At the Music Department, students entered the hall. Their uniforms were neat under the morning light coming through the tall windows. Some carried their books by their sides and others clasped them tightly to their chests. The chatter stopped as the screen used for teaching slid into view, gaving off a faint glow as the female coach stood at the front.
"So class, it can now be seen that a C to C-sharp is a chromatic interval, while C to D-flat, though they are enharmonic equivalents, is an interval we can find in a major scale. For example, in an A♭ Major..." Mrs. Rhead explained. Her voice was clear and precise.
The class listened carefully but Àjè was distracted. She sat by the window with Clara beside her. Even Clara could not sense what was going on in her sister's mind. It appeared the class' discussion was really absorbing. Indeed, it was.
Àjè was not focused on the lesson. She was thinking about Fred. She wondered why he disturbed her thoughts like that. She believed he must be dangerous and pretending to be a normal student at Greenlight. She had asked herself what his purpose was and if he planned to harm someone. She remembered the strange feeling and the look he gave her that made her shiver. She thought he acted as if he knew nothing about himself.
Her eyes moved to the wide glass window and she looked down at the school compound. The hall was on the third floor and it gave her a clear view, she could see almost all Worthloth. In the distance she could see Worthloth Forest at the edge of campus swaying its greens gently.
She thought that even Worthloth, the forbidden forest, seemed to accept him. She remembered that no one went deep into those trees without trouble. Yet Fred acted like nothing touched him.
"What are you whispering, sister?" Clara's voice interrupted. Àjè blinked. She had been speaking her thoughts aloud.
"Nothing actually. I'm just - " she began, but Clara cut in.
"Don't lie to me, sister. I heard what you said. Why are you whispering things like that here? People might be listening."
"He's too dangerous, Clara," Àjè whispered. "This morning he gave me a strange stare. His eyes were like a vertical strand of - ."
"Àjè," Clara signaled with a tilt of her head. Someone nearby was listening.
"Oh, that's right, Clara," Àjè muttered and sat back quietly.
After a few hours the Music Class ended. Students left the hall, some in pairs and some alone, talking and stretching. The class had been long but Mrs. Rhead taught well that they could not detect the time.
"What do you think about Mrs. Rhead's class today?" Clara asked, while they walked down the stairwell.
"She is skilled at teaching. I enjoyed the class," Àjè replied with a little smile.
"Hello Clara?" a voice called as they reached the base of the building.
"Hi," Clara responded, glancing at Àjè, who looked away.
"How are you both doing?" Fred asked.
"We are fine, thanks," Clara replied.
"Àjè?" Fred said more directly. She looked at him briefly then turned away with her hands behind her back.
"I'm good, Fred," she said quietly.
"Clara, can I see you for a moment?" he asked.
The sisters exchanged a look.
"What does he want now?" Àjè whispered. She had warned Clara before stay away from Fred but Clara did not see anything wrong with him. Àjè watched Clara and Fred as they moved to a spot to talk.
"I'm sorry, Clara, but I want to ask if you have time to meet me at the school garden. I want to have a word with you," Fred said.
Clara's eyes widened. She felt uneasy... or pretty excited.
"Why the school garden?" she asked. "You can say it here."
"It's quiet at the garden," Fred said. "You'll hear me better."
"I'm sorry, Fred. I can't go with you. I just met you a few days ago and now you want me to go to the garden?" Clara herself knew she's trying to be responsible.
Fred insisted. "Please, Clara. Just this one time. I promise I won't ask again," he said.
Clara gave him a long stare. He looked away immediately, her stare was too hynoptic.
She returned to Àjè and whispered, amused, "Can you believe he's begging me to come to the garden? He says he has something to tell me."
Àjè frowned. "Why are you smiling? Do you think he wants to ask you out? Even if he does, it is not for good."
Clara laughed lightly. "It's fine, sister. Look at how he's begging."
"Clara, don't trust his face. He wants to trick you," Àjè warned.
"He's harmless, Àjè. Let me hear him out."
Àjè sighed. "Well then, I'll be nearby watching in case something happens."
"I don't think that will be necessary, I'll be fine," Clara said, walking back to Fred, who looked nervous.
"Let's go then, Fred," she said.
Àjè followed them quietly, blending into the sea of students.
"Why can't you say it now, Fred?" Clara asked as they walked. She expected the usual flattery most boys throw at her way.
"Let's get to the garden first. I'll tell you there," Fred replied.
Within Clara, she's way too excited and couldn't wait to get to the garden as soon as possible.
Clara studied him. He did not look threatening. Despite Àjè's warnings she wanted to see him again. It's so hard maybe she's going crazy or Àjè was right. But, Fred's presence, his scent, his gaze and his voice were hard to ignore.
"Here we are, Clara. My friend over there wants to talk to you. It's important," Fred said suddenly.
Clara's eyes widened. She was shocked, devastated.
"Really? So you have nothing to tell me?" she asked, disappointed. She placed her hand on her waist and turned to leave.
"Please, Clara, don't go. I beg you." Fred held her hand gently. "I need you to meet him and listen to what he has to say," he said softly.