The Broken Ones

Chapter Eleven

Alesia was one of the first people to arrive at her Philosophy lecture. She quietly made her way to the back of the hall as she waited for more people to come. Far fewer people were attending the lecture then the last week. Alesia ignored them and kept her eyes on the opening and closing door. She wanted to see if Valeriana would be attending the lecture.

Sure enough, Valeriana appeared at the door. Her eyes scanned the crowd of people like she was searching for a particular face. Her eyes locked with Alesia. Alesia expected the girl to turn away and walk in the opposite direction. Instead, Valeriana climbed the stairs the lead to the back row.

"H-hello Al-Alesia," she said as she took the seat beside her.

Alesia smiled. 'Hi, Valeriana."

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"My next class is not until another hour," Frankie told the two girls as they sat together on the grass outside on of the large office buildings.

"S-same," Valeriana told her.

"Two hours,"

"J-johnny is fr-free in an hour-r," Valeriana told them.

"I see you two again close," Frankie teased as she nudged Valeriana.

"H-he is m-my fr-friend," Valeriana replied quickly.

"Sure," Alesia smiled. She turned to Frankie. "You're not dressed as gothic today," she commented

Frankie looked down at her outfit. A black long sleeve t-shirt and a red plaid skirt with fishnet stocking and knee high boots. "I decided to be more punk today," Frankie admitted. "You know, change it up a bit. It keeps people guessing."

Her comment caused the other two girls to laugh.

"Well come on guys," Frankie proclaimed as she stood up. "Let's do something."

"Like what?" Alesia asked.

Frankie looked around. "I don't know," she replied. Frankie smiled when her eyes fell on the large tree in the centre of the grassed area. "Let's climb a tree!" she announced as she began walking towards the tree.

"Wait up Frankie!" Alesia yelled after her as she stood up and jogged after the taller girl with Valeriana close by her heels. "We're really going to just climb a tree?"

'Yep," Frankie chirped.

"I haven't climbed a tree since I was like ten," Alesia told her.

"Me neither," Frankie told her as she reached the foot of the tree. "Which is why we should do it." Frankie rested her foot on one of the thick branches. Grabbing hold of the branch and the trunk of the tree she pulled her body up. She gracefully moved on to higher branches.

"Isn't this childish?" Alesia asks as she walked towards Frankie.

"Grow up, not old, Alesia!" Frankie yelled out to her.

Alesia smiled as she followed Frankie's lead and began to climb the tree.

Frankie looked back down to the ground. "Are you coming Valeriana?" she asked.

"I'm w-wearing a-a d-dress-ss," Valeriana replied.

"So," Frankie responded.

Valeriana smiled and shook her head lightly before joining the two of them in the low branches of the tree. She moved slower than the other two. Her feet carefully finding footing on the branches. She used one hand to support herself by holding onto the tree's thick trunk and the other to ensure that the bottom of her dress didn't rise up.