The Inventor from Velothain

Lockett

A few weeks had gone by and since then Florence and Edgar had been Visiting Percy and Elysia in Velothain every evening without fail to help them with their project. It had turned out that Elysia was in fact able to create this time machine. Although, very few human minds could possibly comprehend, Elysia’s mind was vast and creative. It takes a completely open mind to create something that can bend something as difficult as time. So, it could take longer than the normal invention.
Florence sat up. Her eyes adjusted to the light seeping through the cracks of the pastel blue curtains. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and turned over to her brother who was still sleeping soundly. She had the uncanny ability to wake up, just minutes before their alarm.
Quietly, she slipped out of bed and began to get ready. Grabbing her Hazelwood uniform and putting it on, then tying her hair into two neat plaits, she admired herself for a few seconds in the mirror before hearing a knock at the door.
“Yes?” She said quietly, as to not wake her brother.
The door opened and a slightly exhausted uncle Jasper moved through, clearly, he wasn’t a morning person, unlike Florence who had been prancing around the room for the past five minutes.
“Ah good, you’re here.” He breathed.
“Yeah, where else would we be?” Florence asked.
“Oh, you see, I checked on you and Edgar last night after supper, but I couldn’t find you.”
Florence’s blood ran cold. She knew that Jasper didn’t suspect a thing, maybe if she lied her way through the conversation, he could continue to not suspect anything…it was worth a shot.
“Oh yeah. that’s because Edgar and I went to a dungeons and dragons night with our teacher and the rest of the class.” She flashed Jasper an innocent smile.
“Oh really? I didn’t see you guys come in.”
Crap Thought Florence. “That’s because we came back quite late and we just tried to get to bed quickly.”
Jasper smiled. “Oh, I see. Did you guys have a good time?”
“Yeah I was really nice.” Florence beamed.
“Right, I’ll get ready, I’ll see you, downstairs for breakfast in five minutes.”
“Thank you, uncle Jasper.” Florence beamed a sigh of relief. She was never a fantastic actor, especially when she was lying but she seemed to have done a rather good job at it.
Jasper turned and sweeped out of the room, his long coat swishing around his legs.
Florence looked over at Edgar who had rolled over in his sleep. It was still early, too early in fact. The truth was, Florence never enjoyed the idea of getting up early. It was one thing she never missed when she was ‘home schooled’ by her parents.
Then it hit her. She had spent so much time being swept up in the world of Velothain and the excitement of saving an entire city, she hadn’t even bothered to bring the thought of her parents up. It had seemed so long ago now; a lot can happen in the space of two weeks. Then again, she didn’t really want anything to do with her parents. She was confused. Why did they not want her and Edgar? Why did they take them to live with their uncle of all places?
Those were questions that she’ll never get answered, the chances of her seeing them again, were little to none. She felt angry, she and her brother had given them nothing but love and kindness and all they could give them in return was nothing. Surely not?
Those were things that would have to stay in the dark. Of course she was happy here, she finally had something to fight for, something that wasn’t just her brother.
Edgar sat up.
“Morning dude.” Florence said whilst putting on her blazer.
“Up early again, I see.”
“Well, of course.” Florence leaned against the wall. “You’ve known me for sixteen years.”
“Very true.”
Florence turned on her heels and grabbed her bag before walking out the door. “I’ll see you in the car.”
****

Florence and Edgar walked up the last flight of stairs into their last class of the day. Technically Lawrence was supposed to give the class a tutoring session, but knowing him, a session of D&D sounded like the better option.
“Hello there Florence.” Said The cheerful sound of Cassidy along with the awkward hum of Jordan. “Edgar.”
Florence cringed at the flirty undertone.
“I’m not sure if Edgar likes you touching his arm.” Florence snarled.
“I’m sure he’s fine. Right Edgar?”
Edgar’s eyes widened in fear. I have a boyfriend I have a boyfriend I have a boyfriend. He said to himself over and over again.
“Cass. I really think you should stop.” Jordan shot Florence a look. To which she reciprocated.
She took her brother’s hand and lead him into the classroom, where Lawrence was waiting.
“Ah guys, there you are.” He said, in slight stress. He was pushing the tables together in a big rectangle in the middle of the room. “I could use with some help. Jordan, Florence. Could you guys help me take these boxes to the teacher’s cupboard?”
“Sure.” Florence shrugged.
“Excellent. I’ll tell you about this idea for a campaign I’ve been working on.”
And like that, they were gone, leaving Edgar and Cassidy alone.
He looked over at the girl and gulped slightly.
“So, Edgar.” Cassidy began.
“Uh, yeah.”
“How come you don’t talk to anyone?” she asked.
“Oh well, I just don’t, it’s just that I spend all my time with my sister, I don’t have any other reason to be around others, she does the talking and I watch.”
“You know, you could always be my friend.” Cassidy moved forward.
“Ah, well you see, I’m not really a ‘people’ person.” Edgar moved away.
“You and I could be really good friends.” Cassidy placed an arm on his shoulder. “I’m very friendly.”
“And I’m sure you are, but Florence and I are fine the way we are.”
“I think you’re really cute Edgar.”
“Now, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why ever not?”
Just tell her Edgar. It’s not that difficult, and you should tell her anyway. What’s the worst she could do? Edgar thought to himself. If it could get her to back off it’ll be fine.
“Cassidy, I’m not really interested in women, so ‘this’ wouldn’t work.”
Cassidy smiled.
“I get it. You’ve never been with a woman before. And I bet you’re one of those who don’t go for just anyone. It’s fine, I don’t mind.”
“Ah, no. you’ve got me all wrong.” Edgar tried to step away from the girl in front of him. “I like men, okay? And you aren’t one so, I’m not interested!” the last part came out as more of a shout than anything else.
“You’re?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Yeah, just don’t tell anyone.”
“No. I mean, I don’t believe it. I don’t believe for one second that you’d actually use an excuse like that just to get out of being with me.”
“No, it’s not like that!” Edgar protested.
“Well, let me tell you. I’m not like the others. I can be the best girlfriend you’ve ever had.” Cassidy stepped forward so that she was barely a few centimetres away. She sounded more desperate than anything.
“Please don’t touch me.”
Cassidy looked up at Edgar and without saying another word she reached up and pressed her lips against his. Edgar let out a quiet squeak.
“Um, excuse me.”
Cassidy and Edgar whipped around to see Florence. Her eyes stared menacingly at Cassidy.
“Florence. You’re back.” Cassidy said as sweetly as she could.
“Get your filthy hands off my brother. You have no idea.” By this point Lawrence and Jordan had joined them.
“Actually, I do.” Cassidy snapped. “The fact that Edgar is lying to me. there’s no way I’d actually believe that Edgar is actually gay. I’ve heard it all before.”
Edgar took a deep shaky breath. Every single thought rushed around his head, creating almost a symphony playing at once.
Jordan and Lawrence shared an awkward look. But Florence had, had enough. She stared the taller girl down with a scowl that could terrify an army.
“No. you have no idea. What you have just done!” Florence stepped forward, moving her brother out of the way. She looked at her dead in the eye and lunged, swinging and missing. She slammed Cassidy against the wall, this time landing solid punches over and over again.
“Florence!” Edgar screamed.
Florence stopped. She looked back at Cassidy’s bloodied face. She threw her to the floor and looked back at the rest.
“Right well, Florence I am going to need you to just nip up the head mistresses.” Lawrence said. “You too Edgar.”
But Edgar had already left.

*****

Edgar burst through the door, and raced up the stairs.
“What’s wrong with him?” Jasper asked, twirling his keys around his fingers.
“Yeah, he’s just had a rough day.” Florence sighed. “I’ll go and talk to him.”
Florence raced up the stairs and checked their room. No luck. Then she made her way up to the attic.
“Edgar!” Florence called. “Eddie, where are you?”
She walked through the passage and into Velothain, in search of her brother.