The transition from one subject to another was like the set changing for a play, except the lights were shining on all the prop-movers and scenery-changers. Thumps and thuds and metallic scraping signified books and supplies swapped from within the storage desks of each student. How they were expected to keep all of their stuff in that small space was always a mystery, because every year the books and supplies got bigger and the cubby-space always stayed the same size.
Ket had always been an avid reader. But he realized that lately he had not picked up a book because of his new friendships. The in-class reading, whether aloud or along with a cassette tape, had really been the only time he spent with his nose smelling the musty pulp of pages. Even though he had already read all of the books last year, bar one, he still looked forward to the forty-five minutes of class-time, two days a week, that was purely devoted to reading.
"Okay class, listen up, today you've gotta choose a partner. Hop-to."
The scramble commenceth. Grabbing a partner was like any other scramble at Lonely Oak: the swings, the instruments, the good playing cards. In the first few moments destiny righted itself and friends partnered with friends, and the rest that were too slow had to deal with what was left over. Rini with Bitty and Betty, Ritzer with Beck, Angela with Kelly-Elly, Timothy with Arnold, John with Justin, Robert with Cathy and William with Kimberly. Usually Emeral would be with Lyza and Ket would have to merge with another pair. But this time, Ket found a partner by his side almost immediately.
"Aw man," Lyza grumbled, "You don't wanna be my partner?"
"I do, Lyz," Emeral replied, "But this time can I be with Ket?"
"But who am I s'posta partner with?"
"Panda, silly." Emeral said in a whisper, pointing to the bear.
"I don't wanna partner with him!" She protested under her breath.
"Why not?" Emeral asked; "It'll be a nice change."
"He's still mad at me about last week."
Ms. Hupp went around to the groups, sealing them. "Rini...I really wish you wouldn't pair with both Bitty and Betty..."
"I have to, remember? We can't tell who's who otherwise."
Emeral bit her lip. "Fine. Ket will be his partner."
"Wait wha?" Ket blinked. "Why do I have to be his partner? Why don't you be his partner Emmy?"
"Oh my gosh you guys are so mean." Emeral said, placing her hands on her hips. "Stop being so stubborn, Ket. You're older than us so you should be setting an example. Now go be his partner."
Ket sighed. "Fine." He got out of his desk, and started to walk over, but Emeral caught his arm. He looked back at her.
"Thank you," she said, and let him go.
Ket made his way over to Panda, who was still sitting at his desk just like Ket would have done. "Hey." The tiger said as he approached. "You...wanna be partners?"
The bear looked up and shrugged. "Sure," he said.
It was finalized when Ms. Hupp came to them and wrote their names onto the clipboard in her arms. With all of the diads settled, she went to the center of the circle of desks and cleared her throat. "So, for the past two weeks we've been discussing what makes up a story: plot, setting, characters, first-, second- and third-person, and The Mountain (rising action, climax and falling action)."
The class began to settle; cheeks met palms and chins met desks.
"Up until now we've all been reading as a class, and discussing what we've read. But for the next several weeks each team will read different books, and every week that team will have to give a report on what they've read." The class groaned, but she continued; "After the team has finished the book, they will give a final report on the book as a whole." The groan escalated.
"That sounds too hard," Cathy protested, "Are the books big? How much do we have to read?"
"Cathy, it's not that much," Ms. Hupp replied. "You're required to read three chapters a week, some of which you can read during class-time."
"How big are the books?" Asked Justin.
"Some are bigger than others, most are around two-hundred pages." The class protested in shock.
"What?" Kimberly squeaked, "That's not fair! So some people are going to have easy books and some hard?"
"Quit'cher whin'n," Ritzer muttered, "It ain' that hard. I dunnit before. Twice."
"Yeah," Rini piped, "and at your rate you'll do it for a fourth and a fifth and a sixth..."
The class laughed. Ms. Hupp fought for control. After they settled down, she began again. "Speaking of having done this before, everyone will get to choose their books except for two groups: Ritzer's and Ket's. I'm assigning them." She went to her clip board. "Ritzer and Beck, you will be reading Harry Potter; Ket and Panda, you will be reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. For the rest of you, I'll pass around these sheets. Pick a book and write it in the box next to your names. You'd better hurry, because starting this Friday is your first report."
Over the next twenty minutes the partners picked out their books on a first-come-first-served basis, and a book was given to each person. When all was done, for the last bit of reading time, eyes eagerly swam across page after page, trying to pack in as much reading as possible, everyone dreading the report due in just a few days.
Dear Treewatcher,
It's been a while. How are you? I was under a spell in the ice realm; a wizard had wiped my memory, so I knew not who I spoke with. It was only when the spell wore off that I remembered, and even then I have had trouble thinking about how to contact you. I hope that doesn't make you mad.
I spoke with the Wise One a while ago. She helped me locate you. She is helpful as always, and told me to tell you she misses you and hopes you are fairing well in the outer lands.
I don't know if you are aware, but I had decided at the end of last year to stay within the old kingdom. It is still a great place. The Trolls still lurk about, but they are not as much of a threat as they once were. I remember when they stole all of your spell books, and left torn pages in your desk every day. I wish I could avenge that deed for you, but if I did I would probably be banished from the kingdom.
I am learning the ways of the warrior from a good friend. Well...someone a little more than a friend but...I cannot say that now. It's fun, and kind of easy. But I can't use it unless it's absolutely needed. The moves are very dangerous, and I'm constantly warned (it gets annoying, I know it's dangerous, but I keep getting warned). I'm not going out and looking for trouble, but I do wonder if I have mastered the techniques.
My castle is different from what you might remember. The king...turned out to be a dragon. I don't really like to talk about it though. The dragon left but the queen is still here. She has gotten a new quest and she is in the castle more. She used to have two quests that meant she was not here that much. I like having her around more. I eat less pop-tarts and more warm food, and talk to her more. Sometimes I miss the castle being empty, but I can get used to her presence.
Anyway, I don't want to write too much in case this is really weird. I hope it actually gets to you. If it doesn't that'll be embarrassing.
Sincerely,
Whisperfoot.
P.S. Is the outer land as people say? I have heard of its differences but...
