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"Hellooo" the boy at the door waved. Little Rory waved back.

I spied his grey vest. 'Shoot! He's a Master'

He looked older than us, around 16 or 17. He had rings in his ears and curly, sand colored hair. He was smiling, yes, but it only felt like he was doing it out of pity for us. 

Must be those Master genes.

He watched us all carefully with his piercing green eyes. Now we were truly in for it.  How could they already be done with class? They say time flies when you're having fun but I wasn't even having fun!

"I'm Archie." he finally said.

"Hi, Archie." Cecile greeted dumbly. The older boy smiled politely at her.

"Alright!" he clapped his hands together and stepped into the room. "I'm assuming you're all Littles? What a treat!"

This was suprising but not uncommon. Most Masters have been known to go head over heels at the sight of Littles. Something about the fact that pets aren't as cute, plus their image of us isn't ruined by all the screaming and crying we tend to do.

Archie's eyes landed on Little Rory, who had forgotten about the massive dog and was now curiously staring up at him.

"Aww, what's his name?" Archie asked me, crouching to his height.

"Rory." I answered shortly.

He nodded and reached out to take his hand. The younger boy squeezed his hand back like his life depended on it.

Then Archie stood up and led Rory to stand beside him, ruffling his hair gently.

"So, what brings you happy few to the Master's Wing." he said looking around. I noticed Cecile had a lock of her pink and blonde hair in her mouth and was chomping on it hard. She looked at me with wide, panicky eyes.

I really hope that's just a nervous habit and doesn't mean she's regressed.

"Oh, we came to see our friends..sir." I explained, realizing that Fareeda wasn't going to speak up at all either.

"That's nice, why are you here then?" he prodded with a tone that scared me a little. I avoided eye contact nervously.

"Well, classes hadn't ended yet, so Rory suggest we come see the dogs." How was it any fair that the main culprit in all this wasn't being interrogated as well. No, he just nuzzled into Archie's side cutely.

Little Littles can still answer to authority can't they! Rubbish.

"Sorry, but you're not allowed down here." Archie continued. He stepped aside and gestured to the hallway "So, please file out quietly. "

Not sure the reaction I was expecting but this was manageable. At least we weren't being put in time out or something dumb

I sighed and shuffled towards the door with my head down, I hear  Pets do that to appease their Masters. I'm sure I'm right.

I watched as Fareeda followed next, then Cecile, but as she passed by Archie he held out a hand to stop her.

"That little stunt you pulled earlier was extremely dangerous." He scolded, referring to the thing with the Collies. "You could have gotten badly hurt."

She pursed her lips indignantly and didn't respond. The Master unfortunately didn't agree.

"I hope you're not ignoring me. I just said something to you. It's typical to apologize." he snapped. What on earth? Does he not realize he's talking to a Little. 

"Sorry!" she yelped, suddenly regaining her senses, and fled, coming to cower behind my back. Fareeda, noticing the spiked tension also inched closer.

"Right then. Follow me, we're marching straight back to your wing. I guess your friends will have to wait to see you another day." Archie ordered.

He turned to go, and stopped. As if he'd just noticed the Little attached to his hand. He gazed at Rory, then released him and nudged him towards me. "Now you've put me in a mood. Take your friend."

I hastily took his hand and pulled him beside me. The poor boy had a sober expression. I sighed. 'What a shit turn of events'

Archie led us upstairs and through a corridor. As soon as we passed through a set of doors, my stomach dropped. 

15 minutes had gone. Long gone. Class was out.

The students moved about, big and tall and towering over us. I suddenly felt so small.

That can't be right.

"Reeda." I whispered. "Hold my hand or we'll be trampled!"

She did so, and did the same to Cecile and we trudged on. Holding hands in a line.

Now I'd be lying if I said no one paid us any mind. Oh, we were paid mind. Everyone watched us, cooing and giggling. My cheeks must have been a fiery red.

"Awww, looks like someone got in twuble!" a boy snickered to his friend as they walked by. The friend let out a hearty laugh and exclaimed, pointing at Cecile. "Look! I think that one's crying!"

Still we pushed through, me keeping my eyes on Archie up ahead.

Soon we were back where we started, at my room. Archie left with a warning.

"I better not see you in the Master's wing again without proper permission or supervision. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." I replied sharply. He shook his head and stormed off.

I gazed round at my friends. Cecile looked on the brink of tears, Rory, now back to his big age sat stiffly on the desk, and Fareeda as usual, shrank into herself.

I rubbed my eyes and yawned loudly. "Sheesh! That dude must have a stick up his ass."

Rory rubbed his neck. "Yeah. Screw him." he peered at Fareeda. "Are you ok?" he asked softly.

She nodded and looked away. Hmmmmmm????

"ARGHHH!!!" Cecile groaned and stomped her feet dramatically. "Octo! Let's just go to the library!"

I shrugged my shoulders, smiling. "Of course. We should have gone there in the first place anyway!"

"My brother and sister will just have to come here to meet us. I don't plan on going back there in a good while!" Rory proclaimed, feeling more like himself again. Cecile squealed and pulled Fareeda up excitedly.

"Then come on, nerds! To the library!"

***

9:45 pm. 

Later in the evening I slipped into my bed and switched on my phone, deciding now was a good time to check up on a certain someone. 

You: [Is this thing on?] I typed, the corners of my lips turning up ever so slightly.

There came an instant reply.  Nugget: [bruhhhfinally! ur online!! =D does this mean we can play mincraft now 😄😄]

You: [What? No! Maybe tomorrow, it's late now.]

Nugget: [  |=\ ]

Nugget: [dood, y did u even bother me thenn 😑 is it cuz u dont have friends yet]

You: [Shut up I said we'd play tomorrow]

You: [And I don't even know why I have to prove this to you, but I'm pretty sure I made 3 friends already. And 1 enemy]

Nugget: [😨]

Nugget: [im gonna going to tell tuck]

You: [Rat]

You: [How are Mom and Dad doing, by the way?]

Nugget: [mom is sayin shes gonna send u snacks to hide in ur room and dad iz comin to visit on saturday i think]

Nugget: [shes taking all the gud crispy oatz urrrghh y r u soo LUCKY!!!! 😣]

You: [ B)))]

You: [You can have them anyway, I only want like 3]

 "ahem." someone cleared their throat behind me. I slowly turned to face a blank faced young man with a clipboard tucked under his right arm.

He glanced at it "Numan, is it?  You shouldn't be up at this hour." 

"...ummm..ok" I replied dumbly, slipping my phone under my pillow. He shook his head and ticked something off on his clipboard.

"Hey, how did you get in?" I asked, knowing that I'd locked and double locked my door. He made a puzzled face.

"Through the door. What, did you think they actually locked?" the man chuckled under his breath, strolling out of my bedroom.

'Good to know.' I thought to myself as I rolled over and settled down to sleep.

As I drifted off, a buzz sounded from my pillow. It was probably just Philo, so I chose to ignore it.

Nugget: [octo!! doooodddd!!! wat about the pringlez?? do u want them to? ]

Nugget: [tell mee!!!]

Nugget: [😠😠]

**

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