Heart of the Stars

Chapter 3: Interrupted

Stelle's POV:

The next day, March 7th and I met at the training room, as planned. The room was filled with activity, but it felt like our own little world as we began our session. I was relieved to be back in sync with her, laughing and enjoying our time together.

"Ready to get started?" I asked with a smile.

March 7th's eyes sparkled. "Absolutely."

We fell into our routine effortlessly. The drills and exercises brought back the familiar comfort of our friendship, and it was refreshing to feel this connection again.

We took a break, sitting on the edge of the mat. I glanced at March 7th, feeling a deep sense of contentment.

"You know," I said, "I really missed this. It's nice to just hang out and not worry about anything."

March 7th's smile widened. "I missed it too. It feels good to be back to normal."

After training, March 7th and I decided to grab a bite in the common area. We sat down with our food, enjoying the easy conversation.

Just then, Caelus walked over with his usual relaxed demeanor. "Hey, Stelle! March 7th," he greeted. "Mind if I join you?"

I forced a smile, trying to mask my discomfort. "Of course, Caelus. We were just catching up."

March 7th looked up with a welcoming smile. "Hey, Caelus. Sure, join us."

As Caelus sat down, I felt a wave of jealousy and sadness. It seemed like March 7th was more engaged with Caelus, and their easy camaraderie made me feel like I was on the outside looking in. My heart ached, and the joy of our earlier moments felt distant.

Unable to endure the discomfort, I stood up abruptly. "I need some air," I said, my voice betraying my distress. Without waiting for a response, I hurried out of the common area.

I found a secluded spot outside, away from the noise. The cool air did little to soothe the turmoil inside me. I leaned against a wall, trying to catch my breath. Tears started to well up, and I slid down to sit on the floor, the weight of my emotions overwhelming me.

I didn't understand why seeing March 7th with Caelus hurt so much. Was it the realization that my feelings were one-sided, or the fear of losing something precious? I wiped my tears, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness that was hard to control.

As I sat there, trying to compose myself, the pain of being left out and overshadowed by Caelus was almost too much to bear. It was a moment of raw vulnerability, and I struggled to process everything that was happening.

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Himeko walking toward me, her expression filled with concern. She was like a guiding light for the group, always knowing when someone needed her.

"Stelle, there you are," Himeko said softly, her voice gentle. "I saw you leave and thought I should check on you."

I tried to compose myself, but the tears kept flowing. "I... I just needed some space," I managed to say.

Himeko knelt beside me, her presence comforting. "I can see that. It looks like you're going through a lot right now. Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, unable to find the words. Himeko sat quietly, letting me take my time. Her understanding silence was more soothing than any words could be.

After a few moments, I took a deep breath and began to explain. "It's just... seeing March 7th with Caelus. I didn't realize how much it would hurt. I feel like I'm being pushed aside."

Himeko nodded, her gaze compassionate. "It's okay to feel that way. Sometimes, it's hard to deal with feelings we didn't expect. But remember, you're not alone. We're all here for each other."

Her words were like a balm to my wounded heart. I leaned into her, grateful for her support. "Thank you, Himeko. I didn't know who else to turn to."

Himeko helped me stand up, her arm around my shoulders in a comforting gesture. "Let's head back inside. We can take things one step at a time. And if you ever need to talk, I'm always here."

As we walked back to the common area together, I felt a renewed sense of comfort and support. It was a small step toward healing, but it made me feel less alone in my struggles.