Chapter 7: Chasing Perfection

That afternoon, Alessia catches up with Calloway, swimming after him in a hurry.

"Calloway, wait! Please, I need to know—what kind of training did Aurora go through to achieve those skills?" she pleads, desperate for answers.

Calloway stops mid-swim and turns to face her, his brows furrowed. "Alessia, Aurora didn’t go through any special training. She just danced freely—without pressure, without obsession."

But Alessia shakes her head. "Then teach me. Teach me how to be as good as her—maybe even as good as Adriana!"

Before she can say more, Calloway raises a hand to stop her. "Alessia, this isn’t about training. You’re obsessed with dancing."

She swims up in front of him, determined. "Then teach me how to love it. Please. I’ll pay you any amount of pearls you want!"

Calloway sighs, shaking his head. "Stop. This isn’t about payment. It’s about your mindset."

"Then help me!" she begs.

After a long pause, Calloway finally gives in. "Fine. But only for a week."

As Aurora grows more comfortable with tail dancing, Alessia throws herself into training with Calloway, determined to catch up.

On the weekend, Alessia hurriedly packs for her next session.

"Where are you going? It’s the weekend," Aurora asks, watching her. "Cerise and I are heading downtown to check out the new sliding park. Wanna come?"

Alessia stiffens before quickly shaking her head. "Oh—uh, no. I have my own... plans," she says, grabbing her things and storming out.

Aurora blinks in confusion. Why is she in such a hurry? And why won’t she tell me who she’s meeting?

Before she can dwell on it further, a familiar voice interrupts her thoughts.

"You! I told you to stop hanging around Calloway so much. He belongs to Adriana!"

Aurora turns to see Flora swimming toward her, arms crossed, face scrunched in irritation.

"What are you talking about?" Aurora asks, baffled. "I barely see Calloway anymore. Our partnership ended after the project."

Just then, Adriana swims up, grabbing Flora’s hand. "Flora, stop. You’re talking about Alessia again," she sighs. Then, looking at Aurora, she shakes her head. "And for the last time, Calloway and I are just friends. Not that it’s anyone’s business."

Flora huffs but doesn’t argue. Adriana pulls her along, heading toward her waiting family.

Aurora stands frozen. Alessia?

She’s been training with Calloway?

Why didn’t she tell me?

Determined to get answers, Aurora changes her plans. Instead of going downtown with Cerise, she follows Adriana, hoping to find out where Alessia has been training.

Above the sea, the sky rumbles with dark clouds as heavy rain pounds the water’s surface. The storm is fierce, but on a floating chunk of ice, Alessia sits—staring at the wild waves ahead.

Nearby, a middle-aged siren watches her with a skeptical frown. "Kid, are you sure about this? Swimming through a storm this dangerous isn’t exactly a beginner’s training session."

Alessia tightens her grip on her goggles. "You’re Calloway’s old trainer, right? If he swam through storms and ice to get stronger, then I will too."

Sir Wave exhales sharply, crossing his arms. "You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Hiding behind an ice ledge, Aurora watches in shock. This can’t be real.

She quickly swims toward a submerged sea vehicle, knocking on the window. Inside, Calloway looks up in surprise before opening the hatch. She slides inside, breathless.

"Calloway, is Alessia crazy?! Why did you let her go through with this?" she demands.

Calloway remains calm. "She wanted this herself. The only thing left was for my old trainer to take over. He believes she’ll find her real purpose through this. If it gets too dangerous, he’ll pull her out."

Aurora presses her hands against the cold glass, staring at the stormy surface where Alessia prepares to dive in.

Her heart pounds.

What is she trying to prove?

And what will it cost her?.

(To be continued)