Chapter 19: Explaining my marriage to my stalker
On Sunday I roam the halls. I want to go play clarinet, but I don't dare to visit the post office for some reason. I'm afraid of meeting Grabiner, but he has no reason to go there, so why the f***k am I hesitating? Suddenly someone grabs my shoulder and I turn around.
"Elise! Where were you yesterday? I kept looking for y…" Damien stops mid-sentence. "Someone already claimed my prize… " Your PRIZE? "Excuse me?"
"I suppose it was too much to expect. Well played, Potsdam. To think she would mar-" I interrupt him, by placing my hand on his lips. "Not here, idiot.", I hiss at him. He looks surprised at me. But then his expression changes, and I can't read, what's on his mind. I nod towards an empty class room. One, in which Grabiner never teaches. Though I was quite happy about his interruption of our conversation last time, I'm avoiding him right now after all.
Damien obediently follows me and I take my hand from his mouth. "As you're aware, I'm married. This was not my decision, and the marriage in itself is in name only. However, you probably already know, that dating other people would result in me losing my magic. In my case I would also lose my life, so it would be REALLY nice of you, if you don't continue with your plans of wanting to seduce me. Furthermore, I'd really, really appreciate it, if you wouldn't tell anyone about this.", I explain to him, while giving him a pleading look. Damien just looks at me, thinking about something. "Ok, I will do you this favour. As long as you don't develop feelings for …?"
He looks at me questioningly. Oh Hell NO. "I won't tell you. You don't need to know and if news about my marriage would get out, it would be better if the rumours would only involve me.", I deny him. He clicks his tongue in disappointment. What were you planning to do with this information?
"Anyways, since I don't have any other choice, I'll wait for you for a year and a day.", he says while smiling at me flirtatiously.
"You don't need to wait for me though? There are plenty of fish in the sea…", I respond, unshaken from his attempt to seduce me. "Not if you're a shark, then most fish flee on your sight.", he shots down my argument. "What about other sharks then?", I counter. Why do I participate in this ridiculous argument?
"Not interested in them.", he pouts. I sigh and rub my temples. "I don't understand, why you're interested in me. You should be angry at me at most."
Damien chuckles. "Why so insecure? You're really lovely." Lovely? Me? Besides, I'm not feeling insecure about this? "Lovely enough to tempt the devil?", I tease him.
He seems to be pleased about how this conversation proceeds. I better bring the cold atmosphere back.
"Well, it doesn't matter. I don't have any feelings for you. Thank you for the favour. I still have other appointments. Good bye, Damien.", I bid him goodbye in the coldest voice I can muster. I still have to opt my ice-queen-game, I assess disappointed, as Damien waves me goodbye with a smile.
Due to my cynical nature I had problems in socialising in my last life, so why can't I repel Damien? It doesn't make any sense.
My only explanation for this phenomenon is that it's the game-fate-thingy's revenge for trying to break the game flow. But apart from Damien, my cynical nature doesn't seem to hinder me in socialising here, the way it had in my last life. Though I'm only friends with my roommates, I get along well with a lot of my class mates.
I walk towards the gym to look for Virginia. Me having an appointment was obviously just an excuse to escape Damien. Virginia is in the gym, as expected, and I join the club members in playing soccer with a twist (a bit of magic). Similar to last time, I burn my whole energy while playing, as I still have a lot on my mind.
Even more now, but I'm calmer and less aggressive than last time nonetheless. I stretch my arms and legs after playing. I have to stay flexible.
Virginia approaches me. "You went all out this time as well. Is there a reason you're so pumped up lately?", she questions me in a relaxed manner.
She doesn't seem to be very suspicious. "No, I'm just stressed out a bit lately. Maybe I should study less." Virginia laughs. "Yeah, you should do it like me and attend gym more often. You and Ellen study way too much! It is our youth after all, we should use it." I chuckle. "Well, if you would study more green magic, you might be able to enjoy your youth longer. Like Potsdam.", I tease her. "Yeah, but Potsdam was already a hag, before she stopped aging, so I don't plan on doing that."
To call Potsdam an old hag is exaggerated. She looks around forty or in her late thirties, in my opinion. We continue horsing around while heading back to our room.
To say we horse around is especially fitting, since we are horses. I wonder if that is the reason, as to why our hall is called Horse Hall.
On Monday morning I stare at the class schedule for this week. The teachers are allowed to choose the classes they want to teach, but each magic colour has to be represented enough. Most teachers simply stick to a schedule, which fits their needs, but sometimes they have private obligations and classes are cancelled, and some teachers want to offer more or less classes, depending on their mood. Since they can choose their classes for the week, changes in the schedule only happen in cases of sickness. In that case, a note usually informs the students about the cancellation in the classroom, the class was supposed to take place.
Due to my game knowledge I know, that it will be better to avoid classes with Grabiner. I decide to simply focus on black magic and green magic a bit.
After classes in the afternoon, Virginia, Ellen and I chat in our room for a bit. Virginia is telling us the newest gossips, she's surprisingly always well informed about such things. "Did you hear?", she says excitedly. "Hear what?", Ellen responds. Something seems familiar? "Somebody saw Professor Potsdam walking around this weekend carrying baskets – and a long white dress!" Dammit, Potsdam, couldn't you be a little bit more careful? Seriously, what is wrong with her? "So?", Ellen inquires confused, not knowing the magical wedding traditions. "Wedding baskets!" They looked like normal baskets to me… "Maybe she got secretly married.", Virginia exclaims enthusiastic. I don't think she would make a secret out of her wedding. She is way too bold for that. But then again, she might think it would be more romantic, if it were a secret. "Oh!" Now Ellen also looks interested. "Are baskets associated with weddings that much?", I ask out of curiosity.
There is still so much to learn about the culture of the magical society. "Are they for flowers?", Ellen wonders. I stop myself from telling her, that they're for corn and tree branches instead. "No, it's the exchange of gifts." "But if Professor Potsdam was getting married, why would she keep it a secret?", Ellen doubts.
Good point, Ellen. As expected, you understand the Professors better than Virginia.
"Maybe she married a hideous troll and didn't want anyone else to see. Or Grabiner.", Virginia counters. I have to object, Grabiner is not as bad as a hideous troll.
"I don't think Grabiner would volunteer to marry anyone.", I dryly remark.
Things are different, if he would be forced to marry that someone, in order to save eirs life, of course.
"I think you're jumping to conclusions.", Ellen adds. "She was probably just cleaning out her closet or something." Thankfully they drop the topic with that.
I'm good at acting occasionally, since I'm good at going with the flow, but I'm not good at outright lying to people.
On Thursday I have a lot of classes with Ellen again, so we head together from class to class. As I sit down for the next, I remember, that this was one of Grabiner's blue magic class. I had taken this class often, but had changed to classes from Professor Kralik and Professor Bodkin. Kralik teaches blue and Bodkin red.
"Ah, I forgot, I, uh… wanted to attend another class today. Sorry Ellen, see you later." I grab my stuff frantically and head to the door, nearly colliding with Grabiner.
Oh great, too late. "Class is about to start. Sit down." He glares at me. He… isn't simply letting me go? I would've thought, he would try to help me escape, since he can't stand my presence right now. "Yes, sir.", I answer intimidated and head back to my seat next to Ellen.
"I hope it wasn't something important.", she tries to comfort me. I seem to look really pitiful right now.
During class, I concentrate on my textbook and don't dare to ask questions. To my surprise, Grabiner mostly ignores me, though he does ask me a few questions I shouldn't be able to answer yet. Since blue magic is one of my fortes, I manage to answer some of the questions partly, but I mostly answer with, "I don't know, Sir. I'm sorry." All in all, it wasn't as bad as expected though. I mean, he WAS a bit harsher to me than usual, and he's usually pretty harsh, but I could totally deal with it. Class ends and I finish reading my paragraph, before I pack my stuff and head out. Although I was able to learn in this class, I will avoid him tomorrow as well.
If he is so grumpy towards me, then I might as well attend the classes of the other Professors. I can at least ask them questions, though Professor Kralik is not as good at explaining as Grabiner. Grabiner keeps his explanations short and concise, while Kralik tends to ramble on.
On Friday I encounter Raven in the halls. "To be, or not to be, that is the question…", she murmurs while passing me. She seems a bit down.
Is she just acting or really sad? "You alright?", I ask her. "What? What is it? What do you want?" Whoa, calm down Raven. "I just wanted to know, whether you're really sad or just good at acting.", I answer her honestly. "I am rehearsing. Surely you are familiar with the works of The Bard?" Which bard?
"Nope, sorry. Doesn't ring a bell." "It's fine. We all have our individual talents and challenges." To use challenges instead of weaknesses… I prefer this phrasing.
"So for what play are you rehearsing?", I ask her out of curiosity. "The play is in the spring. The auditions are on Monday.", Raven answers.
Not giving me any information about the play itself, huh. "We are performing a musical. The small place of purchase of frightening things."
Oh, ok nevermind my comment from before. "Do you intend to try it out?" I'm not as bored as I was at the beginning of attending Iris Academy anymore, and I have stage fright, so I definitely won't. "Sorry, no." Raven smiles at me, despite my refusal. "Then, if you'll excuse me, I should be going." Something about Raven is so mysterious, I love it. But apart from that… this felt strangely familiar. Was this a game event? Must've been one of those I don't remember anymore.
I also forgot most of Ellen's and Virginia's route. While I continued to wander the halls, I notice Damien talking with a girl from Butterfly Hall.
Has he finally lost interest in me? I take a look at the girl from a safe distance. It's Myreen Dumont. She wasn't featured in the game, but she is a b***h, Angela-style. Though Angela is worse. I really don't like her, and neither does she like me.
Well, given Damien's selfishness, I prefer him dating someone I can't stand.