The next class went by, and I went to the teachers' lounge to eat. Their food displayed out on the tables, much like the tent table at the festival. New things I had not seen before. You could eat this or get something from the school menu. I was waiting on Raim; she was going to help me figure out something to eat. I sat down, reading a novel. Kalego sat next to me.

"Not eating?"

"I already did." I replied.

"I see."

"Violetta." I looked up to Raim, she was grinning. "A student found this in front of my desk." She held out the bow with my badge.

I took it from her hands. "Thank you. Tell them I appreciate them returning it. I will try to repay the favor." She blushed, walking away.

"You lied to me."

I clipped the bow in. "And? You all act as thou I never eat anything and I'm dying of starvation. How is Zve doing?"

"Don't change the subject, I do not like being lied too."

"You are not my dad; I have Opera and Grandpa for that." Raim came back, placing a plate of food in front of me as she sat down a crossed from me. "Besides, I already had plans with one of my friends. Thank you, Raim. I appreciate it."

Kalego looked between us. "What is this about?"

"I'm indecisive. I would look at that menu for hours and not choose a thing. During class I talked about it with Raim."

"Kalego, it is not a big deal. She is new to this. As a zayin has many options, and I merely helped. You're getting your pants in a twist over nothing."

Balam joined us. "How is, what was it… Zve doing. Should be close to another feeding."

"Not sure. Kalego refused to answer me."

"The Cacti is fine." He grumbled. I finished eating faster than the rest of them.

"I am going back to my home room now to feed Zve. Thank you, again, Balam. See you next class."

His whole personality changed after I came to school. He was aloof but he was not this grumpy. He even smiled last Friday. What changed between then and now. In the home room I fed my plant and said the name again. It danced a little when I sang to it.

"Who's the cutest little Cacti? You are!" It chirped softly, opening its mouth to see me. "Are you still hungry? Here you go?" I dropped the last tiny creature in the mouth. "There will be more when we get home."

I put a glove on, petting the head. It rubbed into my touch. Balam wanted some of this baby mucus for something. It stuck to the glove, and I squeezed it from the glove and into a small vile. I filled a small layer. Careful not to get it on the rim or my skin. Removing the glove, I put it into the bio baggie and closed the jar.

"It really likes you." I froze Kalego was here.

"Yes, it seems I still have a knack for plants." I gave the plant one sprit of water.

"What made you decide on this one and not one that is unmoving or an easier to take care of?"

"The challenge. It reminds me of the Venus fly trap. This one is larger in comparison, eating small vermin but the concept is about the same. After a week it will only need to eat once a day. Hopefully I can get it on schedule and feed it before school. It usually goes by the first time you feed it."

The lunch ending bell rang. "I should go, Balam requested this from the plant."

I practically ran out of the room to get away from him. If he was this mad with his coworkers, then I had no doubt he would start to treat me the same. I put the bag on Balam's desk. Sitting in the second chair beside his desk.

Sketch book out, I drew the class as Balam gave the lecture. Then helped the misfits comprehend the material a little deeper. While the class worked, Balam taught me more advanced courses. I flipped the page, listening more than paying attention to my drawing.

Balam got quiet; I looked up to him peering over my shoulder. "He used to have long hair."

I tilted my head. I looked down to a drawing of a smirking Kalego with his hair flopping down. I closed the book. "It still is, he slicks it back." I frowned. "I must still be wondering why he was so mean at lunch. Not only then, but in the morning too."

"That is his normal attitude. Are you sure you are remembering the same person?"

My lips pressed. "Maybe. I thought we were closer as friends. If I am honest, he was the first one I considered a friend. Maybe I was just looking for that little light to keep me going." The bell sounded. "I have home room again. Enjoy that Recti cacti mucus."

I missed having private lessons with him. The one night of star gazing was my favorite night. The world did not feel so menacing, I forgot all the troubles. I wanted that back. Now I was in school, would summer break bring that back?

"Violetta." I turned to Dali, his smile radiating. "How did you first day of class help go?" He was easy to look at, just like Raim. It was hard not to smile.

"It went well, I already moved on to harder subjects with some teachers."

"Good, if anyone gives you a hard time let me know. I was wondering something, are with anyone?"

"Like a partner?" He nodded. "No." Is he going to ask me? Am I going to have a real date?

"Noted, have a good rest of your day." He went on to greet other students, and my mouth dropped.

'Noted'? He said, 'noted'? Stupid pretty boy demon. I walked into class, slumping in my chair, arms crossed. That was bull crap. Like I was really with someone. I only just got here, there was no way he was fishing for ways to trouble the teachers. I was perfectly fine to talk and be with them but not him. He was the one who would oversee all my final testing.

My plant opened its mouth, looking at me. It crossed its leaves and slumped down. I smirked, propping myself on my elbows. Zve followed. What a smart plant. I pretended to die and was super dramatic. I peeked with one eye to check, Kalego was watching the plant mimic me. I sat up in my chair.

"This is what I mean when I say, 'It really likes you." He set his book down. "When you left the first time, it slumped over. Then again after lunch." He turned, his voice changing. "All of you brats get to work on your assignment, you all still have a lot of work…"

Kalego disappeared in a puff of smoke. Everyone crowded around Iruma. "Eggie-teach."

"Iruma, this is not the time for this, unsummon me."

Clara held him up. "Look Violetta. Iruma's familiar is Professor Kalego. We all call him Eggie-teach." My face heated, my heart sped up. He was a fluffy light purple puffball with tiny wings. A familiar of Iruma? Why was he summoning him now?

"Iruma!" I got up from the desk, approaching him, and taking Kalego from Clara's hands. "Is it time for a familiar?"

"Well, no." He replied.

"Right, so you admit you are at fault?"

"Yes, ma'am." He gulped.

"Unsummon him at once, or I will be forced to send you home early for summoning a familiar at an improper time. Refer to the student handbook section on familiars."

"She is not wrong." Allocer chimed in, eyes not leaving his book. "Familiars are to only be summon when in need or during Familiars class."

"I'm sorry Professor."

"As you should be." Smoke formed and I released Kalego. He was back to normal. "Piano or go home with a point."

I smiled. "Do your best, remember what I taught you. You got this." I gave him two thumbs up.

"I see why you were put in our classroom." Kerori pushed her glasses up. "Iruma does this often, and Professor Kalego cannot do a thing about it. You're keeping him in check."

"Actually, no. I had no idea to the situation." I pulled my violin out. "Places everyone, where would you like to start, Kerori?"

"I heard a rumor Professor Kalego requested for you to join this class."

"I heard the same." Caim added to her comment, wing over heart. "I for one, am not complaining, for another beauty has joined us."

"Think about it. Music festival, Magic music user. A misfit amongst misfits."

"Still, it is strange. He is already proficient at music; he knows almost every instrument. He won during his first year." Kerori turned to the class. "Line up. Lilith's dance will not do itself."

It was getting late; school had ended a while ago. I admired Kerori's passion in dance and performance. She coached them to have more passion, performance was everything. She was not wrong, if you merely dance it has no meaning, it does not convey the same feeling as having passion.

I checked on Iruma, his fingers were stiff again. Probably nervous from what happened earlier. I did not mean to yell so harshly, but for some reason it angered me. Kalego's grimace did not help the whole situation. At home he was silent, but his appetite was no different.

"Iruma, would you like to practice a little after dinner."

"Sure."

In the music room, I sat on the piano bench with him. "I apologize for how harshly I yelled at you."

"I deserved it. They asked me, and then begged. I just want to make my friends happy."

I put an arm around him. "You do by just being you. They all look up to you. They thought no differently of you when you left. They were wondering about my place in the misfit class. I am a misfit amongst the misfits. You belong here, it's like you should have been born here."

"You have a demon body."

I smirk laughed. "With a human soul, and altered body to blend in. You persevere though everything despite what you are. I admire it. Kalego is a stern teacher, but the more you progress and get it down. He eases up. You summon him, and it angers him as it is embarrassing for him. He cannot do a thing about it under the familiar bond."

"You're right, I have been taking advantage of that lately. If that were me, I would not feel very appreciated, more like used."

"You must prove to him you are sorry. Learn this piano." My mind wondered. "My plant, Zve. I will be back in like twenty minutes." I had left Zve there for almost an hour by itself. Worst plant mom ever.

I left Iruma, opening the door to Opera. "Eavesdropping? I need to head to school really fast. I will be back."

He held up a box. "I have the small creature you wanted." The doorbell rang, I do not have time for this.

I took the box. "Thanks." I ran past him, opening the front door. I halted. "Zve. I am so sorry." It perked up, mouth opening. Its eyes looked so sad; it made me tear up.

"You left Zve. I thought you might come back. It would not let me touch it for almost an hour."

I lifted the box. "I for…" He cut me off.

"You forgot. A busy first day. Whatever the excuse. You left all your stuff at school, retrieve it tomorrow and do not let it happen again." He handed Zve over to me. "Good night." He flew off.

Why did that hurt? He's never yelled at me directly before. I closed the door, eyes welling up. I leaned against it, sliding down the door. I fed Zve and called its name. He stared at me, wiggling around.

"I messed up. Can you at least forgive me?" Zve crossed its leaves, I mimicked. It danced again. I hummed to the plant. It nodded, bobbing to the tune.

"That was fast." I looked up. "My lady." His ears lowed.

I stood, taking Zve to my room. My violin in its stand, I picked it up and played to soothe myself for a change. Zve was dancing, I was crying. I had messed up today. I lied to him, someone who cares about me. Used to care about me. I am sure I was now under Iruma for an annoyance. I had Balam, Opera, even Momonoki. I had not even asked Kalego the questions for her.

I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. The sun lit up my room and I knew today was not going to be a good one. My phone buzzed; Dali sent me a message letting me know Kalego would be out of class today. He was taking a sick day. Sick day, I bet he was avoiding me. I'm that much of an annoyance. He did not even bother telling me.