1 1.1

They were at school. In class. Mr Thorne was introducing the next chapter they were starting today, a new mathematical concept. And at the back, one row up from the very last, Haven and Pixie were completely engrossed in a private discussion.

"So, that's the story in brief. Do we want to help her?" Pixie asked. Her voice was a whisper, her eyes a torch that could light up the classroom in the darkness of night, and her lips were an unbreakable curve with the ends reaching up.

"Hmm," Haven said, scratching his thin, his eyes half closed, lost in thought. It was a very good prospect. "I can't see why not. Did she really say she'd give whatever we asked for?"

"Her exact words were she'd give whatever I wanted. But that's not much of an issue really, is it? What I want will be a good mix of what each of us wants."

"Of course." Haven nodded seriously. And then grinned. "So let's get started listing our wants. I want her meal card for Wendy's."

"I thought you didn't like cakes and muffins and pastries."

"I don't. But I do enjoy the teacakes they've recently started selling. Have you tried them?"

"No."

"Good. We'll have them with Edyn's meal card."

"And Petra loves the pastries."

"Yeah. That she does. Especially the green one."

"Matcha pastry puffs."

"Yeah. Matcha pastry puffs. At least they're not as sickening as the chocolate and the fruit pastries. I can accompany her with matcha pastry puffs easily."

"Okay. The meal card. I want a quarter of her allowance."

"Money straight up? That's a good idea."

"I think that's the best. Simple. No frills. Completely free. And pretty much impossible to be discovered. Leaves no traces."

"Smart. Alright. I think that should be enough. We get the best of both worlds."

"I'm just not sure she'll give the meal card. She loves Wendy's."

"She'll just get another one. An add-on. Or maybe she'll give us the add-on. I don't mind either way."

"Okay then. I'll tell her our answer is yes."

He nodded. She nodded. And before they could speak another word, they were swallowed up by the silence of the class. Mr Thorne was staring at them, not a trace of the warm smile on his face, and his eyes pretty much glowing red.

"Are you done?" Mr Thorne asked, his voice low but just as threatening as it would have been if he was screaming. "We can wait for you."

"No," Haven replied nonchalantly. "We can't hold you up. We're pretty much done for now. Please continue."

The rest of the class covered their mouths with their hands as they snickered and giggled uncontrollably as if they were tickled. They weren't surprised. Haven was like a special existence. He did whatever he wanted, without care or fear of the teachers or the rules or any sort of retribution. And that wasn't because he didn't care about them. Just not the repercussions. He didn't care for them because he wasn't afraid of whatever they might be. It was almost as if nothing could affect him, at all.

Mr Thorne, however, couldn't accept that like the other, older teachers did. He was new. He wasn't a nobody. He got into the school because of his passion for teaching and his passion for math and because of how good he was at math, and also because he was the nephew of one of the directors on the school board. He didn't throw his weight around though. He only wanted his students to be good students who paid attention in class and who exhibited no delinquency. And as far as he was concerned, Haven was a delinquent. And Haven was spoiling others as well, like Pixie, who could have otherwise been a pretty good student.

"Stand up,' Mr Thorne said, the strain as he controlled his anger evident in his tone. "Both of you. Have you been listening to what I've been saying?"

Haven shook his head honestly, and immediately. Pixie was slow to follow, and apologetic. Mr Thorne sighed, sadly at Pixie, and furiously at Haven.

"The both of you, leave the classroom. Since you cannot care to listen to the lesson, you can go out and continue your much more interesting and much more important discussion. Now."

Haven shrugged, and headed out. Pixie hesitated, but followed. There were a few in class who laughed at the two. Most, however, neither held an opinion nor showed any expression.

Outside, in the hallway, Pixie stood looking at Haven.

"What do you want to do?" Haven asked.

"What do you mean?" Pixie asked in reply.

"Stay? Or head off, on a nice walk?"

"I think we should stay. But I want to go on the walk. The school is different at this time, isn't it? A little nicer too. Feels like it's all ours, even if for just a little while."

"You're mad, pretty much. Let's just walk."

Pixie was happy to follow Haven's decision. They walked down the hallway with soundless steps, down the stairs, and out of the second building. They didn't go near the first or the third buildings. Or the grounds. Instead, they followed the invisible trails along the sides and to the back, where the earth was more unkempt and had an air of wilderness. And that was what it was called, the wilderness. There wasn't much to see in the wilderness. Those interested in grass and wild plants could find several species. Those interested in insects would find many, many different and strange kinds of insects. The rest, could just lay on the soft enough to be barely comfortable earth and stare up at the sky that presented more faces than could be counted.

"So, we're helping Edyn," Pixie said. Not looking at Haven's nod, she continued. "Did you know she liked Gavel that much?"

"Did you not know?" Haven snorted.

"I did. But that's not what I mean. I just never thought she'd like him so much. Enough to ask for my help. Madness is what it is."

"Love is madness. And highly infectious. You should be careful."

Pixie was horrified. "Why would I fall in love with Gavel? He's old!"

"You could fall in love with someone else."

"Who? You?"

"Why would you fall in love with me? See, you're already mad. Already infected."

The two had a good laugh. And fell silent, staring up at the blue sky that was clear but for the rare thin clouds. Until they heard the bell. Then, they headed back to class.