Blizzard Girl ©

Chapter Ten:

The next day when I was at Blackwood, I ran immediately to the computer room to type out my due assignment. Luckily, I bumped into no one. Not Percival, Jason, or a very moody Charlie.

            In fact, I had the assignment typed and printed out in 40 minutes flat. I guess those typing courses online did pay off. Gleefully, I stuffed my assignment in my English folder and opened the computer room door with a huge smile of accomplishment on my face. Believe me when I say that I would have patted myself on my back if it were not for the crowded hall full of students.

            "Ventisca?" I heard much to my chagrin as I felt my shoulders slump a little.

            "Yes Percival?"

            "Were you researching?" he asked me as he fell into step by my side. I was amazed how he could glide through the crowded halls with such natural grace while I almost fell down twice.

            "Researching what?" I asked him as I reached my locker at the very end of the hall. I started to twist the lock as I noticed that Percival was still right next to me. I knew that he wasn't going to let this conversation go, but hey, I could try right?

            Percival grinned as he said, "The one loop out of our deal of course." Ignoring him, I stuffed some heavy text books in the crook of my arm as he said, "So, when are you going to start your search?"

            "Why do you care? I thought you like what you're doing now Percival?" I said as I slammed my locker a little louder than necessary.

            I heard Percival's footsteps right beside me again as he said, "I do. It just amuses me how you think that you can sway me, Ventisca." I was about to say something else but he shushed me. I took a deep breath, not wanting to fume over something as small as being shushed. "However, even if you don't believe me—I believe you."

            This might sound dumb, but my glowy side was blushing like crazy. However, I kind of learned to push that part of me out of my normal existence somewhat by then.

            So I looked at him and said, "You don't have to believe. You're just a spectator Percival. I'm going to find a way out even if it kills me." My back straightened as I said that. Shock and truth seeped into me as the severity of my words sank in.

            Percival nodded his head with a look of respect and admiration on his face as he said, "Then, so be it."

            "So be it," I said back to him, as I thought of Charlie's words: If you're going to die to protect us, then I would rather die now.

            I'm sorry, Charlie. I thought to myself, hoping one day he would understand.

            "Venti! Venti!" I heard Jason's voice yell in the halls as I was three feet from my classroom door.

            "Jase, you have to stop running away from class," I said in my big sister tone. Percival's gaze landed from me to Jason. Jason kind of shivered a little bit, as he noticed who I was talking to.

            "Um," said Jason, once he got out of his trance. "I didn't run away, I got a bathroom pass see?" I glanced at the wooden slat that said, "boys" on it.

            I asked him, "What is it Jase?"

            "Nothing." He said that too quickly to make it an obvious lie. Usually, Jason's at the top of his game when it comes to a little white lie.