Prep School

Chapter 24

I unpack my backpack and pull out all the work I have to do.
I pull out my science workbook and my History textbook to work on a diary entry of a witch during the trials.
I plug in my earbuds and pull out a pencil to work on my homework.
Halfway through my entry, my phone buzzes. Zane.
Wht r u doin
Homework
K
Weird....
I finish up my entry and flip open my workbook.
"What is the affect of energy on objects? Explain using information from your research," I read aloud.
I chew the end of my pen, thinking.
I pull out my textbook and flip through it.
"Energy.... Energy," I mutter under my breath.
Suddenly, I hear someone knocking on the front door.
"Aria, someone's here to see you," Riel calls. "Can't imagine why though."
I roll my eyes and go downstairs.
I don't remember inviting anyone....
Riel's standing at the door, laughing with someone.
"Oh, hey Aria." Riel steps aside so I can see who's standing at the door.
"Zane? What are you doing here?"
Riel stops laughing and narrows his eyes. "He said he was here to work with you on a project."
His mouth points downward.
I look at Zane and see his eyes widen, go with it.
"Oh yeah! I forgot about it actually."
I smile embarrassed, and twiddle my thumbs.
Riel smiles again. "Ok then."
My dad walks into the living room.
"Hello Zane."
Zane turns. "Hello, Mr. Black. How are you?"
My dad smiles, his eyes crinkling. "I'm fine, thank you. What about you?"
"I'm great, I'm just here to work on a project with Aria." He swings his backpack on his shoulder for emphasis.
"Ok, get straight to work then."
We walk upstairs and go into my room.
Zane swivels his head, taking in the bookshelves and the posters.
"Sweet."
He turns his head sideways to look at the titles of the book.
"You like fiction?" He looks at me.
"Yeah. Especially urban fiction."
"I like those books where they find an old artifact with awesome powers. Or books where it turns out the main character is the bad guy.Those are always interesting."
I gasp and look shocked. "You can read?!"
He rolls his eyes and grins.
"I'm full of surprises."
"Why'd you come here anyway?"
"Homework. I didn't just come here to hang you know."
He puffs out his chest. "I have responsibilities."
I laugh," Sure."
He plops down onto my bed and slings off his backpack.
He pulls out his History textbook and his math work.
"How'd you start your diary entry? I know what I want to say, I just don't know how to start it off."
I pull what I wrote out of my folder.
"I just wrote when it started. Like,' It all started on February 16, 1692' or 'I was arrested on February 16, 1692'."
"Ah, ok."
He bends down and starts scribbling his answer, his hair grazing his paper. I turn back and concentrate on my workbook.
I look at my textbook and write down what it says. I chew the end of my pen as I look at the next question.
"Hey, how much energy does it take to travel at the speed of light?" I turn back towards Zane.
He's sprawled across my bed, head bent over his paper. He looks up, his brows furrowed.
"What are the answer choices?"
I read them off to him and he thinks.
"Hmmmm..... Infinite."
"Thanks."
Zane smiles.
I look at my textbook and write down my reasoning.
We probably study for about three hours, taking breaks to crack jokes and get snacks.
When we're done, I help Zane pack up his stuff.
"You know," I say to him," this was fun. We should do it again."
He grins. "Yeah, we could do it at my house. We could go there after training. Or we could go to the library."
"Ok, sounds cool."
As he walks to his car, I wave at him.
He grins and waves back.
I walk back to my room and spin in my chair.
I pick up my sketchbook and my phone and go to sit on my bed.
I prop myself against the wall.
What's that smell?
I sniff the air then the bed.
Cloves.