Chapter 2 - “Arietta…” Kyle whispered shaking her gently, “It’s time for school.” “Ugh,” she groaned unmoving from her spot, shifting in place before throwing her pillow at him. Kyle chuckled and dodged the pillow quickly, before grabbing the bottom of her blankets and yanking them off. A very cold breeze hit her body, and she shivered in place. “No.” she groaned out, before reaching for the remainder of her sheets. “Let’s go before we’re anymore late than usual.” Kyle said shoving his hands into his pockets, as Arietta sat up. “How many times have I told you not to come though my window?” Arietta snapped sitting up from the comfort of her pillow. “About,” Kyle began before he stopped to think, “Ninety-seven times.” “Exactly,” Arietta said point blankly, before glaring at the wall harshly. “Now get out, I need to get dressed.” “After all the years we have known each other you’re still shy in front of me?” Kyle asked raising his eyes brows, he blue eyes dancing slightly. “It’s a shame.” “You’re such a pervert.” Arietta blushed gently, before turning away from him and grabbing a dark blue top and a pair of jeans. “I’ll just get dressed in my restroom.” As soon as she got into the restroom, she stared into the mirror. “Stupid hair.” She groaned out before grabbing her hair brush and began to brush the bed head of hair. She got ready after thirty minutes of putting in light make up. Exiting the restroom, she noticed Kyle was hitting a book of hers with his hands. “Kyle, what are you doing?” “Playing the drums,” Kyle replied blinking slightly. “Why?” “Can you not do it on my diary?” “I didn’t even realize it was your diary,” Kyle’s clueless look, turned into a small smirk. “Why does my little Arietta have a diary?” “One,” Arietta lifted up her index finger. “Stop calling me Arietta. Call me Ari, for goodness sakes.” Letting out a small sigh, she closed her eyes. “And two,” she looked up at him. “I’m aloud to write what I want in my diary.” Snatching the library from his hands, she glared at him. “Alright alright,” Kyle laughed out slightly. “Calm down, your temper is showing again.” “I know,” Arietta said walking ahead of him. Opening up the door to her room, she let out a small sigh. - As they got to school on Sphere Mountain, the halls were bustling with loud screams from teenagers who were excited on the recent win. “The Panda’s rule!” they cheered out, smiling and excited. “Go Pandas!” a perky voice squealed out from the head cheerleader, Patricia. Her long black hair was pulled back into a very class bun, and her light green eyes sparkled with excitement. She was so excited about the win; her focus was extremely well that day. She spotted Kyle entering the school with Arietta. “Kyle!” Patricia giggled out running up to the two. “Did you ever get that jig at the local coffee shop?” “Ah no,” Kyle said rubbing his neck slightly. “But,” his smile turned into a smirk. “I get to play at the homecoming prom.” “That’s great!” Patricia and Arietta said at the same time, catching the two off guard. They had always hated each other. Arietta being the artist, Patricia being the schools head cheerleader. “Anyways…” Kyle broke in, the tension going down as soon as he spoke up. “Our band recently has been playing a lot so, we’re getting better.” “That is so great.” Patricia cooed out hugging his arm. “Who are you going to take to the homecoming anyway?” “No one, I’ll be on stage all night.” Kyle raised an eye brow at her. “Why are you asking?” “Oh it’s no reason.” Patricia replied blushing embarrassed. Making Arietta smile, she covered it though with her hand pretending to cough. “I’ll see you around, Kyle.” “Bye,” he replied before turning to Arietta. “She’s weird sometimes, I swear.” “She likes you, of course she’s weird.” Arietta said closing her eyes. “Hey, what’s that suppose to mean?” Kyle asked putting his hands onto his sides. “All I mean is she’s weird.” Arietta looked up at him, before her cell phone went off. “Who the heck would be calling me at school?” she asked lifting up the phone seeing an unknown number on it. “Hello?” No one answered. “Hello?” Still no one answered, all she could hear was someone’s breathing on the other end. “I’m hanging up now.” She announced before closing her phone up. “That was weird.” “Another crank call to you?” Kyle asked looking down at her. “Yeah, another toll free number.” Arietta looked up at him. “It’s alright.” Something then hit her in the back, causing her to stumble forward. Kyle caught her, before glaring over her shoulder. “Watch it.” “S-Sorry,” Morgan stuttered gently looking up at Kyle, than looking at Arietta, “H-Hi Ari.” Arietta raised an eye brow at him, before waving slightly. “Excuse me.” Morgan said quickly running passed the two of them. “That was weird.” Arietta said looking up at Kyle, just realizing she was still in his arms. “Sorry.” “It’s no big deal,” Kyle said brushing it off, before seeing Lucy right behind Arietta, “Hey Lucy.” Turning her head around, she looked at Lucy. Her curly blond hair was wrapped into a loose braid. “Hey there Kyle and Ari.” She smiled at the two of them, before her light hazel eyes looked at Kyle. “Did you finish the assignment yet?” “Yes I did,” Kyle dug into his bag to pull out a thing of sheet music. “Here, the lyrics match the music this time.” “Thank you,” Lucy said smiling, before looking at Arietta. “Ari, you should design the CD cover when our band gets famous.” Arietta shifted slightly. “You think?” “Yes I do!” Lucy nodded her head smiling. “You’re great at what you do in your art work.” “Thank you,” Arietta nodded her head, blushing. The bell then rang and the students ran to their classes. “Well, I have math 101 now.” Lucy waved at the two of them. “See you.” As soon as she ran off, Arietta elbowed Kyle. “Why didn’t you ask her to the dance?!” “Because,” Kyle sighed out. “I just can’t ask her out.” “Why not?” Arietta pushed on. “We’ll be on stage all night, that’s why.” Kyle looked down at her. “Get on to English, I have to get going.” He shoved her slightly, before smiling. “Don’t want you failing that class again.” “Yeah yeah,” Arietta rolled her eyes, before running on down the hallway. She felt someone watching her the entire time. - Ugh! The thing that has been holding me back from writing is work and lack of inspiration! Dang it, I’m sorry y’all! >x -Karen Kano