Chapter four (Marco's POV)

Last session at school. Looking at that maths exam Arianna had mentioned the night before. We'd been in class for about ten minutes and I was already stuck, not that I had really attempted anything but still. Three rows left and one row in front of me, Arianna sat muttering to herself. I smiled, she did that all the time and I don't think she even knew she was doing it. It was cute. She turned and looked at me and rolled her eyes. I smiled again as she turned back at her exam. I looked at my own paper. How was I supposed to know how to do this stupid maths stuff? I spent most of my time ridding the world of evil. I had no time for unimportant matters such as homework and studying, or school in general for that matter. The yeerks weren't going to stop if I passed this exam or if I became a straight 'A' student.

I sighed and scribbled down a few made up answers and went back to watching Arianna. So far she hadn't shown any sign of being effected by the previous night's events but Jake had told us to watch her, something which I had no problem with.

"Does anyone want the radio on?" The teacher asked, breaking the silence.

The class agreed and the radio was turned on just as the 80's song 'Eye of the Tiger' started. Arianna looked at me again, biting her lip. Which was also cute. I gave her an encouraging smile and looked at my exam paper again. I really should do something, we had just over twenty minutes left. I started working and may have actually got some answers right. I know, very unlikely. With just over five minutes to go the radio station was changed and 'Eye of the Tiger' was playing. Okay, that's really not good, the world really must be coming to an end if the radio stations are all playing old songs. I looked over at Arianna who was biting her lip and began muttering to herself. From what I could make out it was something along the lines of 'Can't fucking handle this.' Not a good sign, she was cracking. Arianna was going to join the rest of us in the nut house one day… I wonder if hey would let us share a bed…anyway, back to reality. Arianna continued muttering for a while, threw her pen across the room, grabbed her stuff and walked out. Actually, it was more along the lines of storming out. The teacher ranted and raved before dismissing us. I ran down the corridor and out the front gate, looking for a sign that Arianna the nutcase had come this way. I didn't see anything but took a wild guess and headed toward the woods and soon found her. I slowed to a walk.

"Arianna?"

No reply.

"Rhi?"

Still no reply. Either she was ignoring me or she was off with the fairies. I was betting on fairies. I put my hand on her shoulder and she turned around and slapped me across the face.

"Go away! Your with them I don't like any of you. Go away, go away, go away!"

She sounded like a three year old having a tantrum, definitely nut house material.

"Rhi, it's me Marco. I'm on your side remember."

She looked at me for a moment then collapsed into my arms, burying her head in my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I kinda flipped out. I thought they were gunna get me."

"Its okay Rhi, they're not going to get you."

"If they do I'm not having a slug living in my head. Slice me open if you have to, I don't care as long as it dies."

"Okay Arianna." I said, knowing that if it came to that, I wouldn't slice her open.

"You promise?" She asked looking up at me.

""Yes I promise." I replied crossing my fingers behind her back.

"Good," She said pulling away. "I hit you didn't I?"

"It's okay. Doesn't hurt." I lied.

"I'm sorry." she said for the hundredth time, putting her hand on my cheek where she had hit me.

"You do know that's how Andalites kiss, don't you?" I grinned at her.

Arianna let her hand drop. she rolled her eyes and blushed slightly. Yep, that was cute to.