"Hahahahahaha!" Sara laughed heartily as she thought about the incident she had just recapped to her adorable little students.
She was the only one, however. "Um... Is this really something you should be laughing about?" Emma asked in confusion. Outside of the one shame-faced girl who already knew about the story because she was the one responsible for it, all of the members of Class VII gaped in shock at what they had just heard.
"I can't help it! She knocked all three of them out! Beatrix even told me that one of them has a busted nose!"
"Truly something that a teacher at this fine institution should be laughing about." Jusis muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
Rean meanwhile was the first to tear his gaze away from the giggling instructor and onto a more important person. "Are you alright?" He asked the blue-haired girl with concern evident in his voice.
"Huh?" Laura was confused by the question. "Of course I am fine, I didn't give them any chance to retaliate." She admitted with shame.
He shook his head. "I know that, but they must have done something for you to lash out like that."
"It's... It's irrelevant." She said at last, not wanting to discuss the topic of the conversation. "I should not have reacted the way I did. I won't make any excuses for my action and will accept whatever punishment is deemed fit."
Eyes returned to the one authority figure of the group, who shrugged in response. "Yeah, you'll be punished for it. Mostly cause I had to sit there and listen to that pompous old windbag go on and on about how I am corrupting my proud young noble students and yadda yadda. He had all kinds of unpleasant punishment ideas, but fortunately he is just the Vice-Principal and not the actual Principal. He was nice enough to let me decide your fate."
Everyone waited with baited breath to hear her decision on the matter. Something that only made the Purple Lightning grin as she proceeded to not say anything.
"And?" Alisa was the first to crack, hating herself for it, but too curious to resist. "What did you decide?"
"I dunno?" She replied at last with a shrug. "Maybe I'll have her do some beer runs for me or something."
Her flippant response caused Machias to groan. "Can't you take anything seriously?" He complained. "Now don't get me wrong, I will be the first to say that those noble girls probably deserved what they got, but rules exist for a reason. Laura's correct in that she needs to be punished for her actions."
The adult in the room rolled her eyes. "Geez, when did you become my dad. Actually no, you are nothing like he was..." A few eyebrows raised at that little slip of information. "But fine. I'll come up with something. I would tell her to help clean the dorm, but nobody should be forced to suffer Sharon..." Outside of Alisa who gave an indignant cry, that comment was enough to make them all curious. There clearly was some bad history between the two, but neither would say anything on the matter. "I suppose I could have her help me setup for class until the festival?"
As the supposed teacher continued to brainstorm potential punishment options to an increasingly unimpressed crowd, one student in particular remained silent as she observed the girl at the center of this discussion. She had her suspicions as to what was the catalyst to the event. Laura was an easy person to read, and her steadfast refusal to look her in the eyes all but confirmed her suspicions for her.
"You shouldn't let their words bother you." Fie stated at last, causing all eyes to turn to her.
"Huh?"
Seeing Laura's confusion, she elaborated. "That's why you beat them up, right? Some of them started saying shit. Probably 'bout me."
"Fie?"
"Is that true?"
While others appeared surprised by her observation, Jusis merely sighed, clearly having suspected something along those lines.
"It's true." Laura admitted shamefully. "They were saying such cruel things. I tried to get them to stop, but they wouldn't listen..."
"Like I said, just ignore them. I'm used to it. Their words don't bother me-"
"But they bother me!" Laura yelled, losing her composure for the second time that day and startling those around her.
None were more surprised at her outburst than Fie herself. "Laura?"
Realizing what she had done, the Arseid practitioner flushed scarlet in embarrassment and did her best to regain her calm. "My apologies. It's just... I can forgive their ignorance, as much as it hurts to hear. I was guilty of if until recently and I am sure there is still much I am ignorant about, but their casual cruelty was more than I could handle. And it wasn't just about you either, they had unkind things to say about Rean as well..."
A few eyes turned to the boy in question, but his expression remained unchanged as he continued to listen to her story. Laura shook her head in frustration. "I know I should be better than that, but I'm not as strong as you. I am unable to simply ignore the hurtful things they say about people I admire so."
"Strong? Me? I'm not so sure about that..." Fie ruminated. "I think I'm just numb to it all. I wish I could be as compassionate as you are..."
With the two girls at an impasse Rean decided to step in. He kinda felt like a bad boyfriend for not being the one to so passionately defend Fie like Laura had. "It upset me too." He admitted as he placed a reassuring hand on Laura's shoulder. "But Fie's right, we can't let it bother us. It's hard, I know, but I find it easier to deal with when I am reminded that it's an increasingly small number of nobles who are still hung up on tradition. Why earlier today I even got support from Patrick Hyarms of all people!" He tactfully ignored the fact that he was pretty certain that Patrick had ulterior motives for voicing his support...
As for their most recent discussion... "I think you're both strong." He stated, looking between the two before settling his gaze on Fie. "You see the world for what it is. You understand how harsh it can. Some might label you as cold and uncaring, but that's not true at all. You use your past experiences to help others and do your best to protect them from the same cruelties you endured. The fact that you have endured so much and still turned out so kind is real strength." He wanted to physically show his support to the younger girl, but hesitated on what to do. Eventually he decided to do what works for Elise and gently patted her messy silver hair. He had to give himself a mental pat on the back as she preened at the gesture. Head pats never fail!
Turning back to Laura he gave her a gentle squeeze. "And you, Laura, see the world for what it should be. You're not one to simply accept injustice, no matter what form it takes. You refuse to stand pat and are always seeking to improve yourself and the world around you. Some might see you as naive and idealistic, but I think the world would be a far better place with more people like you in it. Your conviction is your strength and I hope that it never fades."
"Um..." He muttered after a few seconds of awkward silence. Both girls were staring at him with unreadable expressions and he wondered if he went too far with his speech? He hadn't really thought about his words as he said the first things that came to mind and he wondered if that might have been a mistake.
"Wow!" The voice that broke the silence... didn't come from either of the two girls. "I wasn't expecting to see some cheesy romance drama today. Wish I brought more beer~" Sara teased with a big stupid grin on her face.
Which was quickly picked up by the others. "Look at them! They totally forgot we were here!" Millium cheered as she observed their bewildered faces.
"I think you're right." Gaius agreed with a hearty laugh. "They were lost in their own little world there."
Emma clapped her hands together. "I think it's sweet! They're so adorable together." Her words were kind, but did nothing to diminish the embarrassment growing inside the three of them.
"I'll say! I always had a feeling that Reany would be good at this, but damn! That was smooth as hell!" Getting praised like that from Crow made him feel dirty.
Doubly so because some of the other guys appeared to be agreeing with him! "I know, right? Maybe if I could talk to girls like that..." Elliot muttered while scratching his cheek nervously.
Machias too found himself nodding in agreement. "I admit I was skeptical of the story this morning, but as that old saying goes, seeing is believing."
Alisa sighed miserably as she processed the scene she just bore witness to. "They really are cute together, aren't they?" She asked rhetorically with resigned acceptance.
"Alisa..." Emma muttered with concern at her friend.
"Rean's ridiculous eloquence aside," Jusis muttered in what might have been a compliment as he pinched the bridge of his nose at the utter absurdity of it all. "I think we're getting off track. Aren't you supposed to be coming up with a fitting punishment for Laura?"
His question was obviously directed at the homeroom instructor, who blinked as she realized she was back on the spot again. "Actually, I think I've come up with the perfect idea..."
"I can't believe Sara picked this for your punishment..." Fie grumbled as the three exited the dorm early the next morning, much rather wishing she was still asleep.
Unlike the younger girl, Rean was feeling rather pleased by it. "It's a bit surprising, but it might be the first idea our instructor has come up with that I agree with in... ever."
"To spend my mornings and any free afternoons assisting the student council until the festival... it was not what I was expecting at all." Laura commented neutrally, unsure what to think of the current situation.
A thought popped into Fie's head, causing her to perk up from her tired state. "So Rean, how does it feel knowing that Sara's definition of a major punishment is to spend two weeks doing the thing she tricked you into doing for the entire year?"
"Um..." He hadn't considered that before, but now that he thought about it... "Now that you mention it... It kinda pisses me off." He admitted with a sour look on his face, causing Fie to smirk and Laura to place a hand over her face to cover her grin at his expense.
"I must admit, it does not feel like much of a punishment to me. I would have gladly offered my assistance to the student council if you had asked me."
Understanding their instructor better than most, Fie shrugged. "Sara is Sara. She's an absolute pain in the ass at the best of times, but she's always looking out for us." It actually physically hurt the former jaeger to sing her senior's praises and she wouldn't have said it if there was any chance of her finding out somehow.
To come up with a punishment that didn't really feel like a punishment, but was enough to satisfy any outside observers. Sometimes they forgot that Sara Valestein was considered one of the best bracers in Erebonia. Despite her unorthodox methods and lackadaisical attitude there was no denying how effective she had been as an instructor. At least when she was trying. And not drunk.
They had departed the dorms a little early that morning with the intention of sitting down for breakfast together at Kirsche's. As much as they loved their classmates and instructor they really needed a break away from the teasing and awkwardness that the previous day had provided. And with their relationship status now known by literally everyone there was no longer any need to not hang out in public.
After sitting down and placing their orders, Rean turned to Fie. "You never did say why you were coming with us."
"True." Laura agreed, also turning to the silver-haired girl. "The punishment was for me alone. You usually remain in bed until late, so I cannot imagine that this was a last second decision."
"This sucks," Fie agreed easily enough. "but I would feel bad leaving this all to you. After all, a fair maiden like myself needs to reward the brave knight who so valiantly defended her honor, after all." The teasing was both obvious and blatant, but Laura flushed at her words regardless."And plus. Helping the Student Council is something you do almost every day. I know you're just a weirdo, but I'm kinda curious as to why you seem to like it so much." She added with a glance towards the one boy in the group.
"Ahah..." He wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he didn't.
Breakfast soon arrived and the trio dug in with gusto. The cafe wasn't too busy at this early hour so it was a nice change of pace to eat in a more relaxed environment. Conversation was light as they consumed their food.
That being said, as time passed it was increasingly obvious to two of the group that the third member was becoming more and more distracted. The fact that it was Fie of all people who was distracted was the most surprising thing. She would keep stealing glances at the next table over where a small group of adults were having a conversation while they ate.
The two sword users were tactful enough to wait until after they left the building before sating their curiosities. "Fie? Are you alright?" Rean managed to beat Laura to the punch in asking the question they were both interested in.
"Huh?" She seemed startled by the question. "Yeah, I'm good. Why?"
This time it was Laura who stepped forward. "You seemed distracted in there. Did you hear something of note?"
"It's probably nothing..." She had to sigh when it became clear that they weren't placated by her answer at all. So instead she turned her focus to Rean. "You like to pick up the newspaper, yeah?"
"I do. You want me to grab the newest issue?" He usually picked it up in the evening on his way back to the dorm, but if some story in it was bugging Fie it was an easy sacrifice to make.
Seeing her nod in affirmation, he wasted no time in scurrying over to the bookstore just next door while his two girlfriends waited for him. He returned a minute later with the Imperial Chronicle in hand. He had only just read the headline before Fie ripped the paper from his hands.
Luckily she didn't seem to mind that her two curious friends were using her shortness to read over her shoulders. 'Terrorists Attack Crossbell City!' Was the headline of the front page article and unsurprisingly that was the one Fie seemed so focused on.
After reading the article Laura turned to her best friend. "While regrettable, I fail to understand why you are so interested in this?" Internally she winced at simply calling such a deplorable attack regrettable, but she understood Fie well enough to know that something like wasn't enough to bother Fie.
"It's the terrorists themselves. The article doesn't really say much about them except that they were probably jaegers, but after everything I've heard and read... I am pretty sure it's the Red Constellation."
"That's the group that Zephyr fought, right?" Rean asked, having put the pieces together first.
She nodded in agreement. "I haven't heard anything about them since Boss and their War God offed each other. Why are they suddenly reappearing now? And if they're back, does that mean..."
"You believe that Zephyr might return soon?"
"Maybe." She answered Laura's question. "Don't get me wrong. I'm never gonna go back. You and the rest of Class VII are my family now, but I still want to know why they all left me like they did..."
"Well, I don't know how much we can help, but if the chance arrives we'll gladly help you find those answers." Rean replied, with Laura nodding her head in agreement.
Fie couldn't help but allow a ghost of a smile to form on her face. "Thanks. I'll hold you to that. But for now we need to hurry or we will be late for Laura's punishment."
There were no further interruptions as they made their way to the campus. This early in the morning there were few students running around. The only people they encountered on the trip to the student council building were the janitor who was doing the morning sweep and Edel who was working in the garden. There were a few more in the cafeteria, but fortunately none of them saw fit to bother them. Either their curiosity about the rumors had been sated or they were terrified of Laura, but it made the trip into a peaceful affair.
Neither of the two girls had been on the second floor much as neither of them had had much interest in the clubs there, so it was a bit of a novel experience for them as Rean led them to Towa's office. Unsurprisingly the president was in and was quick to allow them entrance when he knocked on the door.
"Rean!" She greeted happily before turning to his two companions. "And Fie and Laura as well?" Her confusion was understandable. Despite the constant assistance she provided on their field studies the presence of other members of Class VII in the council office was something of a surprise. "What are you doing here this morning?"
Laura didn't seem all that keen on explaining the reasons for her visit and Fie wasn't someone who liked to talk to anyone outside of her small circle of friends period, so it was up to Rean to detail the reasons for their visit.
"I did hear about that..." Towa mused after Rean explained the altercation and subsequent punishment. "Are you alright?" She asked the swordmistress of the group.
"Huh?" She blinked in confusion. "Yes, I am fine, but why are asking me that when I was clearly the one in the wrong?"
Towa nodded her head in agreement. "True. Violence wasn't the solution, but I can understand why you did what you did. There were plenty of council members downstairs who overheard the gist of your conversation. You aren't the first student who had to endure harmful words from members of the higher nobility. I remember having my own share of issues with them when I was nominated for the position of president."
Rean grimaced. He shouldn't have been surprised by that news, but the thought of people bothering the ever reliable and always adorable Towa Herschel sat poorly with him. Still, she seemed to have come through it alright.
"And how did you respond?" Laura asked curiously.
"I didn't." Admitted the president. "I did my best to ignore them and focused on my work. It helped that I always had Angie and Crow watching over me to drive away the worst of them. Eventually? Well I like to think the work I have done was enough to quiet most of the criticism. I'm sure there are still a few detractors out there, but many of my initial critics have come around. Some of them are now close friends on the student council!"
Fie snorted in amusement, her first contribution to the discussion. "I'll say. You even have a nickname around the school, you know? The Tiny Tyrant of Thors."
That comment caused the Tiny Tyrant to flush scarlet and pout adorably. "It was bad enough that Crow came up with that silly name, but I can't believe that others are using it now!" After a minute she regained her composure and narrowed her eyes in thought. "Did Instructor Sara really decide that helping the student council was a punishment?"
"Not at all!" Rean was quick to reassure the senior. "She really respects the work you do! She probably just saw this as an excuse to get you some extra help until the festival."
"Oh, really?" Towa giggled happily. "That's awfully considerate of her. I will have to thank her later."
The swordsman didn't need to turn his head to know that Fie was sending him a flat, unamused look. Even Laura was gazing at him in clear disapproval. He couldn't help it though! As much as he detested the idea of Instructor Sara getting any sort of praise for something she didn't do he had even less desire to see Towa unhappy.
"Anyways!" Towa clapped her hands together to get them back on track. "I get why Laura is here, but what about you two?"
Rean couldn't help but scratch his cheek nervously. "Well, yesterday you looked kinda swamped, you know? I kinda felt bad that I can't help out in the afternoons now, so I was already considering doing this. Laura's actions are just extra incentive, I suppose."
"I'm bored so I decided to tag along." Fie's reply was a lot more succinct and a lot less noble.
"Ahah..." The second-year laughed, not quite sure what to make of that response. "Either way, I'm glad for the assistance and will gladly take you up on the offer. "I know Rean is, but I don't suppose either of you are familiar with filing paperwork?" She asked after taking a glance towards the rather large stack of documents sitting on her desk.
A brief look of shame passed over Laura's face. "I am afraid I do not. I know father and Klaus are responsible for a lot of it, but I never took the chance to learn from them. My apologies."
Fie didn't say anything, but the flat look on her face was all the answer Towa needed.
"I see..." Towa hummed in thought. "Oh! I know! We've been so focused on the festival that many of the unrelated requests brought to us have been piling up for a while now. It's the same work that Rean does every free day. And plus..." Here her face took on a seedy smirk, completely out of character for the kind girl. "It will let you three stick together, something I am sure you all want."
Having Towa of all people tease them on their relationship was a weird feeling to Rean. The other two, not knowing the girl as well as he did, were less affected. Still, he couldn't deny that that was a hell of an opportunity. "That sounds like a plan to me. What about you?
"I have no problems with these arrangements." Laura added easily enough.
"So we get to be Rean? That's perfect." Fie added with a grin, showing more emotion than she had at any point during the conversation.
"Perfect!" Towa cheered happily. "In that case I will make sure to drop off a list of tasks to Rean's mailbox tomorrow and you can get started. But I don't really have anything for you to do today, so I guess you're free to go."
Laura looked startled. "But this is supposed to be a punishment! I am sure there's something you can have me do, even if it is something menial." It wasn't easy, but she was able to ignore the fierce glare Fie was sending her way at that idea.
"Nope. As your new boss you can consider this my first order. There's a little under an hour until classes begin, so why don't the three of you go relax until then?"
"Not sure how I feel about taking orders from someone smaller than I am." Fie admitted. "But I like her idea. Plus, we're just getting in the way of everyone else right now." That last part was mostly added to help convince her companions as they still seemed to be unsure of the idea.
Reluctantly Rean found himself in agreement. "She's right. I know you feel guilty, but you can be assured that despite her appearance Towa can be a cruel and harsh taskmistress when she has time to prepare. I am sure the work she will bring for us will be punishing indeed." Said cruel and harsh taskmistress was pouting adorably at that description. "So why don't we listen to her and let her work in peace?"
Laura sighed, conceding the point. "Very well. Where shall we go?" She asked as the trio departed from the office and made for the exit of the building.
"I know a spot." Fie offered after stifling a yawn. "It's quiet and out of the way, perfect for when you don't want to be bothered. Great for taking a nap."
Something about that description sounded familiar to Rean. Quiet, out of the way, and perfect for taking naps... "Wait, are you talking about the bench near the old schoolhouse?" Come to think of it he did often find her resting there...
"Yup. I go there whenever Emma starts pestering me to study with her." She replied proudly.
"Not sure how I feel about you admitting that. Poor Emma. Still, I cannot deny that a peaceful place sounds pretty good right now..."
The reason Laura said that? The stares. There were more students out and about now so it was harder to ignore the eyes that followed them as they exited the building. Most of them were merely curious, but now there were a few fearful ones directed solely at her. It wasn't the most pleasant feeling.
And of course she wasn't the only one to notice. "On the plus side, even if the rest of this doesn't work out, at least you got a reputation around school now. Nobody will want to mess-" Fie's teasing was interrupted by Rean not so gently elbowing the girl. "Rude."
"I think it's a good place to go." He said, ignoring the pouting glare the youngest member was sending him.
Destination in mind, the trio made the short trip past the engineering building and to the Old Schoolhouse. As expected, most of the other students avoided the creepy old building like a plague and the other members of Class VII should still be at the dorms, so there was nobody around to bother them.
Rean and Laura were quick to seat themselves on the bench, but Fie had a different idea. Instead of sitting next to them she opted to lay down on the bench, using her two classmates as cushions. The two stared down at the girl as she got comfortable."What?" She asked from her position using Laura's lap as a pillow. "I'm tired. Leave me alone. You two can keep yourselves busy. Just chat, or make out, or something, I don't care."
They continued to stare as the silver-haired girl closed her eyes and stilled her breathing, seemingly drifting off into sleep in a matter of seconds. Rean couldn't help but chuckle quietly, which Laura joined in a second later, albeit with a tint of red on her face from Fie's final suggestion. "It's crazy how much she has changed."
"True." Laura agreed as she began stroking Fie's hair. "I used to be so wary of her because of her past... Now I am just wary that she might say something to cause me trouble. Still, I suppose I should be thankful for that, as that's the reason we can be sitting here together like this."
"Haha..." He laughed awkwardly, knowing just how true it was. A pair of awkward nobles who only knew the sword and an irreverent girl who didn't care one bit for tradition and customs. What a weird group they were.
The two continued to sit there, basking in the early morning sunlight. After a few minutes Laura turned back to her partner. "So what should we talk-"
Maybe it was due to the serene environment, or the fact that he was genuinely happy for the first time in his life. Or perhaps it was just an awkward shame knowing that thus far he had yet to be an active participant in this relationship, instead always dancing to the tune of the girls. Either way, Rean felt the urge to be bold for a change. And so he took Fie's second suggestion to heart.
By leaning over and capturing Laura's lips with his own.
To say that she hadn't been expecting such a move would be a vast understatement. But while she failed to respond to his kiss, she didn't seem inclined to pull away, so he saw that as permission to continue. Which he did.
Just as she began to melt into the kiss he pulled back, earning himself a frustrated growl from the normally cool girl. Fie was right in that it was fun to tease her. Deciding to drag it out just a little more... "We can talk anytime." He whispered, answering the question she had been about to ask before he made his move. "For now let's-"
That was as far as he got before Laura had had enough and took matters – and Rean's head – into her own hands, dragging him back to her lips for another kiss. The first night had been a total blur, but in that moment the young swordsman was starting to realize how much he loved the sensation of having another pair of lips battling his own.
Still, as much as he was enjoying the sensation, a part of him was frustrated that they couldn't go further. He really wanted to take her in his arms, pull her close, and really escalate the kiss into something truly exciting. But they couldn't, and it was all because of the girl sleeping across their laps.
Or was she? He had understandably been focused on other things at the time, but now that he was thinking about it he could hear that her breathing was no longer as steady and felt the occasional minute shift of her body. With great reluctance he allowed himself to pull away from the kiss, both to confirm his suspicions and because he really needed to breath. Sure enough, while the younger girl still looked like she was sleeping, there was a barely noticeable tint of red and an adorable pout on her face. She was definitely not asleep.
Wanting to see how far he could push her before she abandoned the facade, he silently gestured to Laura before looking back down at Fie. The blue-haired girl seemed to get the hint as she grinned and nodded before the two returned to their previous activity.
Unlike the previous times they locked lips, this time they engaged in a series of shorter, but no less passionate kisses. For the sake of their audience they exaggerated the noises made each time, with sound of frenzied kisses, aroused moans, and desperate gasps of air filling the clearing.
With lust clouding his judgment all Rean could think about was that he wanted more. And as he pulled away from another passionate kiss with Laura he saw his next target: her neck. Wasting no time he darted in and captured that unblemished flesh with his mouth. The moan that she gave off from such an action was such that if Fie hadn't already been awake it would have done it for sure, either from the sound itself or from the fact that Rean's reaction to such an action was now uncomfortably poking into her stomach from where she was draped across him.
With the insufferable desire for air again consuming him, he reluctantly pulled away from her neck, but not before letting his teeth gently trail across her skin. A part of him mentally crowed in triumph at seeing the mark his ministrations had left on her flesh. He was just about ready to lean in for more when he noticed something important.
Fie had completely given up on pretending to be asleep, and was now glaring up at the pair with an intense blush.
"No fair." She muttered. "How come this is the one time you listen to me?" Pulling herself off the pair she turned to Laura. "Sorry, but it's my turn now." That was all she said before she pulled herself onto Rean, straddled him, and leaned down to take her turn.
Different flavor, but still an exquisite taste in Rean's opinion. Where Laura was all passion, Fie's lips were gentler, but still delightfully warm to experience. It was unexpected from such a fierce little jaeger, but he certainly didn't mind one bit.
And to make it better he finally got to hold her close as they continued to kiss. The feeling of her body pressed against his and the sensation of her modest curves enhanced the experience greatly. He couldn't stop himself from gasping in delight as she repositioned herself on his lap.
His hands found themselves a home on the younger girl's legs. A gentle squeeze confirmed just how amazingly muscled the powerful limbs were, despite their small size. She seemed to appreciate his actions as she let out a happy gasp when he squeezed again.
Wanting to experience more of her body he allowed his hands to roam upwards. Rege by rege he continued to map out her thighs. A part of him realized that he was going well beyond what was considered acceptably in a public place as he passed her skirt line, but he was well beyond caring at that point...
"Ahem." Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and that end came at the hands of Laura. After her initial feelings of displeasement from being so abruptly cut off, the noble girl had managed, with no small amount of willpower, to regain her composure. It certainly wasn't easy, as watching her boyfriend and best friend going at it right next to her was an incredible display, but she persevered. It was only at that point that she made a startling observation.
"Sorry to interrupt... but class begins in five minutes."
"Well, crap." Fie opined as she reluctantly got off Rean. "Think we can just skip?" Sadly she already knew the answer to that question, as skipping would be even worse for them in the long term.
As they reigned in their emotions reality began to dawn in and they were horrified as they took stock of themselves. Fie looked completely disheveled and unkempt, even by her normally lackluster standards. Rean found that no adjusting of his pants could hide the unseemly bulge, and there was a suspicious stain on them where Fie had been sitting. As for Laura? That mark on her neck wasn't going away anytime soon.
There was absolutely no way any of their classmates or instructor was going to let them live this one down. Class was about to suck.