Diligo Est Amicitia
Chapter 3: Spencer Academy
A/N: Okay, I've received some reviews that question my plot so I've decided to answer them:
RedRogue: Thank you for you kind comments; they have been the source of strength I draw from to update my chapters and they make me laugh too! I hope you will keep reviewing my story.
Draco's Secret Lover: Your first review surprised me greatly: hint: You have a really good imagination of what will happen and I credit you for that. Your guess of the plot is partly correct. Thank you for your encouragement for me to update soon although this story might not have captured much of your interest, I do appreciate your comments.
Marah: You are one of my most helpful reviewers! Thank you for correcting me on the location of the Covenant. I hope you will keep reviewing and guide me through my mistakes should there be any more that I make.
BlueFlameDancer: I am so glad that you reviewed my story and I hope that you are not disappointed. There may come a time when my chapters might seem meaningless and a lame excuse to add more to the story but I promise that I won't just for the sake of it. Whenever you suspect of me doing so, feel free to tell me about it.
Oh and by the way, if you don't know what the title 'Diligo Est Amicitia' means, I promise to give the meaning in a later chapter. It is, after all, the whole meaning of my story.
And now to continue with the story….
The three girls woke up the next day to get a quick breakfast before they headed out early so as to move in to their new dorm rooms and get settled in before lessons started.
"Huh." Lilith breathed, clearly unimpressed with their dormitory edifice as the limousine pulled up beside the brick building.
Fin, noticing her fellow Archos' expression, sighed. "Oh, come on, Lils… it's not going to be too bad, I can tell."
Thanking the lycan limo driver, they grabbed their stuff and began to make their way into the building. "I still don't know why we couldn't have just stayed at Manor Aurelius." Lilith huffed as she dragged her suitcase up the steps. "It's not that far."
"What are you complaining about?" Jamie shot back, her face blocked by the huge cardboard box she carried on her left arm. "At least we won't have to take any more Latin lessons from Madame Bella." Madame Bella was their governess and in charge of teaching them several languages as well as the proper code of behavior. Stern yet caring, she was much loved by the three girls. Lilith whistled in delight as she realized that Jamie was right. Fin merely shook her head. She and Lilith had never really understood Latin. Jamie was the only one who did. But then, Jamie always seemed to understand and know. When she had asked her about it, Jamie had simply replied that the books she had read in the library in Barcelona before Fin and Lilith had arrived had educated her amply to survive Madame Bella.
"Oh-kay." Jamie heaved a sigh of relief as she placed the boxes down on the floor as she searched her jeans pocket for the two keys to their dorm room. "Let's see… 24 and 26. You're right across from me… that's good."
"Hey, how come you get a room to yourself?" Lilith exclaimed.
"Hush, silly… it's still early. You wouldn't want to wake up the rest, would you?" Jamie scolded. Then, she straightened up. "Besides," She added in a whisper. "Lord Lycan's given me a number of books just in case… I'm gonna need space for them and we can use my room as a meeting point… for rituals or anything." Fin's mouth formed an 'o' while Lilith still fumed.
"C'mon… let's go." She tilted her head towards the lift.
"Hey." A soft voice greeted. All three girls turned to see a blonde head peeking out at them from her room just two doors away. She stepped out, dressed in a spaghetti strap and pajama pants. "You must be new… do you need any help?" She gestured to the small hill of their belongings, which lay clumped together on the floor.
"That would be awesome." Jamie nodded. The girl began to pick up two or three bags in each hand. The three girls followed suit, picking up one another's stuff.
"My name's Jane White by the way." The blonde told them as they entered the elevator. "I'm a sophomore at Spencer Academy… who are you and where did you come from?"
"Jamie Chapman."
"Fin Gray."
"Lilith Evans." Lil introduced herself last. "We just flew in from Rome yesterday evening. We're transfer students… about to become your senior."
"Wow, cool!" Jane bubbled. "Rome? That must have been totally awesome. So, seniors, huh? God, you guys are lucky!"
Fin grinned at her. "Hey, you're gonna be one too in what? Two years?"
Jane nodded enthusiastically. "I can't wait." She confided in them. "Once I graduate, I'm out of Massachusetts and onto college." The elevator 'pinged' and the doors slid apart to reveal the second level.
"Well, that's cool." Jamie said as she stepped out into the corridor. "Where do you plan to go?"
"Um… Concordia College in Bronxville. Ever heard of it?" Jane asked.
Fin's forehead wrinkled. "You mean that school in New York in Westchester County?"
"Yup." Jane's head bobbed up and down with enthusiasm.
"Wow, liberal arts, huh?" Fin asked as Jamie unlocked the door to the room she shared with Lilith.
"Yeah." Jane confirmed. Her face morphed into a look of surprise. "How do you know so much?"
"Besides the fact that she has her head stuck in the computer, researching everything there is to know about anything?" Lilith cut in before Fin could respond. She dumped a box of schoolbooks onto one of the two beds, claiming it as her own. "She hails from New York herself."
"Wow!" Jane cried. "Must be awesome! All those lights in the city… that's what I want. Ipswich is so…. Boring."
The three girls laughed. Jane looked at the three of them. "Are you three related or something?"
"Nope." Jamie shook her head. "We're just under the same guardian."
"Wow. D'ya think he'll take me in too? Getting to go to Rome… that must be--"
"Awesome, yeah, you told us." Lilith chuckled. Jane blushed slightly then laughed along.
"So, do you need help with your stuff?" She waved at the boxes at Jamie's feet.
Jamie shook her head. "Thank you but I think I can handle." She began to lug the boxes out the door and across the corridor into her own room. "You might wanna help Fin and Lils, though… they get a little crazy unpacking." She closed the door after Jane promised her that she would help her friends unpack without getting obsessed. She looked around at the room that she had to herself and decided that it wasn't that bad after all. It might not have been as classy as her own room back at Aurelius Manor but it was simple and pretty. Satisfied, she began to unpack.
"Knock, knock." Lilith sing-songed outside an hour later. Jamie glanced at the clock. It showed eight thirty. Oh, darn! She cursed mentally as she hurriedly donned her uniform, then cursing again when she saw that her skirt was a little too short to be decent. She opened the door to admit Lil, Fin and Jane.
"Ugh… sorry, but could you just wait a moment until I get this right?" She tried to lower her skirt as far as possible, succeeding as she managed to get it to cover three-quarters of her thighs. She pulled on her socks, slipped on her shoes, grabbed her books and after hurrying her friends from the room, locked it and they set off to their lockers, eager to start filling it up with books and un-clatter their own rooms.
Jamie's locker was beside Jane's. Fin and Lils' however, were around the corner so after promising that Jamie and Jane would head over when they were done, they parted ways. Jamie was able to organize her locker within minutes and when she was finally done, she pulled out the books she needed for the first lesson of the day before slamming her locker shut. Noticing that Jane was still rummaging in her locker for her materials, she leaned against the cool metal chancing a glance down the corridor to her left, which happened to lead to the exit. More and more students were starting to enter the school, some of the males leering at her. Jamie ignored them, used to it. She and her 'sisters' had faced worse before.
The draft of spring breeze as it wafted down the hallway was welcome to her but she knew that Lilith would be the one most excited about it. Having earth, as your element is kinda cool, she thought. Though I wouldn't give being a pyrokinetic up for anything. A variety of mixed voices stole her attention away from her thoughts and she looked down the hallway. Oh, look; it's the peeps from last night. She mused. The four boys were strolling down the foyer, looking as if the school belonged to them.
"Hey!" Jane snapped her fingers in front of her face. Jamie, startled, blinked at the younger girl. "You okay? You were staring." When she glanced in the direction that Jamie had been gazing intently at just a few moments ago, her expression brightened as if that one look had explained everything.
"Oh… now I know what's caught your attention." Jane grinned at her. Her face suddenly took on one of a searching expression, studying Jamie.
"What?" Jamie asked in irritancy.
"Do you know them?" She nodded towards the four boys.
"Not personally, no. Why?" Jamie asked.
Jane nodded again, her young face wise. "They're the Four Sons of Ipswich." She finally said.
Jamie frowned. Now that was familiar. But where had she heard it before? While her mind raced with numerous possibilities, she questioned Jane about them. "What does it mean? The Sons of Ipswich?"
"Their ancestors established Ipswich Colony." Jane explained. "You see that dark-haired guy over there? That's Caleb Danvers. His great-great something founded this school." Of course! The five families to establish Ipswich. The Danvers, the Garwins, the Parrys, the Sims and the Putnams. So I was right about the school belonging to them But there's something else. Something more… Jamie thought. Jane had the strange look on her face again. "Why're you so interested?" She asked cheekily.
"Just trying to learn more about people here." Jamie replied casually. She glimpsed at the four boys again, only to realize that the being known as Caleb Danvers was staring at her. She offered him a quick soft smile before a sudden clanging just around the corner broke the peace. Guaranteeing herself that it was probably Lilith, she turned around and hurried away, promising Jane to meet up with her later. She found the place crowded with students cheering and jeering. Pushing her way through the multitude of students, she found herself staring at a most familiar scene. Lilith was gloating over a hunched-over figure leaning against the lockers that was holding a probably broken nose in his hands. She figured that the clanging she heard was the guy banging into the lockers.
Fin stood at the opposite side of the lockers, watching the scene before her with an air of fearful fascination. Shaking her head, she pulled Lilith away from the poor chap. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed. "Lessons haven't even started and a fight already?"
"Wasn't my fault." Lilith retorted. "Guy was persistent. He tried to feel me up, Jame!" Deaf to Lilith's excuses, Jamie walked over to the beaten guy and offered a hand, which he took after a few moments of hesitation.
"You okay?" She asked quietly. She was beginning to feel uneasy under his stare.
"Never better." He grinned at her slyly before his eyes roamed over her body, finally settling on her chest. "Hey," He said getting closer. "You look---" But before he got to finish his sentence, he was already back on the floor, clutching a different part of his body and groaning more loudly than before.
"Then again," Jamie turned to a smirking Lilith. "You might be right."
"Hey, what do you think you're doing to my boyfriend, you bitch!" A redhead had broken through the crowd and was now glaring at the three girls with livid anger.
"That's your boyfriend?" Lilith burst out into laughter despite the warning glance Jamie sent her. "He's pathetic. Here's some advice for you, chick. Dump this ass and get a better one."
In three quick steps, the redhead had covered the distance between her and Lilith and was about to strike her when with sudden dexterity; Lilith's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, disenabling her from completing her blow.
"Careful, Lil." Fin warned, a hint of scorn in her usually composed voice. "That might be your opinion but some people have lower standards."
"Fin!" Jamie exclaimed though personally, she agreed. Then, she crossed over to the two girls who had not moved a hair and were having a staring contest. "That's enough." She pulled Lilith away from the redhead. "Fin, come on. We're going to be late for class." She turned to the rest of the students, fixing them with her famous glare. Most who saw it faltered and lost confidence. "What're you staring at? This a free show to y'all?" Within seconds, they cleared away except for the four boys and the two girls from last night.
"Seriously, Lils, can't you control it?" Jamie reproached the younger girl.
"What're you censuring me for?" Lilith retorted indignantly. "You knocked him too."
"Ensured the guy didn't celebrate Father's Day if you ask me." Fin opinioned quietly. Jamie couldn't help grinning as Lilith broke out into wild chortles.
"This---" The guy, that Jamie and Lilith had defeated, wheezed. "Isn't over." His girlfriend helped him up to his feet and together; they turned in the opposite direction and staggered off.
"Yeah, you better run you jerk!" Lilith couldn't resist the urge to yell at his retreating back. Jamie merely shook her head in amusement. "And take that bitch girlfriend of yours along!" At that the girl turned around and threw a menacing glare at her. When they disappeared around the corner, the audience of six whom had been standing in the background approached them.
"That was brilliant." The pretty blonde girl blurted out. She extended a hand for Jamie to shake and Jamie took it without much hesitance. "Sarah Wenham." She introduced.
"Jamie---" Jamie started to say.
"Yeah, Chapman, I know." Sarah nodded, grinning. "Reid told me." She turned to Lilith. "Lilith Evans, right? And Fin Gray. Tyler said. Cool name." Fin's eyes flickered to Tyler who seemed to find something interesting to look at on the floor.
"I'm Kate, Kate Tunney." The mocha-colour skinned girl said. The three of them grinned at her just like they had at Sarah.
"So are ya gonna tell us your full name or what, Fin?" Pogue asked. He'd been thinking about it all night long when he'd been unable to sleep. He'd had felt a sort of a connection to her; not a romantic one. He wasn't as shallow-minded as Reid but something deeper. Like a kindred spirit.
Kate looked between the two and Jamie thought she saw something like uncertainty and a slight envy pass through her eyes.
"Hah! Not so easy!" Fin declared. "So what's our first lesson?"
Jamie squinted at the schedule in her hands. "You and Lils will be having History. I'm heading off to Literature. Buh-bye."
"Hey! You're gonna slack off in Literature while we work our asses off in History?" Lilith asked, furious. "William's a bias."
"Hey, believe me when I say Literature ain't a breeze. There's that much books to read and summaries plus essays to write. At least in History, you'd just skim the books for points." Kate told them.
"Hey!" Tyler exclaimed resentfully. "It's not that easy, you know."
"Thanks, Tyler. That makes me and Fin feel so much better." Lilith drawled sarcastically. Tyler blushed as Jamie slapped Lilith lightly on the shoulder as a warning.
"Okay, okay. Jeez, sorry. So me and Fin go now?" She asked. Kate nodded. "Let Tyler lead you to class; he can show you around a bit."
Tyler shrugged casually. "Sure."
"You," Sarah turned to Jamie after Tyler had left with Lilith and Fin. "Are left in our hands."
"Am I supposed to be terrified?" Jamie asked, half-serious. The other two laughed.
"Only if you're anti-bookworm." Reid snorted. Jamie looked at the five of them in surprise.
"You guys are booklovers?" She asked skeptically as they started to walk to Literature class.
"Nah." Caleb replied. "But who likes History anyway?" A silence ensued before the six of them burst out into guffaws, thinking of their three friends, two of which had been forced to go for History lessons.
A/N: Okay, this chapter might not be that interesting but it's sorta an introduction to a few important characters, which will add more story to my plot. Like Jane White for example; you certainly haven't seen the last of her! Plus a slight explanation of the link between Pogue and Fin in answer to Draco's Secret Lover's statement that Pogue seemed to flirt with Fin in the last chapter. Also, this is the start of a huge enmity between the three and Aaron Abbott, which will only grow and escalate with more and more consequences. Keep checking back for updates and don't forget to review!
Crickes