The Surprise Epidemic

"YOU DID IT AGAIN?!" I could hear Sister Kate bellow through my plugged ears. She stood behind her desk, her hands tightly clenched into fists and her eyes burning with anger. I timidly removed my fingers and gave a weak smile.

"Yes, ma'm. Should I get started on my apologies, then?" I asked, eager for a reason to leave. We'd already had so many conversations like this that there really was no need to repeat them. Sister Kate sensed my desperation for escape and hardened her glare.

"I don't know why we put up with you, Sister Rosette. I am expecting better on your next mission. If these disasters keep up we may have to suspend you," she explained harshly. Suspension? My heart froze at the thought and my mouth opened without my consent.

"But you can't do that! I have to find my brother!" I blurted. Sister Kate's face stayed passive and she completely ignored my comment.

"If that is all, Sister Rosette, then you are free to go. I believe you have quite a few apologies to write," she coldly reminded me. I glared at her as I spun on my heel and darted across the room. I forcefully yanked the door open and then slammed it shut behind me. Chrono jumped from the sudden bang. He was right where I had left him, right where I knew he would be: patiently waiting for me outside Sister Kate's office. He pushed off the wall opposite the door I had just emerged from; the wall he had been resting against while waiting for me. His mouth was turned down and his luminous red eyes looked at me with pity.

"Guess that didn't go well, did it?" he asked quietly. I stomped past him, heading in the direction of my room. I could hear his quiet footfalls behind me as he lengthened his stride to keep up with my aggravated march.

"Not at all. I have five apologies to write. Five! All because I crashed into a department store!" I cried over my shoulder. Chrono gave a small sigh.

"Maybe if you weren't such a reckless driver-" That's all he managed to get out before I spun around and pulled his cheeks with all my might.

"Chrono, don't be such a pill. Dry up and deal with it!" I growled at him.

"Sthorry! Sthorry!" he whimpered. I let go of his face and continued to storm down the hall.

"Maybe you should drive once in a while if you have a problem with it! It's not as easy as it looks! And we always complete the mission. I don't understand why Sister Kate has to make such a big deal out of a little car crash!" I complained as I turned to open my door. The second the door was open I was attacked. Silver hair flew before my eyes and arms wrapped around me.

"Rosette!" Azmaria cried as she squeezed me tight, her head resting against my chest.

"Geez, Az! You scared me half to death!" I muttered as I returned her hug. She let me go and backed away enough to let us pass into the room.

"Sorry, I'm just so glad your back!" she explained, beaming at me. Chrono and I filed into the room and Azmaria sat on the bed next to where I had set my suitcase when we had first gotten back from our mission. Chrono pulled the chair that sat in the corner of my room next to the bed as I popped open my suitcase and began to take out the few things I had shoved inside. Its only contents were my nightgown, a second outfit, and the necessities (i.e. toothbrush, hairbrush, ect.).

"So how was the mission? I'm so upset I couldn't come with!" Azmaria stared at me, her eyes shimmering with interest.

"Well..." I started.

"Another building fell victim to Rosette," Chrono sighed. I flashed him an irritated glare as Azmaria gave a gasp and stared at him.

"Again?" she asked quietly.