The School for Good and Evil: Another Story

11~Feelings

Rose felt empty inside. What he had done to Hawthorn felt so wrong. But those plants that had died . . . And then there was the wretched Snow Ball that was quickly coming. And nothing seemed to help him feel better. Days went by as the other Evers celebrated Raven's and Rose's victory in the woods, but neither seemed like the mood to celebrate. The swarms of Evers around them ceased quickly.

Their friends quickly noticed something was off with them and tried their best to make them feel better. Richard tried sparing with Raven. Lily and Julie baked a cake for Rose. But nothing seemed to help.

Mia had gotten irked by their mood. Well, not their mood exactly. More how they continued to rank so well despite their mood. Raven was right behind her in rankings and Rose was right behind him. And she had every intention of keeping her spot right behind Richard. Lucky for her the Circus of Talents was tomorrow. Her place to perform second to last was practically set in stone.

The group of friends sat in the clearing together for lunch in silence. Mia could not take it anymore, "Are you done sulking yet?" Lily shot her a glare. "What? It really dampens the mood."

Rose got up and headed for the castle, "I'll be in my room."

Lily glared at Mia again. Then Raven got up and headed towards the castle himself.

Richard spoke up, "I get Rose, he likes plants and is mourning the loss of the things but I don't understand Raven. What's up with him?"

Julie spoke up before anyone answered, "Shouldn't we go after them?"

"Why should we care? They're just being divas."

"Mia, you truly are horrible. For being good, you really are horrible." Lily stormed towards the castle herself and Cedric went after her.

Rose was lying face-down on the bed when there was a knock on his door. Without answering or moving the door opened. Someone sat down upon the bed beside him and started rubbing his back, "You'll be alright, Rose. Is it still the Trial that's bothering you?"

Rose rolled over and looked up at Lily, "I don't know. A little. It's mostly the Ball."

"I thought you were going to ask one of the girls."

Rose shook his head, "I spoke with Professor Dovey. If I'm not to fail, a boy has to ask me. I'm going to end up . . ."

"Lily, are you okay?" Cedric was standing in the doorway.

"Cedric, shouldn't you be checking on Raven?"

He flushed, "Oh, yeah. I'll go check on Raven. I just wanted to make sure you're alright."

Lily smiled at him, "I am fine. Go check on Raven. We'll see you in class." Cedric left and Lily turned back to Rose, "Everything will be fine. Do you really think the boys would leave you to fail?"

Rose shrugged.

"Well, I don't think so."

"Lily, would you let Cedric go with me?"

"What?"

"Just, if no one else asked and Cedric decided to help me, would you let him?"

Lily stared into Rose's eyes, "Of course, if it would help."

Rose hugged Lily tight.

"Do you want me to talk to Cedric?"

"No. You deserve to go with him. Thank-you, though. I'll try to lighten up. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry. It's fine. Now, shall we head off to class?"

In Professor Dovey's class they were given a test on how they would handle different predicaments at a ball. Lily watched Rose's face fight depression. The questions were not very Rose friendly today:

1. If you attend the Ball with someone other than your first choice, but your first choice, who you're madly in love with, asks you to dance, do you:

2. Upon arriving at the Ball, you notice your friend's breath smells unbearably of garlic and trout. However, your friend is going with the person you hoped would ask you to the Ball. Do you:

3. A baby dove with a broken wing slips into the Good Hall, crashes to the dance floor during the last waltz and is in severe danger of being crushed. Do you:

Lily was horrified to think what Rose would be writing: "I should be the one asking the girls." "Tell them. I would be lucky if I get to go to the ball without failing the school." "I most likely shan't have a partner. Save the bird."

Rose received his test back. On the top inked in pink was 100% See me. Frowning, Rose waited as Professor Dovey sent the other students and fairies out. Lily tried very hard to wait for Rose, but Professor Dovey shut her doors on her.

Professor slowly turned around, "First, I would like to tell you how impressed I am with how you have been handling your classes. You've done incredibly well. I am concerned, however. The Snow Ball is in two days and I've noticed you moping about. That isn't how one gets a date to the Ball."

Rose was not amused, "Why should I be hoping for a date to the Ball. There are more boys than there are girls. Two boys have to go dateless and I'm one of them."

"What of the other boy?"

"What does it matter? He will only be getting half ranks. I was registered as a princess. I will be failed."

Professor Dovey frowned, "Hopelessness is not very becoming of you, Rose. Don't lose hope. Now, you best be off to your Forest Group. Don't lose hope.