Robecca pulled out one of the wire chairs as she passed, sliding into the next, and Venus took a seat at her side.

"I know you feel bad," Venus said to Rochelle as the gargoyle sat slumped in her chair, "but you really weren't doing anything wrong. And neither was she."

Rochelle looked up, frowning. "Entering another being's home without permission is wrong."

"Yes, but how do you know it was without permission?"

"Perhaps the little girl invited her," Robecca said. "Stranger things have happened. They didn't do anything, besides."

The three paused as the olive-skinned barista delivered their coffincinos to the table.

Venus took a sip of hers. Wincing, she pushed it at Robecca. "This is yours."

"Are you sure?"

Venus nodded. "No cream Americano double shot? Ugh. May as well drink motor oil."

"Ooh, now don't tell me that's on the menu." Robecca grinned, taking the cup, and lifted the lid off the one given her by the barista. "Well, what do you know? You're absolutely right, love. This is far too sweet for my tastes. Must be yours."

Rochelle drank down a few gulps of sweet, hot coffee, then sat back in her chair, trying to relax. "It just didn't feel right, that's all. It felt as if something bad was about to happen."

Venus shook her head. "That's projection. You felt bad about watching, therefore, you transferred those negative feelings onto the event you witnessed. It's common. Don't worry."

"She put her hand into the girl's chest, Venus."

Robecca arched an eyebrow. "Rochelle, what you saw is very questionable. You understand, don't you? We're not doubting you or pooh-poohing your feelings, love, we're just trying to help you understand what you saw. She could have put a hand beside the girl. Her hands are translucent, after all."

"Oui. Je suppose." Rochelle shook her head. "Still.."

"Let it go, Rochelle. Just for now. Hey.. your boyfriend's here."

Rochelle sat up, scanning the room, then blushed at her friends as they giggled. "What? I don't even have a boyfriend. Stop it."

"Oh, but you do!" Venus smirked. "I can tell by the way you look at him. Don't look now, he's at the bar."

Robecca gave Venus a nudge. "Now stop that, Venus. She's already having a bad day."

"Right. And that's why we should go now, and let Deuce discover this poor mademoiselle all by her lonesome, waiting for someone to join her."

"No," Rochelle said, her blush deepening. "You wouldn't!"

Robecca gave her a shrug. Venus stood, shouldering her bag, and Robecca gathered her bag as well. "Sorry, love. I'm sure it's just what you need to cheer you up."

"Or at least distract you for a while," Venus said, winking. "Oh, hey, Deuce," she said, avoiding a near-collision as he was crossing from the bar, carrying a tall coffee. "Fancy running into you here. Bye, Rochelle! Hope you feel better!"

"Merci," Rochelle said, frozen, fuming, as her friends abandoned her there.

Deuce turned. She gave him a tiny smile, wracked with anxiety. All at once, she wanted him to go away, and sit down right beside her.

"Hey," he said, walking up to the table. "Mind if I sit with you?"

She looked around. "Cleo's not with you?"

"Uh.. no. Not today." He pulled out the chair opposite Rochelle and took a seat. "Your friends bailed on you, didn't they?"

"Oui. Totallement." She reached for her cup, sighing. "It is rare to see you without your friends, as well."

"I kind of had to sneak out, to be honest. My mom's all uptight right now. I needed a decent coffee, though, and a break." He took a sip from his cup, watching her fidget. "What about you? What are you up to today?"

Rochelle shook her head. "I don't know yet. I thought about going down to the roller maze, but I am not sure if that is possible, since Headmistress has put a stop to all extra-curricular activities now."

"I'm sure there's a way in. We could go explore, try to find it."

She looked up at him, unable to resist smiling in response to his devilish grin. "Non. That is a very bad idea, I think."

"Breaking into the school? Or going there with me?"

Rochelle looked away. The heat in her face told her she was blushing again. "Both."

"Well, it's a chance at adventure. Your call." He leaned back in his chair, sipping at his coffee, that grin lingering at the corners of his mouth.

She shook her head, scowling at him. "It seems you know just what to say," she said, picking up her coffee as she rose from her seat. "Let's go, before we lose the light."