Chapter 4

Loud pop echoed in the outside grounds of Red Fountain. Codatorta blocking a kick from Alan, the padded gloves providing little aid to his arm. "Wait kid something got your goat today. You got some real pop to your moves."

Alan was irate his temper up there to rival Stormy's if possible. His leg snapping around to kick the hand glove in Codatorta's right hand. Hearing him say something it hardly mattered at the moment. "It's nothing sir." Alan spinning again striking with his elbow into the right hand pad this time.

Codatorta didn't like seeing any of his students stressed or concerned over something. "Does it have to do with a girl lad?" Before he could get an answer he blocked with the hand glove nearly being knocked down. "Okay lad were done for the day." Taking the glove off his hand he rubbed his red palm, sheesh that kid has some muscle.

Alan blinked realizing he was striking with almost everything he had. Even as Codatorta asked if it had to do with a girl he shrugged. "No sir, well yes and no sir. I am sorry for my uncaring ethics in battle." Bowing his head to his teacher hearing him say that was enough.

Codatorta shook his head, "Aye I see lad. Don't worry the ladies can sometimes get on your nerves but it will pass. Don't worry about apologizing to me, those moves would be perfect on the battlefield. Just say I am getting old. Oh before I forget I heard you turned down your Hero Personal Assistant today?"

Alan understood what Codatorta was trying to say to him. "Thank you sir." Though the question about the HPA caught his attention. "It's okay sir, I felt it's not fair that I get one ahead of the other freshmen."

Codatorta laughed, "Well lad I have never heard of any student giving back bonus things. However I can respect your decision you aren't much of a bragger. You got good scores and decent skill. Also apparently a good sense of honor that will get you far lad."

Alan bowed once again, "I am honored to have such praise. Thank you again for sparing a little time to spar with me Head Teacher."

Codatorta waved his hand softly, "Don't mention it lad. Always fun to brush up some tactics with the students here. Keeps me in tip top shape. Could have used you last year thats for sure."

Alan canted his head, "What do you mean sir?"

Codatorta walked away quickly, "Another time lad, don't over work yourself." The large man dissapearing into the grounds of Red Fountain.

That left Alan confused, but he would walk back toward the open grassy field in the center of the school.

"Alan." Layla's voice perked through the random sounds of Red Fountain.

Alan turning a moment witnessing Layla approach, "Oh hi there Layla, you need something?" Hand pushing his glasses a little higher on his nose.

Layla smiled softly, "Well I just wanted to apologize for Bloom."

"Oh, what did she do?" Alan a little confused by what Layla was talking about.

"I mean her insulting Diaspro. I am sure that was what she did." Layla trying to not upset Alan any further.

"Oh that." Alan sighing before lifting a small white water bottle from the grass, his blue bag resting against the tree. "It's forgotten. I have to realize not everyone likes her. It's just she attacked her last year outright accusing her of being a witch and other such things. Though she is an okay person, however Skye has earned my distaste so no worries."

Layla listened with slight interest hearing Alan's perspective of the events last year. Also glad he had forgiven her friend for the words exchanged in the hallways. Hearing about Skye she couldn't help but giggle. "So you are mad at Skye to huh?"

Alan nodded and blinked, "Yeah. Why?"

"It's kind of funny, Bloom is mad at Skye to. She felt he didn't defend her when you two were talking." Layla's hand coming up to cover her lips realizing she said a little more.

Alan nodded lightly, "I see. Well he didn't speak up in her presence. He waited till she stormed off to snap at me. So I will leave it alone. Let's talk of other things. How is Piff?"

Layla would accept his wish to switch conversations, glad he didn't get mad. Hearing about Piff she smiled, "She is fine sleeping right here." Finger pointing to her shoulder.

The little pixie would blink looking up, baby sounds leaving her lips as she pointed her little hands everywhere. Seeing Alan she floated over sitting on his shoulder, only to curl up and sleep again.

Alan blinked, "She usually this friendly?"

"No, not at all. She seems to have taken a real liking to you Alan. I am suprised she would take to someone so quickly." The actions of the little pixie had confused her greatly.

Alan shaking his head, "Well it's nice to know this little one likes me. Oh can I get your phone number?"

"What my phone number! I um?" Layla flushed a moment wondering why all of a sudden this guy asked for her number. Shouldn't he have asked for a date first or something?

Alan blinked realizing how rude that sounded, "I am sorry. I meant so if this little one ends up in my dorm again I can call you. So no more of what happened this morning happens again. I don't want you worrying yourself to much."

"Oh.. Oh yeah thats fine hold on let me get it." Layla semi relieved the color returning to normal on her cheeks. Lifting her cellphone from her back pocket. Tapping a few keys before smiling to Alan. "Here you go, seven, seven, six, six, eight,eight, five, five, two. Got it?"

Alan smiled, taking time to remove his cellphone, unfolding it and getting the number from Layla. "Okay five five two. Gotcha." A slight moment of akwardness was there between them. "Umm so yeah, I guess I can give a little more of an introduction. I mean I only gave my name. I am Alan Chambers from Eraklion."

Layla sort of dug her tennis shoe tip into the ground feeling weird in the silence. Glad he broke it getting a slightly more formal introduction. "You can call me Layla, I am from the Realm of Tides."

"Thats a nice place, only been there once. I would love to visit more. Maybe if I can get a little vacation I will take a trip there." Alan looking to the left feeling a little bit of the sun cut into his eyes.

"I would like that." Layla biting her tongue trying to lower her voice. Trying not to sound over happy. "Something wrong?"

"Maybe.. I don't know. Here take the little one." Alan handing Piff over he rubbed his wrist. Eyes fixated on someone coming closer. "Princess." His form lowering down to a knee, hand on the grass beside it.

The sight of Diaspro became more clear, her long blonde hair was pulled back a little out of her face. Seeing her bodyguard engaged in a conversation with someone. "Alan, where were you earlier? Who is this also?"

Alan bit his lip, he had forgotten to meet Diaspro for her lunch in Magix. Then came the question of who he was speaking with.

"I am Layla." Layla offering her hand to Diaspro, having noticed Alan take a quick kneel.

Diaspro tilted her head, having dressed down in a pair of simple blue jeans and a black tanktop she had gathered quite the group of guys around Red Fountain. "Oh Layla is it. " A slightly stuck up tone to her, though she nodded softly, "I am Princess Diaspro. But you can call me Diaspro. It's a pleasure to meet you." Even in her smart remarks and actions Diaspro was still polite.

Alan rising slowly from his knelt position, "I do apologize. I didn't mean to miss our appointment."

Layla smiled to Diaspro. From what she could tell the girl didn't seem as bad as Bloom made her out to be. Or maybe she was just showing an act in her presence.

"I see. Well come on Alan, we are late for a dinner date with some emissaries from Cross. Oh and if you are interested in this girl more than friends. I would stop. It's not nice to lead a girl on, especially since we maybe leaving here very soon."

Alan's body froze hearing the last part of Diaspro's comment about interested in Layla. "I uh wait a minute." Forgetting his place a moment he nodded, "I am sorry Princess. You are right." In the part being they could pack up within a day and be gone tomorrow. Having only been at Red Fountain a mere week, he was lucky to have as much down time as they did. Turning to Layla he offered a bow, "I am sorry, but my work calls. Thank you for coming to see me, I did enjoy our conversation."

Layla's heart jumped in her throat hearing Diaspro poke her nose in buisness unconcerning to her. Even if it had good intentions it was wrong. Noticing Alan quickly change as he was going to say something but stopped. Only for him to explain for his departure. "It's okay Alan. I enjoyed our little talk to. Maybe I will catch you around later."

Diaspro groaned a little, "Quit dragging your feet Alan we must go. They have been waiting long enough." Diaspro dissapearing into the distance.

Alan forced to hurry and follow turning to face Layla, "I hope we do. Bye Layla, tell Piff bye for me when she wakes up." Alan forced to quickly run after Diaspro, various words exchanged between the two unaudible to anyone else.

Layla smiled softly waving a little as Alan ran off. Looking to the sleepy headed Piff. "What do you think Piff. Worth trying to get to know even if he leaves tomorrow?"

The little pixie would yawn a little looking up at Layla with it's innocent eyes a soft gurgle sound passing her lips.

"I'll take that as a yes then Piff." Layla nodding her head as she departed Alfea.