Chani’s head pounded from lack of sleep, her mind feeling sluggish and unfocused as she opened her eyes. The first thing that caused the teenager to blink was the fact that she didn’t see her pillows when her eyes opened. Leaning back, she looked around slowly at the desk, while the textbook that she’d been sleeping on rested in front of her body. Rubbing the sleep out of her eye with the heel of her hand, she looked at the clock to see that it was only a few minutes before her alarm would ring. ‘I must have fallen asleep while waiting for Martin to call.’ she thought.
Picking up the phone, she looked at the caller ID, only to find that it hadn’t rang once the entire night. Chani sat there, staring transfixed at the phone for what seemed like an eternity, those lavender eyes closing as she stood from her desk and walked into the bathroom. Stripping out of her clothes, she took a hot shower to help her relax, only for the headache to come at her full force.
Staggering out of the shower, she toweled off, dressing in a bright blue sundress with orange hibiscus flowers around the hem. Pulling on a pair of pink and white striped panties from the package Martin had bought her on Tuesday, she grumbled to herself as she walked over to her desk. Packing up her homework, she stepped out into the living room, dropping her backpack close to the front door, before walking into the dining room. “Good morning, honey. Are you feeling any better?” Crystal asked as she set a plate of pancakes with sausage on the table.
“No, mom.” she said with a groan. “I have a really bad headache.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” Crystal remarked as she walked over pressing her hand to Chani’s forehead. “You don’t feel like you have a fever. Do you have any idea how…?”
Sighing, the young feline blinked a couple of times. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep.” she mewed, “I was doing homework and… well… I was waiting for Martin to call.”
“Did he call?” Crystal asked stressing the first word.
“No, because he’s a stupid jerk!”
“Honey!” AJ chided as he walked in from the bedroom.
“Well, he is, daddy!” Chani said as she rubbed at the sides of her head. “I was so worried about him that I didn’t get practically any sleep, and now I have a headache because of him.”
AJ looked at his feline daughter, taking in the bags under her eyes, and the slightly glazed over look in her eyes. “Do you want to stay home, honey?” he asked, “I’m sure if we called, and told them what happened the faculty wouldn’t mind.”
Chani shook her head as she ate. “I don’t want to lose my perfect attendance score.”
The twins showed up for their breakfasts shortly afterward, their green eyes looking at Chani for several seconds. “Are you okay, sis?” Lee asked with concern in his voice. “Not to be rude, but you look terrible.”
“I feel terrible.” Chani remarked.
Jenny looked over at Crystal, “Isn’t there something you can do to help her, mom?” she asked.
Giving a nod, Crystal smiled down at the feline. “I’ll make a small headache elixir just before you get on the bus. By the time you get to school, your headache should be gone, honey.”
Looking up, Chani nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
While her mother headed into the kitchen, Chani laid her head down, and closed her eyes. “Ungh.” she groaned as she felt the pounding in her skull, magnifying every sound, while light lanced through her eyelids, adding to her discomfort. ‘That’s the last time I ever wait up past my bedtime for someone who isn’t going to call.’ she thought to herself.
“Here you go, honey.” Crystal remarked, holding out a small cup of broth a few minutes later. “I’m sorry that it’s not flavored…”
“If it works, mom, then I’m not going to worry how it tastes.” Chani interrupted as she took the cup, and tossed her head back so that the blue-green concoction slid down her throat. The taste caused the feline to stick her tongue out with a “Blegh!” She shivered at the flavor of the concoction, her tail going fluffy from the mix of what could only be described as grassy week old gym socks that have been dyed in death green flavored cold medicine the month previously. Coughing, she took a few deep breaths before gasping out, “I stand corrected.”
Although she didn’t mean to, the sight of Chani’s face caused Jenny to giggle, making the feline look at her. “I’m sorry, sis, but that was the funniest face I’ve ever seen you make.” the otter tittered.
Chani scowled at her younger sister, while she thought about how her face must have looked “It’s not funny.” she groused. Thankfully, she had Lee across the table pantomiming the look of utter disgust on his face. She tried to be offended, but the look on her brother’s face caused her to snicker, making the headache throb through her brain. “Okay, so it was hilarious.” she commented, blushing and giving a little giggle. “Ow. Headache. It hurts to laugh.”
Going around the table, the otter twins wrapped their feline sister up into a hug, holding her close. Purring softly, she smiled, hugging them back. “We love you, Chani.” Jenny and Lee cooed into her ear.
“I love you both, too.” she commented before her sister leaned in to whisper.
“How about we make it up to you by having one of our “friends” come over this weekend?” Jenny suggested. “You look like you could use some stress relief.”
A shiver coursed through Chani’s spine, causing her tail to twitch happily. She knew who they would bring home with them, and she had no problem at all entertaining that particular “friend”. Blushing, she glanced over at Jenny, before giving a small, almost imperceptible nod. Lee caught the meaning as well, his tail twitching happily at the thought of having their favorite guest over for the weekend. Walking back around the table, they continued to eat their breakfast, with their tails coiled around each other, and a similar thought going through their minds.
“What do you have to work on in class today, honey?” AJ asked, either not hearing the suggestion, or ignoring what the otters were planning.
“Currently, all of our compiled notecards are already turned in to Andrea, so we have only to do the presentation, and receive our grades in World History.” Chani commented, “In my science class, we’re learning about kinetic motion, attraction and repulsion, so I’m expecting a pop quiz. Other than that, just the same book learning as before.”
“That’s good.” AJ commented with a smile. “When you get done with school, come straight home. I have a client that we’re going to be visiting for dinner.”
Everyone blinked, looking at AJ except for Crystal who was setting his plate down in front of him. “Tonight?” Jenny asked.
“But… what if we wanted…?” Lee started to ask, only to be cut off by their father.
“It is Formosa custom that the prince and his family host a business meal, or visit, with their colleague’s family for dinner.” AJ remarked, “Of late, I have been lax in that duty, but we have been invited to a meal, and I mean to take our entire family.
Jenny and Lee glanced at each other before looking at AJ, “Who will we be eating with?” they asked in unison.
Smiling, AJ shook his head. “That will be a surprise. Suffice it to say, I want you three on your very best behavior.”
“Okay, daddy.” all three said in unison.
“You three better get ready,” Crystal announced, “because the buses will be arriving soon to pick you up.”
Getting up, all three siblings pulled their packs onto their backs as they headed for the door. Walking together for the bus stop, Chani and the twins went their separate directions once they reached the street. All three waved goodbye to each other from across the street while each bus slowed to a stop in front of the gaggle of students. The bus ride seemed to take forever in her mind, and yet she was thankful for the time that it took the elixir to work. Pulling up in front of the school, the bus slowed to a stop in order to disgorge its passengers. Standing up, she smiled as the headache that had plagued her that morning disappeared.
At the same time Chani was getting her shower, Martin awoke to a comforting weight pressed against his side and initially thought it was part of his dream coming true. When he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, however, he felt the back of a smaller girl’s head, feeling the short hair with his fingers. Reaching up with his other hand, he pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead. “Yvonne… seriously… you have to stop doing this…” he grumbled as Yvette poked her head into the room.
“Come on, Yvonne. Mom told you to wake up Martin like five minutes ago.” Yvette called out from the door, already dressed in her school uniform.
“I know, but he looked so adorable that I just had to snuggle against him.” Yvonne said with a giggle.
“Mom shouldn’t have to send you to my room…”
Yvette shook her head. “Mom said there was a power surge last night. Look at your clock.”
Looking to the left, he saw that his clock was flashing at five hours and fifteen minutes. ‘Damn it!’ he thought bitterly, ‘Why does this world just love to fuck me up the ass?!’ Tossing his blanket and sheet off of his body, the young mink practically leapt into a pair of loose jeans, while Yvonne pulled the covers off of her face. She managed to watch as he sifted through his t-shirts, pulling a deep purple one down over his slender frame until it draped over the base of his tail.
“Don’t worry. You still have time, Martin.” Yvette said with a smile.
Giving a sigh, Martin shook his head. “Thank god for small favors.” Stepping over to his phone, he saw that it was done charging by the full battery icon on the flat screen. ‘I’ll turn it on after I’m at school.’ he thought silently as he disconnected the charger, and thrust it into his pants pocket. Picking up his satchel bag, he draped it over his shoulder so that the strap crossed his slender chest. Heading downstairs, the fact that Yvette backed up before he ever got to the doorway made him blink.
Once he was sitting down at the dining room table, Andais came over with a stack of pancakes, the scent of the sausage finally reaching his nose. “Here you go, honey.” his mother said setting the plate down in front of him. The twins came down and sat at the table too, with Yvette sitting across from her brother, while Yvonne sat to his left, and his mother sat at his right. “Perfect timing, by the way. I just finished your breakfast.”
“Thank you, mom.” Martin said between mouthfuls, “It tastes wonderful.”
Andais nodded while cutting her pancakes, “I would accept that compliment if you could actually taste your food.”
Martin gulped down his newest mouthful of food before looking down a little sheepishly. “I’m sorry.” he apologized, “I guess I’m usually in such a hurry that it’s kind of hard to slow down at times.” Taking a drink of his milk, he washed out the sausage and pancake from his mouth before he started to talk again. “Everyone, I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting lately. This week has just been crazy, and I really have no idea why. Can you forgive me for all of my moodiness this past week?”
Looking at her son, Andais smiled and nodded. “Honey, I’ve been where you are right now, and more. I can understand how it feels when you first start liking someone. The constant worry and dread that they don’t feel the same way about you, along with the hope that they do.” Reaching out she gripped his arm. “What you have to remember is that your family is right here with you, and although we can’t be there to help you out with your relationships, we’ll always be around to hold you close when you need us.”
Smiling sheepishly, Martin nodded. “Thanks, mom.”
“You’re welcome, honey.” Andais said before looking at her watch. “Now finish your breakfast, and I’ll take you all to school.”
“Why?” Martin asked. “I could get there easily if I was woken up on time.”
“I called Mrs. Tsakumy, and I asked for a meeting before you started school.” Andais said with a casual shrug, “Over the past six months you’ve had no less than ten problems with the school board, and I want to know why. Hopefully she’ll be able to tell me what’s going on with the teachers.”
“Oh, okay.” Martin commented with a nod.
Everyone ate placidly, the previous day’s tension seeming to melt away from the family with little more than a casual sigh. After finishing breakfast, Andais rinsed off their plates and set them into the dishwasher, before grabbing her keys and purse. Yvette and Yvonne picked up each of their backpacks, while Martin pulled on his satchel bag. Heading out together, the family was on the road within a few minutes, heading straight for the elementary school.
Arriving barely fifteen minutes later, Martin listened as his mother called out to Yvonne and Yvette. “Have a good day at school, sweethearts!”
“Thank you, mommy!” Yvette called out as she waved back at the car.
Martin watched as his sisters joined a trio of girls as they started to play together on the merry-go-round. He watched the five of them for only a few seconds while his mother backed up and started for the road again. “Are you sure we should just leave them?” he asked his mother as they pulled out into traffic.
“The school has a teacher supervising, and the girls are on their property.” Andais said with a smile. “Besides, they know that I’m a phone call away if anything happens.”
“Yeah, alright.” Martin said with a sigh, “I just don’t feel safe leaving the girls there half an hour before their classes start.”
Andais glanced over for a moment with a smile. “I’ve dropped them off early in the past, honey, so they should be fine. Besides, they have several friends to have fun with before class.” she said with a smile. The car descended into silence as that information sunk into Martin’s mind.
Leaning back against the seat, he looks out the passenger side window, his mind reeling from the revelation. ‘When did my sisters make friends at school?’ he thought before he mentally heard ‘Duh! Unlike you, your family didn’t wander around moping and feeling sorry for what they left behind for nearly five years, moron!’ He narrowed his eyes at the internal conversation, and the factual information it was relaying. ‘Maybe if you tried to make friends for five years, you too could have more than just your three classmates. That is, if Chani still considers you a friend.’ His chest tightened at the thought that he may have ruined their friendship.
Before he even noticed, the car pulled into the parking lot of the high school, and the engine turned off. “Well, we’re here.” Andais said as she slid her car keys into her purse. “After the meeting, I have some preparations for dinner tonight.”
Martin blinked, “Dinner?” he asked as he exited the car with his mother. “Are we having something special?”
“Hmm?” she asked. “Oh, yes. We’re having company over for dinner tonight. Don’t you remember?”
“I… don’t remember you ever saying anything about company tonight.” Martin remarked with a shake of his head.
“Considering everything that’s happened this week, it probably slipped both of our minds.” Andais commented. “Either way, we’re having company tonight, so I want you on your best behavior.”
“Okay, mom.” Martin said with a smile as they walked into the school.
Upon reaching the doorway of the counselor’s office, Mrs. Tsakumy stood up and motioned for the pair to enter. “Welcome Mrs. Thomas. Martin.” she said without preamble, “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.” Andais said as she sat down across the desk from the younger woman. “As you no doubt have heard…”
“Yes. I have heard about what happened within the confines of the office yesterday afternoon.” Mrs. Tsakumy interrupted. “Since you have been frank with our staff, I will be equally accommodating to you, Mrs. Thomas.” she remarked coolly.
Picking up a file, she set the two inch thick bundle of paperwork onto her desk, opening it to the middle. “This is your son’s file, filled with every bit of information given by our staff over the past six months.” She then picked up a second file, and set it down, which seemed to hold only traces of paperwork inside. “Beside it is a file from one of our more prestigious students, one our faculty hopes he isn’t being a bad influence upon.”
“My son, is not a bad influence!” Andais growled, bristling.
“Would you like to read some of the entries? Or should I?” Mrs. Tsakumy asked.
Andais narrowed her eyes, “There is nothing you could tell me about my son in that file.”
“September 7: Martin Thomas was found wandering the hallways outside of class during his third period class.” Mrs. Tsakumy read, “Found with impromptu weapons, and yelling at the top of his lungs.”
“Does that file also mention that he was beat up by a gang five of older students?” Andais asked. “I believe my file has those young men serving six years for assault because of my son’s testimony, and the security cameras set up in the school.”
“Continuing on later in the month, he was again found, this time with a shattered tray, and a girl on the ground with a broken jaw…”
Pulling out a notebook, Andais flipped a page, “Fractured arm, in a cast nearly three months when he defended himself from her assault, and I believe we informed the school board that he was currently dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for a previous incident.”
“October, refusing to take part in class discussion, and assignments…”
“My son has received constant harassment from teachers for putting sports team members into jail cells where they belong, with older students beating him up practically every day. Do you blame him for wanting a low profile after that?” Andais interrupted, glaring at the woman. “Mrs. Tsakumy, we can go back and forth like this all day. If you want, I can show you his medical file which is twice the size of that one from the school, with over half of the paperwork from since he enrolled into this school. Would you like that?”
The two women narrowed their eyes at each other, making Martin squirm from being so close to such a display. ‘What the hell just happened?’ he thought to himself.
“If you will please calm down, Mrs. Thomas. I am on your side here, but we at the school document everything. Regardless of the circumstances, the faculty considers Martin to be a “problem child”, and they are hard pressed to stray away from that mentality, even when your son is doing everything he’s supposed to be doing.” Mrs. Tsakumy stated with a shake of her head. “Although I know Martin to be a wonderful and caring young man, when I look at his former file, it paints a Jekyll and Hyde picture of the person I see in front of me.”
Leaning back, Andais sighed, “My son is a teenager, and teenagers are prone to mood swings, but my son has also had to deal with some really severe trauma in his life.”
The counselor nodded, “I understand that, and to be honest, I’m actually quite shocked that Martin is as well-adjusted as he is under the circumstances.” Mrs. Tsakumy said with a shake of her head, “Unfortunately, a small number of the faculty seem intent on believing the worst in him, looking for any opportunity for him to slip up… and the fact that one of our more honored students has taken him as a friend makes many of the teachers furious.”
“You’re not talking about Chani, are you?” Martin asked.
Nodding, the red panda sighed. “That is exactly who I am talking about, Martin. In fact, many of the faculty are asking for me to resign for putting you into the same classroom as her, just because they think that was the catalyst for you to do… something horrible to her.”
“I would never do anything to hurt Chani.” Martin said softly.
Mrs. Tsakumy nodded, “I believe you, Martin, but again what we’re talking about is the other members of the faculty, and they aren’t nearly as trustworthy as I.”
Closing his eyes, he sighed as he lowered his head. “I don’t think it matters. Chani hasn’t shown any desire to be around me much anymore, so it’s not like they have anything to worry about.” Martin commented softly.
For a second, the comment completely silenced the room before Mrs. Tsakumy spoke softly. “I’m sorry, Martin.”
“Probably for the best anyway.” he remarked with a shake of his head. When the bell rang, he looked over at his mother. “I’m going to head off to class.”
“Okay, honey. Try to have a good day.”
Martin stood up with a sigh. “Yeah. Right.”
Stepping down from the bus, Chani walked toward the front doors with her backpack on her shoulder, and her tail twitching to either side. Passing her locker, the teenage feline headed straight upstairs for World History, while her monochrome ears flickered to either side. Entering the room, she found she was only one of half a dozen that arrived early, including the doberman. It was then that the feline noticed, the canine’s face seemed to be getting better, as far as swelling was concerned, but the light and dark browns of her fur had taken on a sickening, purple and green tinge. “Ow. That has got to hurt.” the feline remarked, looking concerned.
Glaring at Chani, the doberman’s lips split in a vicious smile. “Good thing the person who did it is in jail right now.” she remarked with a low, ominous growl.
“Really?” Chani asked “Then that wasn’t her at breakfast this morning?”
Loping forward, the canine watched as Andrea and Tanya stepped up on either side of Chani, the feline’s lips quirking into a smirk. The doberman narrowed her eyes for a few seconds at the feline, before glaring at the porcupine to her left, and the rabbit on the right. None of them saw the pure white mink with the fluffy tail walk in, openly ignoring the group.
“Let me see if I got this right. You got your ass kicked… by a thirteen year old?” Andrea asked loud enough to cause everyone else to look at the older canine. “I know you like playing the victim, but getting beaten up by someone three years younger than you?” That caused several students to start sniggering.
“Shut up!” the Doberman snarled before turning her head and barking out “SHUT UP!” Glaring back at the trio, she growled low in her throat. “I’m going to take away everything you hold dear, little kitty. Believe that.” Spinning around, she stormed back to her table, leaving the three girls to ponder her words.
‘Just try it.’ Chani thought, before turning around to note that Mrs. Shearer had entered the classroom. It was then that she noticed the familiar white mink with black hair sitting in his chair on the other side of the table. The look on his face seemed to be the same as that first day, and although she didn’t know why, that look hurt her heart to see again. For a moment, she stood there looking at him, part of her wanting to sit next to him again so that she could wrap him up in a hug. By the time she moved Tanya was already sitting beside the male, talking to him.
“Alright everyone. Take your seats.” Mrs. Shearer called out to the room at large as she stood beside the front desk. When everyone was sitting down, she looked at the five groups with a smile on her face. “Now that we have everyone here, we’ll start with the history of Mongolia, working through to the modern day.”
Everyone watched as the group captains stood up and headed for the front. Martin was surprised to see that the Doberman wasn’t one of the captains, considering her overbearing personality. Watching as the class members talked, he noted that some actually carried their cards up to the front, with Andrea being one of only two that didn’t. Once it was her turn, the porcupine recounted all of the facts without once needing to be reminded, while the people on either side still had to check the cards.
“Wonderfully done!” Mrs. Shearer called out with a smile when they were finished.
Returning to her seat, everyone at the table congratulated the porcupine, making her blush a little. “Oh, come on. Stop it.” Andrea remarked, and yet she felt exhilarated by the accolades. In the meantime, Mrs. Shearer stepped up in front of the classroom.
“Okay everyone, settle down.” the ewe called out. “That was nicely done by all of you, so everyone in the class will be getting A’s on this assignment. Now, we have some time before the bell rings, so I’m going to give each of you your plans for next week. Now that we’ve finished with Mongolia, our next lesson will be on the nation of Morroco.”
It was then that the doberman raised her hand. “Mrs. Shearer, are we going to switch up our teams come Monday?” she asked.
“Hmm,” the ewe thought aloud, “I don’t see why we can’t. Is there some reason why your team isn’t working for you, Miss Hargrove?”
“No. It isn’t that.” the doberman answered sweetly, “I just think it would be better to have everyone switch up every week, giving them a chance at working with different people over the course of the year.”
“Considering that the year is more than halfway done,” Mrs. Shearer commented, “your suggestion is a little late to be very effective, but I think it wouldn’t hurt to try next year.”
“But…”
Mrs. Shearer shook her head, “I’m sorry Miss Hargrove, but that is my final decision on the subject. Now, as you all know, your assignments are chosen by random lots.” Once more, she picked up the plastic Halloween jack-o-lantern, and dropped in five plastic eggs. “Can I get a member from each team to come and pick out an egg?”
At first the leaders of the teams started to stand, but she shook her head “No. I want people who haven’t been up here for the drawing to step…” She then watched as Martin stood and walked to the front. “That’s the spirit, Mr. Thomas.” One by one a group of males and females approached the front of the classroom until she had five people there with her. Holding the container up, Mrs. Shearer watched as the first one dipped her hand into the large tub.
When everyone had an egg, she let them head back to their table, where they opened each egg for their team. Martin sat down next to Tanya, handing over the hollow plastic egg to Andrea without so much as a word, while the other two girls watched her open the container. She looked at the mink, hesitating long enough to pull out the slip of paper and open it with all three females watching. “Looks like we have our work cut out for us.” she remarked “We actually have the full history of Morocco to talk about next week.”
“Sounds good.” Martin commented, causing all three girls to glance at him. “What?”
“You do know that means I’ll be up front talking about the full history of the nation of Morocco, right?” Andrea asked.
“What’s the problem?” Martin asked in response.
“That’s a lot of information.” he heard from Tanya, “Andrea’s never going to remember everything.”
Martin shook his head, “She doesn’t have to remember everything.” he remarked just as the bell rang.
“I’m not sure if you were paying attention, but yes she does.” Chani stated as she stood up. “Didn’t you notice that only one other person stood up in front of the class without any notes, and yet still managed to relay all of their information perfectly?”
“You’re saying that historical aspect has to be spoken without notecards?” Martin asked.
“Precisely.” Chani answered.
“Yeah, I know.” Andrea commented. “This is going to be great!”
Everyone stopped to look at the porcupine as she smiled at the other three. “You do know that you’re going to have to remember like… twice as much information as what you did today. Right?” Tanya asked.
“Of course.” Andrea said with a nod. “That’s why I think it’s going to be great. I like a challenge.”
Chani smiled at her friend, nodding as she walked between Tanya and Andrea in the hallway. The four of them stopped at an intersection where the stairs went down to the lower level. “Should we all get together during the weekend and talk about what to do? Or do you think that we can meet up at the book store together again, and find our information there?” Martin asked.
“Unfortunately our Mondays are always busy after school.” Tanya remarked, motioning to Andrea.
“Perhaps you and Chani could be our official researchers?” Andrea asked with a smirk.
Looking over at the feline, noting how she wasn’t even looking at him, Martin sighed. “I’ll be there to do research at least.” he commented as he turned to look at Andrea.
“Well? How about you, Chani?” Andrea asked.
Giving a nod, she blushed. “I’ll be at the book store… for research.” Chani murmured. “I better get to my next class…” was all she said before taking off down the hallway. ‘Why didn’t he talk to me about what happened? Doesn’t he care about me?’ she thought.
Martin watched as Chani took off down the hallway. ‘Maybe the teachers are right.’ he thought silently. ‘Perhaps she shouldn’t be around a guy like me.’ Looking over at the other two, he sighed, feeling tired. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Take care, Martin.” Andrea remarked, her tone of voice subdued as she and Tanya watched him walk down the stairs. ‘What the hell is wrong with him this time?’ she thought silently, as she lost sight of him.
Heading downstairs, he never heard Tanya say “Those two seriously need to talk to each other.” over the cacophony of the hallway. Walking through the lower area to head for his next class, he shook his head while Chani went back to her locker, with her chest constricting and tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Over the din in the hallway, she heard someone call her name. Looking just as she opened the door, she saw a young prairie dog waving at her through the crowd. A folded sheet of paper, fell out of her locker and dropped, unseen to the floor. Without even noticing the paper, she retrieved her book for the next class, as the other girl walked up to her. “Hi, Cheryl.”
“Congratulations on your presentation this morning.” Cheryl complimented happily, “Oh and I wish you luck on next week. Memorizing dates and figures can be monstrous the first time you do it in front of a group.”
“Yeah. I know, but Andrea’s actually pretty excited.” Chani commented, happy for the distraction.
“That’s a good attitude to have.” Cheryl remarked, “Oh! If you want, I can recommend some memory exercises so that she can make sure your presentation next week goes off without any problems.”
“I’ll let Andrea know so that you can give her the information.” Chani said with a smile. “She’ll probably be really excited about that too.” Walking away from the bank of lockers, she never noticed the canine behind her crouch down and scoop up the folded sheet of paper. With a look down at the folded page, he pocketed it and headed through the hallway to get to his next class.
