Maglins and the Infinite Quest

5

Later that evening Pipher got together his things, spraying some cologne on himself, and checking himself out in the mirror. He brushed back his hair with his fingers and finished getting ready.

He had some classical music playing in the background as he hummed the beats and tapped his feet along. Once he had his coat and shoes on he was ready to go to Anna's dorm room to meet her.

On his walk there he bumped into a classmate who he stopped to talk to for a quick minute before continuing his walk. They talked about a class they have together and a few other quick things.

His walk over was very quiet apart from the noises coming from side halls and common spaces. The echoing of voices and footsteps were the only things filling the air.

Once he approached the door, Pipher gave a hard knock.

"Come in," The voice from the other side of the door responded.

Pipher turned the handle and saw Anna sitting at her desk finishing up some homework.

"You can sit down, I just need to finish up these last few problems and then we can go," Anna said, smiling.

Pipher walked to the edge of her bed and sat with his hands sitting on his lap as he looked around the room.

"Ignore the mess please, Charlotte never picks up after herself," Anna sighed.

"No no, It looks fine to me," He paused, picking up a picture from the bedside table and inspecting it.

"Alright, I'm ready," Anna said.

Pipher sprung up from the bed, placing the picture down as he found it. Anna slipped her coat on and grabbed her orb. Pipher opened the door for her while saying his usual "Ladies first". It never got old.

She blushed and walked ahead of him, turning back to let him catch up. The two walked down the corridor and down a small staircase, Anna infront of Pipher. Once they landed at the bottom floor they continued side by side.

The pair had a very quiet walk through the town, slowing down occasionally to look through shop windows. The silence did create awkward tension but they just kept to themselves, only speaking when the tension became too much.

Once at the small restaurant they got a table and began their conversation again. The restaurant had a lot of greenery and plants throughout. There were some hanging from the ceiling which were very abstractly placed. The walls were a nude/gray color and the lights were slightly dimmed.

"So, how are you liking all of your classes this year?" Pipher asked softly.

"I like them, definitely more challenging than last year," Anna replied, "But I love a good challenge," She smiled.

They both laughed in unison before the waiter came to take their order.

"Have you heard from Vin since earlier?" Anna asked.

"No, Haven't heard a word, for all I know he's long gone looking for her," Pipher said sarcastically,"He's always been this way for her, I'll never understand how somebody can feel such a way for a person."

Anna nodded and smiled, "My parents used to be head over heels for each other, but stuff happened and now they're just ordinary people and lost those feelings. It's a real shame."

"I wanna know what it's like though, even just to experience it for a day," Pipher paused, "Just to experience it."

Pipher shook his head and rubbed his eyes with his fingertips, "I'm probably crazy to feel that but," He paused and looked up at Anna.

"It'll happen eventually, when the time is right," Anna assured him.

The two continued the deep conversation before a group of preppy girls from Maglins entered the restaurant. They both halted their conversation at once.

They continued their conversation in a whisper before the waiter came out with their plates of food.

"Thank you," They both said in unison after their plates were sat on the table in front of them.

While they ate, little was spoken with the occasional smile they gave each other when they looked up from their plate.

Soon they had both finished their meals and Pipher put some money on the table and the two walked out, Pipher holding the door for Anna, once again.

The walk back was cold and quiet, the only noise was the wind blowing. At the end of one of the long streets, Pipher grabbed Anna by the arm and led her behind some buildings.

"What're you doing?" She asked.

Pipher put his hand on her waist and the other one on her cheek, putting her hair behind her ears. He held her cheek gently and leaned in toward her. They both closed their eyes and held each other as they exchanged a kiss. They then exchanged a loving hug, her head laying against his chest, squeezing each other greatly before stepping back into the road.

Once back in the road Pipher saw a boy, looking very confused. He had his back to him. Pipher walked in front of the boy to see his face.

"Hi Lewis," Pipher said excitedly, "You look a bit lost."

"Where's the bookstore?" Lewis said nervously.

"Right over that way," Pipher pointed, patting Lewis on the back before sending him off on his way. "Ask the cashier for a map while you're there!"

Pipher and Anna continued their walk back to Maglins, only stopping to make occasional small talk to their friends and classmates.

Once they had gotten inside and to Anna's door, Pipher gave her a friendly hug goodbye for the night.

Pipher walked himself to his dormitory and sat on the edge of his bed daydreaming of everything that had happened that night. The hike that turned romantic and then their dinner.

He eventually snapped out of it and picked himself up to sit at his desk to finish his assignments. He plucked a textbook off the shelf and some paper to take notes.

Soon enough there was a knock on the door, it was Charles. Pipher set his pen down and let him in.

"You look exhausted, rough day?" Pipher asked and Charles dragged himself inside.

"Just a bit, I cannot wait for Christmas break when I don't have to constantly worry about school," Charles replied, "Not that I enjoy Christmas, I just don't enjoy school,"

"Just a few short weeks," Pipher said, returning to his desk to finish his notes.

Charles put his bag on the end of his bed, taking the books out and putting them on the shelf and putting the papers on his desk along with a pen. He grabbed a bottle of water from beside his bed and drank a few sips, hoping to wake himself up a bit. It was warm and not as refreshing as he had hoped it would be.

Soon enough, Pipher had finished his notes and other assignments, allowing him to start his nightly routine before bed, Charles soon followed. They both put their books and papers away before brushing their teeth, showering, and changing into pajamas.

"Goodnight," Charles said, combing his wet hair back.

"Goodnight," Pipher said, crawling into bed.