"Idol's my favorite, he always has been!"
"I don't know, Kaname is just so mysterious! And the vice dorm president seems so sweet!"
This had been going on for hours on the other side of Jem's dorm room. The more it happened, the more she thought about the night class, too, but for entirely different reasons. Then she decided to go for it, she really had nothing to lose. Jem climbed down from her bed and slipped out the door. As it closed, she heard one of the girls ask, "Where's she going?" in a condescending tone. Jem then recognized her roommate's voice, "I don't know, she's so weird. So anyway..."
Jem just hoped this would work. It was late in the night as she made her way to the headmaster's office. When she found it, she knocked on the door. "Come in!" sang a cheery voice.
Jem opened the door slowly and slipped in. "Ah, Jemmea Pegasus. What brings you here? How has your transition been so far?"
"Actually, Headmaster, it has not been going well, which is what brings me here. All I want is to be left alone and in a professional environment, and I do not find that in the day class. I am here to ask for a transfer to the night class." She stood before him at his desk, her feet and hands together. She presented herself as best and as humbly as she could.
"Hmm," he said, his voice not as cheery now. He leaned back in his chair as he thought about how to handle the situation. "I'm sorry, but I simply cannot do that. Never before in the history of this school has a transfer been made from one class to another. I really am sorry, but that just is not an option."
"Please," Jem pleaded, "These girls are getting to me. I can't stand them and their constant giggles. It really feels like torture to me..."
"Again, I'm sorry," replied the headmaster, "but you will remain in the day class."
She bowed her head, and her posture sank with her heart. Then she heard the headmaster again, "Oh, Zero, did you want something?"
Jem slightly turned, looking at Zero out of the corner of her eye, beyond her mess of long downcast hair. He stood in the doorway, looking as though he had just witnessed something repulsive.
"No, nothing important," Zero responded unenthusiastically. He, however, kept his eyes on Jem.
"Oh, well that's good to hear. You have great timing Zero, will you walk Jemmea back to her room?" requested the headmaster.
"Yeah, sure," Zero agreed bitterly.
The headmaster addressed Jem. "All right, Jemmea. Zero will accompany you back. I do hope things improve for you." Then he leaned in towards her, as though he had a secret. Jem responded by leaning forward, too, over his desk. He spoke in a low voice, "And if those girls really are driving you crazy, there is one person they avoid at all costs, and he's standing and waiting for you right now." He sat back up, then his cheery voice returned, "Just a word of advice!"
Jem turned away gloomily. Zero backed out and held the door as she passed through. "Come on, let's go," he said gruffly. Jem followed him back to the dorm.
She was devastated by the news, and it was obvious as they walked back. This severely irritated Zero, more so because he hated the idea of anyone wanting to join the night class. Between the two and their feelings, a tension grew that only Zero noticed as Jem kept thinking about what to do now. He finally said something. "You're better off staying in the day class."
She looked up at him, not quite expecting to hear this from him. Everyone else seemed to revere the night class, though each for their own reasons, so why would he be different? "Why? You can't try to convince me that those girls aren't harrowing."
"For as bad as they are," he narrowed his eyes and scoffed, "the night class is worse." He then observed her out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was not yet swayed. "Trust me."
She straightened up a little. "Fine."
"That actually worked?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah," she conceded. "I am still unhappy about having to stay with the same group, but I will take your word for it that the night class is no better." She looked at him sideways for a moment and saw that she hadn't really answered his question. "It must be your demeanor. So far, you seem to be the only person who I've found to have their head together. It doesn't leave me much choice now but to take your word for it."
They almost reached the top of the stairs of her floor when she pressed him to stop. "It's ok, I can manage from here," she said hastily.
He sensed it. "If I leave now, you're not going to go back to your room, are you?" he accused. She said nothing, shifting from one hip to the other, which only proved her guilt to him. "Come on, I'm going to make sure you get there."
He turned to go up the stairs and she sighed before she followed him. He did not walk her down the hall. Instead, he stood at the top of the stairs until he saw her stop before a door. She turned to see if he was still watching before opening it, and of course she only saw him transfixed on her, waiting patiently. For a last time, she sighed, then opened the door. She didn't turn back again, but as she disappeared, she raised a hand high in the air as a farewell.