"The Winter Ball is in two days!!" an announcer fairy declared at the podium. "If you still haven't gotten a date yet, now and tomorrow are your last chances! Hurry!"
There was an excited murmur among the crowd below. Couples held hands while guys whispered and female fairies giggled. Tinkerbell's eyes fell downcast. That announcement sure took a stab. I'm not even going to that boring ball. She sighed and turned to leave.
"T-T-Ti-Tinkerbell!"
"Hm?" Tinkerbell turned back around and found herself closely looking at the face of the silver-haired announcer. "Er, hello, Drew...?"
Drew laughed, letting out a snort while at it. "Um...uh...I heard the rumors about you."
It's starting again. "That's nice. Well, bye then..." Tinkerbell began walking away, flushed red with shame and humility. Those rumors are really destroying my reputation. Even the dorky fairy in Pixie Hollow thinks badly of me now! She was brought back to reality when she felt something bony and rough grab her arm. She looked back and scowled. "What are you doing?" she hissed. "Let go! You're hurting my arm!"
"O-oh!" Drew retreated his hand. "Sor-sorry about that," he said earnestly. "It's just that I wasn't going to say anything bad! So please...don't go."
Tinkerbell secretly rolled her eyes in annoyance and turned to face him. "What do you want then?"
My! She's as beautiful as they say! Regardless of the other things... Drew took a deep breath. "Would you consider going to the ball with me?" he asked hurriedly, face turning redder than a tomato. "I-I re-really like y-you, Tinkerbell, a-and um...er..." He gulped. "I'd...I'd really appr-reciate it of y-you would go with m-me as my d-d-d-date." He quickly hid his red face, afraid of her stare and anxious of her answer.
"...!?" Tinkerbell stood frozen, eyes wide and cheeks tinted pink. "Drew, I-"
"I never believed those rumors, just so you know!" Drew cut her off in a panic. "You... I don't believe you're that kind of person."
Oh, Drew. You're so nice but...to be your date? Tinkerbell conveyed a warm smile. "Drew," she spoke kindly. "That's very nice of you. And I'm truly grateful that you believe in me so much as to really see the truth." Her smile disappeared. "But I'm afraid I can't return your feelings."
Drew gave a look of devastation and then bowed his head. "...I see."
"It's not that you're a bad guy or anything it's just that...that..." Tinkerbell closed her eyes, trying to find an answer. "I don't feel like my heart is with me right now. It sounds strange but that's how I really feel. I don't want to end up hurting you in the end. I'm sorry."
It was reluctant, but still a nod that Drew struggled to give. "He's really lucky," he mumbled.
"Who is?"
"The fairy that's keeping your heart."
Tinkerbell could hear herself gasp at that statement. That fairy keeps my- I never thought of it that way. She blinked sadly. "You wouldn't happen to know who that fairy may be would you?" she asked timidly. She received a negative answer. "Oh..."
Drew stretched his wings. "Well, I'd better get to work," he sighed. "Busy day today. Bye, Tinkerbell." He ascended. "If you ever change your mind, let me know!"
"Hmm." I feel guilty. Unrequited love really is painful. Tinkerbell turned to leave but instantly stood frozen, eyes wide. "...!!" Before her was Terence looking back at her with the same expression. "Terence..."
Terence's fixed gaze refused to waver. W-what do I do? I... Tink, I- He found the strength to move again and shot up into the air.
"Terence, wait!"
No, not yet. Terence could hear the rapid beating of Tinkerbell's wings along with that of his heart. He dodged branches and bushes here and there, skidded the sharp surfaces of ponds and lakes, and even spiraled through narrow tunnels. Despite those obstacles, he still could not shake Tinkerbell off. He gritted his teeth. Why won't she give up!?
Tinkerbell barely managed to dodge a branch. "Why are you avoiding me!?" she cried.
Terence stopped abruptly. Avoidance... "Umph!" he grunted when Tinkerbell crashed into him from behind. The two of them were instantly knocked out of the air, headed towards the ground. We're going down so fast. I can't even think!
"Kyaaah!" Tinkerbell screamed as she instinctively grasped Terence's sleeve.
"Hang on!" Terence reacted quickly and held onto her tightly as he brought the two of them to equilibrium. They stumbled into a rose bush, his body shielding the dazed tinker from the thorns. They finally made to the ground with a thud. The world seemed to spin and all noise brought pain to their ears. Terence shook away his dizziness and looked around, his vision slightly blurry. "...what a fall that was." He heard a soft groan from his arms and opened them.
Tinkerbell slowly came to be, her hand on her head. "I-I'm sorry..." she muttered. "I didn't mean to do that."
"It's okay." Terence allowed her to stand up first before making the attempt himself. He pushed himself up but quickly came back down again. "Ahk!" he cried in pain, holding his ankle. His whole left leg felt like it was being ripped apart. The ankle itself was a blazing inferno.
"Terence!" Tinkerbell gasped and knelt down beside him. "What's wrong?"
Terence averted her gaze the best he could. "Nothing- I'm fine!" He grunted as he hoisted himself up. As soon as he placed his foot on the ground, the flesh-tearing feeling came again. Wincing, he quickly picked his foot back up again. "Ugh..."
Tinkerbell noticed this and frowned. "You... You're hurt."
"No, I'm not. It's just a little scratch."
"Stop lying!"
Terence tried to make his escape but was effortlessly caught by the arm. "Tinkerbell," he sighed. "Just so you know, I...I'm not-" He saw the pleading look in her eyes. "...I AM avoiding you." The dust keeper tore away from her sorrowful stare. "I'm sorry. I just don't have the courage to face you."
The tinker expressed a look of surprise. "The courage?" she asked. "What are you talking about?"
Terence licked his lips as he leaned on a stem of a wilted rose. "...I made you cry."
Tinkerbell could feel a warm yet saddening feeling embrace her heart at those words. They were so earnest. The very lips of which they came from belonged to an honest fairy that had been foolish enough to take it upon himself to compensate for his mistakes by avoiding her. She felt tears gather in her eyes. Those tears held empathy and happiness. "You dummy," she sniffed, trying her best to smile. "Don't feel bad about that. Everyone cries." She sat down next to him. "Why should I be any different?"
"Because I care about you, that's why!" Terence blurted.
Tinkerbell's cheeks reddened. "Terence..." she gasped in shock. She was given a small item. She looked at it more closely and discovered its true identity. "My pendant! When did-"
"I found it outside your house," Terence cut in. "I can't believe you. First, you throw away my heart- my feelings. Now, you're discarding what ever is left between us?" He shook his head. "How heartless."
I can't breathe. Terence, did he...what was that? "I didn't throw it away!" Tinkerbell argued. "It was Stella who came to my house and suddenly..." Her voice trailed off. She could feel herself shaking from her own emotions.
"Stella?" Terence's eyes darkened. "What about Stella?"
Tinkerbell placed a hand over her heart. You idiot. Terence is in love with Stella, not YOU. He's going to the ball with her, not YOU. "Nothing," she uttered. "I-it's...nothing..." She lowered her head. What is this feeling? I suddenly feel so disappointed and sad. I feel like running away. Her heart jumped when she felt Terence's long fingers wrap around her wrists and tug her towards him. "Ah!"
"Tink, what ABOUT Stella?" Terence demanded, anger in his eyes.
"Like I said, it's nothing! Just forget it!"
"Answer me honestly!"
"I can't!
"Why not!?"
"Because...because..." Tinkerbell clenched her hands into fists. "You're in love with her!" She heard a soft gasp escape Terence's lips as his hold loosened. "If it's like that, then I don't want to say anything. I don't...want you to be unhappy because of me."
"..."
Tinkerbell saw the hurt look on the dust keeper's pale face and quickly added, "For what I said, just ignore it, okay? I was too caught up. I didn't think. So um, please just forget about it all and ju-" She fell silent when she found herself looking at Terence's chest right in front of her. His arms enveloped her petite body protectively. What in the world? The feeling of his fingers tightening around her wrists made her stomach flutter.
Terence buried his face in her hair, taking in her sweet-pea scent. "You idiot," he whispered hoarsely. "How exactly do you see me in your eyes?"
Tinkerbell felt chills run through her body. "Terence, your ankle," she shuddered. "You're in pain, aren't you? You should rest."
Terence pulled away and gazed into her sapphire eyes. "Tink, I've BEEN in pain," he said firmly. "Most of it is in my heart. And it's all because of you. Everything!" He saw the devastated look on her face. "Don't you get it, Tink? In the end, I couldn't go to the ball with Stella. It's not HER I'm in love with!"
"...!!" Tinkerbell's heartbeat quickened. Tell me. Just tell me! She closed her eyes tightly.
