Legends of Mirandis Academy

Chapter 22: Alone

 Brielle was contemplating statistics. She was contemplating chemistry. She was contemplating homework and upcoming tests, events that had already been carefully scheduled in her planner. She was contemplating the moves that Kelsi had made at chess club last night—moves which had led to Brielle's first defeat in a year. No, that wasn't quite correct. When she had been at the chess tournament, Iridia had beaten Brielle a few times, too.

It was not a topic that Brielle wished to dwell upon, so she switched her thoughts deliberately. Back to statistics, to history. There were so many things to do, they would certainly threaten to overwhelm an undisciplined mind. Which was why Brielle could not afford to be distracted.

It was Friday, mid-October. The school was filled with anticipatory energy. Teachers could not quite prevent the outbursts of laughter, gossip, and excitement; they themselves were prone to a frivolous action or two. Brielle usually scorned the extra activity, but today it seemed somehow relieving. It was certainly a disruption, but Brielle found herself seeking to be disrupted. There was something that she couldn't quite think about, a little piece of mingled happiness and dread...

No, this would not do at all! Brielle walked quickly to her locker as the final bell rang, and collected her belongings. Books and notes were thrown into her bag without their typical care, which was undoubtedly a symptom of whatever nagged at her. It was serious, possibly a real disease. Brielle needed to get home.

She was about to close her locker when Spencer appeared, and with him another senior boy. The other boy was of medium height, his wavy black hair falling around his shoulders. He looked between Spencer and Brielle, concern lighting his eyes.

"What's going on, Spence? I was about to go home." Brielle adjusted her bookbag on her shoulder and shut the locker. "Do you need a ride?"

"Brielle, this is Adrian Hize. Adrian—my sister, Brielle." Spencer gestured at them both. "Brielle, we've got a problem. Adrian was hoping you might be able to help."

Brielle's brow creased. Mentally she was already halfway home, prepared to endure the greeting from her parents and to then disappear into her room, where she could solve equations and write essays and never think about the other people in Mirandis Academy again. That was the issue, after all, was the people.

Spencer coughed lightly. "Please, Brielle?"

Begrudgingly, Brielle dismissed her fantasy. "What seems to be the problem, Adrian?"

"Well, it always comes down to the actors, doesn't it?" Adrian shook his head. "I'm sorry to disturb you with this, Brielle, but it has to do with the drama club production. It's our dress rehearsal this afternoon; and our performance is tomorrow night."

"Oh! Wow." Brielle hadn't realized that the first half of the semester had passed so quickly. "Congratulations."

Adrian gave a pained smile. "I wish congratulations were in order. In truth, the whole production is a mess. Half the people aren't hitting their marks on time, a few of the freshmen have lost their heads completely from nerves. Judging by their responsiveness, I'm not even sure the lighting crew is alive. I wish I could recommend the performance to you, I really do, but I just can't in good conscience. I just can't."

"Okay," said Brielle, "but what does this have to do with me?"

"Ah! Right," he exclaimed. "It's about the worst of them all, I'm afraid. Our female lead. Someone, so Spencer tells me, that you know quite well."

Brielle shut her eyes. She took a deep breath. "She's not a senior, is she?"

"She is."

"Does she wear a hat?"