Believe

Part 9-Training

Clickety. Clack. Clack.

I awoke the next day to the sound of fingernails tapping on wood, or rather, claws. My bedroom was all normal, but there wasn't a person in sight.

I sat up, confused, but then plopped right back down when I realized what was making the noise. It was my partner, Laura.

"Krrrreeee???" The little water dragon hopped up on top of me like a cat.

"Why the pacing?" I was still getting used to her, after all I still wasn't used to beating around so many amazing creatures.

Come on!!! Laura started pacing again.

What? I communed back telepathically.

Hey ding-dong. Another voice entered my mind.

Good morning to you too Karisa. I shot back sarcastically.

Sorry, just trying to tell you that training begins today.

"Ah!" I jumped up from my bed, raced over to my dresser, and pulled on the normal white tee and jeans, leaving Laura shaking her head, wondering what just happened.

"Come on Laur!" I didn't waste a second and I dashed out of the tent, on my way to the lake, whether she was following or not.

"Be there tomorrow at eight." Derik's words sunk in as I headed to my tent with Laura on my heels.

The words were still fresh in my mind: and I was about to be late. First impressions were very important to me. I picked up my pace and dashed onwards.

Hey! Don't forget me! Karisa's offended voice was the only thing I could hear above my panting as I dodged around the trees and undergrowth.

Forget you? What? I stopped all of a sudden hoping that she was kidding around and I hadn't actually forgotten something.

My horn. She responded sweetly.

Ugh. Of course! I left the backpack with Karisa's horn in the tent!

You difficult unicorn. Why didn't you remind me earlier?

Well, sorree, I thought you were going to get it, as you need it for training. After all its not my responsibility.

Sadly, I knew she was right.

Don't worry, I have it.

I whipped around to see my faithful friend Laura clutching my backpack delicately in her talons.

I grabbed it right after you dashed off. She looked down feeling a little hurt.

"Sorry Laura," I said aloud giving her a quick hug. "I don't know what I would do without you."

I looked past all the upcoming trees and realized it would have been horrible if I would have had to run back to camp for a backpack. The lake was just up ahead.

"Let's go." I said, giving Laura one last grateful look.

We took off in unison, her in the air and me on the ground.

"Well well well...." Brandon smirked as I came to a panting halt in front of him.

"Your 20 minutes late Miss Darrows." The clumsy satyr that I had met yesterday was now replaced with a more serious and firm version. Duh. Would they really let him teach if he didn't have a more productive side?

"Nice punctuality." Said a snide voice which I instantly knew as Naren's.

"Oh, yeah." Derik turned his head to the bright fairy and rolled his eyes.