[Kath]

Grumbling about bossy adults and being dragged out of bed far too early, Sai made her way back to class. Slamming the heavy stack of books that had mysteriously appeared on her bed that morning (though she wouldn’t bet against Anakron having put them there) down on the desk, she fell into a seat and prepared to act the epitome of a student in a class they did not want to take – bored, unsociable and bordering on rude. She promptly achieved all three, falling asleep in the chair just as her professor entered the room.

When she eventually woke up again she was surprised to find that someone had joined her, but was less surprised to find that the newcomer had also succumbed to the temptation of sleep, especially when she heard the droning of the professor in the background. Leaning over to get a look at her companion, Sai noticed a pad of paper lying on the desk. Picking it up she skimmed through a few note-filled pages. It looked as though this girl had managed to stay awake a little longer then she had! As she read, Sai absentmindedly corrected the various spelling and grammar mistakes she found in the writing, not really noticing she was doing so until the owner of the writing suddenly sat up and snatched the pad off her.

“Hey! What are you up to?”

Sai began to explain, but tripped over her words in her haste to assure the girl that she had not meant any harm. It didn’t matter though, as she had taken one look at the pad of paper and was now beaming at her. Confused, Sai stopped trying to explain, and questioned instead.

“You’re not mad at me?”

“Are you kidding? You’ve just done me a huge favour. I knew I was going to have to work out what I’d done wrong later, and you’ve just done it all for me. I never wanted to take this course in the first place – grammar and diction? So not my forte. I’m Lucy by the way, and you are?”

A little stunned by the sudden U-turn in behaviour Sai didn’t reply for a moment. She wondered whether she’s picked up Alli’s natural distrust of new people, or whether even her short time in Mordor had led her to view those who seemed nice with a wary eye. Nevertheless, she could see no harm in at least trying to make friends.

“I’m Sai. And if you really are ok with me correcting your work like that then you’re welcome. It’s just an automatic thing, but I’m sorry I didn’t ask first.”

“Seriously it’s not a problem, like I said you did me a favour. In fact I’ve got a proposition for you. I’ll stay awake in the lessons and make notes if you’ll correct my mistakes and help me with any essays or stuff like that, agreed?”

Not believing her good fortune, Sai agreed on the spot. Of course, she argued with herself, Lucy could be tricking her. She might not even be taking notes, just making it up as she went along. But then, she argued back, that was a pretty ambitious scheme, and the girl seemed nice. Anyway, whatever the case there was no way she was going to stay awake in a lesson that started this early!

And so the week’s lessons passed in a gentle blur. Sai arrived on time and went back to sleep as soon as Lucy arrived. After class the two would go to one of their rooms where Sai would correct any mistakes and write essays for the both of them, as she had discovered that was simpler than trying to help. Thanks to this little partnership both girls kept in the professors good graces, and since they caused no trouble within the class they weren’t discovered.

The tranquil state of things was shattered, however, on the last day of the week – finals day. Sai and Lucy found themselves on opposite sides of the room as the students had been seated according to surname. Onara and Perks would normally be close to one another but, this being Mordor, there were 13 other candidates in between. Hoping that Lucy would cope on her own, Sai settled down and opened her paper.

2 hours later she exited the room. The questions hadn’t been hard and, thanks to Lucy’s notes, she had at least been able to write something for each one. She had a mild panic attack though as before she could find Lucy and ask her how the exam had gone, she was called back into the room.

Her professor stood before her brandishing her paper.

“Just what do you call this?” He demanded, shoving it under her nose and pointing at something she had written. Peering at it, Sai realised what he meant.

“That, sir, is a correction.”

“This is MY exam paper. I do not make mistakes!”

“I’m sorry but I think you’ll find that you have. You see . . .”

She was interrupted by a sudden bang, and turned to see her parents marching through the door. Perhaps 3 or even 2 weeks ago this would have made her jump, but now she just accepted their appearance with a weary sigh of resignation. Her mother was already reprimanding her as she walked.

“Don’t you answer back young lady! This, um, man is both your elder and you better and you should treat him accordingly. Honestly, I don’t know what today’s youth are coming to.”

“Yes!” Came her father’s voice. “And what is the point of carrying a mobile if you never have it on!”

After smiling at her father, who had become a bit addled in his old age, Sai turned her back on them and tried to continue her conversation with her professor.

“Here it is, look. You’ve written ‘was’ when it should be ‘were’.”

“That’s it! You are grounded!” Her mother’s voice sounded in her ear.

“You can’t ground me! We’re not even at home.”

“Oh? So now you challenge my authority! You’re going off the rails missy.”

“No, mum, I’m just trying to complete this task so I can get out of here. If you’d just go talk to Anakron . . .”

“And who is this Anakron – a boy?” Her father interjected suspiciously.

“Well, a man really but . . .”

“You are coming home with us right now! I don’t know, cavorting around with boys at your age.”

“Mum! Dad! I am not cavorting! And I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself, and even if I weren’t I have made friends here who certainly can.”

“Oh look, she thinks she doesn’t need us anymore. Who was it Sai that gave you life? Who was it that raised you? Who looked after you from the day you were born, forsaking any kind of life I might have had so that you might have a mother? Who worried about you all day every day simply out of love?”

“Yes. Who was it that marched across the frozen wastelands to bring you food? Who kept you warm all winter . . .”

“Darling do be quiet. You won’t be allowed to watch things anymore if they’re going to confuse you so.”

Shaking off the bemusement that arose from this little interlude in her mother’s attempt to guilt trip her, Sai allowed her anger to develop, and used it.

“I’ll answer your questions, mother. You gave me life, even if it was willed by Illamatar, but if you claim that then you cannot blame me in any way for your life going down the drain after I was born. You chose to have me! And I know that you worry about me but that’s your job! You are my parents, you worry. But you can’t stop me from living my life! It’s mine to live and I have to make mistakes in my own way. Speaking of which, professor, have you found yours yet?”

Turning away from her parents she directed fierce eyes at her professor, who rolled his and scribbled an A+ on her exam paper.

”Just take it and go. I’m fed up of arguments like this between my students and their parents. Maybe if you walked a mile in each others shoes you’d understand each other better.”

And with that he stormed out of the room. 'Well', thought Sai, 'at least these nutters are useful for something!' She was sure the professor would have been able to argue his way out of a paper bag if given the chance, and was glad that her parents had taken that opportunity from him. She heard her mother enthusing about something, and tuned her thoughts back into the present.

“Oh what a wonderful idea! Sai, give me your shoes.”

“Mum, you shouldn’t take these things so literally.”

“Now, Sai.”

Doing as she was told, Sai removed her shoes and put on the ones her mother passed her. As she did so she felt a searing pain go through her whole body, finally coming to rest near her heart. She gasped and clutched her chest.

“Mum, I think you’re ill or something. My chest is killing.”

“Well of course it is. I missed you, and I was so worried. You disappear and all we get is a note saying you’ve been taken to Mordor!”

“You can’t possibly be blaming me for the insensitivity of bureaucrats!”

“Well, you did speak an anakronism out loud, you did know what would happen.”

As her mother spoke, Sai felt something gentle wash over her, though it was tinged with sadness. She realised with surprise that it was love mixed with regret, and quickly yanked her mother’s shoes off her feet. She was a teenager for goodness sake! She wasn’t supposed to understand being a parent.

Taking her own shoes back she put them on again and sighed with relief as the familiar sensations of indignation and youthful know-it-all-ness flowed through her. Smiling she hugged both her parents.

“I know I worry you, but I’m afraid you’re just going to have to put up with it. I have to go but I’ll see you when . . . if . . . I get back. Bye!”

Leaving them standing there, she ran out of the room and headed off to find Lucy.