I'm going to report you

After a moment's silence, in which Aria looked at the lake and Joseph looked at Aria, both lost in their own thoughts, Aria blinked and spoke, "I think we ought to be getting back. Otherwise you'll be late for class."

Joseph blinked, nodded and got up. He made Aria float alongside him, and the two headed back for the castle.

On the way, Joseph asked, "How did you know we were the first two people to go there together?"

Aria, who had been looking at her flower bracelet as it brought back many memories, looked at him in confusion, "I felt it. Surely you did too?"

Joseph: "That's what weird. I kind of did. But I am having trouble believing that no one ever took anyone with them, not even couples?"

Aria thought for quite some time before she spoke, "That meadow was something sacred, it was not a romantic place, not in the slightest. And it felt like something you would want to keep to yourself, like a favourite toy from childhood. Somewhere you went when you wanted to run from your thoughts, or sort them out. So no, I don't think it would ever have been a date spot, especially for teenagers who still cannot understand their own thoughts, let alone let someone else in."

As Joseph opened his mouth to argue, Aria said, "And I think some things in life are not supposed to make sense. They are just meant to be believed in."

Joseph looked at Aria and without thinking, blurted out, "Who are you?"

Aria looked at Joseph and tilted her head, "I'm Aria. Who else?"

Joseph muttered something about not asking it like that, but no further discussion was made on the topic of the meadow as they sneaked back into the castle. As class had ended, sneaking back in was more difficult than sneaking out. Students were hurrying along the hallways, and Joseph and Aria had to hide many times from teachers.

Finally, they reached the recovery ward undiscovered.

"Phew. That was a close call." Joseph said as he opened the door of the recovery ward.

"Sneaking a patient out usually is." A voice came from behind them which they both, to their horror, recognised.

Joseph and Aria turned around to look at Miss

Anhao, Aria still sitting cross-legged and floating at about waist length.

Miss Anhao crossed her arms and looked like she could murder both of them any second.

She turned to Joseph and said, "Give me one good reason that I don't report this to your father at once."

Joseph said in a small voice, "I did not let her walk? Not even for a step."

Miss Anhao raised an eyebrow, "And you think that is a good enough reason to sneak out a recovering patient?"

Joseph suddenly did a bow and said, "I'm sorry. Me and Aria both apologize for going out like that without your permission."

He glanced sideways and saw that Aria had still not moved an inch. Joseph reached out and pushed Aria's head down so that she was in an awkward sitting bow. "So....sorry Miss Anhao. Won't happen again."

Miss Anhao massaged her temples and said, "I hope not. Now, return my patient back to her bed." She added, turning to Joseph.