Maglins and the Infinite Quest

3

After class, Frankie, Anna, and Pipher met in a hall before giving each other a goodbye smile and the boys nudged each other in the shoulder. Pipher headed back to the science wing as he had his next class, Anatomy and the rest of them headed to their next class.

Anatomy was an interesting subject for Pipher and he picked it because of his interest to become a doctor in the future. His parents have always wanted him to pursue something in the medical field but they were accepting of whatever he may choose to do.

Charles on the other hand wants to become a pilot and began taking an aviation class to see if he likes it enough to pursue. He's also taking a marine biology class to see which he may like better.

Pipher's anatomy class was full of older students, mainly 4th and 5th year, leaving him as the only 2nd year there. Many of them were preppy girls that Pipher often found himself staring at.

After Anatomy, Pipher rushed to English before it was finally lunch time. Him and his friends met in the school library in a study room for lunch. It was the most private place they could all go other than their dormitories. By this time Charles was awake and either wandering the school or out into the town.

The town wasn't very large but had many small shops and things to do. Anna, Charles, and Pipher liked to stroll through town and would occasionally do a bit of shopping or grab a bite to eat. When they went separate it was most likely to grab a coffee, clear their mind, or to pick up some new school supplies when needed.

At lunch they all threw down their bags and books onto the floor of the study room before getting out their lunches and eating. Vin, Frankie, Anna, Charles, and Pipher all ate and talked about their classes and other miscellaneous things.

"Vin!" Pipher said excitedly, "Why isn't Catherine here?".

"I don't exactly know where she is. I went to professor Willison's room and he just told me to mind my own business and stop worrying about her, he didn't tell me where she went," Vin said with a pained expression on his face.

The group stopped their eating to try to calm Vin but it was no use. He let out a few small tears before packing up his things.

"I'll be back," he sniffled, "I think I know where she is,".

Vin swung the strap of his bag over his shoulder before strutting toward the door without looking back.

"Wow," Frankie said, shocked.

Though it was sweet how much Vin cared for Catherine, he went a bit overboard sometimes. And now was one of those times.

The group began eating again, with less talking this time before it was time to go to their next class. Charles walked with Pipher to his class to talk a bit.

"I'm gonna head to town for some snacks, is there anything you'd like me to grab you? Charles asked.

"If the cafe by the bookstore has any pumpkin muffins could you grab me one?" Pipher asked, "If not I can stop and look tomorrow."

Pipher only had 3 classes left before he could relax a bit and go on a little hike with Anna to see the sunset. It wasn't a romantic hike or a date or anything, just something they occasionally did for fun.

Behind the school was a hiking trail that winded up a large hill. When at the peak you could see the top of the school and all of the town below.

After Pipher finished his last class of the day, Environmental Sciences, he walked back to his dormitory which was on the opposite side of the school, a long walk away. On the way he stopped in a few classrooms to speak to the professors briefly before being on his way again. Once he was in his dormitory, he dropped his books on the floor and fell onto his bed in relief and laid there for a few minutes before getting up again. He unpacked his bag and placed his textbooks and notebooks on a bookshelf he shared with Charles.

Pipher reached into his dresser that was full of his uniforms to find a sweater vest to put over his button up. He then went to the wall by his desk to get his jacket which was hanging up and a different pair of shoes that would be easier to hike in. He sat on the edge of his bed with the coat laying next to him and his shoes on the floor below. He lost himself in thought.

"Are you ready to go?" Anna said, knocking on the door.

"Coming," Pipher responded, standing up and swinging open the door.

There Anna was, standing in her school uniform yet she looked so beautiful, more than she usually did.

"Wow!" Pipher said shocked, his eyes wide, "You look amazing."

Pipher then turned to his bed and sat to slip his shoes on before standing up, adjusting the collar of his shirt and putting his jacket on.

He turned away from her, smiled from ear to ear from how pretty she looked before grabbing a blanket, some snacks and drinks, and putting them into a small bag for the hike.

Pipher opened the door, letting Anna walk ahead of him before the two walked side by side down the stairs and through the corridors. Tension was building between the two but they both ignored it and kept walking. Pipher reached his hand toward Anna's and she quickly reacted by swatting it away.

"I'm not risking being expelled, so many people fight to come here, and to throw it away is foolish," Anna said harshly, "I know we both want to, but on school grounds is absurd."

The pair walked until they reached the door that led to the forest behind the school. Pipher opened the door for Anna, but the two still didn't say anything, and the tension continued to grow. It wasn't sexual or necessarily romantic tension, mainly just awkwardness.

As they walked on the beaten dirt path they spotted some first years playing in the yard. They both gave a smile and a wave before continuing on.

The two reached the trail at the woods and took it, making sure to follow the signs and staying on the path. They started up a conversation again, ignoring what happened on the staircase.

"My family sent a letter," Anna said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Mine haven't yet," Pipher replied, "What did they say?"

"Oh they were just going on about how much they miss me being home and asking about my classes. Nothing all that interesting really, I'll write them back in the next few days," Anna said.