Whispers [complete and non-edited]

Chapter 16

"Here," said the guy who gave Laehal and Deeliah the information about Ms. Fowler. "I have extras."

"Really? I can have this eraser and pencil sharpener set too? It looks pretty expensive."

"I have extras," the guy reassured her. "Now draw your heart out."

Deeliah smiled at him. "Thanks so much," she said and then turned to face her papers. "A horse, huh?"

"Yep," Laehal verified. "A horse."

"You like horses?" Deeliah asked as she sketched out the shape of a horse.

"Yeah."

"Does that have anything to do with the meaning of your name?"

"Possibly. I'm not quite sure."

"Hmm...," She mumbled as she etched in the fine lines of the mane. Laehal noticed her bite her lip as she concentrated on the picture in front of her.

"Do you like horses?" Laehal asked, eager to keep a conversation going.

"Depends on the breed."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I don't like ponies or Pintoes. Clydesdales are nice horses though."

"So are Akha Tekes. Gorgeous horse breed, though rare."

"Never heard of them."

Her pencil broke and she froze for a second, staring at it, then opened up the eraser and sharpener kit and took out one of the sharpeners.

"Is green your favourite colour?"

"Mmhmm," she replied, sticking in the pencil and rotating it with quick flicks of her wrist.

"Cool. Lime green is a nice colour."

"Mmmhm," she mumbled as she began drawing again.

The form of an Appalachian, looking up towards a gibbous moon, replaced the "Albino Pinto" that used to cover the whole page. In the background, on a hill, three wolves were in a triangular formation, howling at the moon. The horse's hair was being fiercely blown around.

Adding a few finishing touches, Deeliah smiled at her drawing.

"Holy cow," Laehal gushed. "It's gorgeous!"

"You can have it."

Laehal's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," Deeliah nodded.

"Wow," Laehal said as he admired the drawing. "What's with the wolves?"

"My last name. It means Tri-Wolves. So, Lost Stallion and Tri-Wolves." She smiled at Laehal.

"You know, my name means Red Canine," said a voice from behind them.

Red?

The two turned to see the guy who had given Deeliah the pencil and set.

"Red Canine?" asked Laehal.

"Yep. Teriaj. Red Canine."

Red. Red. Red.

Laehal got a better look at the boy. He had ginger hair, a few subtle freckles, and a few zits on his forehead. His muddy brown eyes took away from his slightly Irish appearance.

"Are you Little Red?" questioned Laehal.

"Indeed I am," Teriaj said with an annoyed undertone. "You must be Little Pony and Nerd Slave. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"My nickname is Nerd Slave now? What happened to Drug-Deels?"

"Kyrel couldn't use it around school any longer."

"Who got hurt in the change room?"

"Why don't you look for yourself?" Teriaj said, pointing at his leg.

Under the desk was a heavily wrapped red cast. His whole leg was wrapped in the stuff.

"You, then."

"Actually, both of us were hurt, but I got the worst of it. Kyrel got a beating to his reputation. I'm surprised you didn't hear him cry when I punched him. It was self defence of course, but it was still quite funny. My defence is what landed me in here."

"Wow," Laehal said. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"Not a problem." Teriaj smiled at him. "I believe you have more potential than you let on. I'm just glad you got landed in here too."

"I'm glad too, to be honest," Laehal replied. "I had to ask Deeliah here why she took Kyrel's detention from him."

"It should be obvious. He threatened me to do it. Now will you leave me alone?"

"Of course not." Laehal grinned at her. "I want to make you my personal artisan."

"I'm glad you like my artwork," Deeliah responded, "but if you think I'm going to draw anything you want me to, you are dead wrong."

"Draw me your family crest," Laehal demanded.

"Fine," said Deeliah reluctantly. "But I'm only doing this because I love my family crest."

"You two sound like an old married couple,' commented Teriaj. "All you need are rings."

Deeliah glared at Teriaj, and then began to sketch at a complicated-looking crest. Laehal just laughed at the comment, and then turned to face the front, where Ms. Fowler was face down on her desk, snoring.

So much for not allowing sleep.