Awen woke up with a slight headache. She looked around the dorm room with bleary eyes. Virginia and Ellen still hadn't returned from the May Day Ball. She wondered where they were, while rubbing her eyes. Her parents would be here soon. Awen decided to have a quick shower before getting changed.

The fresh warm water felt good. She couldn't believe her first year was already over. A lot happened this year, including her marriage to Hieronymus, and the involvement with the demon boy…. But, thank goodness it is over! Awen thought. She turned the water off, dried herself and got dressed in her casual clothes. It felt good to wear her jeans and t-shirt again. Like any other boarding schools, Iris Academy was strict on uniforms. She was looking forward to wearing whatever she wished to wear, and get up whenever she wanted to. As she was leaving the bathroom, she looked at the mirror. Who was that wide-eyed girl with messy hair? Awen felt that the year had changed her, perhaps, in a good way. Who knows! She thought, as she walked back to the dorm.

As Awen was about to finish packing her things, the door opened, two weary looking girls entered the room.

'How was it? You were out all night!' Awen asked, yawning. Virginia yawned, and slumped into her bed.

'Exhausting. I've had my fill of girly-girl stuff for the rest of my summer. I can't wait till I go back home.' Virginia yawned again.

'I… enjoyed it. Donald was, such a… good dancer.' Replied Ellen, with a slight colour to her cheeks. 'Really…. Virginia….. he really isn't that bad….' Ellen's voice trailed off as Virginia jumped up.

'I knew it!' Virginia exclaimed. 'You ARE dating Donald!' Ellen looked away. Awen couldn't tell whether she was blushing or smiling.

'I… Uh….' Ellen stammered.

'Who did you dance with, Virginia?' Awen changed the topic.

'No-one. I told you! I don't DATE people. I have high standards, you know.' Virginia winked. 'But seriously, Ellen, eww!' shouted Virginia. 'This is going to be so awkward!' Awen looked at Virginia, then Ellen, quizzically.

'Why? I thought you were going to stay in the Academy during summer.' Ellen looked at Awen, with guilt in her eyes.

'I'm sorry Awen… I forgot to tell you. Virginia and I made the decision at the last minute, yesterday afternoon. I've decided to go back with Virginia, since her family was so nice last time… we tried to find you but we figured that you might be with Professor Grab….' Ellen's voice trailed off meekly.

'Ellen, do you really have to be gross this morning? I am sure she went for a walk or something. Right, Awen?' Virginia looked at her with such confidence in her eyes Awen started to blush. 'Oh no… no way. You did. What happened? Actually, don't tell me. Ellen dating Donald is enough of a news for the day.' Virginia sighed.

'Uh, well, uh…' Awen started. Both Ellen and Virgina looked at her. 'Uh….' Awen didn't want to tell them of her first kiss with Hieronymous. Probably not a good idea, Awen decided. 'Yeah. I did go and visit him, but nothing really happened. We talked about music, wine and you know, other things that people talk about when they can't go to the ball.' Awen muttered.

'Oh that's ok. I thought you kissed him or something. Now that would be really gross.' Virginia laughed. 'Oh! Ellen, you must pack! My parents will be here soon. Gosh I AM tired…' Virginia yawned again.

'Did you dance all night?' Awen asked. Both girls nodded. 'It was fun, but now I regret it. I need to pack!' Virginia shouted, throwing all her clothes into her suitcase with panic.

'OK… I better see if my parents are here. They said in their last letter that they were extremely busy, and that they would have to come and pick me up early...' Awen sighed. Ellen looked at her.

'Are you OK, Awen? Is there something wrong?' Awen sighed.

'It's just that….I feel disconnected from my parents. They talk about how their practice is getting bigger, and how they are always busy… but I can't tell them what I am doing. You know. The stuff that Potsdam warned us when we first accepted our fate.' Ellen put a hand on Awen's shoulder.

'I know. It's hard. But at the end of the day, things will work out. You can always ask Potsdam to do memory wipe.' Awen shook her head.

'It would kill me to never see my parents again. After all, they are my parents.' Ellen nodded with knowning look in her eyes. After all, she'd been through all that.

'I know. Well, good luck.' Awen smiled. Ellen was a good friend.

'Come here you two, give me a hug. I will miss you both!' Awen threw arms around both of them.

'Have a great holiday! Don't forget to write to us!' Virginia said, giving her a bear hug.

'I'll miss you Awen… good luck with your parents. Don't worry too much about Professor Grabiner…OK? It will soon be over anyway. It's a contract after all. Enjoy your holiday.' Ellen said, giving her a squeeze around her arms.

Awen nodded, and hugged them back. 'See you very soon!' Awen said, cheerfully, as she walked out to the courtyard to see if her parents were waiting.

To her surprise, her parents were still not there for her. I thought they were going to be here early! Awen thought, a bit annoyed. Where ARE they?

Awen walked around the courtyard briskly to control her anxiety. Where were they? She knew that her parents had been busy recently, but surely they hadn't forgotten her? Awen looked down at her feet, trying to calm herself down. They'll be here soon, Awen. Don't be ridiculous.

When Awen looked up, she saw Potsdam and Hieronymous walking towards her. Oh no, what's going on? Awen immediately thought.

'Awen! You're just the person I wanted to see. How are you feeling, darling?' Potsdam smiled. Potsdam had such a positive effect on people – for a moment, Awen felt that everything was going to be all right.

'Uh…. Good day, Professor Potsdam. I'm fine, I guess? Just waiting for my parents. They said that they would be here early morning, but they must be running late… they're busy people I suppose… Good day, Hiero… Professor Grabiner.' Awen mumbled. Hieronymous nodded ever so slightly she wasn't sure if he'd heard her.

'Hieronymous! Be nicer to your wife. Semester's over, after all! You don't have to be so formal you know.' Potsdam scolded him. Hieronymous glared Potsdam, but didn't say anything.

'What's going on, professor?' Awen said. Both Potsdam and Hieronymous looked at her.

'Awen, sweetie, I have some bad news for you.' Awen's heart sank. She looked at Potsdam with a frown.

'It's my parents, isn't it?' Awen whispered. Potsdam nodded.

'I just received a mail from your father – they can't make it in today, pumpkin pie.' Awen gasped. How can this be? They promised in their last letter! She knew that they were busy, but what black magic was this?

'But, how….' Awen started.

'Here. Read the letter.' Potsdam pulled out the letter from her pocket. It was her dad's handwriting, all right.

Dear Professor Potsdam.

It is with a great regret that I am sending you this letter. An emergency has arisen in our clinic and we will not be able to pick Awen up today.

What luck, though, as you mentioned in your last letter that since Awen is performing so well, that she is eligible for a summer scholarship. My wife and I decided that it would be best if Awen remained in the academy to further improve her skills. So, if it not an inconvenience to you, we would like her to remain in the academy during summer vacation.

Please let Awen know of the circumstances. We will come and visit her before the vacation ends. Of course, we will advise you prior to our arrival. Please let Awen know that we will be in touch soon.

Send her our love,

Kind regards,

Dr. G. Berkeley.

Awen couldn't believe it. Emergency? How can this be? What was going on? She felt betrayed and angry. She could feel a hard lump in her throat, but decided not to cry in front of her husband. He wouldn't understand it after all.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped. It was Potsdam.

'I know how you feel sweetheart, but there's always a good side to every bad side! You get to spend more time with Hieronymous. Isn't that great, dear?' Awen looked at her eager face. She managed to stammer yes. She couldn't believe it. Surely, she was more important to them than their stupid medical practice? They've been running it for years!

'I thought, since the weather is so nice, you lovebirds can have a picnic. I've asked the chef to make a basket for you.' Potsdam smiled. Awen looked at Hieronymus. She couldn't tell whether he was pleased or angry. Now was not the time to think about it. Awen's head started to hurt again. It was too much to think about.

Suddenly, everything around her started to spin. It was too much for her. She felt her body collapse, and the last thing she remembered was someone calling her name. It sounded very familiar. Then, everything went black.