"Doing homework in the library. Griselda's got him researching potions or something as part of his extra lessons."
"Oh man..."
Musa slumped down into a chair rather dejectedly. She had their entire day mapped out - a romantic picnic for two at the top of her favourite tree to celebrate his return, followed by helping the others organise Flora's surprise birthday party, whilst Helia distracted her with a romantic date of their own. Of course, those plans were well and truly up the river now.
"It gets worse," Tecna continued, "You're banned from the library today. Griselda seems to think you'd be a 'disrupting influence'."
"Now why would she think that?" said Stella teasingly.
Meanwhile in the library, Tegryn was slavishly pouring over various books about magic and taking notes in his rather untidy handwriting whilst Griselda sat opposite him, reading a novel.
"So what's that you're reading?" He strained his eyes to see what was written on the pages... '...his eyes burned into hers like red-hot coals as he swept her into his manly arms...'
He chuckled. "Why Ms. Griselda... I never had you down as a romantic!"
The vice-principal glowered back at him. "And I never had you down as a slacker who should be concentrating on his own books, not mine!" She peered at the notes he had taken. "How can you possibly read that scrawl? Didn't they teach you handwriting at school?"
"Probably. I didn't get to go to school that often."
"Why ever not?"
"I kept getting lost! I swear they kept moving those places on purpose, just to confuse me."
"Well, didn't your parents teach you at home?"
"Depends which parents you mean. I lost my natural parents when I was young. Not THAT kind of 'lost' though - I literally lost them. When I was about three years old, I went outside to play and couldn't find my way back home again. I think I ended up in France. Anyway, I was adopted a couple of times, but I was never around long enough to grow attached to my new families - I would lose my way home and just keep wandering for weeks on end trying to find it again. I tell you, I ended up in all sorts of places."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"The nearest thing I have to family now is an old Chinese woman and her granddaughter. I managed to stay with them up in the central mountains for about five years before I managed to get lost again."
"Oh, so you have a sister then?"
"Yeah. She must be... ooh, about fifteen, sixteen now?"
"I don't suppose she knows magic?"
"Probably not, but she's one hell of a fighter - when I left a few years ago, she could probably teach most of the boys up at Red Fountain a thing or two! She's probably even stronger now!"
Tegryn sighed - he missed his sister so much. "Little Mei must be worried sick about me. We were so close. Totally inseparable, we were. I wish there was some way I could let her know I'm alright."
Then it dawned on him.
"Hey, now that I know portal magic, maybe I can look them up again - if I can ever find where they live, that is... China's a pretty big place."
Griselda looked at Tegryn - this was the first time he hadn't come across as being completely irritating. "So, how is your project coming along?"
"Hmmm, okay I guess. I think a combined spell and potion is the answer here. I'm looking at earth herbs to start with - I'm quite familiar with them already, and I'm guessing they'd have more effect on me than herbs from other realms."
"Good, keep going. The sooner you get this right, the quicker your progress will be. Myself and Faragona want you to continue with this every day after classes. We've agreed that this will take precedence over your other work."
"Okay... but not this Thursday, surely? It's Flora's birthday - we've arranged everything!"
"Well, I suppose you could have ONE night off."
"Hi Teggy! Tecna told me you were here!"
Tegryn shifted his attentions to see Charlotte walking towards them.
"Charlotte! So Ofelia's let you out then?" he said with a smile, looking at her arm lightly wrapped in a bandage. "How are the others?"
"Oh, they're good. A bit bruised, but nothing major."
"So how are you feeling?"
Charlotte looked at her arm. "It still stings a bit, but Ofelia's given me something for the pain. How's the assignment going?"
"Pretty tough. Good job I've got plenty of chocolate to keep me going. You know how much I love chocolate!"
"Me too, but I can't eat too much cos I'm afraid it'll give me zits! Anyway, can I talk with you a moment?"
"Sure, if that's okay with you," he said looking over at Griselda.
"Okay, you can have two minutes, then it's back to work!"
He stood up and walked with her to the corner. "So what's up?"
"It's... Riven." she said, blushing a little.
"Oh yes?"
"I, erm, I really like him, and I think he likes me too. He stayed with me for hours yesterday, talking with me and everything."
"That's always a good sign."
"Thing is, I really want to date him but I don't know whether he'll ask me or not."
"I see. Hmmm... Musa did say he's not a very forward kind of guy. Perhaps YOU should ask him out instead."
"Me! Are you sure? I mean... what do I say?"
"I'm sure you'll think of something. You said you had a good chat with him, so you must have some idea already."
"I guess... but what if he says no?"
"Now now, you mustn't be so afraid of things not going your way. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet."
"Bite the what?"
"Bite the bullet. You know, take the bull by the horns."
"Do WHAT?"
"Sorry, those are Earth sayings. What I'm trying to say is if you want to ask him out on a date, the best thing to do is to ignore all your fears and doubts, and just go for it!"
"You really think so?"
"Yeah."
"Okay... I guess. I'll give it a go."
"Attagirl! Good luck!"
He waved her off as she went back to her room with a skip in her step, then got back down to his own work.
"Now then... where was I?"