"I don't want to give her time. I don't even want to come out of this Sauna."
"Iris, you have to finish School. Besides, after Lunch; everybody runs off to their own classes. No more mandatory group together. Yes, you will still learn as your own collective groups in different ways.....but…."
"I thought coming down here to the Pool meant you don't talk about School and just let us be kids?"
"I'm just saying. You might not even see her for the rest of the day. Maybe even not outside class too."
"But what about tomorrow?"
"Can't help you there."
"Exactly.
Close the door on your way out, please? Thank you."
*Errrrriiaaackkkk*
"Don't worry Kids. Just a little logged, but she will be fine. No need to cause alarm."
"May we see her?"
"Is....."
"Stephanie is not with us. She said she had somewhere she had to be."
"What's more important than apologizing to a friend?"
"......Finding one in the first place."
*Kncok, knock*
"Go away!!!!"
"Stephanie's not with us."
"Ummmmm. Okay."
"Are you warming up at all, or do we need to take you upstairs?"
"Just a little runny nose, but that's all."
"Stephanie is going too far. Putting other people's lifes at risk...…for what? Why has she taken it upon herself to train us...then immediately test us? Isn't that the Teachers job?"
"Unless....."
"The Teachers are also oblivious to what's happening.
Detectives Christie and Jake….on the case.
We'll get Stephanie to talk. Don't you worry."
"Thanks, but what makes you think you two can make her talk?
'You gotta earn my respect.'
...She'll just test you...same as me."
"We'll try our hardest not to anger her."
"That's the thing.
I don't think it's her you're angering."
"Wait…..where are you going?
I thought you said you didn't want to go back up there?"
"If we show fear...then we truly are weak. I don't know what Stephanie is strengthening us for, but we won't find any answers sitting around here."
"At least let us come with you. We won't let you fall prey again."
"Fine….but stay behind me."
*Slirrrp….sluiirrrp....sliiirrrrp….sliiiii…*
"STEPHANIE!!!!"
"Uhoh.
*Awwcffouummmm.*
…Gulp*
"If you want your Ice cream back, it's gone."
"I'm not here for the Ice cream. I came to get something else back."
"...What makes you think you're not too late?"
"Cause you showed me.
I don't know why you act the way you do, but whatever the reason; it is yours and yours alone.
I just want to know one thing."
"That you enjoyed your swim?"
".....Why don't you have a heart?"
"Maybe it's her necklace."
*Tisssh*
"Here….have it."
"Hmmm. Maybe it's something else."
"It definitely is something else."
*Binnnggggggaaaggiinnnnnnnnggggg*
Too bad you won't figure it out.
See you."
".......Ready for us to step in?
Whatever she is hiding....she really…wants to keep it a secret."
"Let's just....."
"Try our best to succeed, and not stir up more trouble than needed?
Don't tell me you too have been grounded."
""I'm not grounded. I'm smart."
"....What do you have up your sleeve?"
"Nothing.
All I know is that I passed her test.
..Stephanie...…wait up."
"I don't hang out with weaklings."
"But I got out."
"After some help."
"So. You didn't say I couldn't."
"Ahhhh. Smart are we. Well.....I forgive you."
"Does that mean we are friends, and we can now attend sleepovers?"
"Don't push your luck, and for the last time…..I'm not a hugger."