ᴇᴄʜᴏᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴜꜱ

Chapter 7: Melodies of Tension

Sarah's pov

I tapped my fingers lightly on the piano keys, the tension from earlier still clinging to me like a second skin. This room had always been my escape, my refuge, but now? Feeling like Izuko is standing just outside the door, it didn't feel like much of a refuge anymore.

My eyes flicked to the door where Izuko and Nya had stood, remembering the awkwardness that hung between us. How did we end up here after everything? After a year of pretending not to see each other, pretending it didn't hurt...

"Sarah, are you spacing out or just showing off?" Natasha's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and smug.

I straightened up and rolled my eyes, not in the mood for her games. "Oh, Natasha, didn't see you there. Must've been too busy actually doing something useful," I said with a casual shrug, letting the sarcasm drip.

She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe with that usual smirk plastered on her face. "Wow, Izuko? Really? You actually let her back in the room after everything that went down between you two?"

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my voice cool. "What's your point?"

"My point is... didn't think you'd want that awkwardness following you around again. I mean, isn't it a bit... embarrassing?" Natasha smiled like she'd said something clever.

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. Embarrassing? Please. I leaned forward on the piano, meeting her gaze with a smirk of my own. "Embarrassing would be you, trying to stir up drama that doesn't even involve you. But hey, if you want front-row seats to my life, keep talking. I charge for entertainment though."

Natasha's smirk faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered, flipping her hair over her shoulder like she hadn't been phased. "Oh, Sarah. Always so tough. But we both know you're not as confident when it comes to Izuko. Otherwise, why let her back in?"

I stood up from the piano, walking right up to her with my arms crossed, refusing to let her win this little game. "Natasha, sweetheart, if I wanted your opinion on my personal life, I'd have asked. And since I didn't, maybe you should focus on your own embarrassing attempts at staying relevant, hmm?"

Her eyes widened for a split second, and I could tell I'd hit a nerve. She recovered quickly, though, shrugging like it didn't matter. "Whatever, Sarah. Don't say I didn't warn you when she disappears again."

"Warn me?" I let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Oh, please. The only thing I need warning about is getting bored of this conversation."

Natasha scowled and, predictably, tried to come back with some weak insult, but I knew she wouldn't have anything else to say.

At that moment, the music teacher walked in and asked us to stand in our positions. We did as instructed, and the lesson began. I found myself calming down as the music reached my ears, allowing me to forget about everything with Izuko for a while—at least for a few minutes.