Snow Day

Chapter 45: The Contest

As Riley strolled over to her house table, a portion of the welcome feast lay before her. As she sat, she almost forgot that her blue backpack was sitting there, delicately draped over her shoulders. Setting it down gently next to her she was all set, but instead of eating a bit of what was placed in front of her, she decided that this would be a good time to just sit and draw or at least to write in her diary.

Some students that were sitting around her tried to convince her to eat something, but she only ignored them— pushed their help and concerned pleading away as she opened her diary and began to write down every detail, every event, every simple emotion that was overflowing through her right then.

Meanwhile, she could hear everyone around her, every single voice— It seemed to be a pounding force in her ears and no matter how much she wanted to filter them out, she knew all too well that it was hopeless. Some people muttered under their breath, wondering if she was alright. Is she deaf? Riley chuckled to herself, wondering how people could come up with such absurd comments and assumptions just because a person was too quiet or just didn't want to answer. Nevertheless, the stirs of people concerned, everyone was a chatter as to what the secret disability might be. Riley, satisfied that no one knew it was her who had this secret was more than happy to play along.

Meanwhile, over at the Gryffindor table-- Sophia along with James and another girl were hatching a plan of their own.

"Sophia, why don't we recruit your sister, Riley to help us with this task?"

"Why would we ever do that James? For all we know, this mystery's not about her"

"Yeah, but isn't she said to be interested in Abnormal Psychology? Maybe she can help us"

"Hmmm, okay-- but how can we convince her?"

"Not we, you"

"What?"

"Just walk over and very kindly ask her"

"Okay..." she whispered somewhat doubtfully,

As she walked up to the Ravenclaw house's table, Sophia began to think twice about this idea, this so-called contest wasn't that important, was it? However, all her questions soon became clear to her that she might as well suck it up and just simply ask her to join us in this little quest. After all, there was no harm in asking, right?

Walking up the table, she slowly tapped Riley on the shoulder. Riley spun around slightly startled and exclaimed "S- Sophia, what do you want? You banished me from the Gryffindor table, remember?" her sister nodded sadly.

"I'm so sorry Riley, I shouldn't have ever sent you away-- but now, I'm here to recruit you and ask you if you would please join us to help figure out this mystery"

"Oh, Ooooo, I don't know sis..."

"Come on Riley, you're my sister... The least you can do is think about joining us.

"Hmmm..."

"Pppplllleeeeaasssseeee" she begged.

"Ugh" Riley sighed, feeling defeated. "Okay, okay, I'll join you"

"Awesome!" Sophia smiled.

As she strolled back to the Gryffindor table, Riley surprisingly found herself feeling a little off. What if this group finds out my horrible, horrible secret?

"Hi everyone, this is my sister Riley, who has agreed to help us" Sophia announced.

"Brilliant, I suggest we head to the school's library and find that book" a girl with brunette-reddish orange hair replied, slowly standing.

"Hmmm, okay" each shrugging their shoulders-- beginning to stand, and walking towards the exit.

"Riley, Ya comin'?"

"Oh, I- um, yes" she replied, hurriedly. Well-- if someone's bound to find out my somewhat shocking secret; at least I'll be with people I can trust she thought hastily, running to catch up with her new gang of friends.