IIIIIIII Scarlet IIIIIIII

I can't bring myself to walk back into Alfea. Trisha would instantly know something is wrong, and I'm afraid I'll cry if I talk about it. Which is stupid. I'm stupid for getting my hopes up in the first place.

It's dark, and the moon shines bright over Lake Roccaluce. It's peaceful and quiet, and the crickets are chirping in the woods around me. My finger traces over the thick golden band of my necklace and stops over the red gem in the center. I've never taken it off, and it's warm against my skin.

Sighing, I gaze out over the water. Not only have I ruined my chances with Kal, but I've jeopardized my identity. I've had to cast an illusion every week to keep my facade up, and now it could easily unravel if the witch happens to remember. I should have just erased her memory of me in the first place. But I wanted to see her fail at my hands.

The curse isn't fair, I think. I've seen plenty of fairies lash out in anger before, but do they turn into a witch? Does having negative emotions make me a witch? It doesn't make sense. And my powers are only getting stronger.

I sigh and pick up a small rock, hurtling it at the water. It plunks into the lake. I should really be heading back to Alfea soon. Trisha may already be texting me, and she gets worried when I don't respond.

Kal has my phone.

I squeeze my eyes shut and groan, dropping my face in my hands. There's no way I'm getting it back. I may as well just buy a new one.

Sighing, I push off of the bench and stand. The moonlight reflects off the water, and the trail back is easy to see. I start walking but stop when I hear rustling in the bushes. I forgot that I'm at the edge of Black Mud Swamp, and it's not the safest. Of course, it could just be a mouse. A really big mouse?

My hands tighten to fists as I ready myself. Could it be that witch- did I not use enough of my magic? But a tall figure steps out, with short hair and broad shoulders. My breath catches in my throat when I see Kal. I blink, and he's still there. And he has my phone against his ear.

"Yeah, I found her," he says. "Thanks. Yeah, I'll tell her."

He hangs up and silence stretches between us. My back stiffens at the sight of him. I don't know what to do, but my heart's beating rapidly in my chest, and my stomach churns like I'm about to throw up. This night has turned out to be the worst I've had in awhile.

"Your roommate called, and you don't have a password on your phone," he says. He doesn't make eye contact. "She said you'd be here."

I blink again and turn my head back to the lake. My voice is soft as I say, "You saw everything, right? Back in the alley?"

There's a pause, and he takes a step forward. "Um… I couldn't hear you. Can you turn around?"

I turn my head back. Kal's only a couple of feet away from me now, and he offers his phone to me.

I take it, being careful not to make physical contact. "You saw everything at the alley," I tell him again.

"I did," he nods, "and I'm confused. Are you a fairy or a witch?"

I cross my arms and look away to the dark forest. "It's...complicated."

His tone isn't lighthearted anymore. "You're not really from Illusa's moon, are you."

"Technically, I said I was born there, which isn't untrue." I tilt my head to the side and add, "And how did you get here so quickly?"

"Motorbike," he shrugs.

"Ah." I nod. Why am I acting like such an idiot?

He scratches his head. "What happened back there? Was that an illusion to mess with the witch?"

"It wasn't an illusion. I'm cursed, Kal." My voice comes out harsher than I intended, and my eyes widen when I realize what I've just said. I've just told him my secret.

"Cursed? Like the royalty of Illusa? Oh." His eyes widen, and he pauses. It hits him at once. Kal straightens and looks me up and down. Finally, his shoulder slumps, and his voice is low as he says, "You're the princess, aren't you?"

Kal's eyes are filled with hurt, and I have to look away. "Yes."

He's mumbling to himself now. "They weren't kidding when they said how gorgeous the royalty were."

I blink in surprise and turn my head back. "What?" Surely I misheard him.

"Uh, nothing," he says rushed. His hands goes to the back of his neck as he asks, "It's just, the rumors are true?"

He's acting way too sincere right now, I can't help but reply, "Why do you want to know?"

"Look, I'm just trying to figure you out." He raises his hands in a gesture as he continues, "A lot of weird things happened tonight, and I still want to see you again. If that's okay." Pause. "Can we sit?"

"..Sure." I sit on the bench and scoot to the left. Kal sits next to me, and our thighs touch. It's suddenly warm, and I clasp my hands together. "So, you don't despise me?"

"Despise?"He shakes his head and half-smiles. "That's an intense word. Why would you think that?"

"Being cursed isn't a very attractive quality, and you just saw me turn into a witch to attack another witch." I lean back and meet his gaze, then quickly look away. "I'm assuming that's not what you expected."

"Granted, the other witch attacked you first. I'd say you were just defending yourself." He crosses his arms and asks, "How does the whole turning-into-a-witch work anyway? Is that the curse? You were super nice even when I ran into you and broke your MMP3, so it seems weird that you'd turn into one."

I shake my head and say, "It's a long story."

He smiles in the moonlight and nudges my arm. "Well," he replies, "I've got time."