Now is the time for a disclaimer. Now you know why this is a fan fiction and not just a fiction. Here goes:
Disclaimer: Anything that Tamora Pierce has created, I have not created. Otherwise, I'm good as gold.
I told the two my story, of how I lived in a different world in a country called America. I told them how I read about their country in a book; I finished up by telling them that on my way to algebra class I had conked out and was now in Neal's bedroom (that part still kind of freaked me out, but I didn't tell them that. What would Kel say if I displayed my emotions like that?).
"What year pages are you?" I asked. "You're not squires yet, right? Because you still have classes, and all…"
Kel surveyed me, her face showing no emotion (not surprisingly) but I was sure she was upset when she asked, "How much do you know about us?"
I was worried even Kel's Yamani mask would slip (or shatter) if I said 'everything'. While I was debating what to say, Neal piped up, saying, "It's our second year."
Kel definitely was crushing on Neal, then. I really wasn't in the best place. I decided to steer the subject away from my knowledge about these people's lives by saying, "I'm in the ninth grade at home." Noticing their puzzled looks, I added, "That's like a first year, except we start at 14 or 15. I started when I was 13, but I'm 14 now."
"You're 14?" Neal sat up straighter.
"Yeah," I smiled at him. Then I sobered. "My families going to be worried sick when I don't come home."
"You don't know how to return?" Kel asked, in a somewhat softer tone than before.
"I didn't mean to black out. None of this was intentional." I almost rolled my eyes, but stopped myself just in time.
"Well, I won't send you out to crack your head again," Neal grinned at me. I was so glad he wasn't chilly to me, like Kel.
Don't get me wrong, I always liked Kel when I read about her. I had no prejudices towards her, so I had no idea why she was acting so cold. But Neal was still talking, so I stopped pondering all this and paid attention.
"You'll just have to blend in until we find a way to send you back." He announced and flashed me another smile. Tamora Pierce never mentioned how often he smiles. Since she hadn't warned me of the frequency and quality of his smiles, I silently vowed to give her a good strong talking to when I got back to earth. Once more, I had to direct my thoughts back to the conversation.
"Neal, she's a girl. How will she fit in?" Kel pointed out.
"She could disguise herself. If she put her hair up in a hat..."
"A hat isn't going to help, Neal. She's shapely. Can't you see that?" At Kel's scolding, both Neal and I blushed a deep red.
"Could she pretend to be a maid?" He asked slowly.
"To who?" Kel wanted to know. When Neal opened his mouth to speak, she cut him off. "To you? Wyldon would never allow that."
Neal's mouth closed.
"I could find a place," I supplied in a meek tone.
Both of the pages stared at me; Neal began to laugh. "She's just like you, Kel," he exclaimed. Then he quieted. "You'd never be able to find your way in this castle, even if you've read about it. You should probably stay her. And get some other clothes." He turned to Kel, "Will my clothes fit her? Will yours? I think she's taller than you."
"She is, a little," Kel admitted. "Lalassa could get her some better clothes later, but right now she should wear yours."
Neal nodded good naturedly and told me where I could find an outfit. The two friends told me that they had to get to their classes and lunch (to get their punishment work for being so late, I'd imagined) and calmed my fears that somebody would come knocking on the door while they were away.
Of course, that was exactly what happened.