So, I thought it was time for another chapter. Even though it's really short. I can't wait to hear what you guys think of it, so please R&R!
; )
Chapter 12
The temple was a rabbit warren of corridors and dead ends. Kaiya was instantly thankful for her guide. Even though he did seem a bit wary of her. He was slightly weirded out and she didn't blame him. If she were him, she'd be weirded out too.
"So..." Kaiya began.
"So..." Lee imitated her.
"Where are we?" Kaiya asked.
"We are in the student wing of the temple." Lee explained. "This is where all the temple students live."
"No Duh." Kaiya muttered. "Who would have guessed that the Temple students live in the student wing?"
"Don't mock the master" Lee warned her.
"I thought you were a student too." Kaiya said.
"I am, but I'm also a junior master. That means I'm not that much higher ranked in skill than a good apprentice but still..." Lee trailed off.
"Are you the usual at this place?" Kaiya wanted to know.
"No, didn't you hear Master Earthwave before? I flick rocks at people, they get annoyed so I get kicked out of class and shoved into babysitting duty."
"Baby? I'm ten!" Kaiya cried.
"So am I. Look we have similarities already. Let's be friends." Lee spread a goofy smile on his face.
Kaiya couldn't help it, she laughed.
"Deal" she agreed.
Lee looked at her and the out stretched hand she offered, he looked startled. Slowly but surely he grasped her hand in a quick shake and then released it again, turning back to the corridor.
"There are a few things you need to know about this place." He began. "Girls and boys aren't usually friends." He shot a nervous look in her direction as if he was scared she would take back her friendship now she knew this. "We have a strict social system here; you better know straight off, I'm not cool. We all live together here for most of the year; those with families can go home during the holidays, those that don't: like me,"
"And me," Kaiya cut in.
"... Get to stay here all year round." Lee continued. "With me so far?"
"Yup, you're a trouble maker who is not cool, probably mocked by the other students here because you're a master at earth bending already."
Lee just looked at her blankly. "Right..." he said slowly "Well... breakfast is at half past seven every morning, morning lessons start at eight thirty and run until Lunch. After that earth bending lessons run until four. It's a gruelling schedule, but you'll get used to it. After four your time is your own, unless you get a detention for flicking rocks at people in history class," Lee grinned evilly, "or if you're in a study group or a tutor group. Which you are, I'm assigned to be your guide and earth bending tutor until you have caught up to the other kids. Questions?"
"Uh, where do I sleep?" She asked.
"Here, the girls section." Lee had finally stopped walking outside of a room in one long corridor decorated with flowers. He pushed open the door and motioned for her to take a look.
Kaiya stepped into her new room.
It was quite simple in design, one bed, a window, a door, a wash basin in one corner and a desk in the other. There was a simple, but comfortable looking chair situated behind this desk and a dark stained wardrobe and chest. The chest was set right at the foot of her bed. Last there were three different lamps settled in various spots in the room and a bigger one sitting on the small bookshelf next to her bed.
It was simple, but she liked it.
"Well, just put your stuff in here..." Lee was leaning against the door frame, watching her examine her new quarters. "...Then I can take you to get your school stuff."
"School stuff?" Kaiya asked
"Yeah, books and stuff. Have you got a writing kit?"
"Yeah, it's a bit shabby though." Kaiya dug in one of her bags, looking for the Kit.
"That's ok, mine's so shabby that the brushes have practically no hairs left." Lee grinned. "My mum has barely enough money to stay alive, there is no extra for me to get new brushes."
"At least your mum would support you, if she could." Kaiya said gloomily.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"My Ma and the rest of my town cast me out, banished me." Kaiya turned away, she knew she might start crying soon and didn't want this boy to see her.
"That's rough," Lee said. "Why did they do that?"
"Let's go get that school stuff," Kaiya said quickly, changing the subject. She pushed past Lee and into the corridor. She looked left and right. Darn, I've completely forgotten how I got here. She turned back to Lee, pulling a face.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to here in no time, soon you'll know this place like the back of your hand." Lee smiled reassuringly at her.
You know what annoyed her most? He was right.