VALERIA

Chapter Six.

"So you're related to the mighty Valeria?" Connor asked in the cafeteria during lunchtime. He sat across from Batty but he was leaned in, his eyes skeptical but curious. Batty nodded, hesitantly at first. It was still hard for her to admit. It all still sounded so silly. "According to my Mom, the books and the weird forest people. It would explain why I could see everything." Connor nodded slowly. "It doesn't explain why I can though."

Batty shrugged, "Just because you didn't find anything at the library doesn't mean you aren't anything. Maybe you're my familiar! Or my warlock brethren. That's why we're so close." Connor chuckled, dunking a mini corn dog in a sea of ketchup. "Either way, we're gonna find out because . . I think we should go back." Batty looked at her friend seriously. The faux blonde seemed perturbed  by the thought but he said nothing. "Just to see. I mean, Cassius said we should. Maybe there's something we need to do. Like a quest. Imagine!"

"It's just . . ," Connor began, then sighed. He fiddled with a loose string on his sweater. "It could be dangerous. I don't want us to get hurt." Sinking down in her seat, the strawberry blonde felt her heart melt. He was such a sweetheart. "We won't! I'm a witch! Once I get my powers, it's over for everyone." A few people down the table overheard her ranting and laughed between each other. Batty turned her head, narrowing her eyes, "What's funny? I'm serious. It'll be over, you'll —,"

"Batty!" Connor said sharply, grabbing her arm. "No threatening the jocks.

"I don't care about those dumbasses."

"Heh. I'd like to see your dumb ass, Pines." One of them, a ginger, said.

That earned some snickers all around. Batty didn't speak. She acted. She threw herself onto the table and began stomping her way down to them. Connor tried to follow in pursuit, grabbing at her. "Listen here, you pervert! I'll shit down your —," She cut herself off with a squeal as Connor took her down from the table and lead her off towards the main hallway. "Let me go, let me at them!"

"Batty, you have to calm down," Connor sat her down outside of the cafeteria doors, eyes wide. "Even if you are a witch, that doesn't mean you should show off. And you definitely shouldn't be yelling it from the rooftops!" Batty fell against the wall, arms crossed, "I hate men! I swear! They're literally the worst thing created." The boy rubbed her arm soothingly. "I know, I know," He assured. "Just try to catch your breath. I know you don't want to get detention now."

"Hey," Came a voice from the cafeteria threshold. It was one of the jocks from the table, varsity jacket glad. He walked over, tentatively at first, then gaining confidence when he saw the didn't react. "I'm sorry about Chad. He's . . well, a Chad. He shouldn't have said that at all."

"Wow, a jock feminist! What, do you wanna appeal to me so we can have sex? Nice try, dude!" Batty snapped, looking away. The jock looked at her steadily, blinking, before turning his gaze upon Connor. "Actually, I just wanted to apologize on on behalf of my friend," He chuckled drily at the soon-to-be-brunette. "Women, huh?" Connor smiled uneasily, "Right. Well, apology accepted I guess. You can go back to lunch now."

"Right," He repeated, looking Connor from his head to his toes before flashing a crooked grin. "Well, I'll see you, Batty. Bye, Connor." He slunk away all self-righteous like back into the cafeteria. Batty mocked his grisly voice in his wake pettily, kicking out one of her doc marten clad feet. Connor, still buzzing from the obvious flirt, backed into the wall beside Batty and breathed out slowly.

"So are we going?" Batty asked suddenly, looking over at her best friend. "It could be dangerous but maybe we can come prepared. I just want to see if all this is true or not. Life is so boring, Connor . . come on," She nudged him. "You can't say you're not the least bit curious." Slowly, a smile spread out across the boy's lips. He raised a hand and took Batty's. "You had me the first time you asked, Bats," He confessed. "But let's suit up first, like you said. Humans aren't exactly welcome." Batty grinned wide, "Well, we aren't human, remember?"