Chapter 48: A School Guest or a School Threat?

At the back of the school, the place where I usually ate along with Lora and Eric. It has only been two months since they left and I felt they were but a distant memory now. The back of the school then became my healing place. Whether it's the sound of leaves rustling, the cool breeze blowing softly, or the smell of the fresh green grass, those things somehow became sacred to me here as it relieves me of all needless worry. 

            "Wow, that's some awful eye bags you have there, what in the world did you do last night?" 

            Today I can't get in the mood to relax though, first reason why is because I barely had any sleep because of experimenting of using sign language as a mean to conjure magic. Second reason is the man beside me who for some unknown reason is eating lunch with me. 

            "I get the feeling if you were alone, you would just stand out more as a target." He said as if answering what was on my mind, am I that easy to read? "That doesn't mean you have to be there for me?" When I said that, Rick flickered me on my forehead, and a struck of pain jolted my head. He didn't say anything anymore and took more of my fried cheese nuggets from my lunch. I continued to eat my lunch, ignoring him. 

           I might have act cold, buy I can't help it. Seeing him with his own will getting close to me, it's obvious he's hiding something, and I never like the ones who gets close to me with hidden agenda, even if he is the reincarnation of my benefactor. Usually, I'm the one that tries to get close to him and it really took a long time before he stop ignoring my approach. 

            "You should just talk if you have anything to say, there's no one but us around here." 

            My face stiffen when He realize I have a thing or two to say to him. I turn to him and wanted to brush it off, but he had to gaze at me sharply with his eyes. It was a look that gave off pressure, and it caught me off guard that he would look at me with the same look in my past life whenever I hid something from my master. 

             In the end, I caved in to him but told him a whole other problem I had. "It's not a big of a problem, lately I've been trying to make something new, and I wanted to complete it no matter what. However, even after putting an all nighter, there was zero progress, it might have been impossible from the start." There was no way he would figure my problem involves magic. This explanation should be vague enough for him. I turned to him, wondering his respond, but instead I found him tuck his chin on his hand as he went asleep. I felt the vein on my head popped and had to held myself back from taking out his air from his lungs. 

            "It can't be help if you gave up then," so he was listening after all, that's good to know. "there's nothing you can do if it fails, but you've only been doing it for a night then aren't you giving up too fast?"

            "What are you trying to say?"

            "What I'm trying to say is, giving up for something you tried in a short time, you're only swimming in shallow waters."

            "Then am I suppose to keep trying without knowing if it succeeds or not?" 

            "Isn't that the point of trying, to see whether we succeed or not? Besides, there wouldn't be any worth in doing without any effort."

            For an instant, just for an instant, my vision of the scene changed. Rick had look a lot older, there was a few streaking grey hair but he had an old man charm in his smile. There were a few wrinkles and his brown eye color changed to gold. I rub my eyes, trying to snap out of myself. I was then reminded of a memory of the past. 

            That time, I had been forc-I meant taught to condensed mana at the palm of my hand. Trust me, it might sound easy, but when a child who knew nothing about the first thing of magic, I spent a hell of time to get it right. 

            "Master, I can't do it, it's impossible for me right now."

            "No you can, you're not going to get food until you do" his words weren't lie, even after five nights, other than the water he occasionally gave, he would give me no food. I was almost at my limit and began to feel desperate to finish the task. He had no mercy at me and I wasn't even allowed to cry, saying that will only dehydrate myself faster. I thought him nothing but cruel and hated him for that, I even curse him many times while I was doing it. 

              I was unconscious and lay for on the ground after I finally succeed, he put a plate of food beside me. The smell woke me up and he whispered to me "learn to not stop trying, because our effort is all we're ever worth for." 

            His words came from the same face and voice yet younger and a little high pitch. However, for him to teach me that even in this life, I had to admit I laugh then until tears came out of my eyes. Rick looks like he wasn't sure why I was laughing but it didn't matter. Because of him, I also remember a new way to find my solution. 

#

"I'm sorry, I must have misheard, but did you say you want to go to The S Class?" 

            "Yes, you see....for me to find out what kind of power I had, I've been switching instructor and examined all the espers of my age with their permission. However this three years I've never met anyone from S Class and even though I'm not in any kind of disorder, I thought it would help finding out my ability." 

            I tried smiling the way an innocent child that knows nothing would. Professor Dalton had a complex look on his face. He took off his glasses an cover his mouth as he thinks deep thought. "Claudia, you might not know, but the S Class is not a place you could come and go if you want." 

            I had expected this kind of answer. In the front, they claim S Class to be a class made for those in disorder, but after three years going to school here, you'll know this school has it's own secrets. Well, since it has nothing to do with me, I don't really care whatever secret it is. 

            One thing I noticed in particularly is the fact barely anyone knows a student from the S Class. They claim they were given privilege with even separate buildings, but most of the rumor was told that they're powers were too dangerous.  Not of the power itself but the lack of control, that's why they isolated them. 

            "Why on earth would you suddenly want to learn there now of all time?" 

            "I also want to have a partner"

            "A partner for.....?"

            "To talk with sign language."

            From before, Prof. Dalton has been looking at me weirdly, probably confused and wonders what I'm thinking. "Lately I've been learning sign language-well only for one sleepless night-and I wanted to have a friend to chat with and I thought maybe someone from the S Class could help me with that. Besides, it might come in handy in the future when talking and understand deaf people."

            "That is a remarkable thing to do for such a young girl"

            Prof. Dalton and me turned our heads toward the voice. Prof. Dalton immediately got up toward him and shook his hand.  The other teachers were surprised too to see him there, who on earth was he? "It's an honor for you to come to our school, we hadn't expected you to come this early though." 

            "Work was done faster than expected, I wouldn't miss it for the world to examine the prestigious talents of Praetor Institution." He turned to look at me and smiled a simple smile. My back straighten in instinct and I smile back while hiding my fears. The back of my neck again was tingling like crazy, as if overjoyed, but at the same time I felt suffocated.  

            Why wouldn't I be? The moment I laid eyes on that man, a dark shadow, bigger and darker than anything I could've seen, I knew one thing immediately. 

             That man is a killer. 

            

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Chapter 47: Wordless Magic

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

            I had a long mumble as I coop up in my room. If anyone ask if I want to stay at the institution then yes, I do. Now I'm mumbling on how I'm going to do that. All my spells uses magic circle and chants, unlike esper that uses their ability freely without much constriction, people will find out I'm different. That will give birth all sorts of trouble. 

            However, without any magic circle or chants, there's no way I could use variety of spells of the same kind. Ugh, right now I could feel how complicated being a magician is than being an esper. 

            Even if I try, there's no way to use magic without a circle or chants. The reason being magic needs communication. We're not just using the power of ourself but the power of the universe itself. One cannot borrow another's power without communication. 

            "Claudia, it's dinner, come out now"

           "Yes mother"

            This whole time I had my head hang up side down at the edge of the bed, I let myself fall sideways and stretched as  I came out of the room.

#

"Just this evening, a great storm had hit in New York, pushing down 4 trees and crushing 18 cars in the process, luckily there were no reports of any death reports this time."

           Hearing the news, I looked at the window where the rushed water  rain seems not to only hit my area, but at least we didn't get a storm. As usual we ate dinner with the news on, other than mom, the rest were barely listening to it as we talk among ourselves. 

           It made me wonder how she could listen with no problem considering how noisy the table was. "Does mother knows how to lip read?"  

            It was a question that I asked to myself but mother had notice the question I utter. "No I can't, but I do can read sign language." When she said that, I notice the news channel was different than usual, and there at the corner of the tv, there was a man who gave out sign language as the news anchor talk. 

            Seeing it, it reminded me of how different the times was. At my time, we barely could communicate with deaf people, let alone for them getting a job. Now it's not weird to have a sexy deaf model at the front of your magazine. 

            "Oh my God, why didn't I think of this before?" I said out loud, pulling attention to myself from my family. 

           That's it, I thought of it before but I had completely forgotten. Another way to achieve a world-less magic. A way to communicate with the universe without words. 

            It is said even though God gave humans their first language, humans develop their own words, which started as paintings and symbols. You might even say words are just the visual form of language. That doesn't mean it has to be words! It could be signals, symbol, or maybe even music. 

           My parents and sister doesn't seem to flinch with me acting loudly again all of a sudden, they must have gotten used to my weird side. 

      

#

Midnight, It was the time of my domain, and the time where my magic could run rampant, and it's time for Magic Designing 101. 

             First lesson about magic designing is what do you want your magic to do. In this case, I'm still thinking about it. 

            Second is to know the elements your magic needs. Either it's ingredient for alchemy or the kind of nature element it needs.   

            Third, arranging the words needed to conjure magic and imagining the desired phenomenon happening. 

            Very simple right?

            Said no one, ever. 

            Not many magicians could make a whole new concept of magic and would usually just make it similar as the precedent magic. Even all the new magic I made completely from modern science can be count by hand, that's just how hard to perfect it. 

          Since there is still time before I graduate third grade. I'll use that time effectively for completing my new magic. My face was beaming with excitement like one just finding a new toy to play with, but it turned serious the next minute when I thought what kind of magic I'm thinking to make. 

            For starters, I should make a simple kind of magic. Nothing will go wrong from that so I start with one of the basic magic; mana pulse. It's no different on using a tracker. Mana pulse are differentiated into Life Mana Pulse and Radical Mana Pulse. The later ables one to capture the topography of the surrounding area and the former to detect  signs of life in the surrounding area. A spell all magician could use and the basic of the basic of all magic spells. Just so you know, I've completed another branch of this spell, I call it X Sense Mana Pulse, a name I derived from X ray because of the ability to imagine the internal structure in humans, save lock,  and even buildings in a detailed mannered. I'll surely be able to become a great doctor or thief with this kind of spell in hand. (I can't help it of I don't have a good naming sense okay!)

           Back to the problem in hand, after seeing I had interest in hand signs, she gave me a book on how to learn it, complete with CD. There were all basic sign language but it was more than enough.  I skim on the book to look for the right word. I chance upon the word 'scan' and thought this might be the perfect word for X Sense. 

          "All right let's try it."

            I took a deep breath and tried containing my mana inside my two small hands. I raised two of my fingers and the moment I conjured the sign, I unleashed the mana along with it. 

             The results..........

               Nothing. 

            I didn't stop just there and try it again and again, I even tried different words but there was no result. Not even a flicker, just my mana getting wasted. "Was it impossible from the start?" A great disappointment surge in me, it has been a long time since I experienced failure in magic after I got reborn, so this nostalgic feeling really get me down. 

            "No, not yet, there has to be a way!" I continued experimenting until dawn almost break, it was a night of failure. 

         



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Chapter 46: Another Everyday Life

Four months had passed since both Lora and Eric passed aw.....I mean move away. 

            We had celebrated together at my house as a farewell party on our last day together. The party was a blast and while we enjoy it, the memory itself became something really precious. What I hadn't expect was how close Lora and Eric was. Well, if you look how they fight about very little thing like which food should they eat first, the shows we should watch, or whether to play cards or jenga, you wouldn't be at the same opinion of me. I never expected for them to be the type to fight easily, but I wasn't worried for some reason. In fact, compared to before, it felt like there were no wall holding them back against each other anymore, I wonder if it's just me?

            Oh, did I mention we brought fireworks? it was the first time I played a small fireworks and witness big one on close range. You could imagine how excited I was, probably the most childish there, even though mentally I'm be the oldest. 

            When it came to Eric's final day, a lot of his classmates and former one brought goods to remember him by, I on the other hand gave both Lora and Eric a charm. I mean not just a charm you could find at a cheap shop, but real charms with real magic. It's not something special though, just that if you ever get into a  dangerous situation, the charm will let out a force field. 

             If you think along the line 'what kind of danger would they need to be to activate a force field, they're still kids, you're exaggerating.' Well then, you should talk to the kidnapper Jacob and that dirty politician Jason. I'm sure they don't involve kids into their killing life. 

            Rather, why is my life prone to danger? I've asked it again, is someone messing with me here? Because I really want a peaceful life. 

            Anyway, you might be wondering what I'm doing now. At first I though I would lead a peaceful boring life now that I'm on my own in and out of class. Sadly Life has other agenda for me. 

            "Hey are you listening, I'm talking to you right now!"

             "Actually no, not really, I couldn't care less over a girl and her cronies trying to teach a very useless lesson which I'm not even sure what it's about."

            "You #%@&ing £|*$h" 

             Woah...someone needs to wash her mouth. Where do kids these days learn that language? Or does she think she's more intimidating if she said words like that. Although I know she's a child, I got to say, how childish can she be?!

            Anyway, in what situation you may want to ask, is that bullies that were on low profile began to pop out. One of the reason; actually the main reason is that Lora move away. Some might have remembered, but Lora is a prodigy among prodigies. Her potential is big so she has high respect from kids of my age, and because she's so close to me, indirectly she has kept the bullies who didn't like a powerless girl like me learning at the institution. However, now that she's gone, no one could hold them back now. There wasn't anything at first, but what trigger them was after the midterm test. Once you're third grade, the school will post the 50 best score out of all the whole class in my year at the institution. You might have guess but I got the top spot, and of course those who have great amount of pride wouldn't let slide a powerless girl rank at the top of those they claim 'chosen ones'

            That's why I'm facing one of the many people that tried to 'put me in place'

            "You.....do you know what situation you're in?" 

            "Oh I'm perfectly aware, I'm just wondering how girl dressed up like barbie dolls could possibly do to me" 

            The other cronies was about to take a hit on me, but the leader, Ella, stop them. "You know Claudia, my goal is to one day be on Class 5, the class where the elites go. I'm sure you're curious how I practice my abilities Claudia" 

            So, you want to make the excuse of showing your ability because I asked for it. Clever. Not clever enough though. Ella looked straight into my eyes and I felt something within me changing, my spine suddenly sent shivers throughout my back, my heart was beating rapidly without reason, and my breathing had an erratic rhythm. There was a sensation of bugs that was crawling up on from my feet, the scorching feeling of heat hitting my back, but none of those things were present. I clearly felt what was present yet nothing was there. My heart felt something was crushing it and my throat felt dry from the horrible sensation. I crouched at the ground, holding my knee while looking miserable as I gave out a sound of me crying.
             Ella and her friends laugh, looking at me in pain. "Serves you right for messing with me!" she said in daunt. She tried to take a closer look at myself, and when she did. I turned my face toward her with a smug look and punch her in the face. She was so surprised that she feel backward while crying in pain, I didn't even hit her that hard.

            "Do you really think, your ability could scare me?" 

             Is what I said, but her powers was certainly interesting. I had a vague guess, but probably she has the ability to induce emotion on her target, for me she had stimulate the 'fear' emotion in me and weaken me mentally. It's still far from perfect, but when she said she wanted to be a part of Class 5, she was serious.

            "Do you think I'm not afraid to punch people?" 

            "YOU! Do you realize what you've done? I'll tell the teacher for this!" 

            "Fine, but then you will also have to expose that you were confronting someone with two of your friends and your bracelet also recorded you using your ability. Now imagine if we both tell our stories, do you think they'll believe a powerless girl going after three espers on her own and you use your ability to protect yourself? No, they won't, and I'll get left off as self defense and will only be given a warning, but you! You will be given much more than that." 

            The three girls only look at me weirdly and had their mouth gaping, "Now scrammed!" The three did what I told and was gone a moment later. I'm sure you notice that I've been punching people a lot. If you ask if I was always been a violent girl then you have no idea. 

            At my past life, before I even learn about magic, Master had gave me a strict drilling on getting my body in to shape by teaching me ancient martial arts. It took me roughly 2 years to master it at some degree before he could teach me magic outside of the basic and fundamental ones.  Telling me over and over if one can not protect ones body, a magician would just be a sitting duck if out of mana. 

           Even now in this life, I took my idle time strengthening my body as it's also makes me healthier as well. I'm still not as good as I was since I work out leisurely, but it was enough to protect myself. It's not like I'm going to encounter a life and death situation. My luck shouldn't be that bad right?

            There was a sudden burst of laughter and when I turned, I found Rick laughing his guts off. "You....you actually....you actually punch her.....without hesitation.....oh that is hilarious." 

            Rick might not notice because he was crouching on the ground, holding his stomach, but I was giving him a suspicious look. It was by the time after Eric transfer out, he an Dale suddenly became a lot closer than usual. They were acting natural but I did notice their presence at the corner of my eyes. As if they're watching me......or watching over me.  Judging how Rick easily showed himself, he might have coincidentally been here.  

            "Thanks for not helping me."

            "I'm glad I didn't, you can take care of yourself I see. Though if you didn't, I would have asked if you need any help." 

            "Then thanks for not asking."

            There was an obvious sarcastic tone in my voice, yet Ricks eyes still has lingering laughter in it. I would sometimes ask hintly what his hidden agenda was, only to dodge or shrug it off. God, I want to touch his head and read his memories to know what's going on, but given the height difference, it's quite hard. 

            "Class is going to start in 3 minutes, are you sure it's okay for you not to hurry of?" 

            "You're not in a hurry"

            "Don't worry, I'm a genius, I can learn without studying."

            He said that flatly as if it was a fact. Even though he sounded arrogant, his impression didn't seem like that at all. "Today, I see your shadow isn't with you" Rick reacted to my words and look behind and turned again after understanding what I meant. 

            "You mean Dale? You know he has things called life you know, he's not going to be beside me everyday." 

            "I see"

            I gave a skeptical look and then walked away toward my class. Not knowing my days were getting more complicated.

#

My everyday life was going toward a major cross road. It started when out of the blue, the principal had call me to his office. The fact began to spread along with the rumors. Whenever my name is mentioned, they would always talk about me. 

           The more they talk, the more I got anxious of what's going to happen to me, because I have a strong feeling, he isn't going to give me a good news. I took a deep breath before I knock at the door and opened it. It was a long time since I first got inside since the ESP test. The old man looked the same as well. His eyes were mostly covered by his thick eyebrows, and his mouth hidden by his mustache. However, I could see the patient and humble expression that gave me ease. 

           "Sit down Claudia"

            I took on his offer and sat without saying a word. He offered me a candy and I took it. Once I did, he started talking. 

           "Claudia, how long have you been in the institution?"

            "Almost 3 years sir"

            "Do you enjoy being here?"

            "Very much"

            "I heard your two best friends had move away though, are you really alright? Nothing happen to you that will make you uncomfortable right?" 

            "Nothing happen that could make you worry Sir, I promise you that"

            The principal nodded as if satisfy and a curve smile was seen. He might have heard how I was being bullied so he came to make sure I was doing fine. What a responsible adult. 

            "Now let's get to the main topic shall we?"

            Huh? That's not why we're here?

            "Claudia, I'm afraid I have some bad news to you, honestly I want to talk with one of your parents but you are smart and mature girl for your age Claudia, I'm sure you understand."

             "What do you mean?" My words were half choked as I tried to calm myself but instead, my heart began to beat rapidly. 

            "You see the board had seen your case as peculiar so they had let you off at the institution, but three years has passed since then, and they don't think you belong there anymore, which mean...."

            "As long as I don't show signs of having an ability, then I would be transferred to the academy instead right?" 

           The principal wore a poker face and nodded slightly. Honestly, somewhere in my heart, I thought something like this might happen, but since I didn't think of it much. It made a bigger hit than I thought it would.

           "How much longer do I have?" 

           "By the time of the Exam."

            Which mean, if I showed no ability, I'll be in the academy in my fourth grade. There still time, but with me going against the wall it felt shorter. 

           "If that is all you have to say then I hope you will excuse me Principal, thank you for telling me this I.....I'll prepare myself." After giving him my greetings, I walked out of the room, I look to my sides and said, "Dale, you can come out, I know you're there" 

            Coming out of behind the pillar, Dale awkwardly came out. "How do you know?" 

            "A hunch"

            "What a scary accurate hunch"

             Of course, since you've been watching me, I had a feeling your eavesdropping habit wouldn't let this chance get away of something interesting, is what I thought. "So what are you going to do? Not only will you get kick out of the institution, but people will then believe you were a phony who trick her way in to the institution"

            "Is that what people think of me?"

            "Not all, but some" 

           I made a huge sigh just thinking about it, I honestly don't know exactly what I should do. Even if I used magic to prove I have ability, it'll just makes things complicated when they question me why it was deem unknown power if I just use a common ability. That's why to stay in this institution, I need to show them a power they never seen nor comprehend yet within the scope of their understanding. A power only I could wield. 

            "Wow, you're thinking really hard." 

            I turn to my side and realize he was less than an inch away from my face. I could see his blond eyelashes, and brown eyes that reflected my reflection, the smell of his mint breath, and the pore of his skin. I back off with a yelp. 

            Seeing my reaction, Dale made a good laughed at me. God, to be laughed by two men two days straight in a row. How humiliating. "Well, personally I'm sure you have an ability, so I'm really hoping you could stay here since you're interesting." 

            "Even if I stay, I'm not here to amuse you Dale!" 

            Dale raise his hands after seeing me angry and tried to calm me down. "Hey I'm sorry, I was only joking, look, I'm going to class now so see ya" 

            He then left off just like that. Really though, It's not like I hate him, but I really don't stand him because of how much he obviously hides things from people. 

            If only he would tell me what exactly going on with him and Rick. Thinking there's no use of thinking an answer I couldn't get, I went back yo class as well with many lingering thoughts.

#

"As I thought, the board has come to that decision." Dalton rest his head on his hand thinking of what he should do next. There were too many irregularities surrounding Claudia, it's one reason why he was hesitating letting Claudia used her ability when he didn't know what it was. However his biggest reason was....

            "I know I've asked you before Dale, but are you sure?"

            "Positive, even I don't believe it myself, but I'm sure you know my ability Sir, that's why I can tell you, Claudia is NOT an esper." 

            Dale was just as confuse as Me. Dalton was. Dale's ability let's him recognize whether a person is an esper or just a normal person. Although he couldn't sense an esper's ability, he did felt something unique within her. A whole new ability no one knows. It could make one wonder but also fear as well. However, even with that. 

           "You don't need to worry so much Sir"

            "Why do you say that?" 

            "Because I believe in Claudia, whatever the path she choose, or whatever the kind of power she has. She will not let herself be subjected at the whims of people that easily. At least I know, just like Rick, she's stronger than me. Besides if anything happen, we'll be there for her, isn't that what you request?"

            "I'm surprised you accept it that easily though" 

            "Well, Claudia is a friend after all, and there's no way we reject your request after the help you did to us."

            "I can't help you all the way though" 

            While Dalton hang his head in shame, Dale had a smile on him. The kind not that he usually showed whenever he played the fool, but the kind he showed toward the people he trust. 

            "Anyway, I said we should believe in her but what do you want to do? Since she's not an esper, I doubt my power works on her."

            "No, I'll take your advice so we'll wait and see, I just hope my hunch is wrong and her power doesn't make a big of a deal" 

            I highly doubt that, is what Dale had thought then but kept his thought to himself.

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Since tomorrow is a holiday for me, I give you a quadruple chapter this week

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Greetings!

Hello my loyal reader of Witch Life (hmm, I suddenly have the urge to give a fan nickname like directiorners or sherlokians)

As you can see, the Loranne Arc has finished without a problem and around three and half months has passed since I first started this, and now we're on our way to a new arc.

I'm new at making a web novel, because of that I  want to know your opinion on this story.

Like so far how much do you like it? What do you like about it?What part you didn't like? What might you expect at the future story?

You're free to praise and critic it however you want, and I promise not to cry if anyone says it's bad.

If your opinion or suggestion could help me make the story even better and more enjoyable for all of us then I really appreciate it.

That's all.

Sincerely,




Author.

Chapter 45: Farewells

-Claudia Robertson-

Another two days passed, when I finally get to see Lora at her class, I was overwhelmed with relief. I was beginning to think I wouldn't be able to see her again. Despite being in class I jump toward her side and hug her tightly. 

            "Where have you been? I've been so worried!" My words reminded of a mother finally finding her missing child. Lora on the other hand, held my arms and was fidgeting a lot. 

             "Claudia, I....." 

            The school bell rings loudly, jolting us from our spot and interrupting Lora's words. "Let's talk later, I'll see you then." I turn my back on her and start to walk away when she held back my arms before finishing the last sentence. 

             "I'm transferring school!"

            The door slide open from the outside and the teacher came in, asking to take our sit and those not of this class to return back. I was then swept away by the kids getting out, without retorting the statement Lora had said. 

             "I feel I just misheard her, did she just say transfer?"

#

"You didn't misheard me, I'm going to transfer school" said Lora flatly. 

            The three of us; Eric, Lora, and me. Were spending our time together at the usual place. Although Eric and Lora continued eating as if nothing happen, I had an obvious depressed air hanging around me. Even though I should have expected this more than anyone that she couldn't stay here as if nothing ever happened, and that she also needed a fresh start. Not as Loranne Hutslesky, but as herself. 

            "Then Lora did you hear the news? About Jason Omala." Eric pointed out. The two of us felt bad that we left Eric put of the loop of such serious business, so Lora said it was okay to tell him, saying he was trustworthy. Eric had a hard to believe look after we told him (mostly) everything. He reluctantly accepted it though. 

            "Died in prison, they said it was a heart of attack from the stress of being convicted." said Lora with an unpleasant look. 

            This time, it was me who continued eating without care while I said, "isn't that great, now the two of you won't ever need to worry about him." 

            Lora nodded at my words but she had a complicated expression, as if she didn't know how to react well about the news. Well I'll admit if there was one good thing that man did is that he had let Lora experience a normal life she couldn't have as a slave. 

           Speaking of slave, it seems the police had found the website of a so called online slaves and tore it down. It was the second hit news after the arrest of Jason Omala, and the police had apprehend the people running the operation, freeing the slaves at the same time, and you would thought there are no longer slave in this day and age at the place claimed to be the country of freedom. 

            "By the way, what did you do with the corpse?"

            "We buried it properly, at the start, she was desperate to find Loranne and somehow find her and dig her out. She kept her ever since but she can let go of her now, and your uncle even had an acquaintance who's a psychologist to look after her atwhere we're moving. I'm sure Loranne could now rest in peace."

            "When will you leave?"

            "In two weeks" 

            The three of us then continued eating silently together. I pondered about that soon, the three of us couldn't spend time together like this. 

             "I guess it'll be just me and Eric eating like this from now on." I look at Eric an found he was silent while wearing a weird expression as he looked down. I began to feel he wasn't telling me something. Seeing me looking at him intensely, Eric was flustered until he seems to prepare himself on something. Why am I getting a bad feeling?

              "Actually Claudia, I'm also transferring school."

            There was a few seconds interval, but after I digest what he said. Loranne as shock as I am asked when it'll be and he answered in three days. 

            At that moment, I punch him, right at his face. It wasn't a big of punch that will make him nosebleed, but it was enough to push him away. I look at my own hand and realized what a childish thing I did. I should've said sorry but the words didn't come out as I wanted. 

            "Why didn't you tell us this sooner? I'm sure you've arranged moving away at least a week earlier."

            "Can I complain about you punching me first?!" 

            Loranne watched anxiously at the two of us with her eyes going back and forth. "Besides," Eric continued, "when there was a lot going on in my house and it was decided I'm moving, you and Loranne had a problem of your own at the time, I wasn't going to make the two of you more anxious."

            Eric stopped talking then, but I could tell when he tight lipped his lips, there was more he wasn't letting on. It was a behavior I recently could tell from him when he was keeping something, but I was so focused on Lora that I barely notice at all. 

            "What happened Eric?" I said soothly as I crouched in front of him. He looked at me with his big childish black eyes. "My parents got divorce you see, they've been fighting a lot for more than a year. last month, just when things were oddly quiet, they decided to get separated and for me to come with mom to her parents house."

            After I heard his problem, I was angry at him again. Parents fighting is one of the things what scares children the most. The love between parents in a family is what gave birth to us and something we instinctively know since birth. Seeing the two people you love breaking apart in front of your eyes is never a good thing for a child and could lead to scar in his heart. That's why, to not say anything something important of his life, as his best friend, IT PISSES ME OFF!

            "Eric!"

            Eric jolted back hearing his name called so suddenly, he turned from looking away to me and I said this to him. "Never I tell you, NEVER do I want you to keep your feelings to yourself especially something that's painful to you. Even if it's not us, if you put up your pain alone again , I swear to God, that wherever you are, I'll go find you and punch you in the face again! Tell anyone even if you need to lie your situation for that!"

            After my threat, Eric instinctively touch his stinging right cheek and his expression then changed to a soft one and nodded at me. For Eric who could sense lie, he was never fond of lying, that's why I never see him lie. In a way, maybe because of that, rather than telling what he was reluctant to tell, he had shut himself up to avoid lying. Because lying is part of human nature. There are many cases where we lie without even thinking, sometimes we lie because we want to run away from the truth. For me, people lie because they want to hide the ugly side of themselves. I wonder what Eric see in  people when they're lying? 

            However....seriously???

            Two of my best friend are both going away, what kind of development is this? You usually don't get two people transferring out in such a close time frame. Someone is definitely messing me up! 

            I made a huge sigh thinking about them, I offered my hand to Eric and help him up which Lora respond with a heaved of relieve. 

              Now, let's get back to eating shall we?

#

-Eric Owell-

That was surprising. I knew she was full of surprises but never would I have thought she would punch me. For a girl, her punch was no joke, I feel if she hadn't held back then I might have gotten a nosebleed or a concussion. I walked toward the back gate where my mother would always picked me up, and there I found one of the people I didn't expect to be waiting for me.
             "What are you doing here Loranne?"
            Loranne Hustlesky just stood with her back by the wall, she then walked up to me in a fast pace and punch me in the stomach. Or rather I couldn't really call it a punch, I didn't feel any pain at all. "That's my share for not telling us what was wrong"
            "Says the girl who said she had stop playing friends."
            Loranne made an angry glare at me, but I hardly flinch. She then looked down as if she's holding back something, without pushing her, I stood waiting.
            "....so...."
            "What was that?"
            "....'m.....ry....."
            "Speak up will you?"
            "I'M SORRY!"
            She went back from looking down to glaring at me with teary eyes, hey is that an attitude to give when apologizing? "I'm sorry what I said back then Eric, I didn't mean most of it, and I know we never get along well when Claudia is not around but....I want a fresh start with you, so can we be friends, for real?"
            She had a sincere look in her eyes, and she talked without wavering. So different than the past Lora that seems to keep fidgeting. I know I can expect something better from her, we were always bickering when we had the chance but, I never hated her for that, so if she ask if I want to be her friends, then the answer is obviously..........
            "Not a chance" is what I answered.
             Her expression changed in a flash, and her dropping jaw was seriously hilarious. I suddenly saw the illusion of a grim reaper hanging behind her and her stance changed similar to that of a martial arts stance. Good thing is, my mom car had just arrived and I dash without looking back.
            "Come back Eric!!!!"
            Who would come back after that, besides, I think it's fine to have our relationship the way we are now. I want to show Claudia how long we could bicker with each other even about the trivial stuff, I'm sure she'd be surprised. There was also one reason why I said that.
            Is that I tried lying,
            and it felt AWESOME!

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This is the end of Loranne Arc, now on to the new arc, School Trouble. 

         
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