Cole continued writing in his notebook while Blake and Tim were sitting near him at the usual table. Though it was breakfast, Cole was still trying to keep up with Mr. Lars' assignments as he ate his waffles, eggs, and sausage patty.
"What about this?", Tim asked breaking the silence, "I design a program for an autism class so that cards won't be necessary?"
Blake and Cole looked thoughtful before Blake put in his own thoughts.
"I think it's kind of nice.", Blake answered before he looked a bit nervous, "I'm still a little unnerved about that open-heart surgery part on my medicine class."
Cole shivered as the thought of seeing an open-heart surgery exam swam in his mind.
"What about you Cole?", Tim asked, "What are you working on in that writing factory of yours?"
Cole paused for a moment as he looked up and looked unsure himself.
"I don't know.", he answered, "Mr. Lars is having us write a paper for our midterm. I'll stop by the library after breakfast for some extra studying."
"What's all the talk about?"
Cole looked over his shoulder to see Kaylee and Jason heading over as it seemed they were done with their breakfast and overheard the talk.
"Just thinking of the midterms coming up.", Cole answered, "What about you two?"
"Same thing.", Jason answered, "I'm thinking of something science fiction for my paper."
"I'm into fantasy and history.", Kaylee added, "Thinking about using the Titanic story for inspiration."
Just then, the door was heard opening and all five of them turned to see Hal Stone walk in with Greg and Drake which made Cole frown.
"Oh great, not these clowns again.", he grumbled.
Just then, a couple new faces walked in after the trio wearing black leather also which told Cole that they were in with Hal's little troop.
"Oh Shakespeare, nice to see you again.", Hal said smiling ghoulishly.
Cole stood up as he felt his appetite seemed to have flown out the window before putting his notebook, papers, and pencil in his pack while Blake and Tim followed also.
"What?", Greg asked, "No comeback?"
"Still working on your first book?", Drake asked, "Or are you suffering writer's block?"
Cole didn't answer and tried to ignore them as he tossed his leftovers in the trash and placed his dirty tray on the others, but that didn't stop Hal from talking.
"You don't want to meet our new friends?", he asked, "Grace, Will, say hi."
Grace flipped her dark hair while waving her hand dismissively.
"Whatever.", she said coldly.
Will just pulled out a cell phone and seemed too hooked on it to look up, but he gave a glace before going back to it. Cole wasn't feeling welcomed and kept walking out with Blake, Tim, Kaylee, and Jason following though Cole heard Hal change his tone.
"Still think you're too good for me huh? I got another chance to get into your class Cole, and I'm getting in there one way or another."
Once inside the hall, Cole could finally breathe and Kaylee didn't look so chill.
"Hal Stone is always trying to rub his life in our faces.", she grumbled, "Why can't he just back off?"
"Just ignore him.", Jason advised, "Violence solves nothing. Cole already beat him at entering Mr. Lars' class twice, so he'll just do it again."
/
Jason's words helped Cole forget about Hal and his new friends.
"Well, I'll head over to the library.", Cole stated, "You all care to join me?"
Nobody disagreed though Kaylee and Jason informed they had to grab some spare notebooks from their dorm room before they could join them. Still, Cole decided to let them do so while he headed to the library with Blake and Tim following. Just as they arrived, they paused as they noticed that the library had seemed to have changed. There were new chairs, the carpeting on the floor had been replaced with hard floor with painted artwork.
"Mrs. Wilson must have had the library remodeled.", Blake guessed as the trio entered.
Cole said nothing as Blake and Tim headed out to find their books while he stayed at the front desk.
"Is there a problem?"
Cole turned to see a middle-aged man with blonde hair and glasses while sporting a brown shirt, jeans and loafers which took him by surprise a little.
"Oh, I didn't see you there.", Cole answered, "Is Mrs. Wilson around?"
"Mrs. Wilson retired.", the man responded, "I'm the replacement."
The tone of voice the new librarian had seemed like a combination of an English spy and Van Helsing which had Cole a bit nervous, but at the same time had his attention.
"Well, Mr.-", Cole started but paused as he didn't know the man.
"Anders.", the man answered, "Mr. Anders."
Cole felt like he made a mistake, but before he could talk, Mr. Anders reached under the front desk and placed a book before Cole.
"The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan?", Cole asked looking Mr. Anders' way, "How did you know I was looking for something-"
"Call it a hunch.", Mr. Anders answered cutting Cole off, "I have a feeling you have a knack for literature and the fantasy novels that great authors write."
By the time Cole got to the table that Blake and Tim shared with him during their study period, he was feeling more unnerved by the new librarian. Still, he decided to get into "The Wheel of Time" series as he found a small note attached to the book Mr. Anders had given him.
"This is the first book. The rest are in the fantasy section. Happy reading. Mr. Anders."
Cole saw the title which was "The Eye of the World", but put it aside as Blake came by with a set of medical journals and Tim showed up a bit later with some books on computer programing.
"Well, at least the books haven't changed.", Blake stated as he took his seat.
"If the new librarian had the books rearranged, I would file a complaint against the board.", Tim added.
Cole thought about something to add, but then they all heard the door and turned to see Kaylee and Jason show up with some extra notebooks.
"The Wheel of Time, huh?", Jason asked as he and Kaylee took seats with Cole, Blake and Tim, "Quite a fantasy."
"Maybe I'll give it a shot when Cole's done.", Kaylee pondered.
Cole didn't say anything, but the others got the message as they got into studying. Still, Blake had a feeling Cole had something on his mind. So he took a chance and spoke up.
"What's going on, Cole?", he asked.
/
Cole snapped out of his daze and looked his way curiously.
"Huh?", he asked in turn.
"You seem troubled.", Blake added as he set the latest medical book aside so he could focus on his friend.
Cole sighed as he knew that he couldn't lie to Blake.
"The new librarian seemed a little…odd.", he answered.
"Hey, he's just a new face.", Kaylee answered, "He's probably a great guy if you give him a shot."
Cole decided to take his new friend's advice and think that maybe he was just being a little paranoid or was just being a little tense. He was brought out of his thoughts as Jason spoke up.
"How about a paper based on Micheal Crichton's book "Jurassic Park" and not the film?", he suggested, "That could be a good one."
"Like a rewrite?", Cole asked curiously.
Jason looked enlightened.
"Yeah, read the whole book and rewrite it all in modern fashion.", he stated, "That could be a good midterm paper."
"That is of course if Mr. Lars lets it slide.", Kaylee put in, "You know how he feels about plagiarism."
Cole tensed as he recalled one time when Mr. Lars went over a paper another student in the class had turned in a couple days after the winter break. Needless to say, Mr. Lars was not at all pleased.
"I thought I made it clear that I do not tolerate plagiarism in my class.", he said firmly.
The student looked pretty nervous, but said nothing. Still, Mr. Lars wasn't letting him off the hook so easily.
"Since you clearly need some direction, I will be assigning you an after-class tutor to help you learn to try and write the assignments in your own words."
Cole had no idea who the tutor was, but after that little session, the student didn't try and take the easy way of writing the assignment again. After about an hour of studying, Tim looked up at the clock and looked a bit tense.
"Oh, look at the time.", he said, "We better get to class."
Cole put his written notes back in his pack along with his textbooks while Blake, Tim, Kaylee, and Jason did the same. Mr. Anders was nowhere to be seen, but Cole thought he was just in the back or stepped out for an errand so he didn't give it much thought as he put the books he had taken out in their respective places in the shelves while the others did the same. By the time they were done, they had taken a while, but they still had time to make it to class.
"I hope that dissection part goes well for you.", Cole said to Blake when they came to a place where the group had to split.
"Just as long as Tim has no problem with the rewiring part of his computer class.", Blake countered playfully.
Tim smiled and pondered a bit before coming up with something to say.
"Just don't write something that will make "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville sound less boring."
Everyone shared a laugh before they all headed off to class.
/
Cole, Jason, and Kaylee came to Mr. Lars' class with time to get settled and they were more than ready when the bell rang and the rest of the class had shown up and settled as well.
"Good morning class.", Mr. Lars said smiling.
"Good morning Mr. Lars.", the class said back.
Mr. Lars then stood in front of his desk before looking a bit firm.
"As you know, the midterm assignment is due next week, and I trust all of you who are…trying are giving an effort to make it clear you are living up to the standards of this class and this art."
Some of the class tensed, but Cole kept his cool as he was not one to resort to cheating to make the grade. Before Mr. Lars could speak again, the door opened and Mr. Lars turned to see Grace walk in like she was always there and looked sour as she made her way in.
"You're late.", he said firmly.
"Whatever.", Grace answered before looking to the class and smiling warmly, "I'm Grace Willy and I'm happy to be here."
Cole felt his blood boil and apparently Mr. Lars must have felt the same way.
"Ms. Willy, I gave you a temporary session of one week to prove you can be inside this class and so far you are giving a terrible example."
"I got all the time in the world teach.", Grace answered casually as she started to a seat by Cole, "Besides, Cole Marty could use a-"
"Quiet!", Mr. Lars snapped.
That shut Grace up and turn a bit anxiously as Mr. Lars continued.
"Your study partner will be who I assign and while you are in my class, you will address your fellow students and myself with proper respect or I will personally see to it that you are not only out of the class, but you never get a chance to take this class for the rest of the school year. Do I make myself clear?"
Grace said nothing, but the look on her face told Cole that Mr. Lars' words had hit her hard as Mr. Lars gave the final say.
"Now do the rest of the class a favor and take your seat in the available desk in the back of the room."
Grace looked a bit horrified.
"The back desk?", she asked, "But why?"
"Because I said so.", Mr. Lars countered, "Now go."
Grace did so and whatever swag she had before was no longer there, but as she passed Cole's desk, she took out what looked like a wad of chewed up gum and tried to place it on Cole's desk, but Cole moved his textbook before the gum touched it which made Grace pause and try to move her hand over his textbook again, but Mr. Lars spoke up.
"Is there an issue, Ms. Willy?"
Grace stiffened and hurried to the desk and sat down quite quickly as Mr. Lars turned around and raised an eyebrow.
"Is there an issue, Ms. Willy?", he asked again.
The tone in his voice told Cole that Grace better have a good explanation or she was in big trouble. Needless to say, Grace said nothing, but she certainly got the point as Mr. Lars returned to his desk.
/
As the class had finished the session for the day, Cole felt an ominous feeling wash over him and he turned in the direction of his pack which glowed faintly for a moment which made him raise his hand as he had an idea what was going to happen. Luckily, the bell rang signaling the end of the class before Mr. Lars called on him. As the class filed out, Grace took a moment to give Cole a look before walking out with the others. Cole soon was outside the class himself, but looked around for a place where he could leave without letting anyone see him. He noticed a classroom that looked vacant as the lights were off and nobody seemed to be preparing for a class so he went in as the feeling came over him again. Making his way to a corner of the room away from the door, he opened his pack and took out a book with a leather cover making it look like it was from the Middle Ages. Cole took a breath as he remembered when he had unpacked it a few days ago. It took him by surprise, but what happened next was unexpected. The charms around Cole's neck started shimmering as if the book was calling out to them and before Cole could comprehend what had happened, the ivory wolf head charm had removed itself and set into the book's cover as if it had always been a part of it. The other charms remained as the book vibrated bringing Cole back to reality.
"Well, here it goes.", Cole sighed as he got into a comfortable sitting position on the floor.
Taking a breath, he opened up the book and started reading.
"It was nearly dawn as the grass wore dew like it was a gift from Heaven itself as the sun began to rise over the horizon."
Cole felt uneasy as a cool breeze washed on his face. He looked up and found himself in the middle of a field under a night sky. As he got to his feet, he turned and saw a forest not far and the sun beginning to rise.
"Cole stared in wonder at the natural beauty of the early morning while his hand reached up and touched the medallion that he had found during his last visit."
Cole was a little unnerved as he heard his own voice narrate, but he reached up and felt the medallion and he brought it into view to see it was the exact pendant that he had gotten from the Great Owl's lair which told him one thing.
"I'm back.", he said before catching his reflection in a small pond seeing that he was indeed a mouse again, "Yep, back in the world of NIHM."
He saw he had a white shirt and red vest as well as the sapphire medallion he had and a memory flared in his mind.
"I wonder how Nicodemus is doing now that he and Justin set out with the rats of NIHM to Thorn Valley?", he wondered.
Just then, the medallion on his neck shimmered and a faint voice came to his ears.
"Cole."
Cole took his medallion in his hand and saw it was glowing like the time he resurrected Nicodemus and helped Mrs. Brisby move her home which surprised him as the voice sounded familiar.
"Nicodemus?", he asked as he looked into the light.