"So," Pratt began, but after a long while didn't continue.
"Oh, come on," Dia teased. "You're really that scared."
"You wouldn't understand," Pratt shot back at her. "It's not like you're not losing out on something absolutely important for your everyday survival."
Dia laughed hard. The two had forgotten I was there. And I had no intention of making myself remembered.
"Sometimes, you're the meanest person I know," Pratt lamented, and Dia laughed harder. "Let's see how happy you'll laugh when you're feasting on food that isn't mine."
"You give yourself too much credit," she replied. "I won't like it as much. But I won't starve. I'm not that hooked."
"And that's why you're the meanest."
"Yeah, that I am," she agreed.
Finally looking at me, she explained.
"We kinda got into trouble. With your friend Morgan. The last time she was here with her first year friends, she woke me from my nap. I was pissed. Went out and called for their mentors. I might have said a few unkind things to the group of first years. Action had to be taken. Jerry did what he could only do."
"Yeah," Pratt agreed. "You always get us into trouble. And I always get dragged into it. Like failing to stop you is actually just as bad."
Dia ignored him. She did wait for him to finish before continuing.
"As punishment, we're kicked off the academy grounds. Jerry's taking us to the dig. The plan was to go over during the break, calling it internship. It was pulled forward. Since we've been so invested in the heavenly war, I recommended we start at the temple. Jerry agreed. Although, I think it's because of you. And that brings me back to the question, who are you really."
"We'll know one day," Pratt answered when I wouldn't. "So, the temple it is. It'll be so much fun."
"It won't be fun," Jerry said suddenly, walking down the stairs.
If he was inside, why didn't he come out when the twins kicked up a fuss outside? Was he hiding from the trouble? That would be a lot like him.
Jerry saw me smiling at him. But he ignored me after a cursory glance. He glared at Pratt.
"It's punishment, so behave like it. Also, it'll be actual work. Not fun."
"Yeah, stop trying to be something you're not," Dia commented. "You're not able to."
"Exactly," Pratt added. "Work is fun. So, it will be fun."
Pratt clearly wasn't as sharp as Dia. And even she wasn't nearly as sharp as needed. I could see that Jerry had it easy.
"Jerry would sure know about fun," I said.
Simple words. The twins didn't get the meaning immediately. But they grew suspicious as they saw the changes in Jerry's face.
"You'll never let that go, will you," Jerry asked, in a pleading voice and with an apologetic expression.
I smiled. The twins wouldn't understand. But how could Jerry not know the meaning behind the smile? It wasn't me that should let it go.
"Forget it," he said, giving up. "Just continue treating me like a stranger, if that is what will appease you."
"Were we ever not strangers?" I asked, and that shut Jerry up.
"Now we definitely have to know what you're talking about," the twins said together.
They were wearing an unwavering expression. Jerry looked sad. I must have had an unimpressive expression on my face, because the twins turned away from me after a quick look. All of their attention was on Jerry, and Jerry's face changed into one of being bullied.
"Go on Jerry, tell them," I prompted, and burst out laughing as Jerry's grimace deepened.
Looking at me laughing, Jerry was pleased. He smiled, turned into his usual self, and sat down on his couch. With the bearing of the dean, he addressed the three of us. Of course, he ignored the twins' question.
"I've been blamed to have given all of you too free a hand. I'm not sure exactly what that means, so don't even try asking. I've spoken with my team. You'll be joining. All three of you. You know what that means, Dia and Pratt. I'm sorry but you don't have until the end of the year."
The twins nodded.
"Yeah," they said together. "We've made our decision. We'll be sharing our intention with Avin tonight."
"Avin's a prefect with Fuikasha society," Dia explained to me. "We're joining Jerry's team at the dig as his students. We cannot bear another identity. The team won't allow it. So, we have to resign from Fuikasha society, at least until we're with Jerry's team."
"Is that alright?" I asked.
I was concerned. The two sounded really fond of the society.
"We'll miss out on a lot of fun conversations," Pratt said to me. "So, you'll have to make up for it."
"And we're certain we'll be fine. It's going to be a lot more of the last few weeks. It'll be really fun. Don't get fooled by Pratt," Dia said.
And there were the twins I knew. There was probably nothing in the world that could bring them down.
"I'm sure it will be a lot of fun," I agreed.
The three of us ignored the scowling Jerry. The twins left to call Avin. I started to follow, but Jerry held me back.
"Sit," he said.
I sat. He smiled a very different smile. And continued.
"About Morgan. Are you affected?"
"No," I answered honestly. "Should I be?"
"I don't know. She seemed very confident you liked her."
"I don't know her."
"That's fine then. Forget her. About Vhinn. Are you sure? It'll be a big deal, registering as yourself."
"Which is exactly why Vhinn."
"I am sorry. For all of the past. I can't change that. I can only apologise."
"It's fine. Really. I'm just used to the quiet."
"I know what you really mean. But you won't be able to remain in the shadows forever."
"I'd like to extend it for as long as possible. It's what I'm used to. And I really do like the quiet. We're not all attention hogs."
"Won't you give me a break?"
"Nope. You did say I could be myself. And to be cheerful. Nothing cheers me up like you."
"Stabbing at me, you mean."
"Is there a difference?"
He laughed, as he shook his head.
"You'll be the youngest member of an archaeological team at a dig, ever. Let's see how you'll die that down."
"And that is why you and I will always be enemies."