Iridescent

5 | A Tiring Day

The moment I walked into the camp, I heard Ted and Will's voice.

"CASSIE!"

I chuckled at their enthusiasm and walked up to meet them. Ted sighed in relief, giving me a good look. "All in tact!"

Will gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Nice crest, Cassie."

I touched my bare arm, fingers scraping past my frost crest. "Pretty ironic that I almost died to get this."

"We wanted to come and see you," Ted added, but his happy expression faltered when Tracy entered our vision. She was by the entrance of the cave, arms-crossed as she spared me a glare.

"But Tracy wouldn't let us," Will said, eyes not leaving Tracy. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who was against Tracy now. 

"Look, I want to say how grateful I am to you both." I mentioned, bringing their attention back. "If it weren't for you guys, I would still be in the woods."

"Don't mention it."

Julian walked into the camp, and a crowd of newbies approached him like a school of fish. Julian looked unprepared, with his sheepish smile and head rub. The complaints and problems came tumbling out of the juniors' mouth like a waterfall, but Julian raised both his hands and grinned. "Oh, Tracy! You working hard on them, aren't you?"

Tracy spun on her heels and walked out of the camp, making a clear stance that she was not willing to take on the troop for the day. Julian, seeing the sight, only shrugged. He pushed away the juniors and said, with a dismissive and perfectory tone, "people, don't complain! Tracy is doing everything for your own good! I have a meeting to head off shortly. Thanks for your feedback!"

The juniors watched as Julian made his way up the rock stairs in disbelief. Soon, they turned to each other with quiet, disappointed mutters. The sophomores, however, didn't seem surprised. They went back to their own business in the troop: training, chatting, doing homework... They seemly quite amused at the scene.

I looked at Ted. "So... the sophomores don't seem to care?" 

Ted scoffed. "You saw it yourself. Julian doesn't care so why should the others."

"I don't care what Julian says, really." Will added, "I would've left ages ago but I have to stay till I'm senior to change."

"Wow," I scanned the camp, realising for the first time that there were no seniors. I looked toward Julian's dorm and uncrossed my arms. I was going to give it a shot.

"Cassie, what are you doing?" Will asked. 

"Trying." I muttered and trotted up the stairs. I gave three, steady and firm knocks, only to realise the door was ajar. 

"Julian?" 

"Ya?" He said, clearly not offended that I had just walked into his territory. I grimaced, taking care of where I step. My boots kicked hard onto a pile of books, and as I stepped to the side, I knocked into a pot of... soil. Yes, only soil. 

He was behind the grey couch, looking for something. There were pieces of paper everywhere, pens scattered on the table, empty cans and bottles in a corner... this guy really need to clean everything up. "How can I help?"

"Um..." I watched as he arched him back, throwing a pile of dirty clothes onto the couch. I inhaled a quick breath. "Why don't you do something about Tracy?"

He didn't stop what he was doing. "What do you mean?"

"You know she sent me to the Mirror Palace when she's not supposed to."