Chapter 4: What in the World????
I walked into the dining hall, a large, rectangular room with huge floor to ceiling windows to the left. The tables had nice table cloths draped over them, with simple candles as centerpieces. I looked around the room, and saw some familiar blue hair. I saw Hei and Hiro at a round table near the windows. They were both more dressed up than they were before. ‘Do they know each other?’ I wondered as I wandered over towards them. Hei was looking out the window, but Hiro saw me and smiled. “May I sit here?” I asked. Hei jumped a little bit and looked over at me.
“Of course you can Katara.” Hiro beamed. Hei, on the other hand, just turned his head and continued looking out the window. I took a seat opposite of them and looked around. Some of the other girls had dressed up too, so I felt like I didn’t stick out as bad as I could have.
“So Katara do you have a roommate?” Hiro asked, trying to make conversation.
“No I’m the only one in my room at the moment.” I answered with a grin.
“Oh have you met my roommate Hei Nightray?” Hiro asked. ‘Nightray?’ I blinked. ‘Hei is related to the headmaster?’ I opened my mouth to answer, but Hei looked extremely pale, and he looked down at his lap.
“Hei what’s wrong?” Hiro asked, slightly alarmed. He put a hand on Hei’s shoulder. I was about to ask if I could help in some way, but Hei stood up before I could say anything.
“E-Excuse me.” He turned and ran out of the room quickly as the food was being brought in.
“I hope he is ok…and I did briefly talk to him earlier, to answer your question.” I said. “He seemed ok earlier, I wonder what happened?” I voiced my concern.
“Maybe he was intimidated by a pretty girl.” Hiro chuckled a little. I blushed a bit, surprised by how forward he was. “He’ll be ok, I’m sure, just give him a minute. He doesn’t seem to be the kind of person that likes crowds, and the whole school is here.” Hiro pointed out.
“Yeah, you’re right.” I nodded. Hiro looked over towards where the food was.
“Are you thirsty?” He asked me. I nodded and he smiled. “I’ll get us some drinks!” He jumped up and rushed over to get us some of the brilliant red punch that was in a large, beautiful glass bowl. He came bopping back and handed me a filled cup. I took a few sips.
“Is there, alcohol in this?” I asked Hiro.
“No, it said that it’s a bunch of fruit juices and a bunch of sodas. No underage drinking tonight.” He laughed. I smiled. I took off my bracelet I was wearing, not wanting it to get dirty when we went up to get something to eat. It was a friendship bracelet; blue, purple, and white strings criss crossed in an intricate pattern.
“That’s a nice bracelet.” Hiro said.
“Thank you.” I left it at that. I didn’t want the conversation to go any deeper than that, so I switched topics. “Are you hungry Hiro?” I asked.
“Of course!” Hiro laughed. I smiled and sighed.
“Such a typical boy!” Then went and got some food, and chatted for a while as we ate and drank. Hei hadn’t come back, and people had begun leaving a while ago, and everyone else was leaving now.
“I guess dinner is over.” Hiro said.
“What about Hei?” I asked.
“I’ll go back to the room, and see if he is in there.” Hiro reassured me. We walked out into the hall and went our separate ways. I got to my room and went to unlock the door, and my heart dropped. I had left my bracelet in the dining hall. I turned and rushed back, weaving between students. The crowd began thinning out, and I turned a corner a bit too quickly and ran into someone. I immediately hit the ground. ‘I really shouldn’t make a habit of this.’ I thought.
“I-I’m s-so sorry, are you a-alright?” A boy with charming blond hair and pretty green eyes held his hand out for me to take. He helped me up.
“No, it was my fault…um, did you happen to see a friendship bracelet in the dining hall?” I asked.
“A-A friendship b-bracelet?” He blinked.
“Yes, it’s very important to me…what’s your name?” I asked.
“I’ll h-help you find it.” He said. I blinked at him this time. I would have asked him for his name again, but he was offering to help, and I wasn’t about to pass that up.
“Oh yes! Thank you!” I smiled.
“Of course…y-you’re welcome.” He smiled lightly back at me and we went into the dining hall. I went towards where I was sitting earlier, but didn’t see it on the table. The boy looked under the table and I looked up by the punch bowl, which was almost empty.
“Were you here at the dinner earlier?” I asked my helper.
“N-No, why?” He asked looking out the window.
“It’s just I didn’t see you.” I got a drink for him and I and walked over to him, extending a cup for him. He took it, but just looked at it.
“I-I just didn’t feel like coming.” He said. I took a drink.
“That’s a shame…oh, I’m Katara.” I introduced myself. “And you are?” I decided to try again and see if he would answer me this time.
“Hei…” He said.
“H-Hei?” I questioned, unsure if I heard right.
“N-No I-I’m n-not…” He stuttered like crazy.
“What? But you look nothing like him!” I exclaimed.
“I-I can’t…I’m sorry.” He set his cup down and ran out.
“Oh no you don’t! You’re going to tell me what the heck is going on!” I yelled and ran after him, determined I was going to get some answers.
