5. The Diary

Lorlen peered out of his door carefully. Akkarin had left, as normal, to go to the baths before lessons. Which meant his bedroom would be unoccupied for a short while. After counting to two hundred, he slipped out of his room and walked to Akkarin's door. Turning the handle, he opened it quietly and ran inside. Now where does he keep it... He thought as he looked about. After a short search, he finally rested his eyes on his prize. He quickly slipped it into his pocket and ran back to the door. After seeing no-one in the corridor, he exited and shut the door, and strode back to his own rooms. As he closed the door behind him, a wide grin appeared on his face.

"What mischief have you been up to?" Came a voice from behind him. Lorlen almost jumped out of his skin and spun around.

"What are you doing in here?" He said, heart beating wildly.

"Seeing what you are up to."

"But I thought you went... Oh nevermind." He shook his head. "I was just err.. playing a prank on someone."

"Did it work?" He grinned.

"Yes!" He laughed in return. "And they didn't catch me."

"You are quite the trickster Lorlen." He smiled, "but now I must go to the baths. See you later." Akkarin brushed past him as he exited the room. After a few minutes, Lorlen sighed. That was too close! He thought as he slipped his hand into his pocket. Lorlen cursed, then laughed. His pocket was now empty.

Ever since Lorlen's failed attempt at diary stealing, Akkarin had watched him closely when near his rooms. Little did Akkarin know that upon seeing what his diary looked like, Lorlen had been secretly finding an identical copy so he could switch them over. All he had to do now was to get near to the diary so he could make the switch. For the past few weeks he had managed to get closer and closer to it, and finally he thought he had the slightest chance soon. He was sat on the floor resting against Akkarin's bed, and beside him sat Akkarin, head rested gently on his shoulder asleep. Every once in a while Lorlen fidgeted to see how asleep he was and now he had begun softly snoring. Grinning wildly, Lorlen extended his arm slowly and felt under the pillow for the diary. He nimbly slid it out and switched it with the copy, then hid the real diary deep within his robes. In the distance the University gong sounded. "Ah!" Lorlen cried jumping up. "We are late for classes!"

Akkarin looked at him startled, "classes?" He frowned, then cursed vehemently. "We are going to be in trouble again!" In a hurry, they ran off to their Healing lesson, whilst Lorlen tried to smother the grin which crept upon his face. When they finally reached their lesson, Lady Vinara gave them both a stern look.

"You two again? Just hurry up and sit down!"

Lorlen cringed at her tone and hurriedly rushed to his seat. He guiltily looked around at what they had been studying, and felt his blood run cold when he remembered that there was to be a test.

"Now that you are all here, the test can begin." Vinara said sharply.

All thoughts of the mornings success disintegrated as his mind floundered trying to remember what he was supposed to be being tested on.

Fortunately the day passed by quickly and Lorlen slipped back to his rooms eagerly. The test had gone horribly wrong and he had scolded himself for being so reckless. The Warrior Skills lesson had been interesting as they threw strikes around the Arena, but Lorlen didn't look forward to sparring. He had a feeling deep down that he'd be partnered with Akkarin, and the last thing he wanted was him throwing strikes at him. Especially now that he had managed to steal his diary. Locking his door firmly, Lorlen pulled out the diary with glee. The worn cover was crumpled and battered, so he was careful when opening it. Lorlen's eyes lit up as he read paragraph after paragraph of beautifully sculpted letters and small doodles. He writes about me? Lorlen giggled in hysterics as he flicked through the entries. A sudden banging at the door made him jump.

"Lorlen!" Akkarin hissed. "You sneaky thief! I know you have it! Let me in."

"Have what?" He called smugly.

"My diary!"

"I don't know what you are talking about-"

"I've found the fake." Akkarin said irritated.

"Ohh so that's what this book is! No wonder it is so enlightening."

"You are reading it?"

"Yes I am." Lorlen was slightly worried when all went silent, but just smiled and went back to reading Akkarin's diary. After a while, Lorlen found himself feeling bad about taking the diary. Akkarin had written that he found Lorlen to be his true friend – unlike those who tried to befriend him for popularity reasons. He suddenly decided to write his own entry in the diary, and hoped it'd make Akkarin laugh. Closing the book and fastening it, he walked to Akkarin's room and knocked softly. When no answer came, he opened the door slightly and went to place the diary on his desk.

"What are you stealing now?" Akkarin said from behind him.

"Nothing!" Lorlen said looking innocent. "I came to return your dia-" Akkarin punched Lorlen, knocking him back and onto the floor. "What was that for?" He cried nursing his face.

"For stealing and reading my diary." Akkarin yelled at him, eyes glaring. "Now get out."

"I'm sorry!"

"Out!" He grabbed Lorlen's arm and pushed him out of his room with one quick movement. Lorlen sighed as the door slammed behind him, and he hurried back to his own before anyone saw the bruise which adorned his face. As he lay down on his bed, the door opened.

"What is this?" Akkarin held up his diary and pointed to Lorlen's entry. A smile erupted on his face as he saw it again.

"That was me saying sorry."

"So not only did you steal and read my diary, but you wrote in it as well?"

"Err.. Yeah.. I shouldn't have done that. Sorry."

"No.. You shouldn't.." Akkarin said trying to keep a straight face, then bursting out laughing. He dropped his diary, grabbed a pillow from Lorlen's bed and hit him with it. "You idiot!" He laughed. "I found that doodle very interesting though..."