AN:Well, I'm back! Thanks for the review once again! 'njoy!

Chaper 10: Tolerance

Dame Skyla caught up with Joanie just as she was about to mount the stairs to the dormitories. The petite girl was still shaking snow from her short hair, muttering angrily to herself.

The woman picked up her pace. "Joanie wait." She called quickly. "Stop for a moment."

The girl paused and turned around, her eyes like dark coals. They widened in surprise though when she saw the dogs. Skyla quickly reached down rest a hand on each head.

"They won't go near you." She said, noticing the way Whirl and Twirl wagged their tails as they watched the girl.

Joanie sniffed and clutched her book in front of her.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

Skyla sighed, wondering when the snap will leave the girl's tones.

"I just wanted to tell you that Slam wasn't being spiteful when he threw you with the snow ball." She said.

Joanie sniffed. "I told him that I didn't want to play." She said angrily.

The woman smiled sadly. "They're only trying to be your friend Joanie." She said gently. "Why don't you give them a chance?"

The girl stared at her disgusted. "Why?" She demanded. "I don't want to be their friend."

Skyla raised an eyebrow. "Why?" She queried. "I mean, what could it hurt?"

Joanie snorted and shook her head. "A lot." She snapped. "Anyway, why bother anyway? I'm not going to be here forever remember? Leaving the moment I can." The last came out in a sarcastic singsong voice.

Skyla frowned and stood up a little bit straighter, she was slowly beginning to grow irritated with the child's attitude.

"But you are going to be here for at least another week Joanie." She said sternly. "We're trying to make this as pleasant for you as possible. A little bit of appreciation and tolerance would go far."

The girl grew cautions at her tone as she unconsciously hunched a little lower. Then her eyes flared up as she took a step back.

"You know, stuff this!" She snapped. "I'm not asking you to do anything for me, you're the ones being nice and if that's such a chore stop doing it. I know you don't mean it anyway! Just get off my case okay!"

She turned around and charged up the stairs.

Dame Skyla blinked surprised.

"Joanie." She called when she found her voice and climbed a few stairs. "Joanie, wait…"

The girl hesitated for a second. Skyla wasn't sure whether it was hope or her imagination but she thought she saw a flash of regret and shame cross the girl's gaunt features but as soon as it came, it was gone.

Joanie dropped the blanket she had been carrying with her and started running again. The slam of her door echoed through the dormitory.

Whirl and Twirl whined and licked Skyla's still hands. The woman shook herself and glared in the wake of Joanie's tirade.

She balled her fist and hit the railing.

"I will not give up that easily." She whispered and turned back to her office.

Whirl and Twirl shared a look and went up the stairs