“Theater Kid Dusk|Gamer Girlie Dawn” (64.8) (Marmalade)

Zeta isn't exactly the type to be able to corner someone with any kind of authority, but I was surprised by how quickly she found me after practice as I left the locker room, with Michi and Tay at her side.

"So, um, did Kalei come out yet?" Zeta asked. She crossed her arms and uncrossed them anxiously, managing that motion way more times than I thought was possible in fifteen seconds. I wondered if I should tell her she should never pursue being any kind of detective as a career.

"I think she's been out for a while," I joked.

"You know what I mean," Zeta said.

"She was still changing when I left," I said.

"Hm," Zeta said. "Did you figure anything out? Like, was she playing differently?"

I did keep an eye on Kalei while we played, obviously. For obvious reason #1, now that I accepted I had a crush I definitely wanted to watch her. Obvious reason #2 is less fun, but I did want to see if she was gonna have like super strength now or any beastly popups while playing. She looked like she normally did, absolutely amazing at playing, not rattled at all. Also, she totally winked at me at one part and I just about melted right there.

"Her methods seemed to be in line with her usual playing, though admittedly I don't care at all about sports outside of a gossip tracking standpoint," Tay said.

My instinct was to protect Kalei. But how could I get them away? I looked at Michi, hoping they could read my mind. Michi pushed their glasses up and smirked.

Yes! They're gonna distract Zeta and Tay and tell them to look somewhere else.

"Let's wait here for Kalei," Michi said.

No! That wasn't what I was trying to say at all with my silent, expressionless gaze!

"Er, maybe we shouldn't hang around, she's fast, she can catch up," I said. "All casual-like so she isn't suspicious? Maybe?"

"That could work!" Zeta said.

My last ditch effort to get them away wasn't at all smooth. As Zeta, Michi, and Tay left, I smacked my head lightly.

"Oh, dang," I said. "Forgot something in the locker room, be right back!"

I tried to slink back while not looking suspicious. I walked cautiously through the lockers, trying not to think too much about the little swim I had with Kalei (I failed there).

I found Kalei sitting by herself, gym bag in front of her. Either she just got changed back and I had great or unfortunate timing depending on perspective, or she had been changed for a while and was sitting deep in thought. She definitely had a lot on her mind, but I couldn't help but worry about what exactly had her down at the moment.

"Hey..." I said.

"Oh," Kalei said, blinking like my voice brought her out of twelve layers of daydreams. "What's up, Marms?"

"So Zeta and some others are out there, and just a heads up, I think she's...trying to figure it out," I said.

"Damn, seriously? What tipped you off?" Kalei asked.

"She kinda told me before practice," I said. "Don't worry, I didn't say anything."

"Thanks, Marms." Kalei sighed. "It's rough keeping it in, but...I can't let them find out yet."

"You want me to distract her and get her off our trail?"

"Eh..." Kalei winced. "That's asking a lot, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. I inched forward, cautiously like I was a dog trying to take my owner's food without them noticing.

"Girl, you can sit," Kalei said, patting beside her.

I also felt very dog-like when I obeyed that request, taking my place at her side.

"You feeling alright? There wasn't any like...devil out there that I missed, was there?"

"Nah, I'm good," Kalei said. "Well, good there."

"So something's not good," I said, glancing around us. "Wanna talk about it? I think everyone else left." I said.

"Sure, I guess," Kalei said. "I'm sorry."

My stomach dropped. Was she about to tell me no? That she couldn't go to the dance with me? Or something worse?