Journal 4: Tuesday Assemblies

Hmmm…if I had to describe how these past weeks have been on me, it would be one word—brutal. Elincia's a quick learner. I'm proud of her and all, but all these tutoring activities is taking a strain on my studies. It's not Elincia's fault—it's Vaida's. Dang that hag.

So far, the stress I've been feeling inside isn't showing up yet. In fact, I hope it doesn't show up at all!

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Another tough day of Academics, then I find myself in the gymnasium sprawled over the warm-up mat while Vaida reminds us that our Tuesday Assembly was next week. Whoa—wait a minute, NEXT WEEK?! How the heck could I be able to practice that much? "Remember, Dance club!" Vaida said, clapping her hands for attention, "we want the principal's approval for this month! I'd like to see you in tip-top shape when we have our last rehearsal next Thursday!"

Principal's Approval meant that Eliwood would choose who had the best performance this month. The benefits are different from month to month, for example, it's now June. The "Principal's Approval" for this month is that the winning club gets to choose a theme for our "Acquaintance Party". That party is where the entire High School Student Body gets to know each other's batch.

Well, the approval for June's kinda lame, I want to win the one for October or December. October's PA makes us get to choose where our "Club outing" will be, while December's PA gives us the benefit of choosing were we would like perform in the Christmas Season, be it in another school, a mall…or even another country! I've got my sights set on Begnion, Sephiran always tells us how beautiful it is back there…

"Hey, Lucy!" Marcia said, nudging me. "Hunh--?" I ask, my mind plummeting back to earth. "What theme do you plan to have this year?" "I don't know…" I shrug, "Historical Tellius?" "When we all wore armor and all? Looks like Sir Wil's project has gotten into you." Giggled my rose-haired friend. "Oh, not really." I laughed along. "By the way," Marcia continued as we stacked up our mats, "I can't give you a ride home, sorry. I'm going over at Jill's."

Ever since that fateful day I saw Marcia and Jill exchange that kiss in the basketball court, let's just say—I haven't really seen her in the same light anymore. But I promised Marcia I'd be with her no matter what, so I guess I have to support her in this. Let's just hope that if I do drugs or something, she'd support me too. Hey, I was just kidding about the last part!

"Alright," I nod, "I'll catch you tomorrow, then." Marcia hugged me and trotted off to her waiting girl. In a blur of Scarlet and Pink, the duo was gone. I sighed as I trudged to the gym lockers. Most of the girls already left by the time I got there—except Elincia. "Hey there, Ellie." I greeted, managing a limp wave. All those practices must be taking their toll on me, I was beat. Can't even offer my tutee a proper wave. "Ellie? I like that." Elincia beamed at me, and I find a blush creeping to my cheeks. Maybe it's just the heat.

"May I help you with something?" I asked her. "No, I kinda overheard what you and Marcia were discussing back there," Elincia said, shaking her head, "I'm sorry, I know it's kinda eavesdropping. But—may I offer you a ride home?"

Great! Looks like my time with Elincia isn't wasted after all. She's finally showing her usefulness. "Wow—thanks." I reply, trying not to sound too eager. "You sure it's not out of your way?" "Nope," Elincia replied nonchalantly. "My chauffeur won't mind, really." "Thanks…Ellie." I smile. She smiled back, and I tried hard not to comment on her beautiful smile. Grabbing our bags, we chatter excitedly as we head down. The gymnasium was inconveniently placed on the 10th floor, so it would take us awhile to get down.

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It would be a lie to say that nothing happened on the car ride home. The only thing which developed between Elincia and I was a friendship. She's fun, smart, and down-to-earth. She wasn't the geeky kid I envisioned during the first day. She showed a keen interest in swords, like me. While I prefer the noble Silver Sword, she showed favor towards the Amiti, the Crimean royal sword. I found out we liked the same songs, and, oddly, the same food. I believe we could have been sisters in our past lives.

"Wow! Was that the latest SUV you came out of, sis?" Geoffrey said, rushing to meet me at the door and relieve me of my book bag. "Yeah," I shrugged. "My classmate Elincia brought me home." Elincia smiled through the window. "Hey, Ellie," I said, approaching the window, "you're not staying for a drink or something?"

In Crimea it would be rude not to offer a guest at least something before they leave, but they have a right to refure.

"No, thanks." Elincia smiled again. "It's getting late. Uncle Renning might be worried." "OK," I said, leaning against the door, "I'll see you tomorrow, then?" "Count on it." Elincia replied. She had a stray lock of hair, and this time I didn't resist the urge to affix it behind her ear. In doing so, my hand brushed against her cheek. Oh, Ashera!! I thought, what a silken cheek! Elincia seemed to enjoy the semi-caress, much to my surprise. She pressed her cheek harder against my palm and her hands held my wrist for a blissful moment.

Suddenly, her amber eyes opened and she gently removed my palm. "I'm sorry, Lucia. Was that—inappropriate?" "Not at all…" I gasped, exhilarated by that moment, "…not at all." "I have to go." She repeated. "I'll see you tomorrow." "Yeah, tomorrow." I reply. She leaned out of the window and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Without a word, she retreated to her van and the chauffeur drove off into the inky blackness, the taillights quickly disappearing from view.

"…" I turned and began walking up the stone path to the manor. "Lucia!" my maid Eliza exclaimed, "you're late this evening. Your mother would be worried." "She's not home yet anyway," I said, "consider me late only if I arrive home after her."

Eliza nodded, and she began preparing dinner. I flopped to my bed and checked the digital clock beside my bed. 7:45 pm. Hmmm…Eliza was right. It was quite late. Before I could reach for my Algebra book, my brother stuck his head inside my room. "What happened to 'knock before you enter'?!" I asked, quite annoyed that he disturbed me. "Sorry," he grinned, flopping down beside me on the bed, "I just couldn't help noticing one of your classmates." "Which one?" I asked warily. "The green-haired one, the one who brought you home." He replied. Damn. I thought. Suddenly, I wondered why I suddenly felt jealous and wanted to keep Elincia to myself. It's not like I'm a jealous lover, right? Right. I'm straight…hey, don't change the subject!

"What about her?" my blue eyes traveled to meet my brother's. Considering the same shade of hair we had and same blue of eyes, I wonder if we are fraternal twins. "Well, she's kinda, I dunno, hot." He shrugged, and grinned again. I wanted to smack him on the head that moment. "Would you introduce me to her?" "Nah, you'll see her when we perform onstage. You're gonna be standing there anyway, right?" I said, trying to mask my annoyance in form of a joke.

Did I mention he joined the Combat Leadership Club? That's one club I forgot to mention. When they train poor, gullible students like my brother in the art of combat, promising ranks in exchange for their sweat, blood and tears. Anyway…

"Yeah, I'll be standing near the stage." Geoffrey nodded, "I can watch you guys perform." "Cool," I mumbled, "maybe she'll ask the autograph of her knight in shining armor when she's done performing." Ah, the magic of reverse psychology. "Maybe," Geoffrey repeated hopefully, "I hope so. But if she doesn't, promise to introduce me to her?" "Don't get your hopes up, though! What chance does a freshman like you have with a sophomore?" I tell him.

"I dunno," he grinned, "but I know you'll make a way." "When you leave my room now, maybe. Mark time, march, soldier! Left, left! Left, right, left!" I barked. Geoffrey hopped off my bed. "Thanks sis." He grinned and marched out of my room. I shook my head and went back to my abandoned algebra book.

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Tuesday:

The Assembly began at 8:30am, so by 7:00 am, all the clubs are doing warm ups to seek the PA. I looked around for Elincia, hoping to ask her to be my push-ups partner, but Petrine blocked my way. "H-hey, Petrine," I gulped. "Hey there, Lucia." She replied, "looks like we don't have partners, hmmm? What about being mine?" There was something scary about this senior, so I had no choice but to comply. Besides, you should never refuse a senior; that was an unwritten law. "Yes ma'am!" I said, sounding more enthusiastic than I felt.

Before we knew it, it was showtime. We spilled into the stage right after Nil's marching band, who played a wonderful repertoire. I'm not sure about most of the songs they played, but I was swept away by their rendition of the old gladr, "Life Returns". "And now may I present to you—the modern dance club!" Makalov said. He was the student emcee for the month. Did I say he was also Marcia's brother?

As we took our positions waiting for our audio, I saw Geoffrey posted near the door. His eyes weren't on me, though. It was on Elincia. So much for moral support.

Our dance number was perfect, not a single mistake! I was glad we were greeted with a roar of approval, though I'm not too enthusiastic about the prize. Right now, I was more concerned with the matters at hand. Is Geoffrey falling for "my" tutee?

End notes: Thanks again to all those who read and reviewed! Sorry, I'm kinda busy now. But updates will come faster than this, now that things are heating up! Who will win the PA? Why is Lucia so jealous about Geoffrey's apparent interest in Elincia? Until next time!