"Amethyst?"

"Yes?"

"Can I kill Clay?"

"You probably shouldn't." Amethyst confessed.

"Is that a no?"

"I don't know, ask Meli."

"Ok." I said, and turned to Meli. "Can I kill him?" After my conversation with Clay, I tried my best to ignore him all together. But after a few minutes of successfully ignoring him, he did something I just couldn't ignore. He walked over to Meli, and kissed her. After what seemed like eternity, (which in reality was only a few seconds) he stopped kissing her, looked at me, and winked. After Clay had kissed her, she looked at him shocked, and then said: "It's been a while since you did something like that. What'd you do, have a bad day or something?" To which he replied with: "What, I can't kiss an ex-girlfriend?" Right after the words were out of his mouth, that's when I regained my senses and wanted to kill him. Now, as I looked at Meli, the desire to kill him was growing. "You probably shouldn't kill him. Meli said, shrugging. If you did, literally every girl he ever dated is going to come after you. And trust me, he's dated multiple girls." "Like you?" Amethyst asked. Meli looked embarrassed, but nodded. Clay by now, had went back to leaning against the wall, and watched us. Just looking at Clay's face made me want to hurt him. Every passing moment I got angrier and more annoyed, as I looked at his poker face. "Do you have anything better to do then stand there like a creeper and stare at us?!" I yelled at him, finally getting fed up.

My sudden outburst must have startled him, because he actually gapped at me, taken back. "Ok, Aria! Calm down!" Amethyst said, at my side and literally dragging me away from Clay. "Aria, what did we say about people looking at you?" She began. "But he's"- "Aria, you had this conversation with five different school psychiatrists. What did they say? Come on, Aria. You know it. It's?" I take a deep breath. "If their just looking, leave them alone." I mumble, crossing my arms. "Exactly. Look I know he's annoying. But"- "You ladies are aware that I can hear you, right?" Clay interrupted. "Yes." We both answer at the same time. I shoot him a glare and Amethyst sticks out her tongue. Clay raised his hands in surrender and went back to gazing out a window. Meli looked at Clay to see if he would talk to her again, and when he didn't she sighed. Does he do that a lot? The, uh, kissing thing? Amethyst asked. Meli's cheeks turned bright red. "Well, ummm, kinda, I guess?" She stammered. "I mean, he's pretty much dated every girl his age in the village, and even if he's broken up with a girl he'll still, umm, show her a good time if he feels like it." "And their OK with this?!?" Amethyst exclaimed, shocked. "That's it, I'm killing him!!" I yell, grabbing a book that was resting on a table and throwing it at him. Clay moved his head at the last second so the book hit the wall and fell to the ground with a thud. It took both Meli and Amethyst gripping my arms to stop me from attacking Clay. "Aria, calm down! Meli said, her voice strained from holding me back. I didn't mean it like that, I meant that he only does it if he has their permission! When we broke up, I told him if he had a bad day he could come to me and talk about it! I didn't know he was going to suddenly kiss me! "I swear, if he told me what he was going to do, I wouldn't have let him, now I'm begging you, calm down!" "Aria, Don't make me make Meli sedate you!" Amethyst threatened. I stopped straining against their arms and glared at Clay. "Fine. I won't kill him." Seeing Meli and Amethyst's skeptically looks, I added: "I promise, I won't." Satisfied, Amethyst let go of my arm. Meli followed suit, and pretty soon, I was sitting on one of the beds, rubbing my arms and glaring daggers at Clay.

Meli sighed in relief. "Now that that's settled." She picked up the book that I had thrown at Clay, and hit him over the head with it. "Ow." He protested, rubbing his head. "Don't kiss me, EVER again!" Meli scolded. Yes, yes. He said, smiling gayly, not looking one bit ashamed. Meli grumble something about other girls, and possibly weasels, as she set the book back down on the table. "We should get going now." Clay said, with a yawn. "Lots to see, and so little time. Coming?" He added, turning to me and Amethyst. I growled and got up. Amethyst came over and grabbed my hand. "It'll be ok." She said reassuringly. "Don't worry, Aria." She smiled. I gave a thin smile back. We said goodbye to Meli and walked out of the infirmary. As Clay led us down the village pathway I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person he was. "What is wrong with you?!" I demand at him. "Aria." Amethyst said warningly. "I'm just asking!" I retort. I look back at Clay who had stopped walking. "What's with you?! What gives you a right to play with girl's feelings? Well? I'm waiting!" I put my hands on my hips and wait for Clay to answer. Meanwhile Amethyst was standing by, face palming and groaning in exasperation. "Aria, come on." I ignored her (sorry Amethyst) and continued waiting for Clay. He looked over at me and opened his mouth to say something, he was interrupted by a shout: LOOK OUT!!! I turn and see a bright blur coming towards us at an alarming speed. I yelp and push Amethyst out of the way, causing me to be directly in its path. "Uh oh." I was about to be hit head on when I was suddenly tackled out of the way. I hit the ground as the unidentifiable something flew past and ran straight into a tree. "Oooww." I groan and open my eyes to meet Clay's. Apparently Clay had push me out of the way and in the process he had fell as well. He looked just as surprised as I felt. I blinked. He blinked. Get off of her! Amethyst shrieked, pushing him off of me and pulling me up. "What just happened." I ask, dazed. "I'm not sure. Amethyst said. Actually, what the heck almost hit us?" She asked. "That's a good question." We turned and looked at the lump lying at the base of the tree. Is it ok? Amethyst asked, peering at it. I shrug. "Not an it. Clay said, standing up and brushing dirt off his clothes. Who. More specifically, she. Hello Kate."

The lump suddenly jumped up to reveal that it was a girl. She looked younger then us, and was a bit shorter. She wore a purple and black outfit, black leggings, brown boots, and a witches hat. She had blonde hair, purplish gray eyes, and peach colored skin. In her arms she clutched a large  leather book with gold details.

Hi Clay! She said cheerily, considering she just face planted into a tree. "Are you ok?" He asked. "Yeah! I'm ok!" She nodded happily. She looked over at us. "Oh, who are the new girls? I haven't seen them around before." "That's kinda what new means, Kate." Clay said. "Oh. Hi I'm Kate! I'm ten years old and a witch! Or a witch in training. But still a witch!" She exclaimed, bouncing on her feet. "Hi, I'm Amethyst. And I'm Aira." "Nice to meet you, Amethyst and Aria!" "Kate? Clay cut in. Why were you running?" "Well, um uh . . .Kate shuffled her feet and looked down. I, um. I might have set Lobelia's skirt on fire?" She said timidly. Clay raised an eyebrow. "Really? Lobelia's?" She nodded slowly. "Wait. Amethyst said. Who's Lobelia?" Kate! A voice yell from behind us. That's Lobelia. He mused. Two girls were walking towards us.

The one leading the way had icy blue/white hair, gray eyes, and pale skin. She was tall, but looked about our age. Her outfit was. . . Um, it showed off her figure. The bottom right corner of her skirt was slightly burned.

The second girl was walking next to her, and looking a bit worried. She wore a red and purple dress, boots, and gloves. She had purple hair, brown eyes, and peachy white skin. She also had a witch's hat, cloak, wand, and a satchel.

"Lobelia, calm down!" The purple haired girl said. "It was an accident, you know that!" As they got closer I could see that Lobelia was fuming mad. "Oh no!" Kate squeaked. She ran and hit behind me and Amethyst. "Lobelia. Mira." Clay greeted as the girls stopped in front of us. "Clay." Lobelia growled and crossed her arms. "Where is she?" "Where is who?" "Kate! Where is Kate!" "Calm down, Lobelia!" Mira said, overwhelmed. At Lobelia's yell, Kate shrieked and pressed closer to our legs. Mira and Lobelia immediately turned too us and spotted Kate. "You!" Lobelia growled. "Save me!" Kate yelped. Lobelia stalked towards us and dragged Kate out from behind us. "You burned my skirt! This is the fifth time, this week!" "I'm sorry!" Kate said, trying not to cry. "Come on Lobelia, leave her alone. Mira said, voice tired. You already have ten sets of the exact same skirt." "That doesn't matter! I'm tired of her setting me on fire!" Lobelia snapped. "Uh, what's going on?" Amethyst asked. The three girls turned and looked at us. "Who are you?" Lobelia asked, looking us up and down. She narrowed her eyes. "I haven't seen you guys before." "We're new." Amethyst replied. "Hhm." Lobelia still looked skeptical, but Mira walked towards us, smiling. Hi, My name is Mira. That's Lobelia, and well, you've already met Kate. "Nice to meet you." Amethyst said, shaking her hand. "I'm Amethyst." "I'm Aria." I say, grabbing her hand. Mira's expression changed when she touched my hand. "Oh. Your aura." "My whata?" "Your aura. It's something invisible that covers all living creatures. Certain people can see other people's auras and are able to read them. She explained.

"Ooohhkkkaayyy." I look over at Amethyst who shrugged. I look back at Mira. "Is my aura. . . Bad?" I ask hesitately. "What? Oh no, no! It's not bad. It's just kinda familiar. You know, it sort of reminds me of Cya"- DON'T YOU DARE SAY HER NAME!!

Clay suddenly yelled, cutting Mira off. He looked furious, and was breathing hard. Everyone was quiet as they watched him. Eventually his breathing slowed and his body relaxed as he slowly calmed back down. He turned away sharply, put his arms on the wall of a house and took a shaky breath. Amethyst and I looked at each other, shocked. "Clay?" I said slowly. I took a few steps towards him, and hesitated. Sure I don't like the guy, but that doesn't mean I'm so heartless that I want to see him have a mental breakdown. Amethyst gave me a shrug and made shooing motions. "Thanks Amethyst. I think, glumly. Yeah, that's REAL helpful." I look back at Clay who still wouldn't look at anyone. At least he was breathing normally now. I reach out my hand and pat his shoulder. He immediately stiffened at my touch. "This isn't awkward at all. . ." I try to ignore the feeling of weirdness and patted his shoulder some more. He turned his head and looked at me. Despite his shaky breathing from before, he looked ok now. Actually, ok isn't the word. He wasn't ok. His expression was blank. It shocked and scared me on how much he looked like Elias right now. "Clay?" I repeat. "Are you ok?" His eyes looked emotionless. He just looked at me for a few seconds then he suddenly seemed to gain his usual attitude. "I'm fine. Are you ok? You're the one touching me. Have you finally realized your feelings for me?" He smirked. I immediately recoil from him, disgusted again. "I'd rather gore my eyes out with burning sticks then even consider having feelings for you." I snap at him, stomping back toward Amethyst. He smiled his usual cocky smile, but his eyes remain emotionless. It's weird. He hadn't reacted to Mira's and I conversation until she was about to say a name. I have to wonder. . .

Just what, or who, caused him freak
Out?