"Sure, why not?"
Charlie felt like he could jump up and whoop. But all he could do was say, "Okay, see you Saturday."
Olivia grinned and flounced off to her group of giggly friends. Charlie felt relieved that it was over and he felt his face burn. He turned away to go tell the guys but then he caught sight of a forlorn Emma sitting under the same tree she was at when Tancred was going out with Tracy Morsell.
He wandered over to Emma. She looked up, tears glistening in the sunlight. The rain had gone away midway through second period and the sun was out. Emma, however, was gloomy even with the sun.
"Em, what's up?"
Emma shook her head. "Is it true?" she whispered hoarsely. "Does everyone know?"
"Know what?" Charlie asked, though he had a bad hunch he knew what she was talking about. "The rumor, huh? It hurts, doesn't it? People assuming you like this one person."
Emma sniffed. "They're right."
Charlie gaped at her. "Huh?"
"They know I like him." said Emma wistfully.
"What do you mean? What did you he-"
"Please Charlie, I...I don't want to talk about it." Emma gasped. "Besides..." Emma narrowed her eyes. "I don't think I'm friends with him any more."
She stood up. "I'm so sorry you have to see me like this," she said, her sad face reappearing. "It's just so hard to see that the one you care about doesn't feel the same way."
She left Charlie standing there, looking puzzled.
Later that day, the endowed sat down around the table as usual for their homework. Tancred was bitter and sat as far away as possible from Emma and vice versa. Gabriel, Billy, and Lysander noticed this and they all looked at Charlie, who mouthed, 'I'll explain later.'
Elijah was too busy focusing on his work to notice this but he was also preparing on how to ask Emma. After homework, when they all piled out of the room, Tancred left quickly and was half way down the hall when Emma first stepped out.
"What happened?" Gabriel whispered to Charlie.
Elijah, suddenly interested, walked close to them with Billy and Lysander close behind him.
"From what I know, Emma and Tancred aren't friends right now. It's all about the rumor." whispered Charlie. Emma wasn't paying attention of them. She looked down at her feet as she trailed slowly behind the boys.
Gabriel looked back. "No wonder she's so upset. I haven't seen her this sad since Morsell."
"I feel sorry for her," said Billy sadly.
"We all do." said Gabriel.
"So, now what?" asked Lysander.
"No idea..." said Charlie.
They were all silent for a second.
"Oops, hey, you guys." Elijah stopped, looking behind him and patting his pocket. "I left my pencil. I'll be right back."
He ran towards the King's Room, past Emma and into the doors.
The boys turned around the corner as Elijah emerged from the doors. Emma was still walking silently towards the art dormitories and Elijah thought that this would be the perfect time to ask. He ran towards her, ignoring the slightest pinch in his mind.
"Hey Emma."
Emma glanced up. "Hi Elijah,"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Emma gloomily.
Elijah looked into her eyes. "Emma, there's something wrong. You can tell me."
Emma felt a queer feeling in her mind but she surpassed it. "Maybe later,"
Elijah sighed. Now for the question. "Emma, are you going to the dance?"
"Not that I know of." she said sulkily.
"Do you want to?"
"Well, I suppose so."
Elijah gave a little pause, just as if an idea just popped into his head. "Hmm, well, would you go with me?"
Emma looked up at him.
"As friends, of course." he added.
Emma tilted her head in thought. Maybe I don't have to control her mind after all...Elijah thought.
"Sure, why not." Emma said finally. "I guess going is better than staying home and sulking."
"Well I'm glad you're feeling better Em," said Elijah earnestly. Emma gave him a small smile and went up the stairs to her dorm when they reached it. Elijah continued to the music dorms and he had a slight urge to grin smugly.
"Tancred, just because she doesn't like you doesn't mean that you can go around and cause tornadoes!" Lysander cried as furious winds whipped around his hair.
The boys in their dorms were hanging on to their bed posts with dear life as Tancred stormed around, cursing. Papers and pillows flew around and the curtains fluttered dangerously.
"Tancred!" Lysander snapped. "Matron's going to get you in major trouble!"
"Listen to him!" a boy yelled as he stumbled into the bathroom. There was a loud thud and a quick, "Ow!"
"Man, you okay?" another boy called, ducking as a book flew above his head.
"Someone tackle him!" a boy yelled.
The door flung open and Matron stood there, looking infuriated. She hung onto the door frame and she yelled at the top of her voice, "CONTROL YOURSELVES!"
Tancred, in surprise, stopped the fast winds and looked at her, a scowl taking over his face.
"Detention!" Matron snapped. "To all of you except Torsson. Torsson will be assigned kitchen duty for all of the departments for the entire month. Now straighten up and get to bed, all of you!"
She slammed the door, satisfied in her punishment. The winds were no more and Tancred stood there, fuming.
"This is what you get for sharing a dorm with one of the endowed," a boy muttered to his friend as they straightened out their beds.
As soon as everything was back to normal, they washed up and climbed into their beds, exhausted.
Tancred was sitting on his bed, his head buried into his hands.
Lysander sat next to him and patted him on the shoulders. "It's not the end of the world." he said. "It's not like you know for a fact she likes him. You didn't even ask him what his last name was."
"But it's him, wasn't it?" Tancred moaned. "She was talking about him. Who else do we know with those initials that's not a girl?"
"No one, but we don't know for a fact that it's him." Lysander said firmly. "Now get some rest."
"I can't." said Tancred angrily. "I can't knowing this. I don't want to hold an angst on Elijah but I don't want to let go of the girl of my dreams!"
A boy sat up and remarked, "The girl of your dreams? That's a little too much even for you Torsson,"
Shut up Avery," Tancred snarled.
There was a quiet knock on the door and every single boy in the dorm froze, eyes darting to the door in fear.
"It's Matron, I bet it is!" a boy whispered.
Lysander sprung off of Tancred's bed and answered the door casually. "Oh, Sarah. You gave us a scare." Lysander sighed in relieved, swinging the door wide open to show a girl with a concerned face and a flashlight.
"What are you doing here?" a boy asked. "This is the boys dormitory. Go back to your own."
"I need to talk to Tancred." she said firmly.
Lysander stepped aside and Sarah entered the dorm. She glanced at Tancred, who was staring at his feet.
"Tancred," she said softly, walking with Lysander to his bed. "I know why you're upset. But I have good news for you."
"What?" Tancred snapped.
"That picture was drawn before he came." said Sarah, hoping that Tancred understood what she was saying.
Tancred blinked. He looked up and gaped. "What?"
"The picture Em drew, with the initials, that was drawn before he came." said Sarah in a low voice so only he and Lysander could hear.
Tancred felt a smile creeping onto his face. "There's hope left!" he said excitedly. "There's still hope!"
Sarah nodded. "Just thought you'd like to know. That and my friends are a little tired of you raining over them in fifth period. They sit in front of you, you know."
"Oh, right. Tell them that I'm sorry." said Tancred. Sarah left the dorm and Tancred grinned up at Lysander. "There's still a chance!"
"Gosh Tancred, that's great." said Lysander, laughing. "But isn't she a bit ticked off?"
"Who cares? I'll apologize and explain myself. She won't hold a grudge on me!" Tancred whispered. He can finally go to sleep peacefully. He slid into bed with a grin and turned off his lamp. "Night," he yawned, pulling over his covers and closing his eyes into a restful sleep.
The next morning, Tancred woke with lifted spirits. He wanted to talk with Emma with all his heart when she sat down for breakfast. He wasn't disheartened when she didn't look up to acknowledge him when he sat down across from her. She stirred her cold cereal around without an expression.
"Emma, I have to talk to you." said Tancred in a low voice. He didn't want anyone else listening in.
Emma didn't say anything. In her mind, though, she was listening, but only half-heartedly.
"Emma, yesterday, it was all a misunderstanding. I shouldn't have yelled or rained on you. I'm sorry for all of that. I didn't mean it at all."
Emma stayed silent, starting to regret her decision to go to the dance with Elijah.
"So, do you forgive me?"
Emma stopped her stirring, as it was useless, and gazed up into Tancred's eyes. They were sincere and hopeful. The lest she could do was say yes.
"Yes, I forgive you." Emma heard herself say.
Tancred grinned and Emma smiled back at him.
"So, er, now that we're on good terms..." Tancred said casually.
Emma's heart sank but they lifted at the same time.
"I was wondering if you, well, like to go to the dance with me?"
Emma felt her heart burst. She was ecstatic that he actually asked her but she was sullen that she had to say no.
"Tancred, I would go with you, but, someone beat you to me first." Emma said softly.
Tancred's smile vanished. "What?" Had he heard correctly? Someone else beat him to her? Who?
"I'm sorry Tancred, but Elijah asked me yesterday, but maybe because he saw that I was a little down."
Tancred felt a shock run up his spine. So it really was him. But Sarah said that Emma drew the initials before he came. So then how? I did it. Tancred thought bitterly. If I hadn't upset her, he wouldn't have asked in the first place!
"Tancred?"
Tancred looked at Emma and forced a smile. "Oh well, I guess there's next time if you're up for it."
Emma gave Tancred an apologetic smile. "I'll wait for you," she whispered to herself.
"Hmm?"
Emma blushed and bowed her head to her cereal. "Never mind."
Lysander sat down and sighed. "I don't think waiting ten minutes in line for cereal is worth it."
"Wait until you're hungry." mused Emma.
Lysander groaned. "You're right. So, have you two worked everything out?"
Emma and Tancred avoided his eyes and focused more on their breakfast.
Please tell me that's embarrassment and not awkwardness... Lysander thought desperately.
"Yeah, we're cool." Tancred said weakly.
Awkwardness...why that? Lysander thought. "So, er, Emma. Who are you going to the dance with?"
Tancred stood up and excused himself. He left the cafeteria with winds following him.
"Elijah," said Emma quietly.
"Oh...why?"
"Well, yesterday he saw that I was sad so I guess...he just asked." Emma murmured. She got up and said, "I'm sorry Lysander, but I don't feel like having breakfast anymore."
She left the cafeteria, leaving Lysander in his puzzled thoughts.
