Ready to take on the world

Miss Anhao had given her the clear last night and double checked in the morning.

Aria had on her uniform of dark blue pants and white shirt, and was looking into a mirror to see how it fitted after a couple of months. "It's gotten a little loose." Miss Anhao said, walking in with a bottle of ointment and handing it to Aria. "Apply it every night before going to sleep. It'll help with the scars."

Aria nodded and pocketed the ointment before replying, "I've been an invalid for almost three months. I knew it wasn't going to fit properly." She smoothed down a few wrinkles on her shirt before turning to look at Miss Anhao. "How do I look?" she asked. Miss Anhao replied, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ears, "Ready to take on anything in the whole world." Aria laughed as she walked out of her office, pulling her hair into a low ponytail. Her hair had grown while she was in the recovery ward, and she had gotten out of practice caring for them. "I swear I'm gonna take a scissors to them one day." Aria grumbled as she walked out of Miss Anhao's office.

"Thinking about violence as soon as they free you. That's so hot." Aria turned around with a sigh at this voice. "What do you want Stephen?" she asked. Stephen's face took on a pained expression as he said, "I am hurt Aria. Not even a good morning when I went through the trouble of collecting all your books for the day."

Aria blinked. She was surprised to see a small shoulder bag in Stephen's hands. She walked over with a frown and took the bag, inspecting what was inside. She was further shocked that it actually had the books of the classes she planned to attend today, on top of some stationery and a packet that looked suspiciously like wrapped sandwich.

"Thank you." Aria muttered, not knowing what else to say. Stephen was usually full of himself, and could irritate anyone to death, but what he had done right now was rather sweet. Aria had to admit that. Just as she went to shoulder the bag, it disappeared from her hands. "Hey!" Aria snapped. "How on earth could you think I would let you carry it yourself. I am a gentleman." he said, handing the bag to a friend of his, who had magically appeared out of nowhere.

"And I do not need a gentleman." she said, snatching the bag from the boy. "Stephen, I really appreciate it." Aria said, turning to Stephen, "But I am not to walk around behind you like some sort of puppy."

"Okay. I'll be the puppy." Stephen replied with a shrug.

Aria: " . . . . "

"Is he bothering you?" A voice rung out through the recovery ward, and Aria turned her head to see Joseph standing in the doorway. Arms crossed, and a scowl on his face, he looked rather angry. Stephen had opened his mouth to speak a snarky remark but he closed it with a smug expression when Aria said, "No."

Joseph watched from the door as Aria shouldered the bag, pushed past Stephen and his lackey, and walked towards him. In the time it took Aria to reach Joseph, he continued to glare at Stephen, who wouldn't have been able to hide his smug expression even if he wanted to.