'Arjun, why did you say that for.' Shannon asked.
'He insulted us, Shannon. Weren't you feeling provoked by his words? We both belong to the fairy's family.' Arjun replied enraged.
'It is not like that.' Shannon replied.
'Whatever it is Shannon. I am ready to make the potion single-handedly. But I want to show him that I can do it.'
'He didn't say, you can't do it. He said we can't work together and if we do not do it together, he wins. And more importantly, I don't like taking credit for things I didn't do.'
Arjun sighed then with a pleasant smile replied. 'You are right. What do you want to do? Stirring or ingredients work.'
'I think I will take the ingredients. I am terrible at making potions.'
'Fine, check your textbook and get those ingredients from the storage room. Until I get this water boiled.'
Shannon flipped through her text harshly and it fell from her hands. 'I am sorry.'
But as she bent down to pick up her text. Her hands nudged Arjun's books and it also fell. 'Sorry, it happened by mistake.' She said as she placed the books back on the table.
She flipped through the book looking for the page of the ingredients, it was filled with writings here and there. She turned to the first page. On which 'Arjun Agreste.' was written.
'Arjun this is your book..........' Shannon saw Arjun staring at her full name on her textbook's front page. 'Arjun.' Shannon said snapping her fingers. 'Which world are you in? That is my text.'
'Oh yes.' he said returning her book.
'And the water has already boiled.' Shannon added.
'Yes, yes I will see.' He said as he stopped the flames.
Shannon went to the storeroom to get the ingredients. She opened her text's first page and looking at her name she asked herself. 'Why was he staring at my text.'
Within the next forty-five minutes, Arjun and Shannon completed their potion and handed it to Professor Abelforal. The professor looked at the potion and with an unpleasant face said. 'Good, you both have done it.'
'Thank you, sir, we may take your leave.' Shannon said picking up her bag.
'And sire fairies can work together.' Arjun replied crossly. Shannon looked at her professor who looked at Arjun with disgust.
As they stepped out of the class Shannon asked. 'What is it between you and the professor.'
'He doesn't like me and I don't like him.'
'why'
'The wizarding kind do not like a mix. I am a mix and that's why he treats me differently. Haven't you noticed that even if I do whatever he says? He is never pleased and today when he talked about 'fairies can't work together. He said that especially to me.'
'He is a professor. Can he think of differences in the society of Light and teach students.'
'Even though these differences are not allowed anymore. It is there in the societies of Light and no one can change it.'
'Anyways, I admit your courage to speak like that in front of the professor. I wouldn't be surprised if your marks will be less for potions.'
'He is going to teach me this year only. Next year it will be Mr. Philips and he is ten times better than him and it's just a matter of seven to eight cycles.' Arjun replied frankly.
'Anyway, we got to get going. It is magic next and Mrs. Geraldine wouldn't be happy if we are late.'
'Shannon.' Andy said coming from the opposite corridor.
'Okay see you in class then.' Shannon said walking towards Andy.
'You look very happy.' Shannon said to Andy. On seeing her smiling open-heartedly.
'Mrs. Winter is really happy with my progress in Nautics.'
'What is there even to think about? You know the sea routes of many places like the back of your hand.' Shannon replied laughing.
During the next classes, Shannon was engrossed in thinking about why Arjun was staring at her textbook. Other than her name nothing was there and her name is not a new thing to him.
She couldn't understand the connection between the recent events. They all look like they are not connected but deep down Shannon felt that they all had a link to something.
She was in the library sitting at the front desk. While Andy was shelving the books with the help of the magic carpet. As there was no one in the library Shannon asked. 'Andy, what do you know about Agreste's.'
'Do not mind me asking this.' Andy said coming down to Shannon's desk. 'What is with Arjun and you? At times you are friends but then at times, you act like sworn enemies. Farrah told me that you were fighting on the topic of July 7 on that misfortune day. On a silly topic like a date, you were fighting. What is going on in here.' Shannon looked at Andy stressfully.
She couldn't decide whether she should say everything to her or not. She wanted to talk about all these strange things and behaviors to someone at least.
'Shannon, if you have any problem. It will be soothed by talking to someone.'
'There is nothing-
'Stop lying. I have been watching you lately. Every time you are immersed in your thoughts. You never even pay attention in any class or even talk to us. You sit ideal, thinking something else all day.
Yesterday you said you would bring a package. Did you even remember about it after you left? I knew it was an excuse you were making up to leave the room.
Even though you do not believe in the prophecy you are so interested in royal dragons.' Andy stopped to take a breath. 'I am sorry Shannon but if there is anything you want to tell, you can. I promise you it will only make you feel better.'
Shannon looked at Andy stunned. She didn't know, Andy was keeping an eye on her. Andy is a great friend and Shannon knew she would keep it a secret. 'But is this the right choice', was a question burning in her mind. Until she decided that Andy was right and she needed someone to talk to. 'Fine, Andy. I will tell you everything but you need to promise, you won't say this to anyone.' Shannon said at last.
'I promise Shannon. I won't say a single word to anyone.' Shannon explained everything to Andy. But she completely excluded the part where Arjun told her the story of how his parents got killed.
'So, Arjun isn't just a friend you met in school. He has some connection with your parents.' Andy said after Shannon explained everything to her.
'Yes, Melvin knows my parents and has also visited my house. But my father lied saying he was there to learn business from him. But why.'
'Maybe there is some connection with Melvin, Arjun, and that secret of your parents.'
'Maybe but Arjun is not ready to say anything at all. His reply was the last time I asked him after coming to the academy. 'You are barking at the wrong tree.' He is not ready to answer anything.'
'Maybe that is because you had a good argument before going on vacation and today when I saw you both. You were talking like friends. Why don't you ask him again.'
'That's true. I will ask him again.' Shannon replied starting to feel cheerful. 'And you know what I feel better already.'
'What are friends for.' Andy replied.
The next day Shannon looked for many opportunities to talk to Arjun but he was always near Ron and Alen and she didn't want them to know about this matter. After classes when Shannon went to her locker. She saw Ron, Arjun, and Alen in the corner and no one was around either and as she expected Ron asked her. 'Did you deliver my message to your friend, Shannon?'
'Oh yes, I did and she said that she is interested in giving more of such massages.' Shannon replied in an excited voice.
'Ron, come on let's go. We do not want another fight.' Alen said dragging Ron out of the room. Shannon looked at Arjun and he was about to leave the room. She had to stop him and ask if she needed to find answers. And before she could stop herself. She called out. 'Arjun, wait.'
'Yes, Shannon.' He asked turning around.
'I need to talk to you for a minute.'
'Yes, go on.' Ron said.
'I want to talk to him privately.' Shannon replied crossly.
'He is our best friend and so there are no secrets between us. You can talk to him- but in front of me.'