after—"

"I didn't turn you down, Trix. I told you, I just need time to think about it."

"Do you really think I'll wait around for you, Umber? News flash: I've waited long enough. It's time for me to live my life." [A/N: Not me writing this with Live My Life by aespa in my head...]

I gaped at him, startled by his outburst. "Trix..."

"Do you want me or not, Umber?" Trix asked. "I need your answer now. Stop playing around, or whatever you're doing."

That left me no other option. I wrapped my arms around Trix's neck and kissed him.

When I pulled away, Trix stared at me, dumbfounded.

Unsure of what to say, I stared back.

"But you said you didn't know what to feel about me." Trix spluttered. "What's happening right now?"

"I'm sorry, Trix. I was a coward. I was afraid of what would happen if I told you how I felt." I cast my gaze downward. "Will you forgive me?"

Trix was silent for a second. "Yes," he said slowly, "I forgive you. And I'm sorry for giving you the cold shoulder during all the Gisela drama. It wasn't sensitive of me." [A/N: "愛想なくて I apologize" ("I apologize for giving you the cold shoulder" in English) - Perfect World by TWICE]

The mention of Gisela released a shot of anger and sadness, but I ignored it. Gisela and I were a hopeless case, and I needed to accept that. We would never be friends again. And I was fine with it.

I smiled and kissed him again. This is how things should be, I reminded myself. This is perfect.

[A/N: This was the last real chapter, but there will be an epilogue.]