Alexus's Point of View

A few days later, I was in the lab under Mr. Vexen's care when I finished my books. "Mr. Vexen," I started.

"What part of, I need quiet, do you not understand?" Mr. Vexen snapped. I felt awful and didn't say anything. "Well, you have my attention now. What is it?"

"N- nothing," I whimpered.

"Why are children so difficult?" He grumbled to himself before turning to Zexion. "Zexion, go see what the girl wants."

Zexion approached me. "Hey, it's okay. Vexen doesn't mean anything by it. He's just wrapped up in his work. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I don't know. I finished all the books that Mr. Lexaeus bought me, and I'm unsure what to do now. I guess I'll just reread them. I don't think Mr. Vexen likes me," I sighed.

"Nah, he's like that with everybody. You're just going about getting his attention the wrong way. You wanna know how to get him to pay attention to you?" Zexion began.

"What is it?" I urged.

"You walk away," Zexion answered.

"What? Like, just walk away?" I gaped.

"Yep. It's as simple as that," Zexion smirked.

"I couldn't do that. I would get in trouble," I stated.

"Just a light scolding. Practically a slap on the wrist. Afterward, you get his undivided attention," Zexion explained.

"I think I'll just reread my book," I decided.

"You don't believe me, do you? Give me enough time to get a head start and let him know I'm gone," Zexion instructed. He left before I could stop him.

Once I felt that enough time had passed, I spoke up. "Mr. Vexen, Zexion just left, and I'm not sure where he is."

Mr. Vexen whirled around. "Where has that boy run off to this time? I can't have him wandering about. I suppose I'll have to take you with me. Come. We're going to go find him." I followed Mr. Vexen through the halls. "He better not have left this world." We checked his room, but he wasn't there, so we checked the Grey Area, where we found him. "What has been going on inside your mind to make you think you were allowed to just walk off like that?!"

"I would have asked you, but you were busy," Zexion grumbled.

"Asked me what?" Mr. Vexen demanded.

"I want to go to the bookstore, so I was waiting for someone else to get back who could take me," Zexion answered.

"No one is supposed to be back for at least another hour. Were you going to wait here that long? Never mind. I'll take you," Mr. Vexen huffed before opening a dark corridor. Zexion took my hand and followed him through. We came out in an alley next to the bookstore that Mr. Lexaeus had taken me to. Zexion let go of my hand and started running toward the bookstore. "Zexion, stay by me." We went into the bookstore together. "You may pick out a book too if you like. You must be nearly finished with the books Lexaeus bought you by now."

"Yes, sir. I just finished all of them today," I replied.

"Get a few books, then. You may as well while you're here," Mr. Vexen decided.

I found three more books for me to read and handed them to Mr. Vexen. "May I get these?" I requested.

"Certainly. I have also selected a book for you," Mr. Vexen answered before showing me a General Science book. "It should be for your age range. If anything in this book is of interest to you, I will get you more books on the subject later on." Mr. Vexen took the books I was holding and looked around. "Have you seen Zexion?"

"No, sir," I said.

"Of course not," Mr. Vexen sighed before he looked around the shop for Zexion. He came to the counter shortly after and bought the books before we went back to the alley and left through a dark corridor.