A new chapter for you to enjoy! I have a few acknowledgements to make before we start. First, to Lisa who typed this and the next couple of chapters up (even though I have to go through an exhilarating spell check), and secondly, to all who reviewed¡­

For now, let¡¯s begin.

*We don¡¯t own the characters. We own the depressing story we put them in.*

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Chapter three: Someone else?

Roger looked out the window. It was cold and damp and somewhat drearier than usual. He shivered and pulled his cloak tighter around his body.

¡°You seem preoccupied,¡± said Alex, ¡°What¡¯s on you mind?¡±

Roger lowered his gaze. ¡°I have a confession to make. Sex with you is no longer fun.¡± He looked up at Alex to see his reaction.

Alex sneered. ¡°No Roger, you¡¯re the one that¡¯s not fun.¡±

He smiled smugly. ¡°I¡¯ve found someone else.¡±

Roger was shocked. How could someone like Alex find someone else? Who else would want him? ¡°Who?¡± he asked, ¡°Who is it?

¡°He¡¯s rather new,¡± he said vaguely, savouring the look on Roger¡¯s face.

Roger wailed. ¡°Come on Alex, who is it?¡± he said desperately.

Alex smirked, ¡°You know that boy, who died last year in the Chamber of the Ordeal?¡±

Roger looked clearly excited, ¡°You mean the boy with the long pale hair?¡±

Alex nodded, ¡°His name¡¯s Joren.¡±

Roger frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡±

¡°What don¡¯t you believe?¡±

¡°Well,¡± said Roger thoughtfully, ¡°I¡¯d always thought he wasn¡¯t, you know¡­¡±

¡°Interested?¡± Alex supplied.

¡°Yes, that¡¯s it, interested.¡± Roger was starting to feel something at the pit of his stomach. He realised it was jealousy.

¡°Well, good for you then,¡± said Roger not sounding the slightest bit supportive.

¡°Well,¡± said Alex, ¡°We were thinking of inviting you to join us, but¡­¡±

¡°But what,¡± asked Roger a little too quickly?

¡°But we didn¡¯t think you were that kind of man¡­¡±

¡°Actually, I - ¡± No, thought Roger, I cannot show any weaknesses. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not.¡± And he stalked away. Alex was left at the window alone. He smirked. He had gotten to Roger. Definitely. Just a little more time and Roger would be in the palm of his hand.

***

Meanwhile, Neal was sitting in the courtyard watching the air move. Well, that¡¯s what he thought he wad doing but he couldn¡¯t actually see the air.

Why is Kel so mad? He thought. I¡¯d better go comfort her. He walked to Kel¡¯s room and found Cleon lying outside.

What¡¯s he doing? He thought, but Kel was speaking

¡°Oh¡­oh Cleon! I don¡¯t know anymore. I mean I¡¯ve always loved Neal but then you came along and I was so excited when Neal proposed but then I realised he was really proposing to you and just including me so I wouldn¡¯t feel left out! It¡¯s bad enough if another lass steals your love, but its even worse when your love steals your other love! Oh Cleon¡­¡±

¡°Um, hi Kel?¡± called Neal

Kel stopped her ranting abruptly.

¡°Kel, I love you, please don¡¯t be mad at me¡­¡± he trailed off. He heard Kel walk towards the door and turn the handle. She peered through the crack at Neal and they smiled at each other. She opened the door wider and for some weird reason it opened outwards and crashed into the sleeping Cleon, jolting him awake.

¡°Ah! I want lots of mice!¡± he screamed and ran toward the kitchens.

Neal glanced at Kel and ran after Cleon. ¡°Cleon, wait!¡±

Kel scowled and closed the door.

Neal ran down the stairs after Cleon and managed to catch him.

¡°What do you think you were doing, disturbing our moment like that?¡± Neal demanded, grabbing Cleon by the shoulders and shaking him. They must have looked extremely funny because Cleon was taller than Neal.

Neal shouted ¡°You idiot!¡±

Cleon sucked on his finger a bit and then stuck it out for Neal to see. ¡°A mouse bit me!¡± he said.

¡°I said, YOU ARE AN IDIOT!¡±

Cleon looked at Neal, perplexed. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you said ¡®you idiot¡¯, rather than ¡®you are an idiot!¡¯¡±

¡°Argh!¡± yelled Neal and threw a punch at Cleon.

Cleon took the fist and put his hand in it.

¡°Love! I heed to go pee pee. Take me?¡±

¡°No!¡± yelled Neal. ¡°I¡¯M SO SICK OF THIS! WHY CAN¡¯T YOU ACT YOUR AGE?¡±

Cleon sulked. ¡°You¡¯re the second person to throw a tantrum today. What is it with you two? Can¡¯t you control your temper?¡±

For once, Neal was lost for words. He opened his mouth. Cleon however, saw a mouse and scuttled off into a corner.

¡°Come here son!¡± called Neal

A first year page came. ¡°You called sir?¡± he said

¡°Who are you?¡± asked Neal.

¡°Sunne.¡±

¡°Oh, that¡¯s great. You know what, because that¡¯s so great. I¡¯m going to let you go.¡±

The boy looked so happy. Neal wished he could feel the same.

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So, that¡¯s the end of the ¡®third chapter¡¯. There are at least another six or seven chapters to come, already written, courtesy of maths class.

Next chapter: Neal mistakes Kel for doing something wrong, and Joren darling comes into the story, having a nice little chat with Roger.

Merry Christmas!!! And oh yeah, you¡¯ll be seeing ¡®Sunne¡¯ again, soon¡­