*WHAM*

I looked up with a jump as Tellka's fist slammed down on the table infront of me. I dropped the book I was reading and looked up at her, my eyes wide with fear and surprise. Her eyes were narrow and burned into me with their emerald flames. Behind her I could hear the 'shush' of the librarian. From the corner of my eye I could see that Ray had glanced up. I guess the sound of Tellka's fist connecting with the table had surprised him too. My ears twitched and I shrank in my seat, unable to pull my eyes away from Tellka's glare. She didn't look happy.

"Have you forgotten?" She growled out angrely through clenched teeth. I tried to trace my memory back. Forgotten.... practice.. after library. How long had I been here?

'Long enough.' Tellka swirved around the table to where I was sitting, grabbed a hold of my uniform's collar and hauled me out of my seat. She snatched my backpack from the floor, swinging it over her shoulder aggresively. Hauling the books from the table she shoved them into my startled arms and growled, "Check these out and lets go." and without another word she turned and stormed angrely out of the library.

I watched her go for only a second, then rushed over to the librarian and showed her my schedule. She took the books from me, wrote down their titles and my name, then handed me back the schedule and books.

"Bring them back in tow weeks to return or renew."

I nodded to her and ran out the library door. Tellka threw my pack at me and I just managed to catch it without dropping my books. I opened it, stuffed the books into it, then shouldered the pack and Tellka and I headed to the coloseum.

"A few minutes." She growled. "You said it would only take a few minutes."

"I'm sorry, I just..." I was cut off by a sharp glare from Tellka. I looked down at the ground and continued walking quietly. I knew a bit why she was sore. It wasn't just beacuse I was late, that was easy for her to get over. I suppose it was the fact of what I was studying. Tellka hated hearing about the Destined Ones and all of that. She had a personal grudge against Katt about this. I wasn't sure if either Frank or Katt really understood that. It was also the fact that I was hanging out with a bunch of worens at school. Tellka hated worens. I guess it was the fact that I kept finding things interesting that Tellka hated so much that really got to her, but I knew that she'd calm down in a little while.

And she did. By the time we had gotten into the practice room and I had changed into my normal outfit and was strapping on my claws Tellka was just fine. During practice I wanted badly to ask her waht was so bad about me liking worens and being interested in the cycles, but I decided not to. Tellka had her reasons and I already knew them, so it would be worthless asking about it. We practiced for about an hour before Tellka decided we should be getting home.

"You have a letter." I bounded into the kitchen, excited by Carrie's call. Who's it from? What's it about? Questions shot throuhg my head as Carrie handed me the envelope. I had never gotten a letter before. I opened it and scanned over it to see who it was from.

"Frank!" I plopped down in a chair and began to read the letter slowly.

'Dear Kate,
Hey! Bet you wouldn't hear from me in a while. I just wanted to let you know that I'm ok. Wish you were here to see Agua.'

Agua hm... I wonder what it's like.

'It's beautiful! All of these cathedrals... I bet that you'd enjoy it. Kate, you're constantly on my mind. Hope you're doing ok.'

I smiled. How sweet.

'I still have no idea on how close I am to finding the Diamond of Truth. Luck really isn't with me. It seems like that with each question I answer, more and more just pop up.
Well, anyhow, I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing okay... Wait... I said that earlier... heh. Lately, though, I've been having weird dreams of that girl who brought me here to Windia. She even knew my name... And she told me... she needs my help. Weird, huh?'

Hm.. sounded sort of interesting. Kind of mysterious. A girl? Hm..

'Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you constantly. Give Tellka and Carrie my regards. And Kate, like I said before, I'll visit when I'm close by. Take care now!'

I smiled. I really missed Frank. Getting a letter from him made me feel better. I just wish I could write him back. It was starting to get late and Carrie asked me to help her set the table for dinner. I did. We ate a good meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, and a bit of corn. Tellka made sure I did my homework and shooed me upstairs. I collapsed in bed, totally exhausted from the day, and fell asleep in an instant.

* * *

I was still grogy by the time I got the school the next day. Nothing new. I school bell woke me up as usually and I made my way to class. I was about to fall asleep at my desk when the bell rang and I heard Mrs. Wireman's voice at the front of the class.

"Class.. We have a new student joining us. Say hello to Ryan Chiba." I glanced up to see a woren about my age standing infront of the class. He looked a bit uncomfortable and I noticed his tail twitching in embarrassment.

Poor guy. My ears swirved as I heard the sound of the classroom door opening and I turned to see Janet rush in. So did Mrs. Wireman.

"Ms. Meyers... late again? I've warned you before... Ryan, please take a seat." Ryan took a set infront of my and I opened up my binder. I suppose it was futile because I knew I wouldn't be getting much work done with Janet in class now. Janet sat down and Mrs. Wireman began her lecture on our topic, evolution of Windians.

"I don't see what her problem is. Mrs. Wireman's just an old stuff, that's all." I heard Janet mutter something under her breath and tried to scribble down a few notes on what Mrs. Wireman was saying. Janet's voice interrupted my concentration again.

"Hey, Kate. Been thinking about that dance?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to go." I scribbled down a few more notes.

"Come on, it'd be fun."

"I don't think so, Janet."

"Give me on good reason."

Good reason..... I searched my mind to come up with an excuse. "Because I can't dance, that's why."

"Mr. Chiba! Are you with us?" Even though she wasn't talking to us, I still jumped at the sound of Mrs. Wireman's voice. Janet snickered quietly behind me. I wasn't really sure what she thought was so funny.

"Er... sorry Mrs. Wireman..." I heard Ryan's reply and I turned back to my notes. Atleast, I tried to, but Janet managed to distract me once again.

"I can teach you."

"Janet, please.. can I just do my work?"

Janet muttered quietly behind me. "Fine." I sighed and went back to taking notes, glad that she had finally left me alone.

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com