324 The Earth Hero

I sat across from Levin, hands tightly gripping the hem of my skirt in my lap. The room was silent for the agitated swishing of my tail and the crackle of the fire in the corner. A tear trickled down my cheek, the sting of the Earth Hero's cruel words fresh in my heart.

After a few tense seconds, Levin shifted and sighed, resting his chin on his scarred hand. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said. I don't actually think you're a…a…" He looked away, cheeks tinged with red. 

"It's alright," I whispered, staring at my hand in my lap. "I'm…used to it."

"Then please stop crying. It's distracting," he muttered. 

"S-sorry." I swallowed hard and brushed the tears from my eyes. My tail continued to flick back and forth, so I snatched it from the air and held it in my lap, stroking the tip softly.