So how about this fast update? :D You guys happy? Are you happy? XD

Yesterday was Canada day and I was off work so I went out with my boyfriend for a picnic. It put me in a pretty romantic mood to write this.

I hope you guys enjoy it!

Chapter 9: Denial

When we get back to Alfea, I go to the dorms to change into my everyday clothes and take a bath from all the mud of the swamp. Now I just have to go see Palladium in his office. Wait no, it's Professor Palladium. When it's school related, I have to call him Professor. It's only appropriate.

When I find myself in front of his office door, I inhale slowly, trying to calm myself down. I then bring my hand to his office door and knock hesitantly.

"Come in!"
His usual cheerful and somewhat panicked voice sounds from the other side of the door. I reach for the doorknob and open the door. I see Professor Palladium putting away a few messy stacks of paper. He then looks in my direction and smiles.

"Onyx! Go sit in the chair; I'll be right with you."

He seems… not angry with me? I'm a bit confused. Didn't he want to see me in his office to tell me how badly I did in the assignment? I should just go sit in the chair facing his desk… if you can even call that a desk anymore. It's overflowing with a bunch of papers and books scattered all over. The floor is not even spared either.

After getting rid of the pile that he was carrying, he came to sit behind his desk, right across from me.

"So, what brings you here, Onyx?"

Wait… He doesn't remember that he's the one who told me to go to his office?

"Didn't you tell me to come to your office after the assignment?"

A moment of silence passes as realization washes over his face.

"Oh yes! That's right! I'm sorry it completely slipped my mind. Yes, so I called you here to talk about your performance in the assignment."

I nod while smiling at his usual clumsiness. My smile then disappears when I think of what he's about to probably say to me.

"You're disappointed, aren't you, Professor?"

His eyes widen.

"Disappointed? Why would I be?"

Did he also forget what happened in the assignment?

"Well, I used magic when you specifically said that it wasn't allowed…"

"You really think I'd be upset about that?"

I blink a few times.

"You're… not?"

"Not at all, that was a matter of life or death. If you hadn't jumped in to rescue your friends, I would've."

I let out a sigh. I'm really relieved for some reason that he's not disappointed with me.

"I think that was the first time I've seen a Dark Ankelon transformation. It was pretty impressive."

"Impressive?"

My transformation? My cursed nature? I shift my gaze to the ground.

"Of course. Is something wrong?"

"I… no one has ever said anything positive about it."

"But it's such a beauti-… No! I mean it's a very… umm… good transformation! Yes!"

He then scratches the back of his head while making little nervous laughs. He was just about to say beautiful… right? Or am I just imagining things? I feel my cheeks and my ears getting warm.

"Th-Thank you, Professor Palladium."

"I told you you can call me P-Palladium outside of class."

Both of us are stuttering. I'm feeling really weird. Why is that? Well, anyway, it's time for me to go to my next class. I wish I didn't have to, though. I like spending time with Palladium. I get up, and, just as I am about to tell him my goodbyes, he asks me something.

"You're leaving already?"

"Yeah, my next class is soon."

"Oh… Alright, it's good to be a… well good student. If you ever need any help for any of your classes, don't hesitate to come and talk to me. Of course, if… if you need anything else, I'm also always happy to help."

I giggle and nod.

"Thank you Palladium."

I wave at him and leave his office. While walking to my next class, I put a hand on my chest. My heart is beating so fast. I wonder why I feel so strange when I'm around Palladium. He's my teacher! I should just look up to him and seek his advice. And that's what I'm doing! Except that night at the dance… It felt so nice for some reason. He isn't a boy from Red Fountain. He's my Professor, and yet… I wouldn't have wanted that night to go any differently. Being in his hesitant arms, gazing into his brown eyes… Oh no, my face is getting all warm again! I should really stop this.

The whole day I couldn't concentrate well during the classes. I get back to the dorm, and without talking to anyone, I just head straight for my bed where I lie down. Stella comes in also.

"Onyx? Are you alright?"

I turn my head away from her.

"Yeah, what makes you think I'm not?"

That's a total lie, and she probably spotted it…

"Well, for one it seems like you've been avoiding everyone. Not to mention how you spaced out in all of the classes today. Something is definitely up if you ask me."

I don't answer her, and keep avoiding her gaze. I know if she looks at me, she might figure something out. What, though? What would she figure out? I don't even know what it is myself. All I know is that it probably has to do with Palladium… I start picturing him smiling at me.

"You're blushing!"

What?! I hide my face under the pillow. How did I just blush like that out of nowhere?

"I knew it! You like someone! Who is it? Is it a boy from Red Fountain? Maybe an Ankelon."

"Never! I have nothing to do with them anymore."

"Alright, alright… So who is it?"

"It's no one. You're wrong anyway. I don't like anyone."

Stella snatches the pillow off of my face.

"Yeah right, I can read it all over your face."

I avert my gaze. She might be right… Do I like…? No! This is not right!

"I'm not in the mood for this, Stella."

She pouts and puts down the pillow.

"Fine. I'll find out on my own, then."

Oh great… Hopefully she won't notice anything that doesn't actually exist, since I don't want any weird rumours going around.

Sooooo how was it? Tell me in the reviews!