I got the day off!

Aria thought that Joseph would either ask details about the promise or be surprised. These were the normal reactions of people whenever she told them she was kind because she made a promise.

But to Aria's surprise, Joseph huffed, "A difficult promise."

Aria was taken aback. She smiled after a few seconds and stroked her braid, "I know. But I guess I am who I am because of that promise. And well, I have something to remind me of it."

Joseph watched Aria lovingly stroke her hair for a while before he mumbled in a small voice, "Just who are you?"

Aria looked up with a confused expression, "What did you say?"

"Nothing." Joseph replied.

Aria nodded with an absent-minded expression. She stood up and said to Joseph, "Okay. I think I'll leav now. Once again, don't say anything to Harper when she wakes up, okay Joseph?"

Joseph huffed, "Promise. I can at least manage that."

Aria smiled at him before hurrying out of the recovery ward, leaving Joseph alone with his thoughts.

Aria skipped through the grounds towards the kitchen. She entered and was immediately hugged by Ella along the waist. She bent down and picked up Ella, pinching her nose, "Where's your mom, Ella?"

Ella exclaimed, as she always did when Aria was around, "She should be just here. You look so beautiful!!!! Big sis!!!"

Aria chuckled as Mary came into view, looking a bit surprised. She walked upto Aria and asked, "What are you doing here, Aria?"

Aria tilted her head, "I thought my punishment for today was in the kitchen too. Was I wrong?"

Mary smiled and shook her head, "After what you did yesterday, no-one will think about punishing you. Professor Thomas told me. He said your punishment is cancelled."

Aria frowned, "I'm not exactly doing my punishments. Tell Professor Thomas to remember this the next time I am caught causing trouble. But this month, I'm doing Helen's. And I will finish the punishment awarded."

Mary sighed, "Such a stubborn girl. Okay then, I don't really have anything for you to do today. So why don't you take today off? I'll tall to Professor Thomas and we can continue your punishment tomorrow."

Aria's eyes brightened up at the thought of the day off. She lifted Ella up and spinned her round and round in circles, "I got the day off!! Ella, you want to explore the forest?"

Ella shrieked happily when suddenly Mary took her out of Aria's hands, saying, "No. Ella has a bit of studying to do today."

Ella pouted as Aria chuckled, "Studying is important. Don't worry. We'll play later."

And she walked out of the kitchen.

Once out, Aria put a finger under her chin, "Hmm..... I'm free now. What to do?"

She thought for a while before flying off towards her room.

On the way, Aria saw some students assembling on the grounds. "That's right!! The fights are not over yet. Should I stay and watch? Nahh... Too boring."

Aria muttered to herself as she landed inside her room, picked up a book and a notebook, and was off again, towards the forest.

Aria reached the meadow she had planned to meet with Joseph, and went towards the lake staring at the bottom.

She sat down next to it, leaning on a tree and opened the notebook.