A Useful Friend (1)

(Lana)

"Lana, you are back! ..." 

I was startled out of my preoccupied state by an exclamation that was rather sweet and feminine.

I slowly raised my head from where I had rested it on my arms in an effort to shut out the outside world and think about my predicament. 

I was unable to tell you how much time had passed while I was seated on the ground with my back pressed up against the door to my room and my knees pulled up to my chest.

My mind had consumed so much of my attention that I almost completely lost track of the outside world.

When I looked up, I saw that my senses hadn't misinterpreted the familiarity of the voice; indeed, the Flora fae Cerise stood before me in all of her splendor, looking at me with large indigo eyes that were filled with excitement.