I tamed the female lead

Chapter 14

Astéria ran up to me and as if she saw how angry I was, she grabbed my shoulders:

"What happened?"

I forced a smile fearing how she would react when she heard about what happened:

"Nothing."

Astéria didn't seem to believe me but she didn't force me to say more. Her hands on the other hand couldn't help tighten around my shoulders more and more. What was wrong? Did she hear about the rumor already? I had to tell her quickly so she would see that it wasn't my idea.

"I have to tell you something."

Astéria was listening to me with utter focus. She really reminded me of Orange sometimes.

"I am so sorry but because of me people seem to think that you are scared of heights.

-It's not your fault.

-No, listen to me."

But she just shook her head:

"You are a good person, Poehina. I know you didn't do it on purpose."

I was surprised by the trust she got in me and didn't know what to say for a second. Astéria took advantage of this to gently pull me to a bench before sitting down next to me:

"Take your time. I'll listen to you."

Despite me wanting to do the good thing, I was in the wrong and I had to be honest about this. I hoped Astéria wouldn't kill me later on for this. I could lie, I loved white lies but as soon as I saw her I felt as if I could tell her everything.

"When I heard you went height jumping I was surprised and said that I thought you were scared of heights. I didn't think anyone heard me. I was just thinking aloud and I have no idea why I thought you were scared of heights. It was just a hypothesis. But Ir... Someone heard me and they thought it was interesting information. I promise you I told them not to say anything and I told them it was just me imagining things but they didn't care. I was too late. I am sorry."

As I was thinking back to the facts I started getting angry again:

"It wasn't my fault at all actually. I told them not to say anything. I told them it was bullying. We fought but they didn't care at all and said I was the one in the wrong. I am so sorry for saying that I will take responsibility but I didn't start the rumor at all."

Astéria waited for me to finish without saying a word. Then she only smiled:

"Thank you."

I tilted my head.

"Thank you for telling me the truth and thank you for getting angry on my behalf. you are the first person to ever take my side behind my back."

This hurt my heart a bit. Astéria never felt warmth before. She was abandoned, betrayed, abused... And even once back to the mansion she would be bullied and neglected. She didn't do anything wrong and no one deserved to be treated that way. I felt so bad for her that I wanted to cry but I couldn't. That would be too weird. I was glad that I came to tell her the truth. I was glad that I got her back. She deserved it so much. As if she felt my inner monologue, Astéria suddenly hugged me and I froze. Her embrace felt so cozy... Why did it feel so safe and familiar? My heart started speeding up and in my panic I gently pushed Astéria away while still staying in her arms. I looked up at her and said:

"I will always take your side."

I knew she didn't care about anyone. I knew she was only acting nice. I knew she only lived for revenge. But that didn't mean I couldn't be nice to her. Somewhere deep down it had to feel nice. I wanted her to see that she wasn't alone anymore.

Astéria snorted for some reason in front of my determination:

"No matter what I do?"

I frowned:

"It depends what you want to do.

-I asked first.

-It feels like I am selling my soul to the devil. I don't like it."

Astéria started laughing. I never heard her laugh wholeheartedly and it sounded better than anything I ever heard before. Her whole face lit up and her perfectly ordered teeth peeked out of her mouth. I blushed for some reason.

"You could get a wish out of it.

-Oh, then let me think about it.

-Take all your time. I'll always be there for you."

I laughed awkwardly before getting serious again:

"Are you really okay?

-Yes. Thank you for worrying about me.

-You don't mind the rumors at all?

-Not at all. Don't mind them. If they want to talk, let them talk. It shows that they care.

-Okay... I am still sorry.

-It is nice having you worry about me."

I tilted my head and Astéria laughed before getting up.

"Let's go. You still have time to participate in the swimming competition. I heard it got postponed because of some technical issue."

I frowned:

"How did you know that I was participating in it?

-The devil knows everything."

I laughed and followed her to the swimming pools. Astéria escorted me to the changing rooms and before I got in she wished me good luck:

"I will be watching you.

-Then prepare yourself to see me win!"

I quickly got changed and ran to Orange and Azore. The latter waved when she saw me:

"There you are! You are lucky we are just getting started. There were some technical complications. Where were you?

-Nowhere important. Let's focus on this first."

I wished the girls good luck and we were soon called. I didn't get first place but was second once again in both 50m and 200m backstroke. This was frustrating but was still very good and I was happy on average. I loved swimming but didn't really train seriously and only thought of it as a hobby. Helena who got first place in both categories deserved it because she lived for swimming. Orange on the other hand came in first in the breaststroke 100m where Helena didn't participate and I ran up to her excited:

"You did it! You are amazing Orange! I am so proud of you!"

Orange blushed as usual before hugging me close.

"We have to celebrate!

-For you too. You were amazing today.

-You were even better! You came in first."

Orange became very cold for a second. She didn't like me minimizing my achievements which was very touching. No one was ever as proud of me as Orange.

"You were second in three different activities. You stood up to Astéria and you even did your best to stop a bully. You had the best day of us all."

I wanted to deny it but Orange didn't let me. She loved listening to me usually but there she was blocking my mouth with her hand preventing me from arguing. I didn't want to give up so easily and licked her palm. Orange jumped and then went completely numb, her face lost all colors before suddenly gaining too much color. Watching her go through all these changes was hilarious and when she retracted her hand from me I started laughing:

"Come on, I am not that dirty."

Orange didn't say anything as she turned away. She was shaking a bit and told me she had something to do before she ran away. She was so cute when she got all shy. I gave her space and went to change but as I came out of the changing room I found myself face to face with Astéria.

"Oh, hi.

-I wanted to congratulate you for today.

-Thank you. I didn't come in first unfortunately but I was still very good.

-It was only a question of milliseconds. You were amazing. You can be proud of yourself.

-Thank you. I am."

Astéria seemed like she wanted to tell me something but I had no idea what.

"Then have a good day.

-Thanks. You too. You deserved to rest."

And I left. Astéria seemed a bit weird but I didn't know what to tell her. Therefore I just went to meet up with Orange and Azore and the three of us went to a cake shop to celebrate the day.