Rising Shards

When we snuck back into the gym for the game, I half-expected all of my fellow staff to suspect something was up with me and Stella immediately, to guess what we'd been up to. It was really embarrassing to even imagine the smug looks as they got ready to goof on me about it.

But barely anyone even noticed we'd left. Stella got a few people asking if she was OK, so we didn't feel like complete ghosts. Instead of getting smug grins from my coworkers, I got a slight one from Stella, a cute little smirk that said, "We got away with this one, huh?"

We got back in time just for the game to be ended.

"So um, who won?" I asked.

"Well, we've decided that our team has won the spiritual battle," Principal Penteldtam said. "While Caya's team has won in the more pointy variety."

"Gotcha, so we won but Kitty threw a fit and changed how points are tallied or something so she could consider herself the real winner," I said.

"Pretty much," Caya said. "Kitty already stormed out, so..."

Most of the students cleared out pretty quickly. Stella was able to let her sister know she wasn't seriously injured by being smacked with a kickball before Zeta left.

"It got a bit nonsensical as expected, but I had fun," Mahina said.

"That's the important thing!" Pippi said.

"And I got to make some lovely new friends," Mahina high fived Pippi, then offered her hand for me as well. "I guess I know you already, but hanging out playing is different than you telling me how many classes my daughter is failing."

After Mahina high fived me and a returning Stella and gave Caya a powerful handshake, she demanded that we all connect and hang out over something other than a school mat ball game. Mahina made some rough plans for that, and I had a feeling she wasn't the type to make plans that fell through.

When I realized we'd all chatted enough that somehow me, Stella, Caya, Mahina, and Pippi were the only ones left in the gym, I saw an opening to finally talk to Caya. Stella gave me a supportive nod. Pippi knew already, so it was maybe a risk to say it with Mahina there too, but I figured she wouldn't have any reason to be upset about this.

"Hey, so," I said, feeling immediate anxiousness rise in my gut. "I have a bit of an announcement. Well, not a bit."

"Take a breath, it's alright," Caya said.

"Y-yeah," I said, surprised at how nervous I was about this. A deep breath helped a little. "So, you probably noticed already, but. I hope this isn't weird or anything. But I think we've all had enough of keeping things secret, so I just wanna be clear and say that Stella and I are...dating."

In spite of me stammering through that, Stella looked like I just made some dramatic declaration of my love for her, clasping her hands together.

Caya smiled. "Thanks for telling me. I figured, but it is nice to hear it. I don't think I ever told you much about my marriage, so don't think I'm upset or anything that you didn't tell me until now."

"Well, we were kinda on distant terms when that all came together, so I get that, too," I said. "But...yeah."

This felt like about twelve of my past coming out moments mushed together into one, but only I seemed to be at all anxious about it.

"Do you need another breath?" Caya said.

"Maybe..." I said.

"Wait, what was the announcement?" Pippi said. "Oh, wait, duh. I forgot you guys were all secret."

"Not that secret," Stella said. "Just...quiet about it as we figured it out."

"Well, I was going to say if you weren't together, I was going to play total matchmaker," Mahina said. "Sparks were definitely flying. Now what will I do with all this built up matchmaker energy within me?"

"I'm not presently looking," Caya said.

"Me! Me! Pick me!" Pippi said. "I bet you're better than all these dating apps I've been trying..."

I was sure there would be more to talk about with Caya about Stella and I, and I was ready to hear about her and Aki whenever she wanted to talk about that. But for now, Mahina brainstorming a matchmaking session for Pippi took over the conversation as we left the gym, ending a bizarre, eventful, and overall fun day.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!