Ara's exuberant scream echoed through the lobby as she greeted me. I'd just spent a torturous hour under Vega's tutorship, where the swiftest pillar adeptly transformed into an aloof professor who seemed entirely ignorant of our acquaintance.
The lingering question about why urions had congregated at DHU continued to occupy my thoughts. If this was a complex and risky situation, why hadn't LOU summoned us? Or at least Zilla, who typically appeared when danger loomed.
Ah, the grand entrance of Ara, the self-appointed herald of all things exciting and electrifying! As her voice boomed across the lobby like a firework exploding in the night sky, heads turned and eyebrows raised, all eyes drawn to the spectacle that was Ara perched on that black couch. Clearly, her aura was impossible to ignore, even if she was buried under a mountain of textbooks and existential teenage angst.
And there she was, my dear friend Ara, her hair styled in a way that could only be described as a fusion of avant-garde art and a disco ball. If there was an award for "Most Creative Use of Hair Accessories," she would undoubtedly win by a landslide. Her energy was infectious, like a highly caffeinated squirrel let loose in a room full of humans, and boy, was she living her best life.
"What's going on?" I ventured to ask, fully aware that this question was merely a formality. With Ara, things were rarely mundane. No, every interaction with her was akin to opening a mystery box – you never quite knew what you'd get, but you could bet it would be a wild ride.
Her eyes sparkled, her grin widening like the Cheshire Cat's. Oh yes, this was the look she got when she was about to unveil one of her signature, life-altering revelations. She was about to drop the proverbial bomb.
And as the tension built, as the seconds stretched into moments of unbearable suspense, I could practically hear the drumroll playing in the background. What was it this time? Had she discovered a parallel universe where dogs were in charge and humans fetched sticks? Had she uncovered the lost recipe for turning broccoli into the ultimate comfort food? The possibilities were endless!
But alas, the anticipation was finally rewarded with her words, as they burst forth like confetti from a cannon. "You won't believe what I found out," she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of glee and mischief.
And so, there I stood, on the precipice of yet another Ara-induced adventure. What could it be this time? A scandal involving the school mascot and a rogue cheerleader? A conspiracy involving the cafeteria's mystery meat? Or perhaps, just perhaps, she had stumbled upon the elusive formula for transforming algebra into a genuinely interesting subject?
With bated breath and a heart full of excitement, I leaned in, ready to soak in the juicy details of Ara's latest escapade. After all, in a world of calculus problems and mundane routines, Ara was the shining star who always managed to inject a healthy dose of chaos, charm, and all-around zaniness. And whatever it was that had her so exhilarated, I was more than ready to join her on this rollercoaster of ridiculousness.
Rising from her seat, Ara hastened toward me and seized my arm, practically dragging me out of the Tech Building. She even used her right palm to fan her face, as though she couldn't breathe due to overwhelming excitement. "Kiera, my goodness!" she exclaimed, breathless, as if on the verge of spilling a long-held secret. "We have a callback for the musical!"
"What?" I gasped, caught off guard. My expectations had been different; I anticipated news related to outcrosses, urions, and the imminent danger they posed. "A musical?"
Ara noticed my disappointment, reading it clearly on my face. Detecting my unease, she spoke, attempting to infuse some enthusiasm into her voice. "Aren't you excited? We've put so much effort into making it to the musical!" Yet despite her attempts to cheer me up, it was apparent she saw past my mask.
"It's not that I'm not happy, Ara," I clarified, disheartened. My concerns were focused elsewhere. Instead of outcross and urion complications, I found myself facing the prospect of a musical performance.
Ara's elation didn't waver, even when met with my reluctance. "Even if you're an understudy, it's a fantastic opportunity. And hey, you still have a fifty-fifty chance to snag the lead role, especially if something unfortunate happens to Senina Wespie."
My thoughts veered away from the musical itself and into the realm of possibilities. Could this be a setup? A ploy to undermine the process? The weird series of events surrounding my birthday's lunar eclipse still lingered in my memory, casting doubt on any situation. I'd grown wary, seeing danger everywhere.
Rumina and Kelvin's unexpected appearance, Vega's undercover role, Phelan's transformation in both appearance and attitude, and the gnawing feeling that something sinister lurked beneath my innocence—all these made me question the authenticity of the callback. Friedan hadn't disclosed anything about the eclipse, leaving me puzzled and alert.
Anxious to know more, I turned my attention to the bulletin board in the school's auditorium. There, I saw my name, along with Ara's, listed for a callback. Beside my name, the term "understudy" was written in small letters.
"Huh, she's in trouble with Senina. Isn't that her?" someone whispered from a corner.
"She won't last against that girl. Poor thing; Senina will eat her alive."
"I pity her. I'm glad I'm not in the casting. I'm content with the production team."
"Poor understudy girl. I hope she survives."
Every hushed comment reached my ears, all focused on me and the name Senina. From what I gathered, life alongside this girl would be no walk in the park. My suspicions were affirmed as I realized I'd become the subject of unwelcome gossip. As for the role of understudy, I couldn't shake off the feeling that it was meant to somehow draw me into danger.
"Hey, at least you're an understudy, Kiera. That's already a fifty percent chance of getting the lead role, if Senina Wespie encounters some unfortunate incident," Ara tried to console me, sensing my anxiety. Although Ara's intentions were pure, the possibility of landing the lead role held little allure for me. It would only intensify my connection to Phelan Vargas.
"What kind of incident?" a haughty voice interjected from behind Ara. The assembled students shuffled aside, creating a pathway as if making way for someone important.
"Oh my gosh, Senina is here," a girl whispered from not too far away. It was as if her words were spoken with caution, as if the mere mention of the name commanded reverence.
Ara and I turned in unison to face the source of the attention.
Emerging in our line of sight was a stunning woman. Her alabaster skin contrasted with her blood-red lips, and her eyes were shielded by heavy, striking eyelashes. Her appearance was meticulously crafted, each feature meticulously sculpted to fit her overall aura. Her hair, a mix of burgundy and ebony hues, flowed gracefully around her like a cascade of silk. She was like a vampire queen straight out of a supernatural movie, exuding an air of authority and power.
Senina was the epitome of exquisite beauty, and I grudgingly admitted it.
"Senina," Ara stammered nervously, gripping my arm. Her heartbeat raced as if it were a herd of wild horses on the loose. It was clear Ara was deeply intimidated by her.
"So, you're the understudy, huh? Kiera Roberts?" Senina inquired, her gaze fixed on me. She arched an eyebrow as she examined me, her eyes boring into me like I was some boring TV show she couldn't stand to watch. "Speak!"
Despite her overwhelming presence, I mustered the courage to reply. "Yes," I affirmed, though my attempt at a smile failed.
Senina placed her hands on her hips, scrutinizing me from head to toe. Her assessment was merciless, unearthing nothing but a seemingly unthreatening nerdy girl. "You might do well as an understudy, Kiera. But just an understudy, because replacing someone like me is an impossible feat."
Whispers escalated around us, a ripple of conversation punctuating the tension. It felt as if I were thrust into the center of a wrestling match, where everyone anticipated my impending defeat. In their eyes, Senina held all the cards, and I was the underdog. The atmosphere grew even more uneasy.
"Senina!" someone called out her name from a distance, breaking the tension that had built around her. All eyes shifted toward the approaching figure.
"Oh my... it's Phelan Vargas!" a girl exclaimed, followed by screams of excitement from her friends. The group erupted into hushed murmurs and stifled giggles, their adoration evident in their expressions.
I was acutely aware of the sound of each footstep as the approaching figure drew closer. I caught Phelan's gaze on me as he walked, and I instinctively took a step back, blending into the crowd that had gathered around Senina. Ara remained by my side, her grip on my arm unwavering.
As Phelan reached us, the beautiful girl promptly seized his arm, hanging onto him possessively. From their body language, it was clear that they were involved in a relationship. My jaw involuntarily clenched. Why did witnessing their intimacy suddenly spark an unfamiliar emotion within me?
Phelan let out a deep sigh, his eyes shifting between Senina and me. "So, you've finally met your understudy. What do you think?"
Senina rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on Phelan. He stood there, looking exceptionally handsome in his white T-shirt and well-fitting jeans. I couldn't help but notice that his physique had become even more defined than before. Couple that with Senina's firm embrace, and his muscular arms were put on full display.
With a hint of sarcasm in her voice and a pointed look in my direction, Senina replied, "She can be an understudy forever."
Laughter erupted among the bystanders, and I caught Phelan smirking at her response. After that, he didn't glance my way again.
"Kiera, let's go," Ara said somberly, her tone tinged with sadness. She pulled me away from the crowd, and as we retreated, it was as if we were being swept away—insignificant remnants of a much larger picture. Like breadcrumbs on a giant loaf of bread, we were overlooked, unimportant, and trivial.
We left the auditorium, my head hanging low. Ara maintained her hold on my arm, repeating that everything would be alright in a futile attempt to reassure me. We walked through DHU's landscaped garden until we reached a gazebo by the man-made river. But before we could even take our seats, I heard Phelan's voice again from behind me. He was quick, catching up to us in mere seconds. He called my name, and a peculiar sensation surged within me.
"Kiera, we need to talk," he said calmly.
"W-we can talk here at the gazebo," I suggested, glancing at Ara, who seemed to be against the idea of speaking to him alone.
"I need to talk to you privately. Just the two of us," he insisted, taking a step closer. He was now only a few meters away from us. It felt as though he had something crucial to share.
"Kiera, are you sure you want to talk to him?" Ara asked, her tone condescending. Her eyes bore a mixture of questions and warnings.
I nodded and forced a smile.
"You guys can have the gazebo. I'll be nearby," Ara offered, understanding that the gazebo provided the most secluded spot for our conversation. Shielded from view and surrounded by the sounds of flowing water and birdsong, it was a haven of privacy.
Once Ara had left, I headed for the gazebo. I sensed Phelan trailing behind me. As we stood facing each other, my unease grew with every passing second. The expression on his face was intense, signaling that whatever he had to say was of great significance.
He let out a deep breath that was almost a sigh, his gaze locked onto mine. "Kiera, the understudy arrangement was planned."
His words confirmed my suspicions. Panic surged within me as I realized that this scheme was connected to recent events. "What's happening, Phelan?"
"Trouble is brewing, and you need protection."
In that instant, I realized I had the perfect opportunity to ask him something I'd been wanting to know for a long time. I needed to inquire about one thing that had been on my mind. "What are you, Phelan?"
He fell silent, unable to meet my gaze.
"What are you?" I repeated, my voice stronger this time. I could feel his heartbeat quicken. He couldn't be an outcross; I didn't sense the presence of dark energy in him, unlike the outcrosses I usually encountered. Nor was he an urion, of that I was certain. There was no connection binding us like the pillars and other urions had. Yet, an undeniable magnetic pull emanated from him, setting him apart. I would only know for sure if he were one of us, an urion, if I felt the connection that bonded our kind.
"I'm not the bad guy, Kiera."
"Then why this sudden concern? Why do I suddenly need protection?"
"I know who you are. That's why I'm trying to keep you safe, because I know your true identity, Kiera."
His statement left me stunned. The words held meaning, something profound hidden beneath the surface.
Who was I, Kiera Roberts, beyond the identity crafted by the LOU?