Project I: The Witch and The Warlock - The Gifted and The Cursed

S1: Chapter 8 - Fake Smile

Chapter 8

PYRRHA

Things are getting warmed up yet Nauri isn't back yet. Jack said that she might have forgotten something.

It's just that it's so unusual.

It's making me worried.

We started the warm-up drill altogether by partners. I got a ball for Nauri. Jack and I started passing a ball at each other.

"You seem pretty down lately." Jack said.

"Well, it's just that my friend isn't back yet which is pretty weird."

"Don't worry. Naurila will be back soon." he smiled.

"Wait a sec! You know each other?!" I exclaimed. That was her first name. "Nauri" is just her nickname.

"Well, I dunno. Kind of, I guess." he looked away.

"Why does she act like she doesn't know you yet?" I asked.

"She's always like that-"

"Huh?"

"Forget it." Jack sighed and drop the ball.

"Hey Pyrrha!"

Someone called me out and I looked around.

"Oh, Dante! I heard you were sick." I said.

"Yeah, but I'm alright now." he smiled.

"That odd. You look fine yesterday."

"Yeah, I didn't expect it too." he replied, "Oh I see, you're with this Frost-idiot!"

"Frost-idiot?" I looked at Jack. He started walking towards us.

"Shut it." Jack glared at Dante.

"You two know each other too?" I gasped.

"Yeah. We used to be together during grade school. He's known as Frost-idiot!" Dante said and I chuckled.

"What do you want?" Jack leaned forward with his death glare.

"I'm just explaining thing to my little friend. You act like Nauri."

"Wat." I reacted. Dante laughed.

Dante bade his goodbye and left us. Then something came into my surprise.

Nauri finally came back! I was worried a bit.

"Hey, Nauri! Where have you been? You missed the warm-up drill."

"I forgot my towel, sorry!" she replied.

Jack was right!

"Do witches have some kind of foresight too?" I whispered.

"I just guessed it. That was just luck. But there's one I know." he replied.

"That's cool!" I responded.

"Yeah." he smiled, "I have to go know, your friend is glaring at me."

"O-okay!"

I looked at Nauri. She looks kinda off. And pretty pissed off too. I don't wanna talk about it. She looks like she's in deep thought, too. Did something happen. She just suddenly ran out earlier.

"The game is about to start. It's 3-A vs 3-B. This gotta be good." I gave her the ball I got earlier. She looks really down.

"Hey, Pyrrha..." she spoke.

"What?"

"Are you free after class? I just wanna talk about something..." she answered.

As I can remember, Jack and I are going to meet up at that time.

"Sorry, I have something to do at that time." I smiled.

"How about walking home together?" she asked.

"I'll be walking home with Jack so don't bother to do anything that will make your mother scold you. Your service will be waiting for you, you know." I said.

Did I do something wrong? Oh god. Why does she want to talk to me that badly? Did I make her mad? This is bad. She really looks mad. Is she really mad at me or what? Wait, she's looking at Jack. Wat is happenin'.

"Nauri, are you okay?"

"Ah, yeah." she nodded and smiled.

That smile. That's her fake smile. Dear God, what have I done?

The match is going to start. I tightened my ponytail and stretched my arms a bit. This is going to be fun this time. I can feel that.