This ain't a diary, this is a - mirror?

Chapter 31: Health - "the most useful and fun class we'll ever take"

"I know, for sure, you guys never spread rumours. You're just... not the type to do that? Now, Abbey, on the other paw..." Luna snarled, clearly enraged. Sharon, who usually kept her cool, looked even angrier than Luna.

Sharon took a few deep breaths and let out a soft, muffled growl. Finally, she spoke. "I don't believe it. What else did they say? What kind of punishment?"

"Well... Riley just told us there would be consequences." Samantha said slowly. "I don't know what, though... just that they told us to stop spreading rumours."

Luna huffed. "If they try to pull another stunt like this, I swear...!"

"I know, I'm angry about this too..." Elena sighed. "But we can't do anything about it for now. And showing any sign of aggression would just... give them reason to... you know. Let's just act as if it didn't bother us whatsoever and just.. go on with our lives."

"Alright." Sharon said, after a few deep breaths. "I agree. That sounds... the most reasonable." Sharon closed her eyes and exhaled. Finally, she opened them and looked at the clock. "We should get to class. Come on, let's go!"

---

Samantha joined the queue of students outside her classroom alongside Elena, Sharon and Luna.

"Isn't Zephyr in this class?" Sharon inquired, looking around. "I... don't see him."

"Hmph. That idiot. Maybe he's just running late." Luna snorted. "As usual."

Samantha scanned the line of students and her eyes narrowed as she saw an ever too familiar head of blue-white hair. "She's here..." She hissed between her teeth. "And... Riley, too."

"Ugh, what are the chances?" Elena rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, whatever. They can say whatever they want. We don't care."

"Right." Sharon sighed deeply. "Whatever they want." Sharon checked the time on her phone and frowned. "The teacher's late..."

Just at that moment, Zephyr came bounding down the corridor. "Hey, guys! I'm surprised you're still here - where's the teacher?"

"Finally here, huh, doofus?" Luna sniffed. "What were you doing again? Styling your hair to impress a certain -"

Zephyr coughed loudly and intentionally to drown out the last of whatever Luna was saying. Sharon and Samantha shared a knowing look.

"Oh, you're wearing the pants I chose for you!" Elena exclaimed, nudging past Sharon to get a better look. "And the hoodie, too - it looks fabulous!"

"Ehehe, thanks." Zephyr scratched the back of his head and chuckled, trying to hide how flustered he was. "I'm glad you like it. I mean, you chose it for me, after all."

As they chatted, Samantha turned around to glare at Abbey once again. Somehow, her eyes flitted past and to a certain, familiar dog...

Before she could get a better look, the door swung open and a purple furred dog with bright pink hair sashayed out. "Hello, class! My name is Ms Heathers, and I'm sorry for being late. Anyways, welcome to Health class! Please come on in, and please make yourselves comfortable~"

Samantha entered the classroom and sat down at a table. Elena, Zephyr, Luna and Sharon quickly chose seats on Samantha's table and sat down.

"Welcome~! As I said, my name is Ms Viola Heathers, and I'm your Health teacher for the academic year!" Ms Heathers said with a flourish, with one paw fluffing her hair and the other placed on her hip. She lowered her paws to the floor and trotted over to the front of the class. "I'm here to teach you all about sicknesses and first aid, and I can assure you, this will be the most useful and fun class you'll ever take!"

Ms Heathers strode over to the whiteboard and began to write in a neat, cursive font. "First of all, we will be learning about common illnesses, how to detect them and how to cure them." She giggled like a high school girl and smoothed down her dress. "Alright, first, the common cold! Take out your notebooks and begin writing notes, everyone - you're going to need them!"

---

"We will begin practical work next lesson." Ms Heathers chirped. "Class is almost over, and you've all been very good and we've gone through the lesson faster than I'd thought we would. So, we can spend the last few minutes... asking me about any questions you have about Health!"

Samantha's gaze flickered from her scribbled page of notes to where Abbey and Riley were sitting. Riley was blowing bubblegum and typing something on her phone, but Ms Heathers didn't seem to notice - or she was doing a very good job of ignoring her. No matter how much Samantha wanted to get the rude and arrogant dog into trouble, she resisted it - she wasn't a tattletale after all. She sighed and looked back to the front of the classroom, where Ms Heathers was answering a few questions.

"There'll be a mixture of practical and paper tests! But mostly practical, because they're better for assessing your skills... and they're also more fun." Ms Heathers giggled. "I'm a bit of a matchmaker, see, and you wouldn't believe how many practical assessments I've had to sit through where..." Ms Heathers left it at that with a mischievous smile.

"Being a Health teacher, is your power healing?" Another student chimed in. Ms Heathers shook her head. "Goodness, no. Is it a common misconception where only dogs with healing powers can teach Health? Well, I'll tell you, no, my power isn't healing. Yes, healing might be useful when teaching health or doing first aid... but nothing compares to the real thing, and even if your power's healing, you still need to learn the basics."

"Then what's your power?"

Ms Heathers smirked and giggled softly. "I was waiting for someone to ask that." She picked up a pair of gloves off her desk and scanned the room. Her eyes finally landed on a small beaker at the opposite of the room. "Alright~ Keep your eyes on this!"

She hurled the gloves into the air, earning several gasps from the students. A few students shuffled aside, worried that the gloves would fall and hit them.

Surprisingly, the gloves shot through the air and landed neatly in the beaker. A few students began to cheer and clap. Ms Heathers smiled and curtseyed. "And there you have it, folks! That's my power... and it's definitely much more fun than just healing. No offence."

She glanced up at the clock and her eyes widened. "Ah, it's almost time! I guess you can all pack up early... and thank you for being such a good class!"

Samantha rolled her eyes and tried not to glare at Riley and Abbey as she shoved her notebooks and pencil case into her temporary bag - a simple brown rucksack she had found at the bottom of her drawer.

Elena noticed her expression and made a face at the two, earning a small giggle from Samantha. Zephyr gave them a confused expression. "Er, what's -"

Sharon leaned over and whispered something in his ear. His expression changed from confusion, to shock, then anger, then finally realisation. "Oh, those pesky-!"

The bell drowned out his voice. Ms Heathers called, "Dismissed!" and the class quickly hurried for the door, eager to leave the classroom and possibly to get to their next class.