Ahiru stared down at the barre gripped between her hands. How did this happen?
The recent girl's strike caused the school administrators to enforce new rules on demonstrations and safety regulations. Because of the fuss and rumors, there were some mixed reactions. Some girls were freakin' pissed at the Miss Katze's refusal and confronted Ahiru on different occasions. Pique, and several other girls, defended and rescued her out of those sticky situations. Lillie even distracted the aggressors by starting a food fight, though it looked like she was enjoying it.
Fakir hardened into a cold jerk during school because too many girls were pulling all sorts of nasty tricks to get him. He even blew up in front one and made her cry. Thankfully Miss Katze was perceptive and reprimanded them for their stupid antics. She did her best to support the two dancers from unwanted attention, but Ahiru still had to worry about things like her ballet shoes getting stolen or prank spiders in her locker.
The redhead girl sighed. "I wonder if I can survive until the end of this month," she mumbled. "I hope nothing bad happens until then, but I seriously doubt that. To be honest, I'm grateful that I was chosen for anything at all, really. But I can't help that- that maybe...I wonder-"
She gazed up to the ceiling, her face filled with woe.
"Am I...am I really fit for this role?"
Ahiru remembered the time when she was a duck. Even with the pendant Drosselmeyer gave her, she was not good at dancing. Princess Tutu, one of her magical forms, was technically part of the Prince, all the strength, grace, beauty. That was a great source of her insecurity, which she eventually resolved to choose the right choice, to give up the pendant and revert to being a simple duck. Imagine her surprise when Fakir accidentally spun her tale and turned her into a girl.
Quickly after gaining a human body again, she jumped on the opportunity to study ballet. Heck, she nagged Fakir to help her practice, even though he stated that he will help long before she asked. It might be her imagination, but she doesn't mess up her form or trip as often anymore. Not perfect as Princess Tutu, but she is showing definite improvement. It could be because Ahiru practiced for long hours every day with Fakir afterschool. And that she isn't completely tied to her avian form, though some duck-like traits still lingers.
But that doesn't mean there are no better dancers than her. Like the advance class that Rue was in, surely they are just as good as Rue. And all the other girls who were there before Ahiru the girl came into existence. She was also way behind in the class because of her "absence" and finally caught up. Just what was Miss Katze thinking?
Ahiru takes another deep breath. All the stress was getting to her.
"Ahiruuuuu!" A familiar voice drew closer. Ahiru turned around to see her pink haired friend running over to her.
"There you are," Pique panted, placing her things against the wall. "Miss Katze and Fakir were looking all over for you. You shouldn't keep them waiting! Especially Fakir!"
"Oh right, the new practice room location. Thanks, Pique! I'll be there in a minute." Ahiru rushes to gather her things. The other girl placed her hands hips, looking at her friend scrambling around.
"Boy, do you have it rough. I mean, you practically have to change rooms twice a week. Those girls don't give you a rest, huh?"
"Yeah. It's okay though. I-I'll manage somehow." Ahiru smiled weakly, trying to hide her anxiety.
Pique just stared at the poor girl, possibly contemplating. She relaxed her shoulders and gave a small smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. You will definitely manage, just like you always have."
Ahiru paused and looked over her shoulder. "Huh?"
"It's nothing." Pique quickly changed her tone, suddenly shifting her eyes mischievously. "By the way, how are things between you and Fakir? Did you confess to him yet? Hmm? Did you? With all that time you two spend together, something must be going on~!"
She smirked as nudged her elbow into the flustered girl.
"I-I, I mean, it's n-no-othing like that! No way! All we are doing is trying to get the choreography right. Th-tha-at's all! Fakir's too serious to think about that kind of stuff!" Ahiru felt her face burning, arms a flailing, hoping her friend won't stay on the topic any longer.
The pink haired girl crossed her arms in disappointment.
"Sheesh, how many times am I gonna have to tell you."
"B-b-bu-ut!"
"If you don't tell him, he will never know how you feel- and you will never know until you try. It's not like I regretted anything."
Pique had confessed to Fakir couple of months before. He rejected her, and was completely dumbfounded as how to handle the heartbroken girl with Ahiru near by. She was comforted by both unlikely and likely of heroes, able to overcome the painful situation.
"Pique..." Ahiru murmured.
"Now, enough of that. You better get going!" Pique shoved her out the door with a big grin.
"I'll be cheering you on, Ahiru!"
She huffed in relief as her friend panicked down the hall. The pink hair girl leaned against the door with a smile, hiding a secret glint in her eyes. She leaned down to pick up her bag and a simple leather bound book. Embossed on the front was a beautiful ballerina en pointe with raised winged arms. She hugged the book tightly against her chest, gazing after Ahiru.
"Because, you know," she said quietly,"you two deserve a happy ending."
A/N & Disclaimer: Many of the background ideas; like the teacher Miss Katze, Ahiru's training with Fakir, Pique's confession, are derived from the Katchan00's Glimpses , which is unfortunately incomplete. ;_; And, yes, Ahiru's bullied situation is tame, but I didn't want it to be too serious and take away the light-hearted tone.
This was really short, but I hope you guys liked it! I'll try my best to finish this little story up.