After a week full of anticipation surrounding the meeting about the Deathower case, the day finally arrived when everything would come to an end.
The end of another school day at Syrinx Academy also meant another gathering in the hallway. Among the crowd were Arabella and Liv. They had taken the front rows, hoping to be closer to where Orion would stand. Liv had somehow dragged Arabella there, even though she would've preferred to stay far from the center of attention. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the meeting to begin. The constant noise that had filled the corridor was now dying down. Tension was rising. And it only grew more intense when Orion appeared.
Arabella studied him carefully. He wore an olive-green shirt tucked casually into black trousers. He stood tall and firm. This time, the dark strands of his hair didn't fall over his eyes. They were pushed back, allowing the depth of his gaze to be fully seen. When he noticed Arabella, he gave her a familiar look. For a moment, it felt like they were the only ones there. Orion's eyes softened with warmth as her gaze touched him. A slight flinch broke the magic of the moment.
– Welcome to this meeting, which also marks the final one regarding the Deathower case.
All eyes were on Orion. Everyone waited eagerly for his next words.
– As you know, the Deathower has now been completely eradicated and everything has returned to normal – he added, throwing another glance at Arabella, who was still watching him.
– Since we didn't know who was behind this, I conducted several investigations – to prevent anyone from causing similar chaos again, and, of course, to protect planet Syrinx and all of you who live on it.
As he spoke, he found himself lost in Arabella's violet eyes, mesmerized by them.
– The culprits are, in fact, Professor Betty and her niece Kate. After conducting several interviews, I discovered they acted out of hatred and defiance toward their fellow citizens. Professor Betty was the main instigator, and Kate willingly followed her for those reasons. They have been taken to the interplanetary prison meant for all dangerous individuals in this part of the cosmos.
As he said those words, he caught sight of Arabella making her way through the crowd, heading for the exit. He followed her every step, while the crowd burst into chatter and a flood of questions, which he could only address once she was out of sight.
The next day, after classes, Orion found himself standing in front of Arabella's house. He was watching the window of her room. He noticed her dancing, freely and joyfully. He wished he could dance with her like that so alive and full of spirit. She had chosen the song Single by The Neighbourhood and was lost in her own world. She twirled around the room, deeply feeling her existence. Her heart glowed with warmth, and she was genuinely happy. The same feeling spread through Orion as he watched her.
Arabella was beautifully simple and unapologetically herself. A unique soul the one he had always searched for. The missing piece of his puzzle.
Unable to resist any longer, he decided to interrupt her magical choreography. Holding a bunch of papers in his hands, he headed for her front door and rang the bell, rather aggressively. She appeared at the door, still half-dancing.
– What do you want? – she asked.
– I missed you so much, assistant, so I came to see you – he replied sarcastically, leaning closer toward her.
– What a romantic you are. Too bad that doesn't work on me – she replied, just as sarcastically.
– What a shame! Now take these papers and get inside!
He dropped the papers roughly into her small hands.
– What is this? – she asked, overwhelmed by the stack.
– A bunch of papers!
– Are you sure this is even paper?
– Just go inside, I need to explain some things.
She gave him a dark look, wondering why he was even there and what on earth those papers were. He slipped past her and headed toward the stairs. He stopped, unsure where to go next. She smiled and confidently walked ahead, leaving only a small space between their bodies.
– This way! – she directed him.
As she turned toward the indicated direction, she threw him a probing look. They moved through her narrow hallway, which led to just two rooms and a small terrace. Her house had a peculiar layout.
When they reached the first room, Arabella opened the door. Across from them was the terrace, with the bathroom positioned in between. As Orion stepped inside, he realized they had entered her room.
On the right wall was a large bed, covered with a black blanket and decorated with black and white pillows. Above it, a painted cherry blossom tree in full bloom. In the right corner, a large Moon. It looked almost real. In the left corner, by the wide window, there was a phrase written in Japanese. The wall with the door was empty, while the left side of the room was filled with countless posters of her favorite bands, series, anime, butterflies, and the cosmos. On them, he could see fragments of her soul ones that mirrored his own. He realized how much they truly had in common, and the connection he felt to her only deepened.
In addition to the posters, the left side of the room also held her desk. Made of fine gray wood, it was cluttered with pencils, a few colored markers, and piles of paper. Orion dropped the papers harshly onto the desk and looked up at the ceiling, where skylights immediately grabbed his attention. Placed above her bed, they were exactly like his.
– So, what are those papers? – she broke the silence between them with her question.
– I think they're of extremely high quality! – he replied sarcastically, then sat on the chair while she stood next to him.
– Don't be so sure about that!
– Sorry I don't have time to convince you, but these papers are very important for you.
– Why?
– They contain the plan for our new project. You'll be working on it too. – he started sorting them on her desk.
– Who said I'll be working on it?!
– I did!
– Ughhh, I don't want to work with you again.
– Well, like it or not, you will. I've already submitted the report to planet Cyno, which means you're officially assigned to the project with me.
– Why do you even want us working together? And what gives you the right to decide on my behalf?
– The project plan required the presence of the assistant, so I put your name on the list. As a leader, I can't let our personal issues affect our work.
That was a complete lie. He had simply been waiting for a new opportunity to work with her but used the project as an excuse.
– It would ruin my reputation if they knew we don't get along and what our relationship is actually like.
– Then maybe fix that relationship instead of pretending it's something it's not?
– I'm not pretending anything. And I don't want a better relationship with you anyway, that would be... pathetic.
– That's fine! Not everyone has good taste. Someone has to have bad taste to maintain balance on the planet! – she teased him.
– Exactly! Good thing you're here to keep that balance – he continued.
– You're full of humor! Anyway, what's the project about?
– We're collaborating with the planet Cyno. We'll be analyzing substances found there and eliminating the dangerous ones.
– O.K. What about the other papers?
– The other papers are for the upcoming math competition. I had to bring them to you early, so you can prepare. Since I'm your only real competition – he provoked her.
– Then I must be in a terrible position!
– Absolutely!
– Very scary! Too bad it's not scary enough! I know this stuff really well – she said after quickly scanning the papers.
She was leaning over the desk and found herself a bit closer to Orion than she had expected. She couldn't pull back now – that would show fear and uncertainty. Instead, she leaned into the moment, locking eyes with his dark gaze, bringing her face even closer to his. She wanted to keep playing this game – this time, on her own terms.
– But it could be... – he whispered, looking deep into her eyes.
The intensity of their gaze grew stronger, their lips almost touching. For a moment, everything paused time, space, sound and they stood frozen in the spell of shared closeness.