Sugar, sugar...

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CHAPTER 84:

BEFORE THE STORM

"If you don't answer soon, things will get really weird," Mars said.

I couldn't laugh. I couldn't feel joy. I struggled to fully comprehend what I was hearing. My mouth opened and closed repeatedly. I must have looked like a fish. It was odd how shocked I felt. Perhaps the events of the past few days should have prepared me for this moment.

But they hadn't, and I was undeniably stunned.

Mars's return from the brink of death was such a miracle that I hadn't had the time to question our growing closeness. Deep down, I probably thought it was temporary. We were both scared, overwhelmed, and too lost to consider any long-term plans. I knew Mars's views on commitment; he had done everything to push me away. So what had changed? Why was he asking me this now?

The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Why?"

Mars hadn't expected my reaction or my question. His eyes narrowed, his head tilted slightly. "Why?" he repeated. "Why do I want you to be my girlfriend?"

Yes, that was the question. I bit my lip anxiously. "You said you didn't want to care about anyone," I said, my thoughts drifting to Lea. To the time Mars was her boyfriend, holding her hand... It had all been a game. Mars had never had a real girlfriend before. But what about now? What did Mars want now?

He lifted my chin, softening his expression. Perhaps he understood what I was thinking. "I didn't want to," he admitted quietly. "Then I realized I was foolish to think I could control it."

He closed the distance between us, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. His other hand caressed my cheek, sending shivers down my spine.

"I told you yesterday, Olive. There have been very few people in my life that I've cared about more than myself, and you've become one of them, whether you like it or not. I thought I could stop my feelings by keeping you at a distance." He smiled sadly. "But it didn't work, it's not working, it won't work. I'm sure now. I don't want to make more mistakes. I don't want to deny the truth any longer. I don't want to lose this moment because I'm afraid of what the future might hold. And if I see someone else by your side one more time... I swear I'll become a murderer."

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't help it. I hadn't even realized when I had started crying.

"Be my girlfriend, Olive," Mars said, wiping my cheek with his thumb. "Let me hold your hand. Let me be by your side. For a day, or forever... for however many days we have left together."

Mars looked at me with hopeful, bright blue eyes. I couldn't find the right words again. My lips parted, but no sound came out. This time, though, I managed to nod frantically, up and down. I was laughing—no, howling with laughter. Mars's lips curved upwards, joining in my joy. Then he leaned in, and our lips met. The salty taste of my tears mingled with Mars's sugary flavor. I clung to his cardigan as if to prevent him from leaving.

But Mars wasn't going anywhere. He kissed me until I was breathless, until the fire consumed me, until my knees buckled. Even when we finally stopped, his nose still brushed against mine; his eyelashes tickled my skin. He kissed my cheek, then his lips moved up to my nose, touched my eyes, and climbed to my forehead. His little kisses felt like butterflies fluttering over me. I giggled. How could one feel so exhilarated and so at peace at the same time? For the first time in my life, I felt completely whole.

"So, are you my girlfriend now?" Mars murmured, his dimples deeper than ever.

I smiled mischievously. "If you're having trouble believing it, I could dive into the lake and fetch another pearl to seal the deal."

His eyes widened. "No, no, no! I just found you. I'm not losing you in the first minute. No lake diving. In fact, from now on, all dangerous adventures are off-limits for you."

My smile dimmed as memories of the dangerous adventures I'd encountered since arriving at the Dorm surfaced. Except for entering the Archive, none had been my choice, unfortunately. My eyes drifted towards the lake. "I don't think they'll leave it up to me," I said sadly.

Mars bowed his head, trying to catch my gaze. "Why do you say that?"

A shaky smile crossed my face. "Once they find out we're together, a whole dorm full of your admirers and enemies will come after me, Mars. And Pam will be leading them."

Dark clouds filled me as I spoke. Mars must have seen the fear on my face. "Hey," he said, gripping my hands tightly. "No one's going to come after you. No one's going to touch you again. I promise, Olive. Pam, Lea, whoever it is... I won't let anyone hurt you."

I shook my head. " I'm not afraid of what they might do to me, Mars. I told you, I'm ready to expose Pam's actions and ensure she faces the consequences. If necessary, I'll go to the Principal and tell her everything. Pam will never tolerate something like this. And I..." I swallowed, searching for the right words, "I can't bear the thought of sharing you with anyone else."

"Olive..." Mars said, gently releasing my hands to cup my face. "Forget Pam. Forget Lea and the others. None of them matter now. I told you, you're the only one for me. I am yours alone. And I won't let anyone harm us."

"Pam knows your weakness," I persisted.

"What weakness?" Mars asked, amusement in his voice. "Cigarettes?" He chuckled. "Cigarettes were my escape from this prison. But I don't want to escape anymore. On the contrary, I don't want to miss a single moment with you."

I felt a flicker of hope trying to cut through the darkness in my heart, but the shadows still loomed large. "She'll still try," I said anxiously.

"No," Mars said firmly. "She won't get the chance. Because I won't let her."

"How?"

A dangerous sparkle lit up Mars's eyes. "Leave that to me."

"Mars!"

"I've been dealing with these people much longer than you have, Olive. I know them very well, and believe me, I know plenty of their secrets that could ruin them..." He released my face and pulled me into a tight embrace, his lips brushing the top of my head. "No one can touch my girlfriend. No one!"

His words echoed in my heart. My girlfriend... My girlfriend... I looked up at him. Tears welled up again, spilling down my cheeks like a joyous river. Mars was definitely throwing me off balance, something I had noticed from our very first encounter. Strangely, despite the weeks of ups and downs and days filled with disasters, he still had the same profound effect on me. The only difference was that this time, it wasn't anger or sadness that overwhelmed me, but joy."

"My girlfriend," I murmured, savoring the sweet taste the word left in my mouth. Then Mars reached for my lips again, shattering all my senses with his own sugary taste. The world blurred once more. The heat emanating from our bodies seemed to melt the snow, turning winter into spring.

The cold couldn't touch me in his arms, and I could have stayed there all night. However, when Mars suggested we head back to the Dorm, I didn't protest, remembering he was still recovering. We walked back hand in hand, retracing our steps. When we reached our floor, Mars paused, not at his door but at mine. Despite my wish to stay with him, he wanted me to get a good night's rest. He didn't need a caretaker; he was well enough to be alone, and he knew he'd be happier knowing I slept well.

"But what if something happens at night?" I objected. "What if you bump into something, if your wound opens, if you get a fever, if you get dizzy, if..."

He placed his hand on my cheek, his thumb gently pressing against my lips, calming my frenzy. "That's what I'm afraid of, too," he murmured. "Because if you come to my room now, I can guarantee all those things will happen."

His voice, thick with desire, made my knees go weak. His gaze lingered on my lips. The heat from his stare seemed to ignite my skin without a single touch. Drawn by the undeniable magnetic pull between us, I felt myself moving closer. But before I could get lost in him completely, he leaned forward, brushed a soft kiss on the corner of my lip, and pulled away.

"Sweet dreams, my beautiful girlfriend. Save me a seat at breakfast, will you?"

I managed a weak smile and nod. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to return to my room immediately. I lingered at the threshold, watching him like a lovesick fool as he walked away. Thankfully, the corridor was empty, the souls presumably asleep. Mars winked at me one last time before closing his door, and I slipped into my room unnoticed, my silliness hidden from view.

Of course, sweet dreams were not what awaited me. My heart pounded like tribal drums, shaking my entire body. Sleep was impossible; I could barely even close my eyes. So, I changed into my pajamas, picked up Trouble, and greeted the dawn from my balcony with a box of milk in hand. I replayed my conversation with Mars, envisioned all the potential reactions from my friends, pondered the rumors that might spread through the Dorm, and finally, my thoughts drifted to Dav. Technically, he was still my boyfriend in another realm...

I had realized long ago that I wasn't in love with him. Even if Mars hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend tonight, I knew a future with Dav wasn't possible. Yet, thinking about him stirred a sense of unease within me, as if I were betraying him. According to the video, he wasn't in the hospital by my side like my family. Perhaps he had already moved on. Still, I wished for a way to speak with him one last time, to say goodbye.

When exhaustion finally claimed me, and I fell asleep, Dav invaded my dreams. We were in a courtroom. I stood at the defendant's stand while he assumed the prosecutor's role. All my friends formed the jury, their eyes fixed on us. I defended myself, drenched in sweat and consumed by panic, but the verdict was inescapable. The judge's voice echoed in my ear: Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

It took a long hour in the tub to shake off the nightmare. Thankfully, the beautiful scents, soft creams, and warm sunlight streaming through the glass gradually lifted my spirits. Remembering Mars's words about saving him a seat at breakfast reignited the fire in my limbs. I opened my wardrobe, hoping it would transform me into a princess. And even more strangely, it suggested a selection of flowy, floral dresses instead of winter clothes.

I settled on one, and then, doubting my choice, I stepped out onto the balcony. The warm sun instantly warmed my skin. The snow that had blanketed the rocks just yesterday was now completely gone. The end of White Spring and the start of classes seemed to have brought summer back to this realm overnight.

This realization buoyantly lifted my spirits. I did my makeup, tied my hair with a ribbon that matched my dress, and, despite Trouble's annoyance, I adorned him with a fancy collar before grabbing my class schedule and following my cat out of the room.

Today's class was Wood Atelier. For the first time, I didn't have to wonder if Mars would be there. For the first time, I didn't have to worry about my performance in class. For the first time, I had no concerns about succeeding and leaving this realm. I felt... for the first time, as light as a bird.

I literally skipped down the stairs, my joy infectious among the souls in their colorful summer attire. I greeted every peer I saw with a smile, wishing them good morning and asking about their well-being. This was the best day since I first stepped foot in the Dorm.

Or at least it was until I walked into the cafeteria.

That's when life decided to throw me an unexpected surprise.

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