CHAPTER TEN

With a final push, the tent was finally up. "Thank you Diana!" The girl spoke, looking at the tent with relief. Diana, catching her breath, simply nodded. It was the eve of the festival; much of the preparation was done, but, Diana noticed, scanning her clipboard, there were still some odds and ends to be completed.

"You're very welcome" Diana replied, having calmed herself. The girl turned around and widely stretched her arms, yawning as she did.

"Its only three and I already feel tired." She drawled.

Diana chuckled at that.

The girl looked at her in sudden amazement.

A little unnerved, Diana asked, "What is it, Sarah?"

The girl sheepishly replied, slouching. "I don't think I've ever seen you laugh…ah, excuse me." She left, as Diana struggled to understand the girl's comment—she wasn't angry, or mad…was she really that "stone-faced"?

The girl who left – Sarah Bernhardt. The same year as her. Diana wished she hadn't left so quickly—was she intimidated by Diana?

Diana sighed. It was something that seemed to happen a lot around her—others giving her a wide berth, staying away due to fear or…something else she couldn't fathom. Out of her circle of friends, Diana only knew people's names and what little information she could glean from the official roster. Diana could remember their names, perhaps meet them, but trying to talk to them often ended in what Sarah had just done. Diana alone. She felt like a stranger in her own academy.

Before she could think more about it, a familiar voice called her name. "Diana!" It was Hannah. The blonde girl turned to her and waved. Well, it wasn't as if Diana was hoping it was someone else…

"Diana! I wanted to ask you for some help."

"What's the matter?"

"Catering. Jasminka and I don't have enough cake flour, among other things.

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're working together again?" She idly asked, remembering that the two were meeting and taking more often.

Hannah nodded, now at Diana's side. "What should we do?"

"Have you asked the fairies?"

"Yes. They're out too."

"Hmm, where's the Food Committee Chair?"

Hannah gulped. "Sick."

Diana sighed and rubbed her temple briefly. "I see. Well, let us ask for a teacher's permission to go to town and get supplies before it gets too late."

Hannah moved closer to Diana. "I can do it! You're already doing so much, Diana!"

Diana smiled. "I appreciate that. Thank you Diana. Perhaps you should take two more girls with you, just in case."

Hannah beamed. "You can count on me!"

She paused.

"You know," She started, "You've been smiling a lot more, Diana."

Diana blinked. "Oh?"

"Huh? Did I say something?" Hannah asked, worry in her voice.

Diana shook her head, not wanting to make Hannah worry. "Its fine, I'll go to the teachers now and ask. I can meet you—"

Hannah interrupted. "What if I got with you? That way you don't have to run around."

"…a great idea."

The two started walking, and after some minutes, Hannah started talking again. "I said something, didn't I? I apologize…"

Diana paused before answering. "Its fine, don't worry. I have a question for you. Do I…really look that intimidating? Am…I intimidating?"

"Huh?" Hannah asked, as if she expected a different question. "Was someone saying that about you?"

"Not exactly…" Diana replied, drifting off. "Sorry, this must sound weird."

"It doesn't," Hannah protested. She looked so earnest, and well-meaning, that Diana couldn't help but smile. Her friend. Her roommate.

"Thank you Hannah. I suppose I…worry about how I appear to others. I want to get along with the other students but…they seem to avoid me. I mean, I know why, but I didn't think it would be so difficult and prevalent." Diana spoke, finally able to speak what was on her mind.

Hannah nodded, clearly listening.

Diana continued. "Its better than last year, I must admit. And…I'm not alone."

Hannah let out a relieved sigh. "That's true Diana, and I'm happy you believe that. To be honest, I was…anxious to meet you. Learning that Diana Cavendish would be my roommate. But you know, after meeting you, learning more about you, living with you, I realized you're a young girl, like me. And I'm certain that others know as well. And if they don't well, that's their own fault."

Diana let out the breath she was holding. "Hannah…"

Hannah blushed and walked a little faster. "Any-Anyway, lets walk faster. The stores won't be open forever."

Soon, they made it to the teacher's break room and Diana knocked politely. The door opened, and a familiar head with bright, red hair poked out. "Oh! Diana! And Hannah! How can I help you?" Chariot offered, opening the door more widely. It was still strange that Shiny Chariot was Ursula. Even though Diana solved the mystery on her own, it was still shocking. Diana straightened her posture. "I would like to request a short shopping trip for the Food Committee. It would appear that we're out of much needed supplies." Diana paused, and awkwardly bowed her head. "An-And good evening to you as well, Ms. Du Nord."

Chariot let out a hearty laugh, blushing. "Oh, please call me Chariot, Diana. And for your shopping trip, by all means, please get what you need." She paused, as if remembering something. "…Where is the Food Committee Chair?"

"Sick, regrettably."

"Ah, I see. Give me a moment. I'll get some funds for you girls. Who's going?"

Hannah spoke first. "Myself, Jasminka and Barbara."

Chariot nodded and stepped into the other room, speaking as she left the room. "I see. Make sure to get back here before it's too late."

Hannah firmly nodded. "Of course!"

Chariot returned with a small drawstring bag. "An excellent response. Oh, and don't worry about the cost. The Headmaster wants the best for the festival." She paused. "Of course, within good reason, not too extravagant."

"Okay," Hannah replied, taking the bag carefully.

"Anything else?" Chariot quipped, putting her hands on her hips.

It was a familiar gesture, and Diana felt her heart grow warm. Diana cleared her throat, happy that the entire exchange went well. If it were any of the other teachers…they would've urged Diana to go instead.

"Thank you Mom. We'll be going now." Diana replied. She turned on her heel, walking away. However, Hannah was not following. "Hannah? Whatever is the matter?" Diana asked.

The girl's face was red. Chariot's as well, almost as red as her hair. Chariot spoke first after awkwardly clearing her throat. "You, uh, just called me 'mom', Diana."

Diana was puzzled. "No, I did not."

Hannah coughed. "Yes, you did."

Diana was confused until she realized what she had done.

Ah.

What a blunder.

"Oh, oh my—"

"Its fine, Diana, I mean, it happens, right?" Chariot quickly spoke.

Hannah nodded. "Yeah, I mean it happened to me in fourth grade."

"Fourth grade…" Diana repeated, feeling faint.

Chariot, noticing, waved her hands about. "Its fine, its fine, go on with your day. Hannah, didn't you have an important task?"

"Yes! Yes I did!" Hannah replied, as if a stooge in a bad stage show. She walked over to Diana, leading her away.

"So, which store should we go to?" Hannah asked. Jasminka looked up from her list. Her, Hannah and Barbara were on each of their brooms, flying leisurely in the sky towards the town. Jasminka finished chewing before answering. "There's only one open this late. The supermarket."

"Oh, okay," Hannah replied, feeling somewhat dumb.

Barbara yawned. "Okay. Can we like, get some coffee though?"

"Not with this money," Hannah replied, leaning over towards Barbara, poking her in the rib. Barbara yelped and poked her back. "Duh! I know that!"

The sound of Jasminka giggling softly made them blush and separate instantly.

"Oh, don't mind me." The girl gently spoke, taking a bite of her bagel.

"N-N-Nothing was happening," Barbara stammered out.

Hannah sighed.

The two girls were already well known on campus for being close friends, but ever since Diana's announcement, Barbara became distant. Both physical and emotional. Barbara was worried about the two being labeled. Bullied. To Hannah, they were friends. Nothing would change that. But she didn't want to push Barbara, and the girl, always obstinate, didn't voice her thoughts.

Thus, a strange hiccup in their relationship, where they didn't talk or interact like they used to.

Jasminka changed the subject, sensing what happened. "Are you two hungry?" She asked, flying over to Hannah, holding a bagel.

Hannah smiled and took it. "Thanks."

Jasminka did the same to Barbara, who declined.

Soon, the buildings were in sight and the girls dismounted their brooms on the edge of town. Magic was back, but they still had to adhere to rules. "Alright, lets get started!" Jasminka announced, making a beeline for the market. Barbara lagged behind, prompting Hannah to move towards her. Then, she decided not to.

She didn't want to push her.

Barbara didn't seem to mind. Once inside the store, Jasminka turned to the girls. "I'll carry the flour since it's the heaviest," she explained, taking a nearby cart. Soon, the girls were walking up and down the aisles.

"What else do we need?" Barbara asked after some time, breaking her silence. Jasminka hummed before answering. "Some fruit for the tarts. I'll leave the choice to you."

"ME?!" Barbara shrilly asked. "But-!"

"You have a good sense for flavor and ripeness. I trust your decisions." Jasminka said, as if it was simple knowledge.

Hannah was floored. She was always amazed by Jasminka's honesty and her ability to praise others with little to no embarrassment. Even though she's so quiet and doesn't display it, Hannah thought, Jasminka had quite the aptitude for leadership. And, she thought privately, perhaps Jasminka knew, and decided to not flaunt it.

Barbara, containing herself, sighed. "Then, I'll need a cart too. If we're making enough for the school, and for Akko as well."

Hannah laughed at that. It was true though, Akko did love tarts.

Akko sneezed rather loudly and roughly. "Bweeh!" She exclaimed, wiping her face. Sucy cackled at that. "Someone talking about you? Again?"

Akko scowled. "I guess!" Finished wiping her nose, Akko leaned back, laying on the ground. "How long do we have to do thiiiis?" She cried out.

Sucy shrugged. "When the hall looks spectacular? That's what you said three hours ago." She motioned to the hall, and while the decorations put up so far were nice, they were not staggering.

Akko whined. "I know! I know! Ughh! Can't we use that bippity boppity magic again?"

Lotte looked up from her work. "Oh, the dresses? That was temporary. But Akko, how would you use transformation magic? It has a limit, you know."

Akko sighed again. Maybe for the millionth time. "I know. I just…want the dance to be special."

Sucy grinned. "For Diana?"

Akko swiped at her, missing. "F-For everyone! I mean, we all had such great fun at Andrew's ball, right? Before the Love Love Bee…"

Lotte hummed. "You're right. So, what are you suggesting?"

Akko jumped up. "A great, big fanciful ball! Like a fairy tale! And we help girls with their dresses! Oh, if they don't want to wear dresses, they can wear something else though." Akko added, remembering a certain redhead. Sucy sighed, pulling on her sleeve. "Akko, we have like, one day. Make it realistic." Akko kicked at her jokingly. "I KNOW! But we have magic! We can do it! Wait, I got it. Lets get more people! The more the merrier, right?!"

Lotte quaffed. "I don't know, Akko…"

Sucy grinned. "Sure, why not?"

TO BE CONTINUED