Everyone turned to see another boy, shorter and leaner than Adrian. With plain clothes, he didn’t seem like a threat to anyone. Except maybe to Gwen. “I don’t know what this is about but you need to keep going.”
“This fairy attacked me out of nowhere.” Adrian barked pointing at Mercedes.
“Whatever dude, just keep going now.” was the boy’s response, “I don’t care and it doesn’t matter. Wasting time just hurts yourselves, remember?”
“You want to lecture me you punk-ass-” Adrian wasn’t able to finish his comment as the lean boy bolted at lightning speed to him. Hitting him hard in the face before doubling back around him and getting the back of his leg causing the bulky boy to drop.
“No. I don’t. Get back to the course.” was all the boy said as Adrian rolled over to his feet.
“Whatever.” Adrian spat just to spit and turned away, ripping off the remaining vines, and continued his way.
“Thank you for helping us.” Mercedes came down to eye level, “I am Mercedes. And you are?”
“Carl Star.” he answered, “You’re welcome, but I need to finish this up. Sorry, but later.”
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Carl Star bolted again at full speed leaving a vortex behind him, leaving Mercedes and Gwendolyn alone. Gwen climbed out of the ditch dusting herself off. As Mercedes landed and walked over to her. Gwen started, “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I did.” Mercedes said, “It is my duty as the princess to all fairies to-”
“I’m not a fairy!” Gwen cut in harshly, “I’m not one of your subjects. I don’t need your help or protection. Okay?”
Mercedes’s eyes became sad as Gwen rejected her fairy status, “Yes, regardless, I am obligated to aid those in distress, as a noblewoman. Your heritage means little to that vow.”
“Okay then. You helped. Goodbye.” and Gwen took off again at her same steady pace.
Before long Mercedes flew up by her, “Gwendolyn was it. Do not allow that boy to shape your perception of this place. True, humans look down on fairies and their brood, but those of infernal influence have always been harsher to us. Some others are like him, but most here are content with simply allowing us to be. Keep your spirit and know that you can call on me if you need to.”
With that, she glided forward leaving Gwen alone.
Gwen kept her steady pace which eventually got her to the end of the track while still allowing other faster students to pass her with some regularity. Checking the time she saw it took her an hour and a half to make the whole way around, including the attack from Adrian. Gwen stood at the end of the track and thought to herself. The very first day and someone had openly attacked her. She wasn’t worried about getting hurt, but she hoped that it was just a fluke. It was likely because he was half demon like Mercedes said. Still, she didn’t want others to even notice her, and she was very good at being unnoticed. Until today at least.
