ON A DATE (1)

"Dad, I am totally fine and lectures are going great. My stay here is enjoyable." Mack assured his father for the third time. He was having a family call that evening since it's been a while since he had called them since he arrived.

"You've been gone for almost two weeks now, I miss my son already." Mack's father whined.

A little girl appeared on the screen and looked at her father, "Why are you behaving like mommy?" She asked him innocently and Mack burst into laughter at the horrific look on his father's face.

"What do you mean by that?" Mack's father asked his little girl.

"Normally, whenever my sister and I travel and you make a video call, you don't complain about how much you miss us. Instead, you talk about how grateful you are to see us leave the house for a while but here…here, you are almost at the edge of tears. Do you prefer Mack to us?" The little girl folded her arms and pouted.

Mack's father, Christopher glanced at his son who was now full of smiles at their interaction.

"Amelia, you have started growing wings, huh? Come over here." Chris lifted her and tickled her, causing her to laugh.

"Talk to you later, Mack."

"I love you, Mack," Amelia yelled.

"I love you too, Amy. Tell mum and Natalie that I called. Bye." He waved and ended the call.

Now, he misses their interactions. He stood up and walked to the window. It was Saturday evening but he didn't feel like going to the general cafeteria or the teachers' cafeteria. He decided to take a step out to town and see how lively or boring it could be.

He opened the door and stepped out, feeling refreshed from the not stressful evening walk. As he got over to the other side, he sighted Stella and a guy whose back was turned against him. She was frowning hard. Mack became indecisive, should he call her or wave to her or just go his way?

Going his way was preferable then. As he turned around to leave, Stella's eyes caught his quick movement and she became happy.

"Mack, hello there."

Mack paused and shut his eyes tight at the awkward feeling of being caught by her before opening his eyes and turning around.

"Hey, Stella." The two of them walked to meet up with each other.

"Good evening. Where are you heading so late?" Stella asked him.

"Uhm, I just want to take a stroll into the community. I don't want to stay inside alone."

"Ha, I see. That's very good. The VC sent me on an errand but something more important came up and she asked me to send anyone else that I trust. Fortunately, there is you. If you don't mind, can you please help me to get these items?" She shoved the piece of paper into his hand. Mack ran his eyes through the lists and saw that there were academic materials.

"But…can't you get these in school?" He asked her.

Stella created a swollen mouth with air before releasing it.

"No, we can't. These are specially for the VC."

"Alright. I will try my best to buy them but this is my first time…"

"You don't have to worry, I have plans for that already."

Stella looked over her shoulder before locking eyes with Mack briefly. She chuckled and raised her index finger.

"Er…excuse me."

With this, she headed to the boy standing and pulled him by his hoodie until they got to where Mack was standing. Stella turned the guy around and it appeared to be Fred. He looked as if he was forced to be there and his face showed absolute disinterest.

Mack looked at Stella in awe, "Why him?" He blurted out.

"What do you mean by 'why him?' He knows the way so it's pretty easy, moreover, he was going to be my associate but now, he is yours. The two of you can just stroll to the place and come back before midnight probably." Stella chortled.

Fred covered his hair with his hoodie and walked ahead, ignoring Mack's presence bluntly.

"Please, don't mind his behavior. He tends to keep to himself a lot. Maybe you can as well try starting a conversation with him so it doesn't get awkward." Stella suggested.

"Thanks," Mack replied and turned around only to see Fred already at the gate. He ran as fast as he could to catch up with him while Stella went back in.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

"Has he gone yet?" Lydia asked as she puts down her glasses and looked at Stella. The latter nodded.

"What about the others?"

"They don't seem to be in school either."

"That's good. Fred needs the air to breathe properly, especially during this period. Now to the main question that I have for you, do you think a being can get its power restored even after being rendered powerless? And how will that be possible?" Lydia proceeded to ask. Stella looked at her feet and thought deeply about the question.

"Well, it can get restored if the being's source of power is awakened by anything that could help them grow. There are also a few more in the Magical book but I don't know where it is now."

"Then I need you to search for it. It's very important." Lydia requested.

Stella nodded, "Is anything the problem? You look pretty stressed." She asked concernedly.

"No, I am fine. Just do what I have requested that you should, please, and keep it a secret from everyone including Fred. Do you promise that?"

"I don't break my promise," Stella replied firmly and the two of them stared at each other for a while before Lydia broke it.

"Thanks."

"You are welcome."

Stella then left the office.

*_*_*_*_*

Mack and Fred had been walking for the past ten minutes in silence. Mack would once in a while glance at Fred's skull from behind because he was walking ahead of him.

Mack then cleared his throat, he didn't know why he was so nervous to speak to him but he assured himself.

'Speak to him, Mack. You are after all a senior and teacher, you should know how to interact with your students.' He thought.

"So, how long…[clears throat] how long have you been in Bandook?" He finally asked.

Fred glanced at him and looked at the other side. He stretched out his hand and Mack became confused.

"Uhm…what?"

"The list," Fred replied.

"Oh." Mack brought it out of his pocket and gave it to Fred. While searching for his phone, he collided with Fred.

"Ouch…I am sorry."

Fred didn't respond and just walked into a store. Mack looked at the signpost, they were already at the library and Fred didn't bother telling him.

'There is no need to talk to a stone.'