Chapter Six. Yes, another couple of OC's. If you can't tell, this story is full of OC's. only the neopets aren't mine.

Why do people like me so much?
Chapter Six

Since that day, Maya and I have been very close. For a moment, she became like a sister to me. We did almost everything together. Including making a study group. For weeks after what happened with the window, Maya hid her bandaged arm with the sleeve of a hoodie. Every morning and night, she came to my room so that I could change the bandage. After a while, she had finally stopped bleeding but she complained of some pain or discomfort. Eventually, I gave her some pain pills and she took them (though, she told me she didn't like having to take medication for stuff).

At first, it was just me and Maya. Every once in a while, Kayla and Alison would join. Then, we got Bella to join in.

The study group would start at nightfall and end about the time we got tired. I would do one or two assignments during the day and attempt to do the rest later during the study group. After my assignments were done, I would sit out in the lobby to do an evening of people watching. This would take place just before the winter months.

I sat out in the lobby one autumn evening; bag of yarn skeins and crochet hooks in hand. I was planning on taking a break from doing homework for a while. My latest crocheting project was going to be a blanket for Fangore (his old one was getting worn). Plopping down on the brown couch cushion, I sorted through my bag and pulled out a forest-green skein and a gold-colored hook. Stretching out my legs and setting them on the coffee table, I relaxed and began crocheting.

Near by, Fangore lay stretched out on the dark rug; his ears, lips, and feet twitching as he dreamed of casing Cybunnies in a field or meadow. I smiled as he gave off burbling barks that were not quite as loud as ones he would have made if he was awake.

"Hello. Is this spot taken?" called someone behind me.

I jumped and looked up into the round face and almond-shaped eyes of a girl staring down at me. Her curtain of shoulder-length, raven-black hair sweeping forward passed her pale cheeks. She indicated the empty cushion close to me.

I leaned away from her to get a better picture of whom I was talking to.

In my eyes, she was beautiful. Possibly thirteen or fourteen (she looked closer to fourteen). Her skin was lightly-tanned and her cheeks were a pale, rose color. Her eyes were almond-shaped and blue. Her voice was friendly and I took an immediate liking to her.

She waved a hand in my face; an eyebrow raised. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head and felt stupid. I probably looked stupid while I studied her face. "Yeah. Sorry. I . . . just blanked out for a minute."

The girl nodded, skeptically. "I'm glad you're okay. But, you still hadn't answered my question."

"What was the question?"

"Is this spot taken?" she pointed to the vacant cushion next to me. "I'm waiting for a friend and you looked kinda lonely."

"Sure. Go ahead and sit down." I said, removing the bag of yarn to set it on the floor by my legs.

The girl smiled (a nice smile that made her eyes disappear) and walked around the couch and table; tugging on the maroon leash she had wound around her wrist.

Attached to the leash was a neopet I had only ever heard of, but never seen. However, there was no doubt in my mind that it was what I thought it was.

I stared at it; observing the ebony-black shell on its back, the long, tufted tail, and the huge digging claws on each foot. All the things that named it a Bori.

The Bori stepped neatly around Fangore; only to squeak in surprise and jump into it's Mistress's arms when the Lupe stretched in his sleep.

The girl hurried to the preferred cushion and sat down; holding her Bori tightly while whispering comforting words in its cupping ears. When it finally calmed down, it climbed onto the cushion between us.

We were silent for a moment. The only sounds—whenever people opened the doors to come in or go out and Fangore's breathing as he dreamed.

"What are you making?" the girl asked, nodding to the half-finished square I was working on.

"A blanket for Fangore." I said.

She nodded, surveying the other, colorful squares I had on the table. "Ah. Looks like it'll be comfortable for him." Her eyes lighted on Fangore. "What is he?"

"A Lupe." I said.

"Ah. I thought he was one of the lupine-type neos. Wasn't sure if he was a Gelert or a Lupe."

"Lupes have more fur and don't have the little whips on the ears and the tail." I said, looking down at the Bori. "Who's that?"

The girl stroked the Bori's head, tenderly. "Sheldon." Then, she extended a hand to me. "I'm Randi."

I shook her hand. "Tamara." Then, as an after-thought, "Just out of curiosity but, what kind of a name is Randi?"

She grimaced. "It's short for Miranda." she said.

I nodded, understandingly. I would probably go by Randi if I had a choice. "I go by Tam." I said.

"Which floor do you live on?" Randi asked.

"Second east." I answered. "You?"

"First east." Randi said. "You wouldn't happen to know who Camara is, would you?"

I scrunched up my nose. "Doesn't ring a bell."

"You sure?" She cocked her head off to the side. "Kinda short. Long, wavy, brown hair. Green eyes. Carries around a Xweetok."

A blurry image grew in my memory. "Sounds familiar. She live on my floor?"

Randi nodded. "Yeah."

"I might know her. I'd just have to . . ." I never got to finish my sentence because a girl carrying a Xweetok on her shoulders came in. Finally, a face to the faceless phantom in my memory came in my mind.

She leaned over the unoccupied cushion and looked directly at Randi. Her long, thick ponytail fell down over my shoulders and tickled my forearm.

"Hey Randi. You ready/" The girl I suspected was Camara asked.

Randi glared at Camara, accusingly. "What do you think?" she asked, standing up. "I've been waiting for you for about half an hour. Where were you?"

"Sorry." Camara said, guiltily. "Professor Helburt held me after class. Needed to talk to me about honors."

This struck me as odd. Only a select few people were selected for honors before starting at the academy. Honors were for kids who received outstanding marks in school. Eight years of all A's in every subject. Two or three years were easy-peasy-rice-and-cheesy but the fourth year was when things got difficult. I, myself, was an exemplary student but, (if I remember correctly) not one in my grade got outstanding marks on their report sheets.

I cut the yarn with my pocket knife as I thought this over. Suddenly, Randi touched me on the shoulder and I jumped; nearly dropping the open blade into my lap.

"You wanna come to supper with us?" Randi asked.

I shook my head. Again, my suspicions were aroused. What can I say? I'm just naturally cautious.

"Naw." I said. "I'll just wait for my friends, Bella and Maya to show up. I have a prearranged date with them." I looked back down at the finished, forest-green square I was flexing over my knee.

"They can sit with us if you'd like." Camara said.

I frantically thought of a reason why not. "I have a Lupe for a Noe. I'm pretty sure Lupes and Xweetoks don't get along." I said, noting the cute, furry, squirrel-like creature on Camara's shoulders.

"I'm pretty sure Skittles won't care." Camara answered. She touched the creature's silky fur with two fingers. "He's rather tolerant of neos of all sizes. Why do you think he gets along with Sheldon so well?"

I hadn't noted that the Bori had even taken an interest at all until Camara mentioned it. Looking over, I could see the Bori had raised himself onto his hind legs—front paws on the back of the couch—and was sniffing at the little creature with gentle curiosity. The Xweetok leaned as far out as Camara was permitting and sniffed in return. I could see both were relaxed. Neither seemed intent or close to intending on attacking each other.

"Yeah but . . . aren't you worried that Fangore might try to eat him?" I asked.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Randi said, tucking Sheldon under her arm. "If Fangore's been attached to you for long—or if he's anything like you—I wouldn't worry."

Fact was, I knew Fangore wouldn't attack even if he was hungry. He wouldn't even attack if his life was in danger. But, he would attack if mine was.

Randi gave me a playful slap to the shoulder. "Come on."

I rolled my eyes. Obviously these were the type of people who were extremely persistent. I wasn't. I could see where this was going.

We crossed paths with Maya and Bella on our way to the cafe.

I blushed as Bella screamed at me across campus. "I THOUGHT WE WERE EXCLUSIVE!"

Camara nudged me. "I think she's talking to you . . . I don't think I caught your name."

"I'm sorry." I said. "I don't think I dropped it." Then, I smiled teasingly. "It's Tamara. Or Tam."

"You live on my floor, don't you?" Cam asked.

I nodded. Then ducked my head as Maya came flying up beside me and aimed to hook an arm around my neck.

"Hey. I thought you were gonna wait for us in the lobby." Maya said.

I grimaced, guiltily. "I did. But then these two invited me along."

"Okay." Bella said, nodding sagely. "So it's their fault."

"Pretty much." I replied. "But they said we could sit with them."

Bella fixed Camara and Randi with the same, skeptical gaze she gave me at the Student Union.

"Stop it!" I growled at her.

I saw Bella's eyes go distant; unfocused as her Scorchio whispered something in her ear. Bella grumbled something inaudible before nodding. "Okay. We'll join."

Camara smiled as though she had won a contest in a spelling contest. Then, she hooked me and Randi by the elbows and began skipping down the sidewalk toward the cafe.

Dinner with Bella, Camara, Maya and Randi was rather enjoyable. I discovered that we all had basically the same aspirations. To graduate from the Academy and either go about being a Neo-Trainer or owning our own training facility. That last thing was mostly Randi's ambition.

I went to sleep with red cheeks, a bright smile, and fond memories of new friends made.