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Did I upset Lidelle?
This question had been bothering Raffina for a few days. Lidelle had been glancing at her during class while doing her anxious fidgeting and was quiet around Raffina between classes. She even seemed distracted when they battled. They had been getting closer, hadn't they? Lidelle was one of the sweetest people ever, but still anxious and inclined to keeping worries to herself. At this point, the only thing Raffina could think to do was ask her what she had done wrong and apologize accordingly. The idea of the two of them eventually not speaking was… not to be dwelled on as it wouldn't happen.
Amitie snuck a folded piece of paper onto Raffina's desk while Ms. Accord was facing the board. Considering the great risk of being caught, the contents had to have been important, or else. She quietly unfolded the paper and immediately recognized Lidelle's small, neat handwriting.
Dear Raffina,
Could you please meet me in the garden after school?
Lidelle
Raffina answered 'yes' in cursive without a second thought. Once Ms. Accord was facing the board again, the paper was given to Amitie, who was very smiley as the answer was given to Lidelle. Maybe her big ears would perk up; that was always adorable. Just thinking about it made Raffina smile.
The lesson ended soon after and it was time for Puyo practice. Raffina was paired with Sig while Lidelle was practicing with Amitie. During the last few minutes before the battles would begin, they were whispering about something and Amitie giggled. A pang of jealousy made itself known, ignoring the fact they'd talk in less than an hour and that Ms. Accord got annoyed when they tried switching assigned partners around.
Naturally, Raffina had no problems defeating Sig.
Lidelle had run off soon after the classroom was back in order. Raffina walked through the halls with wide, determined strides. Some other students got out of her way when they saw her coming. A lady did not keep someone waiting.
The school garden was lovely, and is Lidelle's favorite place after Nahe Woods. A variety of flowers decorated the area, which the girl loved caring for. Maybe she chose the place to feel comfortable when doing something she'd find scary, such as confronting Raffina about something.
Lidelle was sitting on a bench by a pink hydrangea bush, tense, staring at the ground. Raffina's footsteps caused Lidelle's ears to perk up. She turned to look at Raffina before getting up and walking over. It was a little hard to tell sometimes with the sleeves, but it looked like she was holding something in her hands.
"H-hi, Raffina," she whispered. "Thank you for… for coming."
"Of course! What did you want to talk to me about?"
"U-um, well… I… m-maybe I should've written a letter…" Her face was turning pink.
"Lidelle, if I've done something to upset you, just tell me," Raffina stated.
"What? No, I'm, I'm not- you haven't done anything," Lidelle insisted.
"Oh. You've seemed nervous around me lately, so I'd begun to wonder."
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to. I've… been trying to think of how to do th-this, but my mind's blank. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Raffina assured. "Just say exactly what you mean."
"Okay… I'll try." Lidelle took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and held out what she'd been holding: a simple, yellow heart pin Raffina recognized from Oshare Bones's store. "Raffina, I, I think you're amazing and I really like you. I have for a while…"
Raffina felt her own face grow warm, heart pounding. Naturally, a beautiful, strong lady such as herself would have admirers. She'd imagined being confessed to multiple times, but those fantasies, whether she accepted or rejected the affection, always featured strong, handsome men, usually princes. Lidelle was far from a prince, more closely resembling a storybook princess or a forest fairy: small, quiet, gentle, sweet, adoring of plants and animals, and undeniably adorable; however, she's real, very very real. A real person Raffina had been looking forward to seeing, whose presence calmed her down, who she wanted to help achieve her goal of being more confident.
Oh.
"Lidelle…" She hesitated for only a moment, knowing the answer would change things, but she was Raffina, she could handle anything. The pin was cool in her hands. A soft smile came to her face. "I really like you, too."
Lidelle's eyes flew open, ears raising. "R-really?"
"I would never lie or joke about this." Raffina stuck the pin in the knot of her scarf. "What would you like to do now?"
"I'm not sure. I, uh, didn't think I'd get this far…"
"Hm… I could walk you home," Raffina suggested.
Lidelle was still blushing, but now with her wonderful smile, further cementing Raffina's decision. "I'd like that."