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Post by Layla on Nov 15, 2005 19:44:18 GMT -5
Faintly, Layla heard sounds of music that were carried to her ears by the wind. Realizing first that tonight was in fact Alfea's first dance of the school year, and second that she had completely forgotten about it (which was surprising considering how often Stella must have brought it up), Layla inwardly sighed. Sometimes she couldn't help but feel like she was alienating herself from the other girls.
Shrugging it off, Layla absently trailed her hand through the water before pushing herself to her feet. Strolling along the path by the lake, Layla noticed a figure up ahead. Upon squinting her eyes, she saw that it was in fact Flora. Happy to have a distraction from her thoughts, Layla called out to her friend and then jogged towards her.
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Post by Demeter on Nov 15, 2005 20:00:05 GMT -5
Flora's head turned in the direction of the cry. She grinned at the sight of her friend. "Layla!" she cried. "How are you?" she asked politely, after hugging the girl when she got to where Flora was.
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Post by Layla on Nov 15, 2005 20:05:53 GMT -5
"I'm doing good, although I have a feeling that Stella is going to have my head once she realizes that I've committed such a social faux pas as missing the dance," Layla replied, her voice tinged with good humor. "But I could say the same about you; I mean, you're out here too." Wiggling her brows, she asked, "What's your excuse for being here instead of being in there with everyone else?"
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Post by Demeter on Nov 15, 2005 20:43:13 GMT -5
"I'm hiding," Flora said, before sighing. "Professor Palladium was watching me and apparently Professor Faragonda has some sort of problem with it because she wants to talk to me after the dance. It's not like I did anything to encourage his attention." She started to fuss with her hemline.
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Post by Layla on Nov 15, 2005 21:16:14 GMT -5
Shuffling her feet, Layla cast a sideways glance at her friend, who was in obvious discomfort. "Look, Flora, I don't mean to pry but what's the deal with you and the professor? Is there something going on because lately you've been up and down. Sometimes I think you've got a harmless crush on him . . . and at other times you seem to be scared of him."
Pausing to gauge her friend's reaction, Layla continued carefully, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to - I just wanted you to know that I'm here if you need an ear."
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Post by Demeter on Nov 15, 2005 21:18:56 GMT -5
"Well, it's just..." Flora sighed quietly. "I had a crush on Professor Palladium last year, when he looked like this," she said, handing her a folded up picture from her wallet. It was a class picture from last year. "But now... I don't know. And everyone, well, Bloom, Stella, and Chatta all seem to think that I should be "crushing" on Helia since he saved me and all from that monster. You remember..."
She looked at Layla. "I have no idea what to do, Layla. I'm so confused."
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Post by Layla on Nov 15, 2005 21:31:20 GMT -5
"Wow, the professor sure has changed. Are you even sure it's the same guy?" Layla asked in shock. After a moment more, Layla handed the picture back to Flora, and smiled wryly, "I guess I don't know as much about Alfea as I thought I did."
Glancing over at Flora, and noticing again the confusion scrawled over her face, Layla decided she had to do something to help her. Throwing an arm over her friend's shoulder, Layla gave her a reassuring smile before continuing on. "I can't say I have much experience in what you're dealing with, but I can tell you something I learned somewhere along the way of my life that might help you: no one can tell you what you feel - only you can know that, Flora. I guess what I'm saying is that I can't tell you, and neither can Bloom or Stella or whoever, who you care about."
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Post by Demeter on Nov 16, 2005 7:08:46 GMT -5
"I'm assuming it's the same guy. He said this was normal for elves like him," she answered with a faint half shrug. She gave Layla a faint smile. "Thanks for the advice, Layla." She looked up at her. "So.. what do you think of the menfolk that you've met so far?"
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Post by Layla on Nov 16, 2005 17:43:03 GMT -5
Layla furrowed her brow as she thought about all the boys she had become acquainted with. "They're nice enough, but I don't know; sometimes they seem a bit too know-it-all - like because they're guys and I'm a girl, they must automatically know more than I do. I admit, it does bug me quite a bit. But at least they're not complete jerks: they're more like nice guys with a bit too much ego."
Layla's eyes suddenly twinkled with amusement, "So of course I've taken it upon myself to remind them every so often that girls can always give them a run for their money."
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Post by Demeter on Nov 16, 2005 17:54:33 GMT -5
Flora grinned. "I know, some of the boys have too big an ego. Like the boy Musa likes. Riven could stand to be knocked down a few pegs," she mused. A stray lock of hair blew into her face and she brushed it away. "I have to admit that the only plus to the dance this year is that Miss Faragonda hired a singer. She's pretty good..."
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Post by Layla on Nov 16, 2005 18:18:53 GMT -5
"Well, I'm glad to hear that I'm not missing out on something that wonderful - although, I do wish that I had a chance to hear the singer; live music is such a breath of fresh air compared to all those heavily produced recordings, you know?"
Stealing a glance at Flora, Layla continued, "But speaking of Faragonda, how much time until you have to go talk to her? Although why she feels the need to is beyond me." Realizing how disrespectful she sounded, Layla half-heartedly added, "She probably just wants to make sure you're not getting into any trouble because she cares about you . . ."
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Post by Demeter on Nov 16, 2005 18:25:26 GMT -5
"She said after the dance so..." she said quietly. She gave a small half shrug. "I just wonder how much Miss Faragonda's paying her. Live music probably isn't cheap." She gave a tiny smile. "So do you want to head in and listen for a bit...?"
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Post by Layla on Nov 16, 2005 18:35:37 GMT -5
"You'd think that after all the damage Alfea incurred when you guys fought the witches last year, the budget might be kind of tight around here. But then again, with so many princesses attending the school - and with so many kings and queens paying big money for their daughters to "get the best education possible" - money probably isn't an issue."
Layla gave a half-smile, "But enough ranting. I think going in to hear the music sound like a great idea - even though I'm not really properly dressed." Looking down at her jeans and hooded sweater, Layla laughed heartily. "I wonder what Stella will say when she sees me . . . or maybe she'll just faint right on the spot from the sheer horror of such a fashion error." Shaking her head in amusement, Layla flashed Flora another broad grin.
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Post by Demeter on Nov 16, 2005 18:40:30 GMT -5
"I'm betting on fainting," Flora said, grinning. "That would be her reaction." She did a quick up down glance of Layla's outfit. "I doubt many people will notice and if they do, well, we can always say your wardrobe hasn't gotten to Alfea yet and if they don't like it that's their problem." She blinked. "So, shall we go back?"
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Post by Layla on Nov 16, 2005 18:50:01 GMT -5
Nodding her head in agreement, Layla replied merrily, "Absolutely. We should make the most of this dance, and if that means going in and enjoying good music, so be it!"
As she laughed with her friend, Layla felt her spirits lifting. Before talking to Flora that evening she had felt moody and lonely, but now she couldn't keep a smile off her face. And she had to admit, she much preferred feeling this way.
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