Hey, guys! Sorry it's been a while. I've been fighting writer's block and at the same time wanted to work on some other stories. Please review. Eliza is the only character I own. All the others belong to Disney.

August seemed to take forever, but the books kept Eliza occupied. After their last encounter, the two Khans were less distant. Sometimes they would get books at the same time. A silent glance was their only reminder of each other's existence. Usually Eliza peaked through the balcony doors to make sure he wasn't in a meeting so she wouldn't interrupt, then quietly retrieve a book. While Shere ignored her, she would linger long enough to see him work. Usually it was just some boring paperwork, but she was surprised to see him tending his indoor jungle.

Funny, why doesn't he hire people for that? I guess even businessmen needed hobbies.

While the books did make her time bearable, they didn't make it less lonely. Eliza felt like Rapunzel, trapped in a lavish tower with no social interaction. She never thought she would so grateful for school to start. That is until she remembered it was going to be a different school. Thankfully, Shere's chauffer David didn't drop off her in a limo. An expensive car, but modest enough to not stand out. Her uncle probably wanted her inconspicuous as much as she did. She still couldn't help feeling the same anxiety outside the school door as her first time outside Khan Tower. She made it to the classroom without drawing attention. Thankfully, no one stared, but now she was lost in the sea of strangers.

Pull it together, Eliza. You've survived Shere Khan.

"Quiet down, class." The chatter died down as the teacher walked in. Her eyes fell on Eliza. "Before we begin,"

Don't say it! Eliza silently begged.

"I'd like to introduce a new student." There it was. The very words every new student dreaded. "Eliza, will you please introduce yourself?" Eliza didn't see the point now that everyone heard the teacher say her name, but she stood.

"Hello, I'm Eliza Kha-"she swallowed. Kahn employees looked at her as if she was their boss. If everyone and their children knew about Shere Khan, who's to say these kids were any different? Praying that they wouldn't ask for the rest, she repeated, "I'm Eliza."

"Eliza, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?" Why did teachers always pressure new kids at their most vulnerable state?

"I used to live north of Cape Suzette. My dad's a pilot, but-"

"Woah!" A cut her off. All eyes followed the sound to a bear boy in a green sweater and blue cap.

"Kit!" the teacher scolded as the class erupted in giggles.

"Oops," Kit blushed, covering his mouth. "Sorry."

"All right, everyone settle down," said the teacher. "You were saying, Eliza?"

"Well, my dad transferred. So, I'm staying with my uncle until Dad has everything sorted out." Please don't ask who my uncle is.

"Thank you. You may sit down." Eliza collapsed back into her chair, trying to hide her relief. It could've been worse, but it still took a lot out of her.

Recess sounded more promising, but once the other kids grouped in their friend circles, Eliza felt as lost as when she first walked in. How could she introduce herself without being awkward? Where should she start? What should she say? She finally gave up and sat on a bench with her book.

"Hey," a familiar voice interrupted her before she could finish a page. Eliza recognized the boy who got excited in class. "I just wanted to apologize about earlier." He bashfully rubbed his neck.

"Oh, don't worry it's fine." Kit looked away, so Eliza returned to her book. Her eyes lingered on the page without reading a word.

"You said your name is Eliza, right?" Kit asked.

"That's right," Eliza looked back.

"I'm Kit Cloudkicker." He offered his hand, smiling.

"I heard." Eliza returned the smile and handshake.

"Oh, right," Kit cringed. "So, your dad's a pilot?"

"Sure is."

"That's amazing!" Kit's excitement matched his outburst from before. "Have you ever flown with him?"

"No. He always works late."

"Oh," Kit looked at her sympathetically, letting a pause pass between them.

"So," Eliza tried to divert the subject. "You like planes?"

Kit's eager smile returned. "Flying is my life. One day, I'm going to be a pilot."

"Really? But don't you need to be seventeen before you can learn?"

"Yeah," Kit groaned and slumped beside her. "I have to wait five years, but it might as well be forever."

Where do you want to fly to?"

"Who knows?" Kit shrugged. "I've already seen half the world but-"

"Woah, really?" Eliza perked. For the first time since he met her, Kit saw a sparkle in her eyes. "How?"

"My friend Baloo is a pilot."

Eliza laughed. "You weren't kidding when you said flying was your life. Guess that makes two of us."

Kit shrugged again. "It's just a delivery business, but it sure gets around."

Eliza hugged her book and lowered her eyes. "Um, Kit," she murmured. "Can you tell me all about it?"

Kit blushed. As he told stories, Eliza could picture herself in the exotic location as if she was reading about them. Vast deserts, lush jungles, snowy mountains. Before Kit could tell more, they were interrupted by a group of boys led by a hyena.

"Hey, Kit," said the hyena. "Ain't you playing pirates with us?"

"Can't it wait, Ernie?" asked Kit.

"Why?" Ernie grinned mischievously. "Making a girlfriend already?"

"No!" Kit and Eliza chorused as the other boys roared with laughter. "We were just talking," Kit added. Eliza looked away to hide her face. She could feel it getting hotter.

"Well, quit talking and let's get playing."

"Come on, Ernie," Kit sighed. "She just got here." His face brightened and he turned back to Eliza. "Hey, why don't you join us?"

"Really?" Eliza beamed.

"No way!" Ernie protested. "We can't have a girl playing."

That struck a nerve. Maybe it was finally being free of her uncle's prison for home. Maybe it was finally talking to someone who wasn't worried about their boss. Either way, there was no way she was going to be denied this one chance of freedom because of something as trivial as gender.

"Oh, yeah?" Eliza set her book aside and stood up. "Why not?"

"Girls can't be pirates," Ernie replied.

"Why?" Eliza narrowed her eyes.

"They just," he stumbled. Both Kit and Eliza could've sworn he looked nervous. Neither could put their finger on it. Not even Ernie himself. "They just can't," he finished. He couldn't remember where, but he was sure he had seen that look before.

"Wanna bet?" asked Eliza. All the boys, including Kit but not Ernie, gasped. Ernie, however, scowled.

"Alright," he said defiantly. "We'll hide the treasure and you try to steal it.

"Hey, that's not fair!" Kit protested.

"It's fine, Kit," Eliza held up her hand reassuringly. She couldn't say where this stubbornness was coming from, but months of entrapment had smothered a beast waiting for her freedom. "What's the treasure?"

"We can use your book," Ernie pointed at the novel lying on the bench. Eliza snatched it up.

"No!" she clutched it proactively. "It's not mine." She may have wanted freedom, but she wasn't jeopardizing her only way to survive the tower. Before Ernie could pressure her, Kit removed his cap.

"Here," he Ernie the cap. "We can use this. And I'll be on Eliza's team." Eliza's eyes stared wide-eyed. Behind them, the other boys made kissy faces and oohed. Kit glared while Eliza narrowed her eyes.

"Do you want to play or not?" she growled. Somehow, this broke their amusement in an instant. Once they ran to hide the cap, Eliza wondered how she could suddenly have this effect on them.

Their reactions remind me of…oh no!

"Hey, Eliza," Kit interrupted her thoughts. "You ready?"

"What? Oh yeah." Grateful to hear her old voice, she followed him to their position. Guess I imagined it.