Blizzard Girl ©

Chapter Twelve:

For about one month there were no problems. One month of mostly heavenly bliss. Percival was still trying to get me to "harness" my powers a little more, and I still didn't reach my potential. To be honest, I was so glad that I failed miserably every time for one month.

I just needed some more time. I needed to get my affairs in order, I needed to make sure that mom and dad weren't suspicious yet about my going out at random hours, and I needed to find that loophole.

Even I knew that I couldn't have it all, but I kept on wishing secretly for that loophole, and for one month...I was stumped. I went to school and did the homework, I went with Percival to do my training, and then I came back home...stumped. I hardly even noticed the decorations around Blackwood Preparatory. The ribbons of reds, pinks, and whites were all just a blur of colors to me as I walked the hallways with my books stuck in my own thoughts.

Charlie and I nodded towards each other and pretended to make light and happy conversation around my parents and Mr. Bunter. However, when they weren't around, it was back to the same nodding and subtle glances in each other's directions. We just weren't talking and that made my mind even more scattered.

I didn't realize what was happening around Blackwood Preparatory until Rachel started to hand out flyers at the front entrance of the school. She handed one to me and said, "The Valentine's Dance is coming up soon. Are you coming, Venti?" By now Rachel and I were on a nickname basis since we both started to become study buddies.

She called me Venti and I called her, "Rache, I didn't even know about the upcoming event." She looked around me and I noticed immediately how ridiculous my words sounded. The walls of the hallways that were lined with Reds, and Pinks, and Whites were all heart-shaped. So I said, "I can't wait for the dance. It would be a relief to take a break after some of the rigorous tests that have been going on."

Rachel smiled and said, "Yes! I can't wait for a break either. I have to choose a dress that Charlie would absolutely love me in."

Well, this was news to me. "Charlie?"

"Charlie asked me to the dance," she said before she added, "Well, he kind of stuttered it out, but I understood." When I turned around, I saw Charlie finally reaching the front entrance as he noticed the look on my face and the confused look on Rachel's.

I walked towards him as his green eyes widened at the sight of me. Even though I didn't transform-I would have felt it-I definitely felt like I wanted to spear somebody with one of my own sharp knife-like icicles. Instead, I smiled thinly at Charlie and told him, "It's so great that you got over your fear of talking to girls Charlie. Congratulations."

Then I looked at Rachel and plastered an even more welcoming smile in her direction as I said, "You guys look so cute together."

She giggled a little as she said, "Oh, thank you, Venti. Has anyone asked you to the dance yet?" Before I answered, she just handed the last flyer to a boy that looked about Jason's age.

"No, but I'm sure someone will." And I had a feeling who that someone was going to be. So I stood up straighter as I became the bigger young lady in the situation and asked her, "Would you like to shop today after school for dresses?"

Rachel touched my arm gently as she said, "Only if you promise to try them on in the shop." I saw the sympathetic glance that made me want to frown, but I kept on smiling.

"I promise."

Her arms linked through Charlie's, and it shocked me how they looked perfect for each other. "I can't wait till after school," she said when her and Charlie started to walk away. For one moment, I saw Charlie turn to look at me. I saw no remorse for not telling me what he'd done. Nothing but a blank stare before him and Rachel turned to one of the hallways and were out of my line of sight.