Chapter 5 - The Challenge
2223 Words
"What the hell is his problem?" asked Rosetta. She never met the guy before and even if she did how would she ever have wronged him.
Plus who could forget that face, whoo get me a cooler cause it is hot up in here.
Gabe really, you just said he had a complex.
Rose babycakes, did you forget the part where I also mentioned he was a hottie.
Ugh!
Rosetta facepalm herself and gave a slight chuckle. "Are you okay?"
Rosetta quickly looked up and realized she was still in William's company. She nodded her head yes, she didn't need them questioning her sanity just yet or ever.
William smiled, "As for Daniel's problem. I suspect he just had a disagreement with the headmaster and he's going to blow off some steam."
Rosetta stared at the pink eyed boy and wondered, if he was friends with the hothead. She wanted to ask but decided against it. Who knows it might be a little too personal and she doesn't want to get up into anybody's business.
A low profile is a good profile, no bullies no trouble and no attention. If she could get that for the four years she'd be staying at Cigam it'd be a dream come true.
"Come on Rosetta, I'll show you the garden and where your classes are going to be then we can head over to the gym. Hopefully Daniel isn't finished sparring by the time we reach there; it really is a sight to see."
Rosetta simply smiled at his words though she was feeling butterflies in her stomach from the nervousness of ever meeting him again.
Don't be nervous Ro, I'm here. If worst comes to worst we kick his sexy ass, I mean did you see it walking away from us. Damn!
You are too thirsty for your own good, Gabe.
Can you blame me?
Rosetta chose not to answer Gabe because sometimes it's best not to.
"...and here we are at the garden."
She was startled out of her mind musings and looked around. A beige cobblestone pathway leading from the door right down the middle.
On either side of the pathway were small hedges lining out the walkway for person's. They stepped inside and began touring around the garden.
"William where are the flowers?"
She hadn't seen one orchid, lily, rose, sunflower or her favorites chrysanthemums since she stepped into the path and began walking.
"You'll soon see." William said cryptic.
They currently reached a crossroads where there was a sign in the middle.
It read Greenhouse, Flora and Fauna, Maze and Exit.
The Exit sign was pointing the way they just came from, the Greenhouse was to the west, the Flora and Fauna to the east and the Maze to the south.
"So where would you like to go? Mind you we only have a few minutes."
"Greenhouse please."
"Your one of those persons, you and Ricka would get along swimmingly."
Ricka?
Maybe she's a friend, we can't judge without the facts.
I wasn't judging!
"Is she your friend?"
William stopped and paused in the pathway. He turned to look at her with an expression that could only be described as astonished.
"She is a childhood friend of Daniel and I to be exact."
He was still looking at her like she was an enigma.
"Is something on my face?" Rosetta sked while lifting a hand to touch her cheek.
"Well, you are the first person I told about Ricka that didn't assume she was my girlfriend. So I'm a bit impressed with your logic and mindset of not judging a person."
"I wouldn't want anyone assuming things about me without knowing me first; so it's do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
William hummed at her reasoning and realized that this girl was more than meets the eye. He found her fascinating and wanted to be her friend.
"Plus I had a pretty eccentric tutor who once that told me when you assume something you are making an ass out of yourself and the other person. I laughed at the statement until he explained what it meant."
"Which was?"
"The way the word was spelled and pronounced."
William still looked a little perplexed.
Rosetta smiled and further explained, to him the reasoning.
"The word assume spells three important words for the explanation. The word ass, the letter u and the word me."
William's eyes lit up after he understood, what Rosetta was saying that he gave a little chuckle.
"I get it ass out of you and me. That tutor of yours was pretty clever and eccentric."
They both shared a light laughter, then realized they've been standing in the same spot for about twenty minutes or so.
"Let's head back. I really want you to see Daniel sparring."
"Can't we just see the greenhouse first, please?"
"You really are just like her."
"Who this Ricka girl?"
"Yes."
They began walking towards the greenhouse again while engaged in their conversation.
"Why do you say that?"
"She's a Bloomstien."
Well I'll be damned, he thinks you have nature magic. He couldn't be more far and still yet so close to the truth.
Aren't Bloomstien's like one of the most powerful nature magic users around.
Yeah, they are and a damned prestigious family too. They are also part of The Society of the Four.
Just my luck!
"A Bloomstien, that's impressive."
"You don't sound impressed though. May I ask why?"
"I've met alot if famous persons, users of magic and non users alike. So initially I think the sparkle kind of wore off when I hear blue-blood last names."
"You really are something else. I for one can testify Ricka isn't anything like most of the snob rich person's here. She's quite mellow but can be angry and rude if the moment strikes."
Rosetta gave a light laugh, she liked the description of this Ricka girl. Maybe they could all be friends; William, Ricka and her.
Don't forget Daniel.
How could I ever? When you keep reminding me of every few seconds.
Hehe, just trying to be supportive.
Rose turned towards William, rather perturbed by Gabe and her musings. She couldn't possibly understand what made Gabe so intrigued by Daniel sure he was good-looking but he just blow her off without knowing much about her and that frankly is rude.
"Let's go see what your friend Daniel can do. Shall we?"
With that said she turned and started to exit the Garden with William following behind and a quite amused expression on his face.
*At the Gym*
That is Rosetta Stone huh?!? She is cute but that doesn't mean she should be here I have puppies that are cute that doesn't mean I'll be bringing them to school.
With that thought Daniel slammed another opponent to the ground and won, the crowd that had gathered cheered.
He was still worked up, no one can be that perfect and be a NUM it's just not possible she must have a flaw.
Daniel grabbed his opponent's fist twisted it behind his back which made the person give a sharp shout of pain. He then proceeded to use his right foot to lock onto his sparring partner's own foot to topple him to the ground where he pinned him until tap out. The crowd went even more wild after seeing this; the school enjoys Daniel's sparring sessions it's like watching a real live action match.
Daniel went to the side of the gym to get some water, he wanted to relax before his next match. He made the mistake of looking up to the front of the gym where the stairs were to enter the pit. There stood Rosetta Stone with William talking and even laughing a little, this irritated him further.
She's already trying to fit in with the rest of us. What next? Is she going to sit at our table? Be our friend? 'Ill never let it happen, she's doesn't belong here and he'll make sure she knows it.
He walked out to the middle of the pit and calmed himself well as much as a fustrated person could. He stuffed his hand in his gym shorts pocket while running the other through his hair to remove some strands from his eyes. The girls in the crowd went crazy like they were at a concert and they saw their favorite performance. He never once took his eyes off Rosetta and William, upon hearing the noise she stopped to turn back to the pit only to be surprised that he was staring at her.
His green eyes were a shade too dark to be natural she suddenly got an uneasy feeling about what was about happen. He then pointed straight at her. The crowd hushed when they realized Daniel was challenging someone in a match which was mandatory once the challenge was given in the pit.
He saw her mouth open slightly when she realized what he just did. William held her arm firmly then looked back at Daniel and said something to her, she looked at him and smiled whatever her response was seemed to worked cause he let her go.
She made her way down the stairs to enter the pit, she removed her jacket and rolled up the sleeves of her white shirt. The crowd was still slightly quiet with the occasional murmurs inquiring about who Daniel just challenged.
She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and walked out to meet Daniel in the middle of the battlefield. She looked at him and it made him quite uneasy her violet-grey eyes held concern.
"I'd ask, why your doing this but I wouldn't like the answer I'm guessing."
He smirked at her, "Maybe, who knows. I just feel like to put you in your place maybe after this beating you'll leave this place for good."
She sighed and crossed her arms in front of her.
"I should have expected this. New girl equals bullies. It's sad really I though your more mature than that."
He scowled at her remark. "I'm not a bully. I just want you out of my school."
"That doesn't sound like bullying at all. Anyways is the best way to have me leave by beating me in a match? What would you get out of it?"
"I can see how what I'm saying is contradictory however I'll feel better if you leave by your own will but I know that won't happen, and if I can win in this match and it happens then I'd feel better."
"Oh, now I'm suppose to care about your feelings. You don't even know me yet your ready for me to leave. We haven't even talked for more than three minutes at most."
"I for want to get to know a person like you. Plus I know much more about you than you know about yourself Stone."
She flinched at the cold tone he used. Rosetta was so fed up of his attitude and confused about the information he may have about her. Mixed emotions are dangerous combinations for magic users.
"I'll make a bet."
Rosetta looked up cautious and curious a synthesis of feeling that is never good. But curiosity won.
"What type of bet?"
"The type where if one of us wins, the other gets control of them for the rest of the semester and can do whatever they want with them."
She rolled her eyes, "A master and slave contract? What is this a drama series or some romance book?"
"It's the benefactor contract. You've heard of it haven't you?"
Her eyes widen, the benefactor contract was one of the biggest magic contracts around you could borrow your benefactor's power for your own use however they couldn't touch yours and they had to follow every guideline given in the pact. This contract was blood bound and had severe implications until it's completed or one of them dies.
"Why would you go as far as to propose this?"
"Win and I'll have to tell you. Don't and you'll never know." He gave a small smile and titled his head to the side..
Lub-dub!
What was that?!?
Oh, babydoll that was your heart skipping a beat.
Lub-dub!
Lub-dub!
W-what? Why?
Because of that hunk-a-licious right there. Obviously!
Impossible!
Rosetta focused back on Daniel and his face. He raised a eyebrow and gave a smirk, "Reconsidering Stone?"
Lub-dub!
Lub-dub!
Lub-dub!
Lub-dub!
Lub-dub!
"Argh!, It is so on. I accept your challenge Fox."
Daniel smiled raised his hand and made a fist to show that the challenge was accepted. The crowd went wild even further.
They closed the two feet distance between them to shake hands to show good sportsmanship before the match, Daniel tugged at her pulling her closer and whispering to her.
"Good luck."
3!
They walked back to their positions two feet apart. She tried to clear her head of his husky voice echoing inside.
2!
He tried to clear his head of her scent still lingering close to his senses. Coconut and lavender one heady scent it relaxes and ensnares.
1!
They both looked up at each other still slightly dazed with the other's essence still around them.
Begin!
- Writer
