It's Hard to Breathe

Arguments

Gisela and Fintan awoke to next morning to choruses of "Awwww." and "Aren't they cute?".

They both sat up and simultaneously gave their friends lethal glares, which only led to more cooing and grinning.

Fintan shoved of the bed, flushing a pale red. Gisela rolled her eyes, got up, stretched, and went into her bathroom, slamming the door harder than necessary.

"Well?" Everyone chorushed, turning to Fintan in pleased expectancy.

"Well what?" He asked.

"Well, what happened last night?" Glimmer wanted to know.

"You mean this morning?" The male in question inquired.

"Yes, this morning. What happened?" She squealed.

"Nothing. I fell asleep." He answered honestly.

"Come on, you know there's more." Brant said, prodding Fintan in the side.

"Maybe. And even if there is, I'm not telling you nosy people." Fintan snapped, pulling away.

"Please?" Alvar and Umber pleaded.

"Nope." The male answered firmly, backing toward the door.

"Buddy, you aren't leaving until you answer our questions." Gethen told him, moving to block the door.

"Don't 'buddy' me, and I am leaving." Fintan snapped, his mind elsewhere.

He shoved Gethen aside and stomped out the door.

"Anybody else think he secretly likes the attention?" Umber asked. All of her friends nodded in unison.

Fintan continued stomping down the hallway, and almost ran into Gisela.

"What are you doing out here? How did you get here?" He demanded, puzzled.

"It's my secret." She told him. "Come on." Grabbing his arm, she dragged him down the hall, and they stopped before a marble-and-gold statue.

"We're admiring statues now?" He said, looking at her in disbelief.

"No, you daft monkey. We're going behind the statue." She stated, pulling down the statue's crown.

The statue revolved on it's pedestal, and a secret corridor was revealed. The female put the crown back on the statue's head, and stepped through. 

Fintan followed Gisela down the lantern-lit passageway in quiet awe. The silence was disturbed when the statue revolved back the way it had been, closing with a bang.

"Um, where are we going?" Fintan asked curiously, still following Gisela.

"Away." She stated, continuing down the path until she reached a dead end. Slipping her hand into her shirt, she pulled out a knife. Before Fintan could protest, she sliced a cut on the end of her index finger, and smeared it on a brick in the wall.

Slowly, the wall slid back, and they were in Gisela's backyard.

"Uh, what are we doing?" Fintan questioned, following Gisela down a path of stones until they came to a heavy golden locked gate.

Gisela pulled out a golden knife, picked the lock, and opened the gate. Fintan followed her in, and found himself in a forest clearing. A clear blue stream ran through the grassy area, and wildflowers lined the stone path that led to one big square-shaped stone in front of a little reflection pool full of lily pads and lotus flowers.

"Whoa." He breathed, looking around in awe. Gisela grinned, and he followed her to the pond, where they sat down next it on the ground.

"So, what now?" Fintan wanted to know, breaking the peaceful silence that settled around them.