Eight

"He who strives to touch the stars often stumbles on a simple straw,"

We all leave the house together, Enid heads into town on foot, while Mason and I clamber inside the car with Louis and Carter.

" Where to?" Louis is behind the wheel while Carter sits in front, next to him. They both briefly look at each other, and then at us over their shoulders. Probably just as confused as I am.

" The academy," Mason says sullenly without taking his eyes off the window. He'd been quieter than usual since we landed on my bedroom floor.

Louis nods and puts the car in drive, while he glances at me in the rearview mirror.

In turn, I settle for watching the passing scenery. Everything seems the same. The brilliant, dazzling Morston appears the same, at first glance.

I can't help but worry. My mind strays to the things Mason said to me in the morning.

I'll find you in every reality you create. In whatever corner of the universe you choose to hide. I'll find you.

Did I create another reality where we both never lived through the most horrifying ordeal of our lives? I shake my head at that thought and feel his hand curl up around mine, gently stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. The silence is suffocating.

I want to speak. I want answers. I want to be prepared for whatever will come at us.

I don't want to be caught with the proverbial ' pants down' once again.

The academy looms ahead of us in all its imposing greatness and my eyes catch on the star of David again as we pass through the gates.

Louis pulls around the back of the building and parks in a row of cars which appears to be belonging to the faculty.

We climb out of the car, slamming the door behind us in a strange sequence and we all look at each other a bit fazed by the occurrence.

" Louis, let them know that I'm here. I'll be with you in half an hour. Have everyone gathered in the zephyr room," Louis nods and makes his way to the far side of the building while Carter looks at us, at a loss for words.

" Come. I'll come with you and say hello to Aldo and Frankie," Mason says and inclines his head to Carter who follows closely behind us.

Strange, didn't even begin to cover how everything feels. Mason leads the way to the front, while Carter and I follow, stealing glances at each other.

He understands the situation even less than I do.

We climb the steps towards what I know is the reception and I already know where Aldo's office is.

" Good afternoon Frankie," Mason says to the receptionist. The woman stands up and blushes.

" Mr Kinnaird we weren't expecting you," She abashedly says, while looking down at the stack of papers in front of her.

" It's not an official business Frankie. I'm just here to say hello and I'll be on my way. Is Aldo available?" I'm surprised that Mason is extremely cordial to the woman in front of him. Even though he could have strolled into Aldo's office.

" He has another meeting in fifteen minutes. You know how he gets if he doesn't have his midday coffee, " Mason grimaces and Frankie laughs.

" That bad huh?" Mason casually says and Frankie nods.

" He said that today's batch is the worst he has interviewed since he has taken over as head of admissions," She sighs and plops herself in her chair.

"Don't worry. I'll cheer him up," Mason chuckles, and Frankie grimaces.

" I doubt that. He says that you always give him a headache. When you graduated he threw a party because he finally rid himself of you," They both laugh. Carter and I look at each other as if we both stepped into a universe where Mason used to be a troublemaker.

" Hand me the aspirin," Mason reaches over the desk and Frankie produces a bottle of aspirin from under the desk.

" Thank you, Frankie. Always a delight to speak with you," Mason says and Frankie turns beet red.

" Likewise, Mr Kinnaird," Frankie stammers, and covers her cheeks, glaring at the stack of papers in front of her.

Carter nods, and I dazedly manage a small wave that Frankie doesn't see because she is about to hide under her desk.

Mason knocks and pushes the door open, catching Aldo, unprepared.

Aldo spits his coffee back in the cup and jumps up in his seat flustered. I find joy in seeing him like that because that is not the same man I remember.

" No," Aldo breathes the word, and slumps back in his chair, dejected.

" I rid myself of you," He grumbles under his breath, and Mason places the bottle of aspirin on the desk, smiling.

" I come bearing gifts," Mason says and plops himself in the chair on the other side of the desk.

" I can't believe this," Aldo says again wiping the coffee off his desk.

" Well," Mason drawls, " I have a favour to ask," Mason begins and Aldo's eyes bulges out of their sockets.

" If this is what I think it is," He looks up at me, and frowns," You already know the answer is no," Aldo firmly says, reprises sipping on his coffee, with a quirked-up brow.

" Nothing of the sort. Don't be ridiculous, " Mason scoffs and straightens his jacket.

" Miss Abernathy was due to have her interview with you this morning," Aldo looks up at me and nods.

" Due to some unforeseen events, she wasn't able to make it. I'm merely suggesting that you should reschedule her interview for a date at your convenience, of course." Ado gulps, and looks at me with a curious eye.

He strokes his tie and squares his shoulders, making himself look bigger than he is. After a few seconds, he produces from a drawer a pair of round spectacles, and places them on his nose, at a very low speed.

Aldo blinks at Mason, then at me, " No. You know the rules better than anyone. We must uphold a standard in this institution. An opportunity was given. An opportunity was missed. I suggest that Miss Abernathy should focus her academic advancement in a different institution." I'm speechless. That was harsher than anything I'd expected. Everyone makes mistakes. For such a small transgression. The punishment didn't fit the crime.