Arcana Hour

Arcana Hour: The Empress - Past Friend

Old Friend - a term used when time has passed by between two individuals. Their bonds may be invisible, yet their friendship is present. One would ask, "It's been a while.", is it not?

Story:

Layla:

July 2, when I heard the name, G-geniffer... Huesen? She's... waving at me with a smile. "Please sit beside Ms. Fountain. Now, I was reminded that Ms. Huesen will be an exchange student for the rest of the week, and will be leaving at July 4, at Friday. Please do get along well with her." said Mr. Alvarez..

Geniffer sat beside me, smiling. I should really talk to her after classes at lunch. Well the hours passed by, and the lessons were still the same. We had a short test but I managed to get a high score.

The sounds of the alarm bell brings the silent treatment to a stop, the teacher asked us to stop copying the lecture written on the board. It may seem hard but it's still a lesson worth studying, well even though it's History.

Lunch came, most students went outside towards the cafeteira to eat lunch there. Geniffer quickly stood up from her chair as well as I, "Layla~~~!" She said, smiling brightly. I did the same as well, "Geniffer~~~!" I hugged her and she hugged me.

It feels so good seeing an old friend, is it not? Reena went beside me and held out her hand to Geniffer as we got separated, "I'm Reena Porter, it's nice to meet you, Huesen." she said, smiling. "Oh, call me Geniffer. You're Reena, right? Layla's been talking about you since she got to this Academy." Geniffer explained as she shook her hands with Reena.

"C'mon, let's eat lunch together." Geniffer said and the two of us agreed. We went to the cafeteria and got our lunch there, we sat on a hollow table and began to eat and talk a lot.

"So how've you been doing these days, Gen?" I asked.

"Well you know, still the same. Some little work and still having my beloved fiance and all that." She replied. I'm not surprised to see her having a fiance since her family is super rich and royal so it's only normal.

"Wait, you have a fiance, already?" Reena asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah. It's tough living the luxury life, y'now?" She asked, smiling.

The minutes passed by, we were already done eating, and we dismissed the cafeteria and went to the classroom for the next class.

Reena:

I feel a bit dirty, so I guess I'll wash my face in the girls' comfort room for now. I excused myself from Geniffer and Layla. "I'll be right back, you two can go ahead of me. I have to go to the comfort room anyways." I explained.

"Oh, I'll come too. Since I have to wash my hands after eating. You know, right manners and stuff." Geniffer said, oh well that would be a chance to get to know her better since she's Layla's old friend.

Layla understood this and the two of us went to the comfort room together. We were already done doing our business and washed our hands. "So how long have you known, Layla?" asked Geniffer.

"Well about 2 months I guess...-" I said, yet it seems she's going to continue my words. "Listen, Ms. Best friend? I have known Layla for years, don't even think of taking the title of best friend away from me. I'm Layla's first best friend and ever will be, understand?" She said out of the blue.

Wait... what is she saying. "W-what do you mean?" I asked in confusion. "Ugh... this is what I hate about normal citizens." She reacted. "If you ever try to get more close to Layla I'll pull your short hair right out of your skinny head." She said. What?! Who does she think I am?

Uh, hello~? Duh~ I'm Reena Porter, the Vice President of the English Club! I can do much more grammar and English pronounciation than her. But I guess it wouldn't be the time for that now, "Um... okay?" I faked.

"Good." She said and the two of us went back to the classroom and Layla smiled at us.

The hours passed by...

"Okay, now class. We would be having an activity today. Please do pick a partner for this task and this shall be performed tomorrow at the same time." The teacher of English, Ms. Glenda said. This is my chance to ask Layla.

When I was about to touch her shoulder, Geniffer already caught her attention. Ugh! Too late! "Um, sorry about that Reena, Gen asked me first though. Oh, that's okay. Tomorrow, we can go to school together and I'll treat you to some ice cream." She offered.

Well I do like ice cream though. So I agreed. I guess that's good enough. Hm, this might be also a chance to see just how good at English is this royal highness. Hmm.., now for my partner. Aha! The last-minute-decision-student! Alfred Nixon!

I approached him immediately, "Alfred! Be my partner!" I said, smiling. He didn't react that much but smiled back, "Oh hey, Reena. Sure, I'll partner up with you. It'll be fun." He said.  Well, that's one thing less to worry about.

Ms. Glenda then started to talk all of the class are seated beside their partners. "Okay. This would be very easy. Each pair shall prepare a debate. Your topic is "What would be more useful? Intelligence or Discipline? You have the rest of the hour to come up with your performance. Each one should have at least 4 stanzas each. It should be memorized, remember." She advised to us.

Wait, tomorrow? Then we should memorize our part for only a night?! Now that's a challenge! Heh. Let's see how far you can go, Ms. Geniffer Huesen. The battle is on!

Alfred and I began to talk and were almost done, yet we still have 4 minutes, so we talked about something off topic from the task. "So... that's Layla's old friend, huh?" Alfred asked, taking a peek at the pair from a distance.

"Yeah..."

Alfred:

"Alfred! Be my partner!" A student said to me, suddenly, smiling. When I looked up, it's Reena. Well that would be a chance since she's an English Club Member. I smiled back saying, "Oh hey, Reena. Sure, I'll partner up with you. It'll be fun." I said.

Ms. Glenda started to speak about the topic... Intelligence versus Discipline? Well that would be enough for a challenge. So Reena and I started to work for our performance. We had 40 minutes so that should be more than enough to discuss our parts.

The minutes flew by, we have at the least of 3 minutes so I guess this would be an opportunity to ask her, "So... that's Lalya's old friend, huh?" I asked, taking a peek at the pair from a distance.

"Yeah..." She said. Wait... why? "Why the long face?" I asked, looking back at the short-haired teen before me. I observed her movements since she chose me as a partner, she's serious, not about the debate but about something else. Did something happen?

"C'mon tell me." I insisted her to tell me but it seems she's hesitating. Well, as a gentleman, I need to respect her thoughts. "Well that's fine by me if you don't want to talk about it though." I said.

The subject ended so I took my part and Reena took hers. I hope we have a wonderful performance tomorrow and I really do hope I can memorize my part in only one night. *Sigh*

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Fighting back is the key when it comes to friends, is it not? Friends' bonds may be affected by some conflict but it will always be restored by time and space. More importantly, Reena chose Alfred Nixon as her partner in the upcoming performance task in their English subject. In Reena's mind, her goal is to surpass Geniffer's score, even if it means Layla's score as well. Will this 'debate' of theirs be a perfect goal? Find out on the next part, "Arcana Hour: The Empress - Debate Mission"