Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Shizuka Usagi


Chapter 4

"What in the world is going on?" Nel inquired. She craned her neck to see the upper level; however, it was blocked off by hordes of people.

"It sounds like it's coming from the Tailor's." Mirage pointed out.

"Let's check it out." Sophia urged.

"Are you sure it's safe? We should leave this to mall security." Nel told Sophia.

"But—" Sophia insisted.

"Nel's right. It could be dangerous." Mirage added.

"But I think I know who caused the commotion." Nel and Mirage looked at her in surprise. "Um… I ran into Albel before joining up with you guys. He and Woltar were heading towards the Tailors."

After digesting the information, Nel scoffed. "I wouldn't be surprised. That obnoxious Airyglyphian is always getting himself into trouble."

"Let's check it out then. Someone could've gotten hurt." Sophia repeated.

"The only person who probably got hurt was the tailor." Mirage supposed.

"Alright. Let's go." Nel confirmed. The trio dashed up the escalator towards the small crowd that gathered around the store. Voices could be heard coming from within.

"You maggot! How dare you question my masculinity? I am more of a man than you will ever be." A familiar voice yelled.

"Albel, stop it right this instant." Another voice commanded.

Nel battled her way through the crowd and stopped not too far in front of Albel. "What are you up to now, Nox?"

Albel ignored her and glared at Woltar. "If we had to get a tailor, why couldn't we get a family one? Instead of these pompous prats!" Albel growled at the tailor who cowered in fear and covered his head.

"Um… Albel?" Sophia said timidly behind Nel and Mirage. "What's going now here?"

Albel looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "What are you wenches doing here? In fact…" Albel turned toward the crowd. "Why don't you all… MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!"

The crowd dispersed at his roar. This left Sophia, Nel and Mirage. Woltar looked weary. The trio couldn't blame him. He took Albel's prom suit, which was contained in an opaque container, and placed some fol next to the cash register. The tailor miraculously recovered and took the fol. Then he gave Woltar his change and receipt.

"Please come—" The tailor began but stopped when Albel shot him a glare. "Uh… nevermind! Please forgive my disservice to you Sir Albel and Lord Woltar!" Afterwards, the tailor slunk in the storage room and locked the door behind him.

"It seems school isn't the only place you cause trouble." Nel stated dryly.

"Shut up, worm!" Albel hissed about to charge Nel when Woltar laid a hand on his shoulder.

"That's enough, Albel. I will have a talk to your father about this." Woltar reprimanded as if to a child. "The family tailor was out of town. That's why we weren't able to get in touch." Then he turned to Sophia, Mirage, and Nel. "Forgive Albel for his misconduct. I'm sure he will not behave so rashly—especially in front of his date—again. Good day Miss Esteed, Miss Zelpher and—what is your name, dear?"

"Mirage Koas." Mirage replied.

"Miss Koas." Woltar echoed, storing it into his memory before leaving. Albel stalked several meters before him muttering, "Rotten old man."

"Um… goodbye Albel!" Sophia waved to his retreating form. However, he either didn't hear her or choose to acknowledge her. It was probably the latter, Sophia thought.

"I wonder what caused the commotion in the first place." Mirage wondered.

"I haven't the slightest idea." Sophia sighed, playing with her hair. She often did this when she was troubled or stumped.

"I suggest we forget about what happened and do what we came here to do." Nel said off-handedly.

"Have fun?" Sophia guessed.

"Yes. Our dear Sophia could use some makeup and jewelry to accent her prom dress." Mirage included.

"Is there something wrong with my complexion?" Sophia said worriedly.

"Not at all. We just think Albel would like a little spice in his cake."

"W-what?" Sophia exclaimed. A light blush crept into her features.

"Nel, I think you've been hanging around Cliff too long." Mirage noted, shaking her head.

"Y-you think so?" Nel said in embarrassment.

"I've known Cliff since we were kids. I know the lame pick up lines he uses. He used to practice them on me before trying them out on other girls."

"I doubt that turned out well." Sophia speculated.

"Let's just say after I was done with him… his limbs weren't left in tact." Mirage said calmly.

"Scaaree." Nel commented, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Sophia was exhausted by the time she came home. She fell on the couch and carelessly dropped her bags on the floor. She had gone on quite a shopping spree with Nel and Mirage's help, of course. At the moment she was home alone. Her parents had gone on a business trip and wouldn't be back for a few days. Sophia was saddened at the thought. They promised they would be back on her graduation day. She sincerely hoped they would remember.

Sophia wearily checked the time: 3:30. She groaned. Something kept nagging at the back of her head. Like there something she had to do at this time. Her tired mind disregarded it until just before she dozed off. Then, it hit her. "Oh no, Peppita!" She gasped aloud.

The Rossetti Troupe had to do a show at 4:00. But they had to arrive early to get the animals and equipment ready. Unfortunately, the fairy guide had fallen ill a few days before. Technically, Peppita was old enough to be left by herself. But her guardians didn't want to leave her behind or alone sick. Knowing that Sophia was babysitting, they asked her if she could watch over Peppita.

"I'm terribly sorry for being late. Um… I just sort of lost track of time." Sophia apologized once she arrived at Peppita's home.

"It's alright, miss. But try to be more punctual next time." Ursus said standing aside, allowing Sophia to come in.

"Our little lady is right this way." Gonzella led Sophia to Peppita's room.

Peppita sat up in bed groggily. Her pale blonde hair was frazzled and she looked tired. "I'm glad you could make it, Sophia." Peppita coughed afterwards, wincing from her sore throat.

"Oh my, you do look under the weather." Sophia felt Peppita's forehead which was slightly warm. "It looks like you have a fever."

"Yeah she's been sick for a while now. We were thinking about taking her to the doctor." Ursus said worriedly.

"I'm sure it's just the flu. All she needs is bed rest and plenty of fluids." Sophia informed.

"Go on Ursus, I'm sure Sophia will take good care of me." Peppita said.

"Alright, if you insist, little lady." Ursus patted her on the head and left the room.

Peppita sighed when she and Sophia were alone. "Honestly, I'm sixteen years old. Yet, they treat me like I'm six."

Sophia gave a sympathetic smile. "That just shows how much they care about you."

"I suppose you're right, Sophia. But the term 'little lady" is getting a little old." Peppita groaned and crossed her arms.

Sophia chuckled. "At least they're always around whenever you need them unlike…" Sophia trailed off and then shook her head furiously. "Forget what I said. I was being quite selfish."

She took a look at Sophia's melancholy expression and knit her brow. Peppita knew about how Sophia's parents were normally busy and rarely at home. Peppita hugged Sophia in a sisterly way and smiled as wide as she could.

"Please don't be sad, my sweet Sophia. Where's the smile on your face?" Peppita imitated the blue-haired brotherly figure, lightheartedly.

Sophia's downcast expression immediately brightened. "You have a point, my perky Peppita. I shouldn't be frowning when you're sick. I'm supposed to be the one making you feel better. Not the other way around."

Peppita beamed. "Alright, then. Can you bring the bowl of soup left on the counter in the kitchen? I forgot to tell Ursus and the others to bring it up for me."

Sophia nodded and a few moments later, she held a bowl of steaming soup in her hands. She pulled up a chair and sat next to Peppita. Sophia blew on the soup and spooned in small quantities in Peppita's mouth. "So, Sophia. Who's the lucky guy?"

Sophia nearly dropped the bowl of soup into her lap. "What are you talking about?"

"The guy who is taking you to the prom, silly." Peppita said as if it was obvious.

"Albel Nox… is taking me." Sophia said in embarrassment.

"Mr. Grumpy?" Peppita sat up with excitement. "Really?"

"If you are referring to Albel, then the answer is yes." Sophia confirmed.

"B-but! I thought you were going out with Fayt!" Peppita exclaimed, though she seemed rather happy than displeased.

"I thought I told you and everyone else. We. Are. Just. Friends. I have no romantic interest in him whatsoever." Sophia insisted.

"Didn't you used to?" Peppita asked.

"Mmm… at one point, I suppose. But we've been around each other so long it feels like we're siblings, you know."

"So… does that mean he's free?" Peppita asked shyly.

"He's going out with Mirage." Sophia gave her a suspicious look when Peppita's hopeful expression fell. "Why do you ask? Aren't you going out with Mr. Huxley?"

"Well, you see, I don't really—" Peppita began but was interrupted by a serious Sophia.

"You aren't just using Roger to get into the prom, are you?" Sophia looked so ashamed of her that she felt she was shrinking to the size of an amoeba.

"Of—of course not! It's more like he's helping me make someone jealous…" Peppita finished pathetically.

Sophia didn't quite understand, so she asked Peppita to elaborate. "How so?"

"The truth is, Sophia, I have a major crush on Fayt." Sophia looked surprised, but she let Peppita continue.

"One day, I asked Roger what I should do. He said to make a man jealous, a girl has to go out with someone who would be worthy as his rival. Then, he went on a tirade about competition or something like that. So, basically, I thought we could make Fayt jealous—I don't know!" Peppita threw her arms up in exasperation. "It's all too confusing." Afterwards, she began to cough several times, looking absolutely miserable.

"Oh, Peppita. That type of trickery won't work on Fayt. He's too honest and good-natured to be jealous of a person because they're going out with someone he likes. Even so, he wouldn't act on his feelings, but rather keep them bottled up inside. Eventually, he would probably find someone else to take up his interest." Sophia informed. "…I think that's what happened in my case."

"I'm sorry Sophia. You're right. I feel so stupid now." Peppita coughed again and groaned, lying back on the bed.

"Don't strain yourself, Peppita." Sophia said firmly, giving her a glass of water.

Peppita smiled weakly and took the water. "Thanks. You're the best."

"Your welcome. Everyone makes mistakes. But if you can't learn from them, they're meaningless."

"So, have I learned from my mistake?" Peppita asked.

"Have you?" Sophia replied.

"I think I have. I won't try to make Fayt jealous. I'll just go to have fun." Peppita said.

Sophia smiled in response. "Now, get some rest. I have tons of homework to catch up on."

Just as Sophia was about to leave, Peppita asked. "What I don't understand is… why do you like Albel?"

Sophia was caught off-guard at the question. "Um… I'm not sure why myself. There's just something about him that makes me attracted to him. I have a strong feeling that underneath his tough, arrogant exterior there's a good person. Maybe you'll understand when you're older."

"Why does everybody keep saying that? 'When you get older, you'll understand.' What makes being older, more understandable? Do you become wiser or something? Besides, I'm only a year younger than you." Peppita said.

"Hmm… you have a point. Some people can live a lifetime and not know as much as a person who has lived half as long. It's based more on experience rather than age, really."

"I bet even those with lots of experience in love, don't fully understand it." Peppita believed.

Haha, I'm living proof of that, Sophia thought. "Yes, I'm sure that's true."