Alright, so... Dev... was a bit weird after that whole Crystal Cave thing a few days ago. I mean, he's a naturally weird guy, but this was different. He kept making faces when no one was talking to him. He gets angry super easily now too. Whatever happened in that cave did something to him.

"Dev! Dude, where you going next?"

"Um... Let me look."

I kind of bounced as he dug through his pockets to find his schedule. While he scanned it over, I looked around at the other students.

"I've got Water class next, what about you?"

"Huh? Oh! I've got Fire class next! I am so stoked!"

Dev kind of smiled after that. We chatted while walking to class, but eventually had to split ways. We waved goodbyes and he entered his class. Now, I have Fire class, but it's obviously NOT going to be close to Water class, so I've got some walking to do.

Once I arrived, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Inside, everyone was already seated and talking with one another. Great, I already feel like I'm unwanted right now.

"Ah, so you've arrived Mister Edwards. Take a seat."

"Yes, sir."

I hurried over to the closest empty seat I could find, but immediately regretted it. Someone lightly punched my arm and got my attention. However, that someone was... the person I didn't want to sit next to AT ALL.

"Yo Nate. That's what Zavier calls you, right?"

"Hey, Syd. Yeah, it is. D-Do you need something from me?"

He leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed as he glared at me. Oh god... I hate it already...

"Nah. I was just... making sure I didn't have your name wrong."

W-Wha...? Huh?! Did he just say he didn't want to get my name wrong?! Who is this guy? First, he insults me on the first day, and now he's like... this? And how come I hadn't noticed him until now? Well, this is my first time in this class. Dev and I had to go through some beginner classes so we'd get the idea of magic and all. Then again... this guy isn't the most noticeable person ever.

"What's with the change of attitude, if I may ask?"

"Huh? Whadda you mean?"

Crap...

"Um... I mean, on the first day, you were super mean, and now you want to make sure you have my name right? What's up with that man?"

Oh crap... the look on his face says that I just screwed myself over. I just dug my own grave, didn't I?

"I don't know, you just seem more bearable than Zavier."

Oh. Okay. I mean, I do get that a lot from people who don't like Dev but are okay with me. What I still don't understand though, is WHY Syd went into the Crystal Cave. The rumors say that he went in for power, but like I said, they're rumors.

"Alright everybody, listen up! Today we are doing group projects! Your partner will be the person next to you! The instructions are on Page 109 of your Fire Class textbook! Pair up and get started! Mister Winthrop, please be so kind as to help Mister Edwards out as it is his first time here."

Oh shit... Group Projects?! With S-Syd?! I'm dead. That's it. I'm dead.

"Hey."

I turn to look back at Syd, who had this really scary look on his face. He's gonna kill me. I'm gonna die. I'll die so young... what a shame...

"Stop making that face Edwards."

"Huh? W-What face?"

"The face that says you're scared of me. I hate it."

"Oh. Okay."

He said he hates it? What's he mean by that? Either way, no matter how long this project takes... within that time... I'm gonna die.

"You don't have to look so bored either."

"O-Okay. D-Do you want to start?"

"I'd rather do it at home. You have more space and privacy than you've got here."

Oh... I get it. I always liked to do things at home too. Wait, I thought that he was... more of a jerk... than this.

"So, are you actually friends with Gazzy?"

"Uh, yeah. Why? Is it because you hate him?"

"I don't hate him. He just gets on my nerves. The only person I actually hate right now is Zavier."

So, he hates Dev, but not me and Gazzy? What..?

"For now, let's just wait out the class."

"But, how am I supposed to contribute if you do it at home?"

"Are you stupid? The answer is simple. You'll come to my house and work on it with me. Then again, you're still a newbie, so you might not be able to do anything."

WHAAAT?! Go to HIS house?! What the hell is going on right now?! The guy I thought hated me is inviting me to his house after school! This is weird.

"Y-Your house?"

"Yeah, duh. I'm betting that at the moment, you and Zavier live together, right?"

I nodded in response, getting a slight smile from him. WHAT?!

"Well, obviously, I don't really like him. So it would be bad if I had to go over there to work on it with you. Knowing that I chose my house rather than yours. Got it?"

I nodded again and turned back to the front of the class. What just happened? My mind is like... gone right now. I can't... what?

"You look like you're about to explode Edwards. You okay?"

"Y-Y-Yes. I'm perfectly fine."

"You don't sound like you are."

"Nope. I'm fine, trust me. If I wasn't fine, you'd know. I just... have a lot of things going on in my mind right now. That's all."

He slowly nodded as he turned back to look out the window and at the falling snow. I've realized that it's almost always snowing here. Back home, it almost never snowed. Now it's become a normal sight. Everything is so different over here. I don't get it. How can two places, separated by a bridge be so very different from each other? I don't get a lot of things.

"Edwards."

"Hmm?"

"After school, meet me at the front doors. You can walk home with me."

"O-Okay."

Wait. I've just realized something. This will be my first time going to a boys house, other than Dev's. His house doesn't count. We're like brothers. Syd, however, is different. Maybe... just maybe... he's not as bad as people actually make him out to be.