Chapter 7: Falling Out

Her voice isn't loud, but it isn't quiet either. The classmates who haven't left yet all turn their heads to look.

This is the second time Karla has used that bossy tone with me, like I'm her property. Real friendship shouldn't be like this.

I've put up with Margaret and Emily's cold attitude toward me for years. Now hearing Karla talk to me this way, all the pride and self-respect I've been holding back come rushing up.

"Karla, forget about the fact that I was asking him a question and he was just helping me—even if I wasn't asking for help, I'm my own person. I can think for myself. I have the right to make friends."

I try to control my emotions, keeping my voice steady instead of getting worked up.

"I know you're trying to look out for me. But you can't try to control what I do."

"Are you arguing with me?" Karla's eyes go wide. She clearly didn't expect this. Maybe because I was so friendly and went along with everything from yesterday until now, she got the wrong idea.

"So this is how you thank me. I was nice enough to help you fit in quickly. I was nice enough to warn you so you wouldn't make mistakes. And this is how you treat me."

Karla lists out everything she's done for me, like she's been terribly wronged. Then suddenly she thinks of something. Her eyes narrow and she looks at me suspiciously. "You don't... actually like guys like him, do you?"

I freeze for a second, then can't help laughing.

I'm laughing at myself for thinking earlier that Karla and George might have some history, when now Karla is using that same suspicion to question me.

"Karla, I care about our friendship. I've been listening to what you say. But please let me have my own opinions. Respect my freedom."

I pause, then add, "I just see him as a classmate. If I can't even get along with a classmate, then what's the point of learning magic?"

Karla's lips shake with anger. Her chest rises and falls rapidly. She points at me and says through gritted teeth, "Thelma Johnson, you stupid woman. The gods will make you pay for this!"

She stomps her foot hard, turns around, and storms off. The other classmates who saw our fight whisper to each other. After they figure out what happened, they actually point at me, like I've done something terrible. After Karla leaves, they all scatter too, like they're avoiding something contagious.

The space that was just full of noise suddenly goes quiet. It feels like there's a heavy rock sitting on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Karla was my first friend in this world. I never thought I'd lose my first friend because of a second one.

Feelings really do change fast. Yesterday we were laughing together. Today we're at each other's throats.

Didn't some philosopher say that friendships that start quickly also end quickly?

But I don't regret what I did.

I shake my head, trying not to get stuck in pointless sadness.

I walk out of the classroom, planning to check out the shop and see what they have, when a red fox suddenly jumps out and blocks my way. I look closer—isn't this the same fox that delivered my acceptance letter a few days ago?

I crouch down excitedly and reach out to pet the fur on its head. It feels like soft fur brushing against my heart, gentle and soothing.

"Little fox, we meet again."

It tilts its head with a somewhat annoyed expression, its eyes seeming to say "don't touch me." But it doesn't move away. In that thin, sharp voice, it says flatly, "The dean wants to see you in her office."

I'm a bit surprised. "Ms. York wants to see me? What for?"

The fox gives me a "how should I know" look, turns around, and trots off.

My mood gets heavy again, like clouds rolling in. Brandy went around my class advisor to call me in directly. Did I do something wrong? Back in the human world, I always had a good student reputation. I've never been called in for a one-on-one talk with a dean. A little argument with Karla couldn't be serious enough for this, could it?

I follow the directions to the administration building. I didn't have time to come here during yesterday's campus tour. This is my first time. I notice that the building's exterior actually looks like some huge animal's body, lying flat on the ground.

Maybe it's just my imagination, but I sense something creepy about it. It reminds me of the atmosphere in a witch's house that I saw on TV in the human world.

Only the dean is in the office. When I arrive, she doesn't ask me to sit down. Instead, she pushes up the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose.

"Thelma, do you know what your problem is?" Her voice sounds stern.

I shake my head. "Ms. York, I'm confused too. The rules you announced yesterday—I think I've followed every single one. I haven't broken any. Please tell me. Help me understand."

"Because you're hanging around with that dragon descendant." Brandy suddenly lowers her voice. Behind her glasses, her yellowed eyes stare right at me, like she's looking at something shameful.