Cipher

Chapyer 6: Joslyn

The next day started much the same, until they were nearly to class and he saw her sitting there with a book in her hands. No one was sitting near her, but she didn't seem bothered by it, as if everything she needed could be found in the pages of her book. More than any of that he noticed her markings; she wore a hoodie and jeans despite the heat but he could see a small triad at the corner of her left eye. It was so dark against her light skin he was concerned that she was extremely stressed despite her calm outward appearance.

He out paced Isaac and walked up to her without hesitation, "Hello."

"Hi," she replied not looking up from the printed pages.

"I do not believe we have met before. My name is Cipher" He paused allowing her time to reply. She continued reading as if he hadn't said a word. "I thought they only sent one of us to each school. Though it will be nice to have someone else here who understands."

She seemed to pause at that. She finally looked up at him, "I think you have me confused with someone else..." her voice trailed off as she took in who she was talking to.

Cipher froze as he met her jade green eyes. He paled, marks darkening. She was not Aeolian.

She saw her confusion reflected in his dark eyes, and more. There was a hope, misplaced as it may have been, that she didn't want to crush. "I'm Joslyn. Marshal. What did you say your name was?"

"Cipher." He started breathing again. "My name is Cipher. Pleased to meet you."

"Cipher?" Her brows rose.

"Yes."

"Like a code?"

"I'm not sure I understand..." He could see laughter glint though her aura, but did not understand what could be funny.

"The definition of 'cipher'...?" Joslyn gestured as if he should finish the sentence.

He paused. He knew one definition of the word, but it was very unlikely that she knew the Aeolian language. "Hope?"

"What?" the laughter was replaced by confusion. That made two of them.

"'Cipher' is a loose translation of 'hope' in Aeolian. What are you talking about?"

"'Cipher' is a code, as in secret messages or a puzzle. In English anyway." she explained.

He thought for a moment, "That is true. I had forgotten that it had a meaning in English as well."

That earned a smirk as the laughter returned to her aura.

"You find that humorous?" He asked, his complexion warming.

"You have an interesting way of talking."

The bell rang.

"Time for class," she announced, gathering her things.

"Will I see you again?"

"Sure." she smiled, pulling her bag over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd.

Isaac clapped him on the shoulder, startling him. "You're talking to Joslyn?" he asked an eyebrow raised curiously.

"Yes, I spoke with her," he paused. "Where were you?"

Isaac shook his head, "you looked like you knew what you were doing. Until she looked at you anyway. I could've sworn I saw your heart stop beating from across the hall. What happened?"

Cipher's eyes flitted around the hallway as they walked. "I thought she was Aeolian," he admitted. "And I found out she was not."

They walked into their English class and she was already sitting there. In Isaac's seat. Cipher's steps stuttered to a stop. Isaac rolled his eyes, pushing him forward to his seat beside her. "It's no big deal," he said taking the empty seat behind Cipher's.