Fifty-three

I was sitting at a table with three girls who looked like me, except for their hair color. One had yellow hair, another had orange hair, and the last one had red hair, like my magic. They were playing cards and arguing with each other.

"What are you doing there?" the orange-haired girl asked me, noticing my presence.

"Me?" I said, pointing at myself.

"Yes, who else do you want me to talk about, you idiot?" she snapped.

"I'm not an idiot," I said, feeling offended.

"Oh, you must be our landlord. It's a pleasure to meet you," the red-haired girl said, smiling sweetly.

"At least you're nice," I said, returning her smile.

"Tell me what you're doing here," the yellow-haired girl demanded, glaring at me.

"For some time, there has been a voice calling me, and I wondered what it was," I said, trying to explain.

"Yet none of us have been in touch with you," the orange-haired girl said, frowning.

"Don't tell me it was the other one who did it," the red-haired girl thought, looking worried.

"Can you explain to me what you are, because I don't really know what you are," I said, hoping for some answers.

"I'll explain, in this case. I'm in charge of the red flames you can use. That's why I have red hair," the red-haired girl said, pointing at her head.

"I'm in charge of the yellow flames," the yellow-haired girl said, doing the same.

"And I'm in charge of the orange flames," the orange-haired girl said, following suit.

I held my head and then thought, "So each of you is doing some of my magic, but I also have purple flames. So where is the one doing that?"

"She's locked up, but do you still want to see her?" the red-haired girl asked me, sensing my curiosity.

"Of course, I want to see her," I said, nodding.

"Then follow me, but be careful, you understand," the red-haired girl said, getting up and gesturing me to follow.

"Red, where are you going?" the yellow-haired girl asked, suspicious.

"I'm just showing her around, don't worry," the red-haired girl said, lying.

"Fine, but don't take too long. We still have a game to finish," the orange-haired girl said, impatient.

"OK, OK, we'll be back soon," the red-haired girl said, leading me away from the table.

She took me to a dark corner of the room, where a purple-haired girl was chained and locked up. She looked sad and lonely.

"It took you a while to find me, though," the purple-haired girl said, looking at me with a faint smile.

"I'll leave you with her, but be careful. She could easily trap you," the red-haired girl said, warning me.

"Don't worry, I won't get caught," I said, feeling confident.

"Fine," the red-haired girl said, leaving me alone with the purple-haired girl.

"So you're the one who got in touch with me," I said, breaking the silence.

"Yes, well, you're meeting me. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time now, and the other girls there are not very nice to me. They always leave me out," the purple-haired girl said, sounding bitter.

"You're chained up and locked up. I think that's why they don't want to talk to you. But why did you want to get in touch with me?" I asked, curious.

"I noticed that you have no control over my strength. It's not really your fault that no person taught you how to use that part of your magic, but I'll be there when you need me. Don't worry," the purple-haired girl said, reassuring me.

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, of course. But as you can see, I'm chained, and it's you who can have the power to free me," the purple-haired girl said, looking at me with hope.

"Oh, by the way, Purple," I said, trying to be friendly.

"Don't call me Purple. It's really embarrassing to be called by your hair color, and you have the same hair color. So you'd better find a name for me," the purple-haired girl said, sounding annoyed.

"But what would you like me to call you?" I asked, wondering.

"I don't really know. You choose a name for me," the purple-haired girl said, shrugging.

"Why not Yumi, then?" I suggested, thinking of a name I liked.

"Yes, I think it's a great name. But I think it's time for you to leave," the purple-haired girl said, looking at the clock.

"Yes, I'll come back to see you tomorrow, in that case. Goodbye," I said, waving at her.

"Goodbye," she said, waving back.

I walked back to the table, where the other girls were waiting for me.

"So, how was it?" the red-haired girl asked me, curious.

"It went well," I said, smiling.

But I still have so many questions, I thought, feeling confused.

Back to the real world, I opened my eyes and saw Orobarian looking at me with interest.

"So, how was it?" he asked me, echoing the red-haired girl.

"It went well," I repeated, still smiling.

1 month later

It's been a month since Jade and I became a couple, and I couldn't be happier. Every day, I look forward to seeing her and spending time with her. But we have to keep our relationship a secret, because we don't want to deal with the judgment and gossip of others. It's hard, but we manage. There is only a few day before the tournament start I can't wait for it to start.

Another new day begins. I get up, then take a shower and decide to put on my uniform. Then I have my breakfast and then go out to school. On the way, I meet Naoka and decide to walk with her. We chat about random things and laugh a lot. She's a good friend, but she doesn't know about me and Jade. Once we get to the school, the bell rings, so we both decide to go to our classes. I haven't met Jade yet, but I can't wait to see her at lunch time.

It's finally time to eat, and besides, I get to go see Jade. I walk towards the courtyard to look for a place to eat, and then I see Maria and Alice sitting under a tree. They look really close, so I decide to come closer.

"So, how are you two lovebirds doing?" I ask them, teasing.

"We're fine, we're living our life as a couple," Maria says, smiling.

"Are you two together?" I ask, pretending to be surprised.

"Yes, since yesterday afternoon," Alice says, nodding.

"Oh, that's great, then I can't wait to be aunty," I say, joking.

Maria and Alice both blush and look away.

"Stop rushing things, Eloise. And you're still single," Maria says, trying to change the topic.

"Yes, but after a while, you get used to it," I say, shrugging.

I leave them and then take my phone to send a message to Jade.

Message:

Eloise: Where are you, sweetheart?

Jade: I'm under the tree in the entrance.

Eloise: I'll be right there then ( ˘ ³˘)♥

"End of messages"

I leave to join Jade and I go to give her a hug. Jade stops me and pushes me away.

"It's just a hug, why do you refuse?" I ask, feeling hurt.

"Don't forget that our relationship has to be a secret," Jade says, looking around nervously.

"This is so lame, I want to be able to kiss you and there's no one around," I say, pouting.

"No, now let's eat," Jade says, handing me a sandwich.

We eat and then the break ends and we go back to class. I wish we could spend more time together, but we have to be careful. Then the class ends and I go to Jade again.

"Jade, we're going home together, my love," I say, holding her hand.

"No, you can still go, I'm waiting for someone," Jade says, letting go of my hand.

"Who are you waiting for?" I ask, feeling jealous.

"It's none of your business, just go," Jade says, sounding annoyed.

"OK, then. I'll see you tomorrow," I say, feeling sad.

I give her a kiss on the cheek and leave. I wonder what's going on with her. Is she hiding something from me? I hope not. I love her so much, and I don't want to lose her.