After I caught up on my sleep, I realized that I had missed too many days of school. I tried to enter class like normal, but I was quickly pulled off to the side by the headmaster.

He looked at me through his bushy eyebrows, "And where have you been? I'm told you missed several days of school."

I stuck my tongue out, "Why should I tell you?"

He frowned, "Because it's my job to make sure troublesome students go to class. So if you don't have a good reason, then I will have to punish you."

I smirked, "Well of course I have good reason."

"Hmpf. And what is it?"

I chuckled, "Well if you really must know, I had the squirts so bad that I couldn't come to class."

His face twitched, "The squirts?"

I spoke louder, "Diarrhea."

Everyone in the room stopped talking abruptly and turned to look at us. Mary covered her ears in a panic. Artie found the situation hilarious and couldn't help but giggle under his breath. Millie only sighed and shook her head.

The Headmaster's face blushed under his thick beard and eyebrows. He croaked out, "W-what?"

I answered, "Diarrhea. It was so bad I even painted the walls with my sh*t. There, is that enough? Or do you want more?"

"T-That-"

I continued to speak, "Not only that, but I also got the BIGGEST period of my life. Do you know how terrible that is? Massive cramps! Terrible anemia! I didn't even know a human body had that much blood!"

"ENOUGH!" The headmaster shouted in embarrassment. He bowed, "You're excused."

Then he rushed out of the room not wanting to stay and hear more. I chuckled triumphantly and made my way back to my seat. I ignored everyone's disgusted stares and sat in my seat.

Millie walked over and shook her head, "Seri... Wasn't that a bit much?"

I shrugged, "Nonsense. He asked."

Artie chuckled, "Even though you were clearly lying, you still said a bit too much."

I smirked, "It's not like it was the truth or anything. If you're ever in trouble and need to make up an excuse, you should always bring up embarrassing topics. The other person will get so embarrassed and disgusted that they won't want to hear more and will run away. It's perfect."

Artie glanced at Mary, "I'm not sure about perfect... It looks like you permanently scarred Mary."

I looked at Mary who had turned white as a sheet. I frowned, "Mary, it was a lie. And shouldn't you realize that? You're my roommate."

Mary put down her hands, "Oh... I.. Guess..."

After class, we went to the student council room. William looked up at me, "And why have you been gone all week?"

I opened my mouth, "Well you see, I had a bad case of-"

He held up his hand interrupting me, "Actually, I don't want to know."

I pouted, "What? Are you sure?"

He nodded, "Knowing you, you would probably say something ridiculous that wasn't even true."

Artie snickered, "Seri. He knows you so well."

I frowned in disappointment, "But I was looking forward to teasing him..."

William placed a stack of papers in front of me, "Here."

"Oi. What's all this?"

He answered without paying me any attention, "All the work you've missed."

I mumbled under my breath as I started to get caught up on my work. "This is slave labor... Stupid work... Stupid paper..."

William looked up at me, "Stop muttering under your breath and do your work."

I continued to mutter, "Stupid William... Thinks he's so cool and handsome, but he's not."

"I heard that." William frowned at me.

I smiled at him, "You have spectacular hearing."

I quickly went back to work trying to finish the stack of papers. Millie was reading a book when she suddenly looked at my hands. Her eyes widened, "Seri! Is that blood under your gloves?!"

I looked down and clicked my tongue. I had worn gloves to try to avoid people asking about the wounds on my fingers. I sighed, "Looks like my bandages fell off."

Millie took my hand and held it gently. She took off the glove and frowned, "What happened?"

Mary caught sight of the blood, "I-Is that-" Mary fainted at the sight of my bloody fingers which were lacking nails.

I shrugged ignoring Mary, "Oh, this and that."

William frowned, "This and that? You're missing two fingernails!"

Lucius's eyes widened, "Are you a gangster?!"

I blinked, "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. No."

Artie raised an eyebrow, "Well that doesn't seem suspicious at all."

I answered quickly, "I'm not a gangster!!! Why would I be a gangster?!"

Lucius spoke, "Holy sh*t. She's actually a gangster."

My face turned red, "I AM NOT A GANGSTER!"

I much prefer the term freelancer. Gangster makes me seem too boorish.

Artie smirked, "Oh? Then how did you lose your fingernails then?"

I turned my head upwards, "I slammed my hand in the door."

William looked at me in disapproval, "You slammed your hand in the door?"

I nodded, "That's right. I was annoyed at Mary for always trespassing in my room so I went to slam my door after yelling at her. However, I wasn't paying attention and slammed my fingers in the door. They turned black and blue before my nails popped off. It was too painful, so I skipped class."

Luckily Mary wasn't conscious so I didn't have to worry about her backing my story up.

William nodded, "I suppose that does make sense."

Millie looked at my hand closely with a frown on her face. She stood up, "I will go get some first aid."

I nodded, "Thanks Millie."

She left and quickly returned with supplies. As she treated my wounds I whined, "Ouch! Millie! It hurts!"

Millie smiled, "Oh Seri, stop being a baby. I haven't even put on the disinfectant."

I pouted, "But Milllieeee. I am a baby. Can't you kiss it and make it better?"

Millie giggled, "You're not a child. Stop acting."

Everyone watched our interaction with disturbed faces. Artie looked at Dante, "You're okay with this? How come you always look like you'll kill me, but you let Millie fawn over Seri all she wants?"

Dante glared at Millie with a hateful look. He couldn't even answer Artie.

William sighed as he propped his chin up with his arm, "Have you ever tried to win against Millie?"

Artie looked away, "Good point."

After we finished for the day, I kicked Mary. "Oi, Mary get up."

Mary sat up and blinked groggily, "Huh? What?"

"We are going back now. Come on."

Mary stood up, "Oh! Okay! Are we working on the book today?"

I nodded, "Yes, today's our brainstorming day."

Millie clasped her hands together apologetically and looked at me with a pout, "Seri, I'm terribly sorry but I can't make it today. I have some errands to run in town."

I looked at her and nodded, "Oh, alright... Well you be careful. It's going to get dark out soon."

Millie smiled, "Don't worry. I will be fine."

Everyone departed from the room and went their own ways. As Mary and I sat down to figure out our next storyline, I suddenly realized I had a headache. I groaned and rubbed my head.

Mary looked at me in concern, "What is it Seri?"

I looked at her with a serious expression, "I fear it may be..."

Mary gulped, "It may be?"

I answered in a grave tone, "Writer's block."

Mary blinked, "Huh? Writer's block?"

I sat back and groaned, "Yes. I can't think of a single idea."

Mary sighed, "I'm terrible at coming up with ideas... If only Millie was here. Then she could offer up some ideas."

I frowned, "Millie suggesting ideas?! All she ever suggests is murder scenes! She seems rather obsessed with crime novels..."

Mary thought for a second, "Well, if we can't come up with an idea... Why don't we look for inspiration?"

I grabbed her hands with bright eyes, "Mary! You're a genius!"

Her nose bled as she looked at my hands grabbing hers, "I-I am?"

I nodded, "Yes! It looks like this weekend we will stalk - I mean - we will go out and find inspiration!"

Mary smiled in excitement, "You're going to spend the weekend with me?!"

I frowned, "You're focusing on the wrong thing Mary."

____

Me and Mary hid behind a bush carrying a pen and paper. Mary looked at me, "Seri... Why are we dressed like middle aged women?"

"Because we are middle aged women."

Mary frowned, "No... I'm pretty sure we aren't."

I smacked my forehead, "Mary. I didn't mean it literally. It's our disguises. It's called acting. Do you know what acting is?!"

Mary giggled, "Of course I know what acting is. I'm not stupid."

I looked at her in disbelief, "Uhuh. Of course you aren't."

Mary smiled and looked around, "What are we doing hiding again?"

I groaned, "We are following Artie and Lucius for inspiration."

"Right right. But where's Millie? Shouldn't she come too?"

I shrugged, "She said she had errands to run for her parents."

Mary frowned, "Why is she always running errands for them? Don't they live far away?"

"Knowing her parents, they probably want her to go protest something in their place." I covered up Mary's mouth quickly, "Wait! Sh! Here they come!"

Artie walked out of the building with an irritated expression, "I can't believe my father is making me come and help you."

Lucius followed after him with a skip in his step, "What do you mean? Our father's have a very close relationship. If I need help, it's only natural that you would come and help me."

Artie clenched his fists and continued to stomp away angrily, "Help?! Why should I help you pick out an outfit for the stupid work conference?! Why can't you have a servant help you?!"

Lucius pouted, "Because I only trust you to pick me out something! You know what looks best on me!"

Mary and I looked at each other. Mary whispered, "Seri, it appears they are a lot closer than we thought."

I looked at the two and nodded, "It appears so."

Artie snapped at Lucius, "Why can't you just have one of your many girlfriends to help you?!"

Lucius rolled his eyes, "Please. I can't have them help me. They think I look good in everything."

Artie clenched his jaw, "I really want to hit that idiotic face of yours."

I giggled with Mary, "Looks like Artie's jealous. This is gold."

The two made their way into town and we followed them making sure to avoid suspicion. They walked into a boutique and we followed in after. We hid behind in a clothing rack and watched the two.

Lucius grabbed a red outfit, "How about this?!"

Artie smacked his hands, "Are you kidding?! You can't wear that with YOUR hair!" He pulled out a green outfit, "No. You look far better with this."

As we watched their conversation, a clerk walked over to us. "Um, Madams? Can I help you?"

Mary and I looked up at the clerk. I dug out a coin purse and threw it at the clerk, "Forget you've ever saw us."

She looked at us in confusion. Then she looked closer at me, "Oh God. It's you. No- It's no problem. Continue to do... Whatever you are doing."

When the clerk walked away, Mary glanced at me. "What was that?"

I shrugged, "I have no idea."

"But she seemed to have recognized you. Do you come here often?"

I opened my mouth and hesitated. Wait. How does she know me? F*ck. Did my identity somehow get discovered again? D*mn. I'm really bad at keeping a low profile.

We turned back and noticed that Lucius had put on the outfit. Artie sat on the couch with his arms crossed. Lucius twirled around in front of Artie as if waiting for him to compliment him. However, Artie wasn't giving him the time of day.

Lucius did a little dance in front of Artie, "Well? Well? Aren't I handsome? Don't I just look so dashing?"

Artie rolled his eyes in irritation, "Yes, I'm sure all the women will be throwing themselves at you."

Lucius chuckled in satisfaction and tapped his nose, "Really? I think so too."

Mary whispered to me, "I didn't think Lucius was so concerned with being complimented."

I whispered back, "I think he just wants to hear Artie compliment him. Wouldn't you want your crush to compliment you?"

Mary looked at me with longing eyes and sighed, "I would..."

I smiled gently at her... Tenderly grabbed her chin... Then forced her to look ahead at Artie and Lucius.

I whispered, "Don't get distracted."

Lucius continued to poke at Artie wanting attention. Artie grinded his teeth in irritation. He grabbed Lucius's hand and yanked him down. Lucius fell on the couch and looked at Artie with large eyes.

Artie pinned him down on the couch, "If you touch me one more time I'm going to make you regret it."

I gasped.

Mary looked at me, "What is it Seri?"

I whispered, "It seems we got an important detail wrong in our story."

Mary tilted her head, "What did we get wrong?"

I answered with a serious expression, "Artie is actually.... The top."

Mary gasped.

Then nodded in approval.