Lost In The Pages

Chapter 2 - Falling

A/n: heyyy guys.

Sorry for updating later than usual. I had an audition that I had to go to instead of writing! 

This chapter contains spoilers, so if you hate those, you maybe just shouldn't read this book.

Please comment, it really helps give me motivation to keep writing.

Hope you like it!

Disclaimer:

These characters belong to Shannon Messenger

I've always wondered what it felt like to fall. Even though there are so many ways to fall, I haven't experienced a single one, minus the occasional trip.

Falling in love, falling behind, falling down. Honestly, it gives me a floating sensation. One that I have never felt before.

Time seems to slow, before quickly speeding up again. I fall down, down, down, until suddenly, I've landed on a weird elephant-like creature.

I almost scream, but that's when I hear it. Mr. Forkle's raspy voice, the one that I've always had to imagine until this moment.

"The dwarves call this place Alluveterre," he is saying as he slows down his weird elephant, which I'm now realizing is an ekodon, to allow the others to catch up.

The others. I turn away from the wrinkly old man and see what looks like a crowd of super models. This can't be real. This CAN'T be real!

My inner fangirl breaks out, and I almost start squealing, but I stop myself. I want to go unnoticed for now.

I hear a laugh ring out in the air. "Always gotta show off." It's Keefe.

THE Keefe Sencen!

THE Hair!

I almost stop breathing, and when I realize this, I take a deep breath in...

And choke on the air, cutting off Forkle's speech about the dwarves.

They all turn and look at me. Crap. I'm busted.

Forkles looks shocked, but then asks me, "How did you get here?"

I sigh. "You won't believe me."

"Trust me, there's nothing that can shock us with this one around." Keefe jokes, nudging Sophie. She turns bright red and hides behind her hair.

This time, I can't hold it back. I sequel so loud, I'm sure that all the gnomes in the pastures heard me. I mean, I'm witnessing SoKeefe! SOKEEFE!

They all look at me, confused. I stop my fangirling.

"Fine." I mumble. "But can we go to the treehouses first? I wanna sit down, and I NEED..."

Oops. I slipped. "How do you know about the treehouses?" Forkle asks.

Uhhhhhhh. I don't want to tell them the truth, so I twist it, "I'm a human."

They all stare at me.

"But don't worry! I'm here with Calla. She wishes that the human assistance program was kept going, and wants me to help some!"

They look at me weird, but shrug and move on.

"So King Enki is on our side?" Della asks.

"He's not against the council..."

I burst out laughing, and Dex side eyes me. "What's so funny?"

Oops. "Nothing. Carry along."

Mr. Forkle keeps rambling, and Sophie zones out for the rest of the journey. I pretend to listen, but really, I'm thinking about how to explain this all to Calla. I might just tell her the truth. She'll understand. But on the other hand, she is going to die, and I don't want to get close...

Before I can keep thinking about it, Mr. Forkle says, "Here are your new residences."

He points ahead, to where an arched bridge with a black gazebo in the middle connected to huge trees that were both on separate sides of the river. They both had massive treehouses in the top branches, which, thanks to Shannon, I know are going to separate the girls and boys.

So I know what is coming when Forkle says, "The residence on the east is for girls. And the west is for boys. The bridge in the center has a common area for you to share meals together."

"See, I think a group party house sounds way more fun." Keefe starts. "Who's with me?"

"I don't know, do you just wanna be able to be around Blonde all the time?" I ask.

Keefe looks at me in shock, while Fitz is glaring, and Dex looks sad. I feel bad for Dex but I glare back at Fitz and smile back at Keefe. The smile that father hates. But Keefe shoots it back at me.

I turn, just as a few gnomes walk in and feed the ekodons. Gross. The elves are having a conversation about rehabilitating animals. They sure do ramble a lot. Just then, Calla walks in. 

Shoot, I haven't gotten to talk to her yet. They introduce themselves, and I smile at them. "We'll take these bags to your rooms." Sior says, and quickly, I respond, "Can I come too? I just ate before coming." They glance at me, confused, but say "Sure." And I follow them up to the girl's tree house.

I hear Keefe talking about how Alvar is his hero while I walk up the stairs, and I feel my face fall. Not for long he isn't.

I keep walking up the stairs. "I didn't realize you'd be joining us, Miss..."

"Betty."

"...Betty" Calla says.

"Please don't mention that to Forkle. He thinks that I'm here because of you."

"Oh?"

I sigh and explain the whole story to her. She nods along the way.

"Well that certainly sounds like an adventure."

"So can you please act like I'm here because of you."

"Sure, Betty. Now let's go get you a room."

She walks me up the stairs to a room with a gnomish bed, which looks so soft. She quickly makes it, then nods toward it, "Get some sleep."

I smile and nod, jumping onto the bed. "Thank you."

"Anytime." I hear Calla say. "Anytime."

As I drift off to sleep, I think about how much I'm going to like it here.

A/n: sorry if this is bad, it's almost 11 pm here and I need to be asleep.

Bye!