Hello! It's been so long since I've written an author's note. Too long.

I'd like to apologize for my being away. I haven't updated quite a few stories since March, and I'm trying to get better.

And I've been really slow to read and review others stories. That's another thing I need to apologize for.

I've been Role Playing on a few different forums lately, and it's been great, but I haven't been paying as much attention to my stories as I've needed to. But I'm also in the process of moving. I just moved into a new house, and my last days of seeing Glacia on Monday's are drawing to a close.

I also had family in town last week, and was unable to update.

But I've still heard from you! Thanks to everyone who has PM'd me throughout my silence of updates!

Now to my regular happy self...

Okay, most of this chapter was Glacia's idea, I don't know why she wanted this love triangle thing with her, but yeah, we have one.

Umm... please check out my forum cause I want it to be more active???

And KotLC Role Play and The Black Swan would be good ones to check out too.

Look on my profile for updates!!

Now I'm just spouting random information...

Review time!

(Only reviewer...) Linh Song: Thanks! And you were the soul supporter during my time of silence. Thanks to you!

And Fire and Ice was inspired by KotLC, not like it. I only thought of it because I read KotLC.

But I'm overjoyed you liked it! Now I need to go to sleep...

Story Time!

Avis's Scheme

I shut my locker, and rubbed my temples.

"So this gadget," Wade continued. "has a special mechanism that, when I adjust the S-34 wiring, will start shooting out..."

Wade's words slurred, and I just nodded along uncaring. I didn't understand his technopathy language, and instead scanned my schedule.

"Hey, Wade, I gotta run. Alchemy's next, and Lady Akura will be super mad if I'm late. Catch ya later!" I said, turning around. I kept my head down as I walked down the hall torwards the flight of stairs. While I walked, some random guy was sitting on the stairs, watching coming and going prodigies. At first, I thought it was Keefe, because no one else ditches class. But as I gazed at the boy, I noticed his platinum blonde hair, a bit frazzled, and stunning cold blue eyes. He wore a bored look on his face, and was sitting in a slouched posture.

"Are you a ditcher?" I asked, smirking. The boy didn't look up.

"What makes you think that?" He asked.

"Well, you aren't in class, and you have that aura around you." I said. The boy smirked. He must've been in Level Five, by the looks of his red uniform.

"You know what a ditcher looks like." The boy grinned. I rolled my eyes.

"Trust me, I know too many."

"Wouldn't mind adding me to that list?" He asked.

"That depends. I'm a do-gooder you could say, but," I said, a plan starting to form. "I have a friend who would love to meet you."

"Oh? Who might this person be?" The boy asked.

"You'll have to wait and see." I said, turning to go up the stairs.

"My name's Avia, by the way." I said.

"Creston Fortiter." The Level Five said, waving as I left.

"Your family name?" Creston asked, and I stopped.

"It's . . . complicated." I grimaced, running up the rest of the stairs.

OoOoOoOoOoO

At lunch, I scanned the tables for Emma Lynn, Grace, Janette... etc, etc. When I found them, Janette seemed to be talking to Keefe and Grace. What ever.

"Emma-lemma-lynn, save me a spot!" I called, receiving a glare from Emma Lynn.

"I've told you before, don't call me that!" Emma Lynn grumbled, as I slid in beside her.

"Janette." I said, turning to my friend. Janette looked up, mid bite.

"I have someone for you to meet." I said, sorting through the crowd. My eyes fell on the boy I was looking for, already walking over.

"Hey Miss goodie good. I suppose this is your circle of friends." Creston said, eyeing Fitz and Keefe. I smiled, and pointed to Janette.

"This is Janette." I said. "Complicated last name."

"Umm." Janette stroked her long blonde hair nervously.

"Hey there." Creston said, giving a big grin. Janette blushed, and I caught Grace mouthing softly 'I ship it', while making small hearts over Janette and Creston.

Keefe was a different story. He placed a hand on Janette's shoulder, and said,

"I'm her guardian. Foster, I now get how Grady feels about me." Keefe said, glaring at Creston.

"Whoa, no need to go 'Dad mode' on me." Janette groaned.

"Well, catch ya later?" Creston said, taking his que. I waved halfheartedly, and he shot Janette a wink before stalking away.

"Okay Avia. What was that about?" Kaylana asked. I giggled.

"Oh, nothing."

OoOoOoOoO

That evening after dinner, I was upstairs writing an essay for Elvin History when I heard a knock on my door.

"Hey." I said, glancing at Sophie in the door way.

"Hey." Sophie waved, stepping inside. "How've you been holding up?"

"Better than others I suppose." I sighed. "I think I'll take a walk though. Clear my head."

Sophie nodded. "I'll let you be."

I thanked her, slipping on brown flats. I didn't necessarily care about my flaredon pjs, or my tangled hair.

As soon as the cold air hit my lungs, relief washed through me. I flew through the fields, using my channeling to speed me up. I came upon the Panakes tree, and stopped. The air was so fresh right here. The sun was just peeking out on the horizon, and I sighed contentedly.

After a few minutes of silence, I glimpsed a movement near the gates down below. I blinked out of sight for a few seconds, testing my hold. Not so good.

Silently, I crept down the hill. The cliff was right there, and then the ocean, but down a steep ridge was a long wall. It stretched on, guarding the caves. But that's exactly where I felt I needed to go.

Using the power of levitation, I floated up and over the wall smoothly. My mind shifted, bringing back a memory from a while ago...

I was sitting on the couch, waiting excitedly for my friends to arrive in the foyer. Kaylana was already with me, and I said,

"Kaywana, when wiw they get here?" My four year old self asked.

"I don't know, Zhanette was reading wast I saw her." Kaylana shrugged.

After a few moments of waiting, three girls appeared, all giggling, ready to go play.

"Wevitating!" Grace laughed, floating into the air. Janette followed, as did Kaylana. I wasn't great at it, so I stayed on the ground.

As we walked off into the sun set to play, Emma Lynn said,

"Whatever comes our way,"

"Wew do it together." Grace said.

"Iow stick by your side," Janette said.

"And wew awways be better," Kaylana said.

"When we're together." I finished.

When I opened my eyes from the Flashback, three dark figures were circling around me.

I screamed as I was suddenly encased in a powerful light dome, curling into a ball as sickening sweet perfume drifted in, calling me to sleep. Beckoning me to close my eyes.

I knew what was happening, but I couldn't do anything. I was too weak.

Too tired.

I felt my consciousness pulled away, as I slipped into a drugged haze.