Aria walked into her room and sat on the bed with a lamp. She opened the book she had brought from the library but her attention was elsewhere. Aria kept remembering Professor Thomas's words, or at least some of them.
She sighed before turning down the lamp, keeping the book away and getting into bed, fully dressed.
Aria was usually a very regular sleeper. She would go to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, but tonight she had too much on her mind to go to sleep. Aria sat up and went to a window. She opened it and sat on the windowsill, enjoying the breeze. She opened her hair and lightly massaged her scalp, which was aching after her hair being tied so tightly the whole day. Her body was also aching all over due to the fatigue of today's fight and Aria knew that she would regret very much if she did not go to sleep right now.
But she could not sleep unless she had made sure.
Finally having made up her mind, Aria opened her eyes and climbed on the window. She started floating outside and closed her bedroom window. Then Aria flew to the South tower and easily made out Professor Thomas's office window. She was not surprised to see that lights were still shining in his office as it was bed hours for students but the teachers obviously went to bed late.
Aria flew over and howered inches beside the window.
She peeped in. Professor Thomas sat with his back to her, engrossed in a book. as Aria was contemplating what to do, Professor Thomas said, "I assume you have something important to talk to me about. Or are you spying on me for no particular reason? Huh Aria?"
Aria stuck out her tongue. She had been found out. Professor Thomas got up and opened the window as Aria came into view. She climbed in and stood looking at the Professor, wondering if she had just earned herself some more punishment.
Professor Thomas seated himself in his chair and said, "Now Aria, what was so important that you had to break the bed hours rule? Not that you haven't done it before, but why did you come and meet a teacher when you are not supposed to be out of your room?"
Aria: "Well Professor.....I..... Something was bothering me."
Professor Thomas: "Was it something so important that you couldn't have asked me about it tomorrow, after getting a good night's sleep?"
Aria: "I for myself can say that I would not have gotten any sleep until I knew about it."
Professor: "Then all I can say is that you did the best thing to come here. I would hate if one of my best students was to go through a sleepless night over something that could be settled by a mere talk with me. Take a seat."
Aria sat down in the same chair which Helen had occupied during the day.
Professor Thomas closed his book and put the tips of his fingers together, "Ask away, my child. Ask away."