Chapter 4

The next day was unexpectedly chillier than before. Jesi walked pass year six class blocks and was heading toward year eight’s. He quickened his steps, wanting to stay away from Laura, a year ten student who was extremely demanding.

“Stop right there, dummy!” She ordered, imperiously. Jesi failed to stop, instead, he increased his pace. 

“I order you to stop, you hick!” Jesi spun around.

“Please, Laura; I can’t miss Professor McGilchrist’s class. He shall place me on detention.”

“I’m sorry little kitty, but I don’t care,” Laura said and gave out a laugh at her utterance.

“You really need to stop calling me silly names,” Jesi admonished.

“Alright it’s fine by me you twerp! Get that branch over there into the garden. And be fast about it,”

Laura said and pulled a string of hair of her face. Jesi mumbled something and did as ordered.

            He opened the garden gate and then stared in surprise. Ariadne was there in the garden. She wasn’t a very big girl, just twelve. She had a very black hair, rather curly, a fair skin and a sexy dimple. She stared back at Jesi.

“Hello,” Jesi said, rather liking the looks of the girl who was beautifully dressed.

“What’re you doing here?”

“To fetch some stuff,” Ariadne said with a grin.

“But I haven’t come to talk, only to get this.”

She added, putting up a hand to show Jesi what she’s got.

“What’s that for?” Jesi asked. “Have no wind. Sir Quist asked me to get them.”

“Professor Quist? Yellow leaves. What on earth is he going to need them for?”

“I can’t talk, I’ll leave now…I see no reason why you’re badly interested.” she said. Her dimples fell in, making her look cute and foxy.

“I’ll see you around,” Jesi said. She smiled quite broadly and left for the class. They were actually in the same class.

            Jesi dumped the branch and traced his way to the class. Instead of finding Professor McGilchrist, Professor Shade Quist was before the class with the yellow leaves. Critically, he examined a leaf while Ariadne still stood by him.

            The class was silent when Jesi walked in. His desk was right by Caulin’s; he quickly made his way to the seat to avoid any embarrassment for being late.

“What does he want?” Jesi muttered to Caulin as he took his seat. Caulin turned to him.

“Nothing. I don’t know.”

“Has he said anything strange yet?” Jesi pressed.

“No,” Caulin answered.

“How long has he been here?”

“Hey dude, do you ever shut up? Just watch him closely. For now, keep your words to yourself, okay?”

            Jesi relapsed into a premature silence and gazed at the tutor as he did his examination. His eyes glittered.

“You’ve ever learned of venation? He asked. Jesi glanced at Caulin. Eyes met.

“Caulin, do you have any idea?” His heart leaped.

“No, sir.” Caulin stood up and said. “Hormil, do you have anything to say about this leaf to Mr. Granger?”

“I reckon it’s about the arrangement of veins in a leaf, sir,” Hormil answered, pushing in his round glasses.

“Have you ever read it?”

“No, my dad told me. He is a...” he said.

“Good, sit down,”

Professor Quist said and for the first time since he walked into the class, looked up to the class. Jesi wondered what was wrong that graceful morning.

“For god sake he teaches Chemistry, not Biology.”

He said to Caulin who fixed his gaze at Professor Quist and seldom wanted his concentration ruined.

“Well, I’m jolly sure something strange will be said again.”

“It is very great to exercise power over powers but is absolutely senseless to power powers. That’s because both are the same thing, an idiot might think. If only everyone could perceive what actually happens when veins are emptied…and by whom or what…certain things might easily be comprehended by even a bunch of eleven and twelve-year-olds.”

Professor Quist said; his face lit with seriousness. He turned to look through the window. Caulin quickly dipped into his wits and toped up his reserves. In effect he followed the gaze of the tutor. It was an Owl circling in the sky. Eventually, his gaze fled to Ariadne.

“Do you get what I mean by what I said?” He asked.

“Yes, I did. Karmathian-Raimorti.” She answered smartly and iced it with a shallow smile.  Jesi turned pale suddenly. He was evidently confused.

“Honestly, I can’t fathom this, Ariadne is in for him. She is involved with Professor Quist.”

“Really,” Caulin said and pulled in great air.

“Aha, didn’t you see that? I imagine she’s a witch, a bad one.”

“I did. She can’t help us, we have to change plans. It’s so clear she is on his side.”

“We can still try. We would just have to play the game with her until it’s time to score. I still think she is the best for the job,”

Jesi said. Caulin said and sucked his teeth. Professor Quist exited the class afterwards. He closed the door behind him. Caulin wished he could close his mind too if there was the slightest chance it was feasible. He cast a quick glance around the class and caught Ariadne furtively looking at him. She winked and smiled.

            Caulin felt a bit scared.