The Book Of Timendra

Chapter 9: The Forest; Eve Callister

"Amber, she shouldn't have brought Fiona here in the first place.  We can't go get her.  That breaks so many rules-" I start to tell them about the consequences of breaking the rules, but Claudia stops me.

"Lay off Eve.  Do something fun for once.  I swear, you've never had a thrill in your life."  Claudia says, smirking.

"I've had thrills!"  I object.

"No you haven't!  You always correct my grammar mistakes, Eve!"  Amber cries, before quickly covering her mouth.  "Sorry.  I didn't mean-"

"You think I'm a stick in the mud too, Amber?!"  I cry in shock, hurt that both my best friends think I'm boring.

"No, of course not!  You...  I mean that one time... Well-" Amber splutters, trying to think of a time I had taken a risk.

"What about the time with the goo?!  That was fun!  Stuff exploded, right?  That was my idea!"  I exclaim.

"Yeeaahhh..."  Amber says, not wanting to disappoint me, but obviously lying.

"Amber!"  I cry.

"Eve, you two were studying!  Like for school!  You accidentally messed up a spell while learning!  The fact that you think that's  adventure, is quite frankly, sad."  Claudia says, grinning at the fact that she'd gotten to me.

"Well, if you guys think getting expelled from the only witch school in west Timendria, is fun, go ahead!  Just don't come crawling to me, for my secret passageways!"  I say, angrily, grabbing my bag, and stomping to the dining hall.  When I reach the front of the serving line, the chef looks terrified. 

"I- If you hurt my child, I- I'll-"  She stutters.

"What are you talking about!"  I shout.  "I've never hurt anyone in my life!"  The lunch lady flinches.

"Everyone knows about your parents, C- C- Callister.  I don't think that a murderer like you, with an expression like that, deserves to eat."  Before I can reAson with my self to stop, I'm flicking my wrist, and the oatmeal is glopping all over the chef.  I add two waffle eyes, and a sausage mouth for good measure. 

"Great.  Thank you for making an awful day, so much better."  I say through gritted teeth, forcing a grin.  I stomp to our usual table, fuming.  Claudia plops down next to me. 

"Nice anger management, Evie.  That was pretty cool."  Claudia says, putting her feet up on the table, next to her food.

I swipe her feet off the table, and say, "I hate Evie.  You know I hate Evie.  Don't call me Evie, Claudia."

"Eve, I got some stuff you like as well, are you okay?"  Amber says quickly, passing me toast, and an orange, after sitting down.

"Why would you care Amber?  I'm boring."  I say, frustratedly.

"Did you not hear what I said?  That was cool, Eve."  Claudia says, passing me eggs and sausage.

"Huh?"  I ask.  Amber and Claudia both pour some of their orange juice into an extra glass.

"What she means is, you're not a stick in the mud.  You can be pretty awesome when you want to be.  And besides.  You keep us from making all those awful, stupid mistakes we like to make.  Fighting with you for instance.  We need you, Eve.  And we love you."  Amber says, getting up and hugging me. Claudia almost chokes on a spoonful of oatmeal.

"Carefull just throwing around the l word like that, Amber!"  I couldn't believe it.  Claudia didn't even deny it!

"I love you guys too!"  I cry, happily, pulling Claudia into our hug.

"Hey!  Stop it!  This is gross!"  She yells, wiggling out of our group hug.

"Come on guys.  Let's get to first period."  Amber says, shoveling the last of her food into her mouth.  I nod and take a last bite of my toast.  Then I wave goodbye, and head over to my first class, siren song.

"Good morning, Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue."  I say, smiling at my favorite teacher.  I may not have siren song, but I did like to sing.

Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue smiles, and says,"And good morning to my favorite student.  How are you Eve?" I know I am not Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue's favorite student.  She loves this girl named Ezili.  Ezili has the strongest siren song the school had ever seen, and she was gorgeous.  She was the most popular girl in Timendra.  Well, I guess, the most popular girl before Crystal.

"I'm fi-"  I start to reply, but I'm interrupted by  Ezili walking into the classroom.  Ezili starts to sing a scale, to warm up, distracting Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue.

"Lovely, Ezili!  Absolutely suburb!  Come, come I was wondering if you'd like a solo, in our next concert?" I looked at my feet, sadly, I had been hoping that Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue would hold auditions.  I may not be the best singer in the class, but I was hoping to try anyway.

"Of course-"  Ezili starts, before glancing at me, and saying, "No.  You should give someone else a chance, Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue."  Of course, I like Ezili.  She was always nice to me.  She didn't want to be my friend, and she was afraid of me, but she was still nice.  By now the rest of the class was here.  I sit in the seat closest to Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue, hoping she'll notice me.

"But who else would want a solo?"  She cries, obviously clueless.  I raise my hand tentatively, along with every single girl in the class.  "Oh.  Well then.  I suppose we'll have to hold an audition. Next Friday at lunch girls.  Prepare your songs."  For the rest of class we worked on our harmonics, and at the end, Mrs. Chalchiuhtlicue gave us suggestions, for audition songs.  I look through the packet as I head to PE.  None of these songs are flattering to my voice.  They're all soprano songs.  Something Ezili would sing.  I didn't know what to do.  Today was volleyball, except unlike the human game, Amber had told me about, you cannot touch the ball with your hands. You have to use magic.  I kept being hit in the face with the ball, because I had so much on my mind.  My audition, Fiona...  Maybe I should help...  It wouldn't be right to let Mrs. Wordsworth take away Claudia's familier.  You can only bond once you know.