I wore a red dress that didn't look too flamboyant. The party was going to be held in one of the halls. Sienna told me it was just an excuse for people to see their academic rivals up close and for seniors to approach students to be their apprentice.
"I'll be attending as a chaperone, so just stick with me," she said.
"Okay," I replied. I hugged Tyler and walked out with Sienna.
"Leaving already?" Phoenix said as he saw us going downstairs while he was going up.
"Yes, what will you be doing?" Sienna asked.
"I should get back to work. Sorry, but this will be the last time you'll see me this year," he said, and Sienna laughed.
"Bye, then," she said, walking away with me on her tail.
"Bye, little Alden," Phoenix said, and I nodded.
Will it really be the last time we see him? How hectic is his work? Will I be okay? Being a special grade seems like a lot.
We walked inside the building that was beaming with light and soft music. I missed my room already. Sienna walked straight to the stage, and I followed her.
"Good evening, students," she said, and everyone turned to look at her. "Welcome to Galliel. The fact that you are here means that you worked hard and succeeded," she said, and everyone started clapping.
"Firstly, I would like to announce that this year we couldn't get more special grades, but I'm sure everyone has great potential." Her ability to command the crowd made me awestruck.
"Your classrooms have been assigned to you and will be at your respective dorms by the time you get there. I hope you all find the classes captivating and enlightening." School is finally starting. "The special grade seniors are here as chaperones. Speak to them if you want; they don't bite," she said, and everyone laughed. I didn't get the joke.
"You can ask them questions, propose apprenticeship, just have fun. I just want everyone to have fun before school begins tomorrow, but in everything you do, let there be moderation," she continued. "Okay, that's it," she finished, and everyone clapped as she walked down the stage.
I took my place behind Sienna as some students approached her. They all seemed to have endless questions, and Sienna had answers to all of them. She was truly amazing.
"Faina Alden, right?" someone called, and I turned to look at the person.
"Yes," I replied. My throat went dry the moment I saw who it was.
"Ah… you look even better up close," he said, moving close to me. I took a step back in fear. "Walsh Rosen," he said. I know who you are. "Would you like to be my apprentice?" he asked.
"I…" What do I do? How do I escape? My brain didn't seem to be working again, my legs were rigid, and I felt dizzy.
"Faina, what's your answer?" he asked. I don't want to, please leave me alone. I thought I was free from you, why are you here? Please, don't hurt me.
"Faina," I heard Ariel's voice, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Who's…" she was asking but stopped when she saw who it was. "What do you want?" she asked coldly.
"I was proposing a mentorship," he replied like she wasn't being hostile towards him. "So, what's your answer?" he asked.
"No," Ariel replied.
"I wasn't talking to you, girl," he said, looking annoyed.
"But I was talking to you," she shot back.
"What's going on?" Bella asked, walking in front of me.
"Great, another one," Walsh exclaimed.
"Why are you arguing with this young man?" Bella asked. She did it again; she speaks like an old lady.
"This Ro…" Ariel was saying, but Sienna interrupted.
"What is the commotion about?" she asked, and I looked up at her.
"I was just proposing a mentorship," Walsh replied.
"Your fields are different. I'm sure you won't be of help to Faina here," she replied, and he smiled.
"That's fine. Goodbye, Faina, I'll see you around," he said. I hope I never see you again. I was so scared that I couldn't move. "My offer still stands," he added as he walked away.
"That Rosen idiot," Ariel said in annoyance. I just noticed that Ariel is easy to annoy, but Bella never gets annoyed, or she does but doesn't show it.
"Faina, I told you to stay by my side," Sienna scolded.
"I'm sorry," I said under my breath.
"Why don't you two take her outside for a bit? If anyone approaches you, just walk away. You don't have to listen if you don't want to," she said, and I nodded. I wish it was as easy as she put it.
We walked outside and strolled for a while as Ariel complained about Walsh. We stopped at a secluded area. There was no one in sight, so it felt safe.
"I don't think anyone would come this far," Bella said, and I nodded in agreement.
"What should we do?" Ariel asked.
"You don't have to stay. I'll be fine here. I'll go back to the hall after a while. I just need to catch my breath," I said, and they looked at each other.
"Are you sure?" Ariel asked. Should I not?
"Okay, we'll come back in ten minutes," Bella said, standing up.
"Run away if you see anyone," Ariel shouted, and I nodded. It's funny thinking about it, but I'm sure no one will come here.
I watched them leave, then I turned my attention to the night sky. I was so scared, the memories of that boy's experiment clouded my mind. He never would have been so polite. Instead, he'd drag me and chain my legs and hands so that I wouldn't be able to run. Even though he knew I wouldn't run because that would mean another level of torture.
I heard footsteps and stood up quickly. It hadn't been two minutes since they left, so it was definitely not Ariel and Bella. I turned to leave but stopped when I heard a familiar voice.
"Tiny," Teon called. I turned around and saw him standing there.
"Teon?" I said, surprised that he was there. We aren't supposed to speak to each other.
"Why are you out here alone?" he asked. I'm too scared to go back.
"Nothing," I said. He stepped forward and stood in front of me. He's so tall. He's just fifteen, right?
"How have you been doing?" he asked. Is he worried about me?
"Fine," I replied, sitting down before he could come up with a joke about my height. Teon sat down and stared at me. What? What now? "What?" I asked, and he shook his head, looking away.
"I thought you'd have forgotten me. It's been three years," he said.
"I thought the same. I was surprised when Landen said you thought the same thing," I replied.
"It's not easy to forget you, Tiny," he said, and I knew what he was implying. "Because you're tiny," he added. I just knew it.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked, changing the topic.
"Do you want me to leave?" he asked, and I shook my head.
"That's not what I meant," I said.
"I saw you leave, so I followed you," he said, and I nodded. That explains part of it.
"Why?"
"I don't know," he shrugged. "By the way, your magic status was something," he changed the topic.
"I am still in shock. I thought I was a rock," I said.
"As expected of Tiny," he smiled, patting my head. I understand Tyler now; it is nice to be patted on the head.
Teon paused and looked at me, then he drew his hand back quickly. What? I didn't say anything.
"Are you going to ask me to be your apprentice?" I asked him.
"No," he replied. I felt a bit disappointed hearing that. I would agree happily if Teon asked me. "We aren't even supposed to see each other. We are breaking a rule right now," he said. That's right, Mother said we shouldn't speak to each other.
"Have you heard from Mother?" I asked, and he looked away like he was uncomfortable.
"I haven't," he said, and I nodded. "Master will be back soon. She went to take care of some disturbances in the Alden family," he said.
"There are other people?" I asked, and he nodded.
"You'll get to meet them eventually, but I'm not allowed to tell you much," he said, and I nodded.
"Thank you," I said, and he looked at me. "For telling me this much. It's good to have some clue," I said.
"No problem," he said, standing up. "Do you want to go back now?" he asked, and I nodded. I felt calmer now after talking to Teon. He brought out his hand, and I took it, and he pulled me up easily.
"My lady," I heard and turned. Ariel and Bella were standing there. I moved my hand away from Teon quickly and went to meet them. "Good evening, your…" Ariel was saying, but Bella interrupted.
"Teon, what a pleasant surprise," she said, hitting her sister's back.
"That's right, Teon, he's Teon," Ariel said. What's wrong with them?
"Hey, Bella, Ariel," Teon waved. So they all know each other.
"We'll get going now," Ariel said, turning and dragging me along with her, but Bella stayed behind. Why is she staying behind? It's not my business, but I'm curious.