Lesson after lesson each one passed in a flash, biology, math, English, modern foreign languages (which was a breeze for me as we did southern Xingies, which is my great Grandfathers mother tongue) and finally the science of alchemy. In a buzz of noise, conversations and arguments I filled out the class room, trying to exit the school in a ...not so orderly fashion.

"Lan Fan, Lan Fan!"

Oh, crap. Ling, thought I'd been successful avoiding him all day- apparently not.

"Hey Lan Fan!"

Stopping in my tracks, I swirl around.

"What!"

Suddenly a explosion of blue light emits from the floor as a pillar of rock shoots up centre meters from my face. Paralyzed, I blink myself out of the trance. Standing there bewildered several other students gaze around at the new found commotion.

"You there! You, the one with the funny eyes"

"What do you mean with the 'funny eyes' !"

Ling responds in a rage.

"No alchemy in school, now fix your terrible excuse for alchemy"

Argues the unknown prefect. His eyes gleamed in his victory of power. Prefects...always thinking they own the place. Ling bends down defeated, forcing his palms together continuing by separating them and trusting them onto the floor. Another flash of blue fills the air. Beaten Ling hurries over to me.

"Sorry 'bout that"

Ignoring his foolishness I proceed with the conversation.

"Wow, they taught you basic alchemy!"

I continue, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.

"Yeah, what'd ya think. And...it's not basic! It's the only alchemy I can do so far"

He answers disappointedly. I gaze up and down at Ling, viewing him for the first time without rushing; his long shabby (but not to shabby) night coloured hair, slightly squinted eyes and well...amaz- ... decent body.

"so, are you staying in block B3?"

He interrupts my thoughts. Mindlessly I lie.

"No.."

"shame, well can I walk with you then?"

Nodding briefly, I take in the sound and feeling of the day. The wind slithering through my hair as we walk out of the now empty caught yard, that warm fuzzy feeling from the sun as it beats down on my face, chest and neck after weeks of stone cold icy wind in Xing before my journey here. Trees whistling in the wind, birds twittering in the titian sized trees above which surround the yard. It feels like I'm back home in the summer, the birds, the weather, the people, and the peacefulness.

"Lan Fan?"

Again Ling interrupts my day-dream, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Well, I'm at my block so I'll see you later"

He nods and walks off as I resurface from my day-dream for the second time.

"wait for me, I'm in this block to. Wasn't paying attention before."

Why did I say that! Now it sounds like I was ignoring him... well, in a way I was... I guess.

"Come on then?

I beckon as he dawdles behind me. He manages a small perky smile. For once, so do I.

"What room are you in then Ling?"

"48" Quickly he replies.

"wow, not many doors away from me. I'm 41"

What a pity.

As we venture up the stairs Ling and I exchange parts of are life, basic information. Date of birth, where we came from (which wasn't as far away as I thought) and what are school day was like. Boring.

"Welp, here's my room, I'll see you later Lan Fan"

Ling replies urgently.

"Yeah. Well I have homework to do. so don't interrupt me."

Scornfully I warned him. As we walk down the opposite ends of the corridor he yells out,

"Can't promise anything!"

Sigh. He is such a pain, so... why do I like him? No! I can't like him. Friends, fair enough. Nothing more. Nothing less.