Kahlan spent her first month getting to know Richard and Chase. They were really great guys and really helped Kahlan to settle into life at D'Hara High. She hadn't told either of them that she came from Midlands High (but they did know she came from the Midlands in general), she figure if she old no one then there was less chance she would be caught up in the feud between the two schools. It was her last year at school, and she only had half of it to go, she could just avoid any interschool competitions that brought her in contact with her old school. It was better that way.
Berdine was an amazing teacher of High D'Haran, and although she wasn't nearly on par with the rest of her class, she could read (even if she didn't understand it) and pronounce words very well. Berdine also kept her up to date on the schools gossip. Chase and Rikka were openly dating now (thanks to a metaphorical shove from Kahlan). Berdine was ecstatic about it. Apparently she had always know (Kahlan wondered how everyone had not know. She had figured it out the first time she saw the couple together) but kept quiet because Rikka was her friend and obviously had her reasons.
Kahlan wouldn't admit to it, but she used Berdine to keep track of Cara. Currently she was officially 'off' with Darken. He had refused to get tested for STD's and she had refused to go out with him until she saw a results sheet saying he was clean. Kahlan secretly hoped that he wasn't. Berdine hoped the same thing, but not nearly as secretly. Rather loudly in fact, this didn't endear Darken to her. Not that he could do anything about it. Cara was protective of her friends.
Kahlan had joined the school paper after a conversation about slang in different parts of the country. Back in the Midlands, slang for journalists had been 'confessor', due journalists ability to get anyone to confess to anything. Being the head of her old school's newspaper had granted Kahlan the title of 'Mother Confessor'. Here in D'Hara High, Richard was called the 'Seeker', short for 'Seeker of Truth'. Richard had then invited Kahlan to write for the school newspaper. So far two of her articles had been published and she had helped out multiple times with editing. Which led Richard to ask Kahlan out on a date. It had been awkward. Something that could have been a fun time between friends wasn't and Kahlan had no idea how to tell Richard. Richard had driven them back to Kahlan's house after dinner and now they sat in silence in the car.
"Look Kahlan," Richard said suddenly. "That was, well, kind of awkward. I don't think we should go out again."
Kahlan smiled at him, her face on partially illuminated b y the street lights.
"You're wrong Richard, we should go out again. But next time, let's go out as friends. Maybe we can invite Chase and Rikka."
"Thanks for understanding Kahlan. I thought I would be able to handle going out again, but I guess I was wrong. About two years ago I was going out with this girl, and it didn't end well. I guess I'm not really over it."
Kahlan pecked him on the cheek. "It's okay Richard. You don't need to explain anything to me. I'll see you on Monday, have a got weekend."
He nodded and Kahlan got out of the truck and walked to her house. Once at the door she paused, turned, and waved before heading inside. She walked quietly to her room as to not disturb her parents and collapsed on her bed. She was infinitely grateful that Richard had sensed the tension during the night and had called the whole dating thing off. It probably wasn't a good time to start a relationship when you had a slight obsession with a certain blonde haired, green eyed hockey captain. She was glad that no one knew. But Kahlan had forgotten something. Berdine knew everything, about everyone.
xxxxx
"Why are you inviting her to your birthday party?"
Berdine looked up from her text books to where her girlfriend was reading though her birthday dinner invitation list.
"Which her are we talking about?"
"You know which her."
"I just want to be sure. We are in fact talking about Kahlan, correct?"
"Yes."
Raina didn't have a very expressive face or body (except during sex, but that was something only Berdine knew); all her expressions came though her voice. Right now, Berdine could hear the pout Raina refused to show.
"I decided to invite her because I like her. She's good company, can hold a conversation and will get on well with quite a few people there. She's good friends with Richard, and I suspect Rikka will bring Chase, who she is also good friends with."
Berdine could feel Raina becoming more and more upset.
"And, I want to set her up with Cara."
"But why you're birthday?"
"Now is the best time, as we know Cara isn't busy, and that Kahlan will be too polite not to come, what with her only being at school for a month."
Raina glared at her. "That is bullshit."
"Fine." Huffed Berdine. "I want to get Cara with Kahlan before Darken comes crawling back to her. Happy?"
"No."
Berdine stood up from her desk and walked to the bed, sitting next to Raina. She took the invitation list and put it on the bed side table.
"You know as well as I do that Cara spends more time thinking of her that she does thinking of Darken. And you know that Kahlan is always staring at Cara. Kahlan won't let Cara get away with nearly as much shit as she does, and won't cheat on her. I honestly think that Kahlan would be good for her and I'd do anything in my power to make Cara's life better after the shitty start she's had."
"I know. But I still don't like her."
"Is this about when she stared at my ass?"
Raina looked away, but stayed silent.
"Hey." Berdine said quietly. "Come on. Talk to me sweetheart."
"You always talk about how smart she is and how amazing she is and how everything else she is and … and I don't like it."
Raina moved to get up, but Berdine pulled her back down and wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her there.
"Raina, honey. Raina, look at me."
Raina shook her head sullenly. Berdine used a hand on her cheek to turn her head and force Raina to look at her.
"She can be all those things and more, but you know what the difference between her and you is?"
Tears started to form at the edge of Raina's eyes. Berdine leaned forward and kissed her softly.
"The difference between her and you, is that I love you. Not her, you. I love you so much I don't know how to express myself. I love you so much it consumes me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. So no matter how much I talk about her or anyone else, know that. Because I couldn't love anyone else like I love you. Okay?"
Raina buried her head in Berdine's neck.
"Yeah. It's okay."
xxxxx
Kahlan had been surprised when Berdine invited her to her birthday dinner during their High D'Haran class.
"Um, thanks Berdine." She said turning the invitation over in her hand. "But I was always under the impression that Raina hated me."
"It wasn't a hate so much as she highly disliked you. But don't worry, we talked about it. She's fine with you coming. There's also an actual party after the dinner at my house and I'd like it if you could come. It's a girls only thing." She smirked. "Basically an excuse to drink."
"I've never been drunk before."
"Don't worry. I'll look after you."
Kahlan was still a bit nervous about it.
xxxxx
The party was in two weeks, and Kahlan had no idea what to get Berdine. Part of the invitation had said to specifically not talk about dinner to anyone. It was in a public place, and as such, Berdine couldn't kick people out if they decided to crash her party. So Kahlan didn't even know who was going. Though Cara and Raina were a pretty safe guess, not that Kahlan had ever talked to either of them.
xxxxx
Their High D'Haran class had just finished and Berdine had rushed out, though Kahlan knew it wasn't to see Raina. Kahlan had been charged with explaining to Raina her girlfriend's absence. The idea that she had to talk to Raina was mildly (okay, quite a bit more than mildly, Kahlan still remember what Berdine had first said about Raina: I'm fine with you looking at my ass while I'm walking, but my girlfriend won't be. And she'd eat you alive) terrified. But Berdine had asked her, and had even said please, so Kahlan would. She leaned against the wall, waiting. She almost missed her in the rush of students.
"Raina!"
The dark haired girl turned towards her.
"Can I help you?"
"Berdine asked me to tell you she's working in the library today. The librarian has gone home sick and they asked her to cover for him.''
Raina nodded stiffly in acknowledgement. There was an awkward silence as they looked at each other.
"Look, Raina I don't know why you seem to hate me…"
"I don't hate you." Interrupted Raina
"Don't insult my intelligence by lying to me."
"I don't hate you!"
The two glared at each other before Raina sighed and looked away.
"I don't hate you."
"Raina…"
"I don't. Really Kahlan. I don't hate you. I don't like you, but I don't hate you." She sighed again. "It's not even you. I've talked to Berdine, and I'm working on it. I'm … I get jealous easily. I never had particularly good relationships before Berdine, and Berdine was a bit of a player before we got involved. But she seems to think you're a good person, and I'm going to try and trust her, but it won't happen easily or quickly. Okay?"
Kahlan smiled at her.
"Yes, it's okay. I'm sorry if I pushed you."
"No, I needed it." Raina paused before smiling slightly. "Would you come have lunch with me? It seems my usual partner has stood me up."
"I would love to."
The pair made their way to the cafeteria, quickly getting their lunch served as much of the student body was already seated and eating. Raina made sure to catch Cara's eye as she subtly nodded towards the table she was leading Kahlan to. Cara nodded back and started paying attention to the people at the table around her.
Kahlan and Raina sat down and started eating in companionable silence.
"Raina, maybe you can help me."
Raina lifted an eyebrow in question. "Oh?"
"I have absolutely no idea what to get Berdine for a birthday present."
Raina sighed and placed her knife and fork carefully on the half eaten plate of mac and cheese (if it could really be considered food).
"I know what you mean. For someone who has so many passions, she is really hard to buy for. People think they can buy her a book or something because she loves reading, right? But do you know where she works?" She didn't wait for an answer. "She works at a book shop! Which means not only has she read everything as soon as it comes out, but if she wants it she'd have already brought it for half price."
Kahlan tilted her head. "So, books are out then?"
Raina stared at her a moment before snorting and looking away. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm trying to get her this book in High D'Haran, but it's proving hard to find. It's about three hundred years old, and they only ever published a hundred of them."
"What's it called?"
Raina said something that sounded vaguely High D'Haran. Kahlan blinked at her.
"Did I say it wrong?"
"I'm not an expert, but I think you sort of butchered it."
She pulled a note book and a pen from her bag, and slid it across the table.
"How about you write it down?"
Raina did and handed the note book back. Kahlan spent a minute translating the book title before she blushed.
"You know what this books about?"
Raina nodded, a slight blush covering her cheeks.
"Yeah, I do."
"Well, that's more than I ever wanted to know about the two of you. If you want I can ask around a bit. I might be able to find a copy."
"I'd appreciate it, but I won't hold my breath."
Kahlan grinned. "Have a little faith, Raina. I'll get it for you."
"Get what?" Berdine asked as she appeared at Raina's side, slipping an arm around her waist. Lunch was almost over, and Berdine had taken off from the library early to get a bite to eat.
Kahlan smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know. But that Berdine, is a secret." She turned to Raina. "I'll get back to you with a price if I can get it."
Kahlan picked up her bag and left a sniggering Raina and perplexed Berdine.
"Are you selling drugs to my girlfriend?" Yelled Berdine after her.
Kahlan just waved a hand at them, not bothering to turn around.
xxxxx
It took Kahlan a few calls around to find a lead. There was a book for sale from a private collector back in the Midlands, but Kahlan had to act fast. She called the selling agent, and put in an offer. A week later the courier arrived just before Kahlan left for school. She thanked him and slid the still packaged book into her bag.
Berdine and Raina weren't in the hallway when Kahlan left her High D'Haran class. She made her way down to the cafeteria, getting lunch and sitting down with Richard. She placed her bag on the ground and stood back up.
"I'll be right back; I've just got to talk to Raina."
Kahlan made her way over to the table Raina sat at, the courier package in one hand. Once there she tapped Raina on the shoulder with the book.
"Here."
Jagang glared at her. "What the fuck do you think you're doing over here?"
Kahlan flicked her eyes up at him as Raina dug though her school bag for her wallet.
"Business. Not really any of your concern."
He snarled at her. "It's my concern if I make it my concern."
Raina snorted and pulled out a handful of notes, counting them quickly before shoving them at Kahlan.
"But you're not going to make it your concern, Jagang. Kahlan is doing me a favour so leave her alone."
Kahlan noticed Darken having a whispered argument with the man next to him.
"Don't see why I should do anything just because you said so." Jagang spat.
Raina ignored him and tucked the parcel into her bag; Kahlan followed her lead and said nothing. After a moment, he spoke again.
"Well?"
Berdine glared at him. "Neither of them want to talk to you, so why don't you just leave them alone? That wasn't a suggestion."
Jagang opened his mouth to argue and Cara sighed.
"Jagang; just shut up. No one wants to hear your voice or your misogynist views. Just because you have no control in your life you don't get to try and dictate everyone else's lives."
He turned red, but didn't say anything more. Kahlan turned to leave.
"Hey, Kahlan, right?"
She turned to Darken and raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"Do you think you could settle an argument between Demmin Nass and myself?"
"Probably not to your satisfaction, but you're welcome to ask."
"Good."
Kahlan didn't like Darken's tone, it was far too smug. She wasn't going to like whatever it was he wanted to ask. She could just tell.
"Demmin Nass and I were wondering which of us you'd rather have sex with."
She stared at Darken blankly and blinked slowly.
"I don't think you'd like my answer."
"Come on, tell us."
"Cara."
"What?"
"I'd rather sleep with Cara than either of you."
Berdine was laughing next to a slightly smiling Raina. Nicci sat with her normal mask of indifference. All of the boys looked shocked, with Darken and Demmin slightly outraged.
"She wasn't an option." Darken all but yelled in anger.
"Maybe not." Kahlan replied calmly. "But she is my preference. Aside from that fact she's probably better at sex than either of you; I wouldn't be surprised if you had a disease or two Darken; and from what I hear of Demmin, I'm both too old and the wrong gender to spark his interest. Therefore I'd rather sleep with Cara than either of you. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to eat my lunch."
She turned and headed back to her seat with Richard. She sat down, and wondered if her day could get any weirder.
She had just given Raina a book of lesbian erotic poetry in High D'Haran to be given to Berdine (who was quickly becoming Kahlan's best friend) and had just admitted to a tableful of people she'd like to sleep with Cara Mason; quite possibly the most popular and sort after girl in the whole of D'Hara High. Oh, hell.
