“What are you doing?” He lowered my arm down

I looked up at him, “That's my friend. Thank you for helping me,” I smiled at him before sprinting to Ysennia 

I didn't wait a minute as I truly didn't want to be near him. I don't know why my heart was constantly pounding, my face flushed and hot and my palms sweaty. I didn't like this feeling. I grabbed onto Ysennias arm, making her scream, raising her right hand but stopped once she saw it was me.

“Layla!” She cried out, pulling me into a hug, “God, I was so scared,”

“I was as well, but were together,” I pulled away from her and looked around us, “Where are the others?” 

“Follow me,” We walked alongside each other, keeping close 

“Why is it so crowded?” I asked

“You didn't hear?” She looked back at me and I noticed the fear in her eyes, “Supposedly there were gun shots,”

“What!” My eyes widened, “But aren't those banned?”

“They are, but you know it doesn't stop people. Even I heard it was a gang member and a civilian,”

“Do you think it's….,”

“I truly don't want to think so, but knowing him. Who knows,” She stayed quiet as we continued to walked

“Ysennia! Did you find Layla?” Alex and Sandra came into view

“I'm right here,” I popped out from behind Ysennia

“Thank god,” Sandra ran over to me, pulling me into a hug, “That was the most horrifying moment for me. All of us being separated and losing you for a hour,”

“A hour? I was gone for that long,”

“Yes and we started to think you were the one injured but thankfully your not,”

“We should probably head back to the meet up,” Alex said as he got closer trying to enclose our mini circle

“Yeah, that's a good idea,” Ysennia, me and Sarah nodded

We walked behind one another, holding each other's hands to the meet up destination, not trying to lose each other. But during that walking, I felt a brush against my hand and I turned my head to see who it was and it was him. He closed my hand and walked away, his white hair the only thing I could keep my eyes on as he disappeared into the crowd. I felt a yank and looked forward to see it was Sandra pulling me along and I focused back on walking but I looked down at my closed hand and slowly opened it, noticing it was a crumble paper but there was something in it. I placed it in my bag with my hanging mobile.

                                                ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

“You're all here, thank the heavens!” Professor Gill rushed towards us, examining each of us, “Wait, where's Lucas?”

“He ran off from our group in the beginning and we told Professor Urban,” I said

He sighed, “Okay, well all that matters is you are all safe. Now come on all of you on the bus,”

We entered the bus and sat in the seats we were previously in and sat there in silence. I opened my bag and pulled out the crumbled paper. I unfolded it and was confused on what was inside. I pulled out the pendant that is in the shape of a teardrop. I wiped the sapphire gem as it looked dirty but it was just the inside. Why would he give me this?

                                                   ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I laid my head on the desk. After returning from the city, we were taken to a classroom and we had to stay here until everyone was there. 

“That seems to be everyone,” Headmaster Rudolph walked into the classroom, “I would like to apologize for keeping you here, but we had to be cautious as we didn't know what to expect,” He rubbed his chin, “In the news, I'll be sharing with you is regrettable but I must tell you. The person who was injured and sent to the hospital was Lucas, it seems he caused trouble to the point the accused felt threatened and decieded to take matters into his own hands,” 

“Is he okay?”Alex asked

“He is fine, but disqualified from the trip. So the previous group he was in will be receiving a new member if I can find one in two days time,” He sighed, “Please for the time being, do not cause any trouble as this event will cause unneeded tension with Itosan. You are dismissed. Have a good night,” He walked out of the classroom

Me and Ysennia looked at each other, shocked. We never thought we would see the headmaster that disappointed and begging us not to make another situation. 

“Okay, students,” Professor Urban clapped his hands, “You heard the headmaster, it's time to head to bed. So, lets get going,” 

We all stood up and walked out of the classroom and headed to our dorms.  

                                                    ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I closed my suitcase as I packed everything for the trip to Itosan. We were leaving to Itosan today and we had to be at the location that we were going to be teleported from. I looked over at Ysennia who was looking at herself in the mirror, placing a outfit in front of her and then another one.

“Ysennia, are you done?” I asked, watching her turn around to look at me

“Now, why would you ask me that?” She raised the outfits in her hand, “Which one looks better to take?” 

“Ysennia, these outfits aren't that serious, just pick one since we only have two hours left to meet us at the teleportation location,”

“Layla, this is serious since you never know who we'll meet,” She walked over to her suitcase and folded both outfits into the suitcase, “Even we have two hours left, so we don’t have to worry yet,”

“Ysennia, you do know that the location is far away from the domority?” 

She looked at me with wide eyes, “What do you mean by that?”

“It's a 10-15 minute walk, but with our suitcases it may be more challenging. Also, they have to separate us into our groups so I don't know if any of our group members are there or we'll be the last ones,”

Ysennia ran to her closet and grab more things before folding them into her suitcase or stuffing them in. She closed the suitcase and set it on the ground, pulling the handle up and looked at me, “I’m ready,” She huffed out

“That’s the fastest I’ve seen you been,” I said as I placed my suitcase on the ground as well, making sure the wheels worked 

“Well, I’m not that athletic and who knows how long we’ll be walking due to the suitcases, so lets go,” She headed to the door and I followed right behind her

We walked out of the building and down the path to the secluded destination, but the built path ended and we had to walk and roll our suitcases on grass and gravel to which I almost tripped. 

“This is a disaster,” Ysennia said as she carried her suitcase in front of her

“Your arms are going to be sore. Just roll it beside you,”

“Layla, I’ll rather gain muscles in my arm by carrying it then dragging it across this uneven terrain like why did they make us go through this much trouble. They could’ve done this in the gymanisum,”

“Well, using teleporation magic is risky and needs a open area for a large group,”

“All I’m just saying is that they could’ve sent help with our suitcases,” Ysennia stumbled forward but regained her balance, continuing to walk

                                                   ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

“They better have water over here,” Ysennia said as we stopped at the line that was form

“You can go look and I’ll stay here with our luggage,” I said

Ysennia left her suitcase with me and walked off, “The walking was hell?” I looked at the person in front of me and nodded, “They said it was a 15 minute walk but it took us almost an hour since my group member wanted to wear heels,” He nodded to the girl beside him

“Excuse me. I asked if one of you could help me while I put my flats on, but none of you didn’t so that was your karma,” She glared at him

“Well, you can still change into those flats because who knows how long this is going to take,” 

“Not long supposedly,” We jumped at the voice behind us and it was Ysennia, drinking from a water bottle

“Ysennia, when did you get here?” 

“Just now. The sign in table isn’t far away even were going to have to go to the other side, Layla. Our group is there,” She pointed to the other side

“See, I told you, Isaac, that we had to sign in,” She hit his shoulder

I giggled at them before following Ysennia to our group. I noticed a new person in the group. I guess the headmaster really found someone to replace Lucas.

“You guys are finally here,” Sandra said, smiling

“The walk here was horrible,” Ysennia whined, “I just hope we don’t have to walk in Itosan to our hotel,”

“I think we are,” Alex said, rubbing his neck

Ysennia groaned before leaning on me, “You’ll be my transporation pillow,”

“Haha, very funny,” I patted her head

We continued to wait until it was time and everyone was in there assigned groups. The headmaster appeared in front of a podium, “Good morning, students. I know its very early in the morning and the wind is starting to pick up, but we are good to go with the teleporation device. So, we will be randomly picking groups to come foward and be teleported to Itosan. We have some professors over there currently waiting for you and will escort you from there on. Please enjoy your time time and make our academy proud,”