"Guess who?" Araian jumped, almost falling out of her seat as a voice whispered in her ear while her eyes had been covered, leaving her stare into nothing but darkness with hints of light peaking from the corner of her eyes, but aside from that, nothing.
Not that she really needed to see to be able to tell who it was, she would be able to recognise his voice anywhere, so she simply rolled her eyes, "Hmm, let me guess…" she paused for a moment, pretending to be thoughtful, "Is it…Theta Sigma?"
Theta grinned as he removed his hand from her eyes, "Okay, that was a little obvious, wasn't it?" he shrugged as Ariana gave him a look before returning her eyes back to the book she was reading.
They were in the school library, hidden behind a book case as Ariana sat at a table scattered with different books, some stacked on top of each other or open with at a different page, some with little sticky notes with neat, hand writing scribbled down stuck to the corners or the top of the page. As Theta looked closer, he noticed that all of the books were based around the topic of botany, a subject that or though he didn't take, he knew that Ariana always complained about not liking it.
"Yes, you would expect that five years of knowing a person would give you somewhat of an advantaged when it comes to recognising a person's voice," Ariana replied, her eyes fixed on the book in front of her as she turned the page, "Now, why are you here, Theta?"
"That's very rude of you, Lady Arianashedited," Theta scolded mockingly, unable to stop himself from grinning as he jumped on top of the table, not caring that he was scattering books that had been neatly stacked all over the place.
Ariana snapped her book shut and gave him a glare, "Don't call me that!" she hissed, "Or I'll throw this book at your head".
"Now that's not very nice," he waved his finger at her, "Whatever happened to the sweet, innocent girl who I first meet?"
"She met you," Ariana replied at once.
"Ah, of course," Theta nodded as if the thought only just occurred to him before he broke into a grin, "Oh, come on, Ariana, lighten up".
"I'm not a light bulb that you can flick a switch and I'll be all smiles and laughs, Theta," she sighed, turning back to her books and notes.
"It's an Earth saying".
"I'm aware," Ariana rolled her eyes, giving him a look before sighing, "What do you want, Theta? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Busy doing what?" Thata asked, avoiding answering her question.
"I have a test coming up in botany science next week," she told him, looking slightly stressed as she glanced at him, "And if I fail, then my parents are going to be furies with me".
"You're not going to fail," he shook his head, "You and Ushas are the top students of our year, I doubt either of you has failed a test to do with science in your entire school life".
Ariana groaned, "You don't understand," she sighed, biting her bottom lip, "Botany is my worst subject. For whatever reason I can never seem to be able to remember all the names, nor can I recall what each plant is used for or where they're found. It's a disaster! I'm going to fail it, I know it, but I may be able to scrape through with a decent enough mark if I get on with my studying, so, if you would excuse me…" she shot him another look before picking up one of her books and opening it to a random page.
"If you don't understand the subject, then why don't you drop it?" Theta suggested, cocking his head to the as he shrugged, "You can always sign up for it later".
Ariana laughed grimly, "Oh, yeah, sure," she rolled her eyes, "I'll just go off and tell my parents that I'm dropping botany science and they'll be all happy and smiling," her voice turned serious as she gave him a look, "Have you completely lost you mind, Theta? My Mother, my Grandmother, and my Great Grandmother have all been known for their skills when it comes to plants. They were all plant biochemist, and so naturally, it's assumed that I to would inherit the same skills. I mean, you should have seen the look on my professors face when he first realised who I was. He looked like an over-excited kid".
"So what if you people expect you to be good with plants," Theta said as if it was all very simple, which for him, it was simple, "You shouldn't try to live up to what other people expect from you, Ariana, that's not you. If you don't like studying plants, then don't. It's your life, not theirs, they can suggest what they think you should do but the final dissension comes down to you".
"My parents…" she tried to argue but he cut her off.
"Forget about what you parents think," he told her, "This is about you and what you want, not what they, or anyone else thinks you should do or learn. Stop letting other people control you and start doing what you want".
"How?" she asked, looking almost fearful with the whole idea, "How do I do that? I'm not like you, Theta. My entire life has been governed by others around me, people who believe that they know best for me, people who only care about the power I can bring them in the future. I know no different, and that frightens me. The unknown. So, Theta, how do you suggest that I start making my own choices when I am surrounded by those who only wish to control?"
Theta stared at her for a moment before slowly, reaching out his hand and covering hers as it sat on the table top. Ariana's eyes widened slightly from the contact and she fought herself not to pull away, knowing that this was Theta's way of offering her comfort. Or though they may have known each other for five years, and during those years they had both grown closer toward each other, they had still retained a certain distance between each other, and the sudden contact had surprised her and going by the look on Theta's face, the gesture had even surprised him.
Theta glanced down at his hand and back to Ariana, blushing slightly as he shook his head, "Well, that's where I come in," he told her, pushing away the awkward feeling that settled over them.
"You're going to be the one to teach me how to take control of my life?" she asked, rising her eyebrows.
"Yep".
"And you would be doing this why?"
"Because that's what friends do," he replied simply.
Ariana titled her head, "If that's so then where are Ushas and Koschei? If there the reason why you're here right now, and to try and help me then wouldn't you have dragged them along to?"
"You've missed out on a lot since you practically buried yourself in books and little notes," Theta told her, shaking his head with an odd look on his face.
"Well, this sounds serious," she frowned slightly, "What happened?"
"You're never going to believe it, but Kochei has a girlfriend".
Ariana stared at him, blinking in surprise, "When did that happen?" she finally asked. The idea itself of Koschei dating anyone was a rather shocking and unexpected one to say the least, mainly for the reason that he had hardly glanced at a girl in all of the five years that they had known each other. It truly was amazing how quickly things could change.
"Oh, about four days ago," Theta replied before making a face, "Or though it feels more like an eternity or hell…"
"I'm sure it hasn't been that bad," Ariana shook her head at him, smiling slightly in amusement.
"Yeah, easy for you to say seeing as you're not the one who has to live with the image of Koschei practically eating some girls lips off," Theta shivered.
"Please, don't tell me anything else," Ariana groaned, looking sick as she started rubbing her eyes, "Please, no more; I don't want to know anything else!"
"Just think about how I must be feeling," he told her, looking sick himself, "For as long as I live that image is going to be burned into my mind, I'm never going to be able to escape it".
"Don't worry," Ariana patted his arm, "We'll find a way to get rid of it, I won't let you suffer with the torment, Theta".
"Thank you, Ariana, I don't know what I would ever do without you," Theta nodded before they eyes meet and they broke into fits of laughter, both holding onto their sides as they struggled to regain control of themselves.
"Oh…Theta," she said breathlessly between giggles, "That was hilarious," she looked at him again before shaking her head, "And you even look like your about to cry to".
Theta grinned as he wiped his eyes clear off the fake tears, "I've been practising for ages now," he informed her, sounding quite proud of himself, "You know, fake crying is a lot harder than it looks".
"I'll take your word for it," she smiled, shaking her head, "But in all seriousness, this girl that Koschei's dating, who is she? She must be very daring to think that she could get away with courting a boy and not be concerned about it affecting her future life".
"I don't think that daring's quite the right word for her," he said, rolling her eyes, "More like brainless. I swear, the girl wouldn't be able to tell her left from her right".
"Theta, don't you think that's a little harsh?" Ariana frowned at him.
"You haven't met her".
"Indeed," she nodded, giving him a stern look, "And that is why I shall be reserving my judgment on this girl until I've meet and spoken with her at length. It's would be terribly unfair of me to judge her simply by what you have told me of her".
"Ah, now that's the Ariana that I first meet and befriended," Theta smiled fondly at her, "All ways being nice and sweet to everyone, even complete strangers. You know, sometimes I worry about you being a little too sweet and trusting," he continued, a touch of concern creeping into his voice as he spoke, "Not everyone out there is going to have nice intentions towards you".
"Oh, Theta Sigma," Ariana rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "You're starting to sound paranoid. I can take care of myself, you know," she fixed him with a look, "And I would hardly call myself sweet and trusting, I simply prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt before they prove themselves not to be trust worthy".
"Exactly what I'm trying to get at," Theta replied, looking serious.
"And what would you have me do?" she raised her eyebrows at him, "Never go out in public unless your with me so that you can act as my guard, never letting anyone else but you stand five feet away from me for the rest of my life?"
"What's wrong with that?" he asked, forcing himself to sound serious while unable to stop the corner of his mouth from twitching in amusement, "It sounds like a brilliant idea to me".
"Oh, I'm quite sure it does," Ariana nodded, giving him a look, "But I think that I would rather take my chances and live a free life without having someone always looking over my shoulder," she sent him a small smile, "No offense".
"Much taken, thank you," Theta replied, trying to give off an air of hurt and announce, but sadly, it only ended up making her laugh, "Hey, don't laugh!" he jumped up and pointed at her, making her laugh harder, "This is a serious conversation".
"You, serious?" she giggled, clutching her side, "Those are two words I never thought I would hear coming out of your mouth in the same sentience, are you quite sure your feeling alright?"
"I can be serious!" Theta defended himself just as Koschei, with his arm draped around the waist of a girl with pretty green eyes and dark red hair, joined them, "Can't I, Koschei?" he turned to the other boy.
"What are you blabbering about this time, Theta?" Koschei asked with a lazy arch of his eyebrows, not looking interested in the slightest by what he was carrying on about with, seeing as he was far too used to Theta's antics by now to really take any notice.
"Theta's trying to tell me that he can be serious," Ariana explained to him, trying hard to stop herself from laughing again, "And I don't believe him".
"That's probably very wise of you," Koschei smirked at her.
"Oh, fine!" Theta crossed his arms across his chest, throwing himself back down on the side of the table, trying to hold his smile back with a pout, "I guess todays gang up on Theta Sigma day, then".
"Apologies for not notifying you early about it," Ariana smiled at him, "But I've been rather busy trying to study for a subject that I can't stand," Theta broke out into a broad grin as he shook his head while she turned to the red headed girl now sitting in Koschei's lap, "Hello," she smiled at her, holding out her hand, "I don't believe we've been introduced, Lady Arianashedited of the House of Blyledge, but please, I beg you to just call me Ariana. I can't stand my full title".
"Ah, pleased to meet you," the other girl said shyly, taking Ariana's hand and giving it a small shake, clearly not used to meeting someone in such a relaxed manor while the boys watched on, "I'm Una of the House of Redlooms".
"Oh, really?" Ariana's eyes widened slightly as a bright smile spread across her face as she looked to her two friends, "We're related, well, by my brother's marriage but still," she looked back to the girl, titling her head.
"Yes, via my elder sister," Una nodded, seeming to come out her shyness slightly at the realisation that she was among a family member, be it by marriage rather than blood but it was the thought that counted, "Have you heard the wonderful news of late about my sister and your brother?"
"News?" the dark haired girl questioned, shaking her head, "No, I'm afraid that I haven't spoken with my parents in a few weeks, I've been far too busy to write".
"They've loomed a child," she informed her, making Ariana's eyes widened once more in shock and surprise, "A little girl, she's says to have taken after her father in looks but has her mother's brown eyes".
Ariana stared at her for a moment, blinking in shock, "I'm an Aunt?" she breathed, shaking her head, grinning as she glanced at Theta and Koschei, Theta giving her a bright smile and thumbs up while Koschei appeared to be more interested in watching paint dry, "Oh…this is simply wonderful!" she laughed, looking delighted as she turned back to Una who gave her a small smile back, "What have they called the child?"
"I don't believe that they have named her yet," Una replied.
"It's probably going to end up being something ridiculously long," Ariana commented with a small sigh before smiling again, shrugging, "But I'm sure I'll be able to find a way of shortening it, if that fails then I suppose I could always call her…."
"Fred," Theta cut in, making everyone turn to stare at him, making him shrug, "What? Fred's no good? What's wrong with the name Fred?"
Koschei rolled his eyes, leaning over the table and smacking Theta on the back of his head, "Idiot," he shook his head as Theta yelped, almost falling off the table as he rubbed the back of his head, sending a glare at the other boy.
"Boys, please," Ariana gave them both stern looks, cross her arms across her chest, "Can't the two of you try and play nicely with each other? You'll end up scaring poor Una away".
"Oh, she's used to it," Koschei replied as he sent Ariana a wink, turning to Una and started kissing her right in front of them, not seeming to be the slightest bit embarrassed, nor did it seem, Una was either.
Theta stared making reaching sounds as Ariana turned bright red and quickly turned away from them, "Ah, Theta," she said quickly, glancing at him as she stood and started cleaning up her books and notes, packing them away in her school bag sitting under the table, "I think that's our cue to leave".
"Oh, yes, please," Theta almost shouted in relief, jumping off the table as he started helping her clean everything up before slinging the now fully packed bag over his shoulder, blinking at how heavy it was, "How in Rassilon's name have you been carrying this around on your shoulder?" he turned to her as they started walking towards the library's exit.
"I haven't been," she replied with a small smile, "You have," Theta opened his mouth, looking confused but she quickly went on, "You see, the first day that I started studying I got you to help me, and then I just kept my bag here. The Liberian agreed to let me keep my bag and everything behind her desk; so really, it hasn't been an issue for me".
"You clever girl," he smiled at her, nudging her side slightly as she laughed.
"Why thank you," Ariana gave him a mock curtsy, ignoring the looks that they received by passing students as they started down the hallways, "But in all seriousness," she said after a moment, casting her friend a look, "I don't see why you think that Una is, as you put it, 'brainless'. She seemed intelligent enough to me".
"Anyone can talk about their family like that," Theta replied, shaking his head, "But you hardly spoke with her for five minutes, and I've had four days of being able to chat with her. Maybe calling her brainless was a little harsh, but I'm telling you that she's not the brightest bulb in the box".
"What's with all of the references to human light bulbs?" Ariana shook her head in mild amusement before turning serious again, "Theta, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to simply wait until I've spoken with her more before I can agree or disagree with you".
A loud bell sounded overhead, followed by an announcement over the loudspeaker signalling that dinner was ready, followed by a couple of more announcements from different teachers for students.
"How about why continue this over dinner?" Theta asked, holding out his elbow for her to take as they paused in the hallway, "I don't know about you, but I'm starving".
"Are you kidding?" Ariana smiled at him, shaking her head, "I haven't even had lunch yet," she placed her hand on his elbow, "Come on".
I apologise for the long wait but I've been really busy of late with other stories, but I already have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do for the next chapter, and possibly the next couple of chapter's to. I hope you liked it, tell me what you thought, please review :)
