//Callen//

The dance is in three days. The dance is in three days. I put this thought out of my mind and notched an arrow. Letting it go, I got an inch away from bull's eye. "Nice, but you just have to aim a little bit higher," Derek, my partner for the day, said. He pushed my arm a little bit up and our eyes met. I looked away quickly. "Like this?" "Yeah, just like that..." I reached back to grab an arrow and aimed it like he told me to. I let it go and it sailed forward and onto the bull's eye. Derek and I were in a section of the campus that no one else was in. Mr. Viso paired everyone up and told us to go to different parts of the campus far away from everyone else, so we wouldn't have any distractions. "Good job Callen." I looked up at him. He was a few inches taller than me, with laughing green eyes and black hair. He was cute, in a way. "Great. Now, I guess that I'll--" He kissed me. I was in the middle of a sentence and he just kissed me. The nerve. But I didn't step away. I don't know what got into me, but I didn't step away. A twig snapped behind us and I almost jumped out of my skin. Darius of all people stepped up. "Mr. Viso told me to get everyone to the range. I'm so sorry for interrupting." He looked at me, then turned on his heel. "Darius! Wait!" I called and tried to get him to come back, but he was already out of earshot. I turned around and began packing my stuff. "Callen, I'm sorry. It's just, I really like you, Callen. I really do." He stepped up to me and stood behind at a safe distance. Tears stung in my eyes. "I know, Derek. I, I know. And I like you, too. It's just, Darius, I really like him. A lot. And now..." He reached up, then put his hand down. "And now I don't have a date for the dance." I stormed off towards the range, towards Darius. Once I got there, I put away my bow and arrow and lined up with the rest of the boys in archery. Darius stood as far away from me as possible. I wiped my face and was silent until we were excused. I walked away from the range and towards the locker rooms to change into the Gym uniform, coffee-colored shorts and a white shirt with "GenkuSuh Boarding Shool" in blue letters. The sidewalks were busy with students. I passed Darius going to _____ (I don't know his schedule). "Look, Darius, can we just talk? Please?" I begged. "Fine. What do you want?!" I breathed in, breathed out. "I want, uh, I--I don't know." He rolled his eyes and continued walking. I guess I wasn't going to the dance.

Hi, Mary M.! Glad you're back! I posted a little bit ago, but you must've not seen it. Anyways, here it is again. It's the list of characters, their ages, and their "owners" (who plays/writes about them).

Characters:

Jasmine H., 13, Kat

Mary-Lee H., 10, Oregano

Artemis Tahan, 14 , Sarah K./Oregano

Jacob Inglecton, 13, ZB

Callen Iglecton, 13, ZB

Alamea Kaai, 13, Elizabeth M.

Banier Egan, 13, Elizabeth M.

Lilian Saerian, 13, Elizabeth D./Lizzie

Darius Amiri, 13, Elizabeth D./Lizzie

Kataira Abishag, 13, Princess P.

Eli Abishag, 13, Princess P.

Leif Jaylor, 15, Trixy/Hanna

Karanah JimShah, 13, Mary M.

Aika Basima Bunko, 14, Olive

Also, here's a list of who is in each room:

Room 14- Alamea, Jasmine, Lily, Kataira

Room 16- Callen, Aika, Karanah, Eli, Artemis,

Room 26- Leif, Jacob, Banier, and Darius

Will post later!

@Everybody: Umm, I guess the MatoDyfi can be what you are making it out to be, but I imagined it as these task the team's from the schools were supposed to do. GenkuSuh doesn't really have a team it's just some kids who decided to train just in case the new head of the school said they could participate. I didn't mean for the MatoDyfi to be something that had like music competitions or fencing competitions, then again I didn't make up the MatoDyfi so I might just be being to strict. It's your decision. What were you intending Elizabeth M? I said that Lily was asked to be part of the team because she was flexible, graceful, strong, and smart: good qualities for the events that might face the teams. But really you don't need to follow anything that I say. I am probably just being too pushy.

@Oregano: Umm in answer to your earlier question Kyriah is a made-up country. I just made everything  eastern because that is what it seemed like. I would have made up stuff if I was good at that sort of the thing.

I promise that I will post later. My computer had a nervous breakdown so I have to use my Mom's and she and my sister are on it a lot so I don't have much chance to get on. And the last guests from my other sister's party only just left. So I promise to post tomorrow.

Here they are!!

Alamea—

Karanarah and I had promised each other that we would meet to go to dance. I went down to room 16 about thirty minutes early. Maybe I would run into Aika, Eli or Callen (who I hadn’t seen for a while even though we had classes together… ).

I quietly knocked and walked in, not waiting for anyone to open up. Instead of meeting someone, all I saw was a big lump on the top bunk near the wall.

I thought that somebody was sleeping and I didn’t want to disturb but then I heard a quiet sniffle.

I walked up and saw Callen’s brown hair spread around messily on the bed.

“Callen?” I asked very slowly.

The only answer I got was a muffled: “What?”

“What’s wrong?”

Callen looked up. Her beautiful color-changing eyes were red and puffy.

“Why did I get into this stupid dancing stuff? Now… Now it’s ruined!”

“Did Darius leave you?” I silently made a pact to get back at him.

“No! NO! It’s much worse. Derek, Derek Walker, he… he KISSED ME!”

I was sitting in shock.

“Wait you kissed him or he kissed you?”

“He was my partner in archery and then I was shooting and he kissed me right on the lips. The worst part is coming, I didn’t stop! I kissed him back. Darius walked up and got really mad and walked off! I ran after him but- but…” She wailed and threw her head into her pillow. “IT’S ALL MY FAULT!”

“No, no. Callen, don’t worry. It’ll get better.”

“No, it won’t! Why did I get myself into this stuff?!”

“Callen, find a nice guy. Talk with Darius. Don’t lie here and weep. It’s pitiful and you’re better than that.”

“I-I can’t. It’s my fault and he’ll never forgive me.”

I tossed my caramel braid over my back and tugged Callen’s arm.

“Come on. Let’s go down to the courtyard and get an ice cream. You need something. We still have twenty minutes till dance."

With that, I managed to pull the moping Callen out of the bunkbed and walk downstairs.

Oh, sorry about that, Elizabeth M. I wasn't really sure what the MatoDyfi was, so I just sort of made it up in my head like it was a competition and you could try out for a team. So you can just ignore my last storyline post for Eli. Will post later (if I can think of something to write about!)!

So, the MatoDyfi is kinda like Tri-Wizard Tourny, but instead of the Goblet choosing the people, the headmaster does? That's what I got.

//Callen//

I sniffled but reluctantly followed Alamea to the shop section. She gave me my purse and jacket and I trobbled (is that a word? now it is ;) out the door and down out the dorms, towards the cold air that I hated. I walked on the sidewalk that I hated. I breathed the oxygen that I hated. I hated everything. Especially myself. I lifted my head; we were nearing the ice cream store. He was there. Darius. With Jasmine. Herrrr. They were talking. She put her hair behind her ear, the universal flirting technique. She giggled. He swept his hand behind his hair, the adorable thing he does when he's nervous. A lump formed in my throat. He nodded. She smiled and nodded. They walked away. Jasmine did an awkward skippy thing. Darius smiled and shoved his hands in his pocket, passing me and ignoring me. I tried not to burst into tears on the spot. Alamea looked at me and steered me towards the ice cream shop. "C'mon Cal. He's not worth it." But he was. He always was. We walked into the cute little shop and walked into line. We looked around to see who else was there. Derek Walker was sitting with some of his friends in one of the boothes. He saw me and walked over. Alamea nodded towards me and continued in line. "Hey, Callen. Look, I'm really sorry about earlier. I really am." "Yeah, so am I." "Look, if you're still up to it, do you, wanna go to the dance with me?" I looked up at him. "Yeah, I would like that. I would like that a lot." He smiled and walked out. I walked towards Alamea. "Get that order to go, we need to get me a dress." She looked at me. "Okay, then. You could borrow one of mine." With that we grabbed out hot chocolates and went to grab a dress and get ready for the dance.

Okay, I made up a MadrianaGusic  exhibition (see below for more details). I thought we could have the MatoDyfi how Elizabeth M. made it out to be, and then we could have the MadrianaGusic where we have groups of kids who perform together. So if you wrote about how your character was going to join a team for the MatoDyfi, we can just pretend that they are doing it for the MadrianaGusic instead. Is that okay with all of you? Did I explain it well enough?

//Kataira//

I walk into chorus with Eli and choose a desk. I choose a seat next to a girl with smooth, jet black hair, green eyes, and pale skin. Her hair is woven in an intricate pattern, sort of like a braid, on the back of her head. She introduces herself as Takilia.

"Hi, Takilia!" I say as Eli slides into the seat next to me. "I'm Kataira and this is my sister, Eli." Eli leans forward and smiles at Takilia. Eli is seated next to Aika, a girl in room 16 with Eli.

"Hi, Kataira! Hey, Eli!" she says. "Wow, you two are so alike!" Eli and I smile at each other. We are used to people saying this. When we meet someone new, it's usually one of the first things they say.

"What room are you in?" Eli asks Takilia.

"I'm in room twelve. What about you two?" Takilia asks.

"I'm in fourteen, and Eli's in sixteen," I tell her.

"So we're next to each other! Cool!" Takilia smiles. Takilia and I talk with each other while Eli talks with Aika. A few minutes later, our teacher, Miss Laira walks in. She is tall and slender with caramel skin. Her short golden hair is cut in a bob, and her bangs hang right above her eyebrows. She bows Persian style with her hands together in front of her heart. The class stands and bows back to her.

"You may be seated," Miss Laira's sweet, clear voice rings out across the room. "We will start by learning a little bit about each other. When it is your turn, recite your full name, age, year, and a little bit about yourself. You may start," she says, nodding to a boy in the front row. He quickly stands up and stumbles through his words.

"Josiah Franco, eight, first year, and I like to sing," he blushes and sits down quickly. Miss Laira smiles at the next girl who stands up and continues on.

Soon, it is Takilia's turn. She stands up, nods to Miss Laira, and says, "My name is Takilia Amariana. I am thirteen years old, and I am in my fourth year here at GenkuSuh Boarding School. I have nine siblings, seven of which are here at GenkuSuh. I like to read books, play the harp, and, of course, sing in chorus." She speaks with a clear voice, then smiles and sits down.

I stand up and say, "I'm Kataira Abishag. I'm thirteen years old, and this is my third year. This is my sister, Eli," I say, gesturing to Eli. "I play piano, violin, and harp." I sit down, and Eli stands.

"I'm Eli Abishag. I am thirteen years old, and this is my third year, same as Kataira. I like to read, play games, and hang out with my sister and my friends," she says. After everyone has had a turn, Miss Laira instructs us to get into groups of four. Takilia, Eli, Aika, and I are together. Miss Laira hands out sheets of music.

"Hmmm," she says when she gets to our group. "Wait here one minute."

"We're not going anywhere," says Eli under her breath.

"Eli! Be nice!" I tell Eli.

"I am!" Eli says back.

"Shhh," I say as Miss Laira comes back with the music.

"I thought you four needed some harder music since you are all advanced. Here, see if you can sing this song. If you do well, you might be able to perform it in front of the school for the MadrianaGusic next month," she says. All four of us look at each other in surprise. "Oh, sorry about that. I forgot that Mrs. Hale hasn't announced it yet. Well, if I started to tell you, I might as well finish telling you. MadrianaGusic is an exhibition that GenkuSuh is going to be put on next month. I think it's going to be on the fourteenth of September or somewhere around there. There will be an exhibition only for GenkuSuh, and then there will be a nationwide competition later in the year. All of the best schools in Kyriah will be there. And of course, GenkuSuh will be one of them. There will be tryouts for each class coming up soon. Each class will pick its best performer or group of performers to perform for the MadrianaGusic. I thought you four would make a good barber shop quartet, don't you agree?" We all stare at each other in amazement.

"Okay, we'll do it, won't we?" Takilia says, taking charge.

"Yes," I agree. "We'll do it, won't we, Eli?"

"I'm in!" Eli says excitedly.

"So am I!" says Aika.

"Good. I guess that's settled. You will all still have to try out, but I think you all have a sure chance of making it. But you have to promise not to tell anyone, okay? I think Mrs. Hale is planning on announcing it tomorrow morning, but until then, you girls have to keep your mouths shut. Do you think you can do that?" Miss Laira asks anxiously. We all nod our heads in agreement.

"No, we won't tell," I assure Miss Laira.

"Good. Now you had better get to practicing!" she says, heading off to check on a different group.

[[I don't remember Artemis having a date yet, and not Lief either, so I'm going to pair the two of them, if you don't mind, or if you do we can just pretend that all the "Lief"s in this section are actually "Bill"s or "Bob"s or whatever.]]

I'm sitting in the cafeteria in shock.  Callen with Derek, sure.  But Jasmine with Darius?  The same girl who was sobbing her heart out last night, completely genuinely,who was elated at the thought of getting back together with Jacob just this morning, completely genuinely, is now going out with the next person who asks her?  I couldn't believe it.  Unless Jas was doing it to make Jacob jealous.  That was possible.  That might work.  Or he could be so put out by her refusal that he'd dump her forever.  I didn't know.

A boy slides in next to me.  Lief.  One of Jacob's roomates, I think.

"Hey."

"Hi."  What does he want?  "Have you seen anything recently up with Jacob?  Like, has he said anything about going out with Jasmine again?"

"No."  He looks nervous.  "But then, he never really says much at all.  I don't know."

"Well, she's just accepted Darius.  As a date for the dance."

"Banier just told me... that he told Darius... to ask Jasmine."

"Banier.  Told Darius."

"That's what he said."

We both look away from each other.  The silence progresses from comfortable to awkward.  In fact I think it was awkward to begin with.

"He's got a point though."  This from Lief.

"How so?"

"With girls, it's better not to be too timid.  Or you'll never get anywhere."

I turn my head toward him. He's looking at me.

"Is that a hint?"  I ask.

"Will you go to the dance with me?"

I thought about Jasmine.  Callen.  Lily.  Alamea [[If she doesn't have a date yet, ignore this one]].  Eli.  I thought about how I had two more dances at Genkusuh.  And then I'd leave, and that would be it.  I did want to do the dance.  I hadn't had a date yet.  I kind of liked Lief anyway, though I didn't know him that well.  I look him in the eyes.  "Yes."

I mustn't regret that.  I must make the most of this evening.  It must be a thing I enjoy.  I will do this.

"Thank you."  Why is he thanking me?

"Thank you."

He looks completely flustered, gets up, and just about runs away.

I have a date.  How did I get a date?  Then I look across the cafeteria.  It's Jacob.  He's sitting with Elizabeth, both with cups of hot chocolate, and while she's talking nonstop, he's staring despondently at the place where  Jasmine had been sitting.  Elizabeth whips her head around and stares at him, waiting for an answer.  He doesn't even notice. She pokes him.  He jumps, and appears to ask her what she had said.  She angrily repeats it.  He gives a short answer and goes back to staring at Jasmine's seat.

There may be hope yet for Jas and Jacob.  I have to wonder why Elizabeth  is going after Jacob.  Maybe she just wants to be able to say that she was the girlfriend of a fairy.  Yeah, that could be it.

Anyway, I have a problem now.  What to wear to the dance?  I take my hot chocolate and flee to my room.  I only have one dress, and it won't work for a dance.  It's a polo dress!  I'm not wearing that to a dance.  I look at my skirts.  Here's one that's long and swishy.  That's my style.  Here's a blouse.  I can wear that if I have to.  Maybe Jas or one of the others will lend me a dress.   No one's around in room 16, so I go next door.

"Who's there?" is the answer to my knock.

"Me.  Artemis."

"Come on in!"

I do, and a mess of dresses meets my eye.  Dresses strewn across the bunks, dropped on the floor, and hung in the closet.  I didn't know anyone had brought so many dresses.  I didn't know anyone had so many dresses!

"Whoa!" I say.

Then from two of the dresses, I notice, are protruding the heads and arms of Alamea and Callen.

"Hi!" says Alamea.

"Hi!"

"Hey!  Guess what just happened?"

"What?"

"Lief asked me to the dance!"

"Derek just asked me!"

"I know, I was there!"

"And I didn't have a dress, so Alamea is offering me one of hers.  Lily was in here a few minutes ago too, she said I could try hers."

"I haven't got a dress either," I admit.

"Go ahead and take your pick!" says Alamea.

I look through the dresses.  I have such great friends.

[[Whoa, that was really long, sorry about that.]]

So sorry I didn't post.

//Lily//

I walk into room 14 (Or were they in 16?) and see that they have taken out all their dresses. "Hey, where are you guys!" I say loudly. "We're over here." Alamea appears from under some of the dresses. "I think I will take out my dresses now." Over the summer I had made six dresses with my mother's and aunty's help. There were four dances (That's okay right? I thought the back-to-school-dance and then the Winter dance and then the Spring dance and lastly the end-of-the-year dance. Is that all right?)

Sorry I have to go. Will post later.

Oregano-Oops, sorry about that. I also have a tendency to correct people's grammar (expecially my sisters' which annoys them to no end!). Will post later!