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

Chapter 47: 'Hanging Out' with Astra... I guess

Samantha managed to sit through a long and boring Maths lesson without, surprisingly, getting into trouble. She nearly tripped as she rushed for the door afterwards, Mr Syne's words hardly reaching her ears as she did.

"Did he say we had homework?" A small voice asked. Samantha looked around in confusion before finally letting her eyes drop to the ground in front of her.

"Uh, yeah, I think so." Samantha replied. "But I don't know. I didn't really hear..." She trailed off as she stared at the tiny grey bat sitting on the ground in front of her. "Er, are you a new student?"

The bat gave Samantha a brief nod. "Yes, in fact. My name is Stella... Watson." She adjusted the pale yellow daffodil nestled in between her ear and the edge of her blue army's cap. "Uh, pay my heritage no mind... especially my mother's side." She sighed deeply.

Before Samantha could inquire into this topic, Elena trotted up to her. "Hey, Sam! Mr Syne was just warning me about being late again, but what-ever... oh, hey there! Are you a new student?"

Stella nodded. "My name's Stella Watson, and yes... I'm a new student."

Elena tipped her head to the side, as if concentrating. "That name sounds... familiar."

Stella quickly shook her head. "Ah, it must be... a figment of your imagination. Exactly." The tiny bat forced a smile and nodded. "I'd assume that other... species' news don't get around here much. That's fine by me."

"Hm? Well, if you say so..." Elena replied, looking doubtful. "Sorry to cut you off here so quickly, but I just needed a word with Sam -" Elena glanced over at Samantha. "Zep - I mean, me, myself, I'm going to the local, public library to read up on something, so I won't be back for a while... yeah, that's it. So, uh, you can just go off and do whatever you need to do?"

"Oh." Samantha nodded, not really paying attention to what she was saying. "Have fun studying with him - I won't intrude." The words were out of her jaws before she fully realised what Elena had said. "Wait, you're going out with Z -"

"Studying!" Elena barked. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to go! Bye!" She spun around and bounded away.

"You have an interesting friendship." Stella supplied.

"Uh, thanks." Samantha chuckled. "I mean, that's what friends do after all..." She paused she felt her phone buzz. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll be going too. I need to put away my stuff."

"Go ahead." Stella turned away. "And thanks for the information." The little grey bat picked up her pouch with her teeth and jumped onto the railing. "Bye," she muttered through a mouthful of bag.

Samantha watched as Stella leaped straight off the edge and down. After a few moments, Stella reappeared within her sight, blue-grey wings flapping rapidly to lift herself and the bag into the air.

Samantha waved, even though somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that Stella wouldn't see it anyways, and trotted down the stairs of the Main Building.

--- 

'Hey, Sam!

I never thought you'd ever text me first, haha - it never was like you! Maybe life at school has changed you? :P And hanging out? Sure! How about today, at.... 5:20? We can meet at the entrance and walk to Starbarks. I'd love to catch up with you, too - have you made any friends? Anyone you fancy? Haha, just kidding - you never were one for that kind of stuff, but hey, there's always a chance! ~ Astra'

Samantha felt a tiny smile flicker over her snout as she read the message from her sister. She carefully typed out a 'sure' and just had to add 'I guess...' afterwards before pressing send.

Not even a minute later, her phone buzzed again.

'Then 5:20 it is! See you then! ~ Astra'

Samantha tucked her phone in her pocket and began padding towards her room. If I'm going to hang out with Astra... I'm going to need to... try and look like I actually tried. And Elena isn't around to help  me out with stuff. I'm going to need to do this myself.

---

"Ugh... does this look good with this, or that?" Samantha laid out several articles of clothing on her bed and switched around a pair of shorts with another pair. "But, no... Elena would say 'it clashes' or 'you can't have the exact same shade of colour on both articles of clothing!'"

Samantha glanced up at the clock: 4:50. How have I spent 20 minutes trying to choose out an outfit...?

Samantha groaned and sat down on her bed. "Ugh, Elena - you and your influences... Why do I even care about this?"

She finally picked out a grey sweater and a pair of shorts. "Can't go wrong with this, I guess."

After a moment of decision, she also chose out a grey jacket that she had gotten recently with Elena over her usual, comfortable hoodie - I mean, I've got to show Astra that I've improved in fashion choices, right?

She stared at herself in the mirror. "How am I supposed to tell if I look good...?" She questioned aloud. Finally, she groaned, swept up all the extra clothes lying on her bed, and began to hang them back up - seeing as she had time anyways.

---

Samantha finished braiding her hair and picked up her bag. She dumped out all of the books inside - aside from her Mirror - and selected a few important objects to bring with her, such as her phone, her wallet, and her jacket - it was too warm to wear a jacket out, but there was a chance that it would get colder over time. (as Astra would say...)

She checked the time again: 5:18. Her eyes widened as she comprehended the time: I'm going to be late!

She shot out of her dorm, making sure to lock the door behind her, and sprinted down the stairs. She nearly tripped down the last few steps but she didn't let that hinder her - she just kept running. I need to show Astra that I've improved!

She skidded to a stop at the entrance and checked the time once again. The digital clock ticked over to 5:21.

As she gasped for air, Samantha looked around for her sister. Huh... it's not like her to be late. Where is she?